Reiki after Dr Usui

Dr Mikao Usui did not believe that one person should have claim to the Reiki method of healing and so he attuned and taught anyone who was interested. He envisioned the Reiki method of healing being shared globally, however he didn't bargain on the Japanese mind-set that Japanese things were solely for the Japanese people. Following Dr Usui's death in 1926, this mind-set caused divide between those who were "traditionally minded" and those with a more liberal attitude.

Dr Usui's tombstone states that he founded the Reiki Society, the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and acted as its first president, however this is unlikely. It is more likely that the society was founded after his death by Juzaburo Ushida (1865-1935), who had named Dr Usui as the first President out of respect for the Founder. The Gakkai was open to people who had studied Usui's Reiki and this Society still exists today. Ushida was the author of the Usui memorial.

There have been six Gakkai Presidents and these are:
Juzaburo Ushida (1865 - 1935)
Kanichi taketomi (1878 -1960)
Yoshiharu Watanabe (unknown - 1960)
Hoichi Wanami (1883 - 1975)
Kimiko Koyama (1906 - 1998)
Masayoshi Kondo

Dr Hayashi and Mrs Takata introduced Reiki to the West in the 1930's, causing further divisions between the Eastern and Western Schools. Dr Hayashi and Mrs Takata have no links to the presidency of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and Mrs Takata created her own organisation "The Reiki Alliance".

Dr Hayashi was one of Dr Usui's disciples and so was attuned by Dr Usui himself, Mrs Takata visited one of Dr Usui's clinics for treatment and was later attuned to Reiki by Dr Hayashi.

It is thought that Mrs Takata often told her students that she was the only living Reiki Master and that all of the others had died during the War. Until the 1970's Mrs Takata only attuned people to the Second degree, when she began attuning people to Third degree or Reiki Master she set the high price of $10,000. She gave her students sparse information about the system, which has resulted in a near mythical history about the Founder Dr Usui's background.

Reiki is a power method of healing which works anywhere in the world. Although the Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki are now two very separate entities they originate from the one Founder Dr Usui, and both are equally valid and work to bring universal love and compassion to any situation, to heal, strengthen and empower any individual. Western Reiki has been de-spiritualised and merged with other often conflicting philosophies, while original Reiki has roots in Eastern Mysticism, Estoteric Buddhism and Folk Shinto.

While Reiki was never intended to become a religion it can be a spiritual journey. It honours the life force in all things and is rooted in quasi-religious techniques such as; meditation, secret symbols and initiation rituals.

Dr Mikao Usui - Founder of Reiki

There are several versions of how Dr Mikao Usui came to rediscover Reiki. I say rediscover as the symbols used within Reiki can be found within the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism, Dr Mikao Usui spent time reading the texts and then he experienced something quite special whilst meditating on Mount Kurama. I would like to detail the history as it has been given to me. 

Mikao Usui was born in Yago in the Yamagata district of Gifu prefecture on the 15th August 1864. He attended the Tendai Buddhist school, where he was a diligent student. He had a number of business during his life however in his later years he returned to his spiritual interests and studied various faiths and spiritual methods. He had practiced a Japanese form of Qigong called Ki ko from an early age and his healing ideas were based on Daoist principles and Zen philosophy. 

He researched many Esoteric Buddhist texts for a healing method. During this research he spent 21 days on Mount Kurama meditating upon teachings within the texts and on the 21st day he saw a light in the distance coming toward him, once it touched the crown of his head the Reiki symbols were shown to him in this light and at this point he was attuned to Reiki energy.

Upon receiving the Reiki attunement he first used the energy to heal himself and then practiced on his family and friends. He later went on to run seminars and give lectures on this healing system. In 1921 he established clinics where high profile people from all over came to receive Reiki. In 1923 the Kanto earthquake occurred in Tokyo and devastated the city. Dr. Usui went out into the streets helping the sick and injured and for this he was honoured by the Emperor Meiji. He toured many places across Japan where it is thought that he taught more than two thousand people, and it was during one of these tours that on 9th March 1926 in Fukuyama, Dr Mikao Usui died following a stroke at the age of 62 years old. 

"An Introduction to meditation" class set up.

I've recently expanded my list of services to include Meditation instructor. I am setting up an introduction to meditation group to meet monthly until the end of this year at  least to allow people to explore different meditation methods to find one that suits them. I thought I'd share the details here. If you are interested in this class or having 1 to 1 or small group tuition please contact me for details.

Reiki Doll

A Reiki Doll is another tool that can be used for Distance Treatments, when sending Reiki to a particular person. This type of Distance healing is also known as Correspondence Distance Treatment. Correspondence Distance treatment uses a photo or object in place of the client. Where a Reiki Doll is used, you would perform the treatment sequence on the Doll whilst visualising the recipient. The treatment time can be reduced however there is a greater level of concentration required so a quiet space should be found where you won't be disturbed for 20 minutes or so, Reiki/Soothing music can be played if that is preferred to silence.

It is important to ensure that you have received informed consent to send Reiki to a recipient before sending the Reiki energy. Informed consent is required from an adult or parent/guardian if sending a Distance treatment is being sent to a child or vulnerable adult. Reiki is a complimentary therapy which can safely be used in conjunction with conventional medical care and alternative therapies, however should not be used in place of conventional medicine.

As you would a hands-on treatment arrange a time with the recipient where they can sit quietly or lie down for approximately 45 minutes where they won't be disturbed, so that they may concentrate on receiving the treatment and receiving the full benefit.

The same after care is required where the recipient should be advised to drink more water, eat regular light meals and that they may expect some reactions resulting from toxins being removed from the body. These are nothing to worry about however it is important that you are available to the recipient should they have any concerns or questions.

Reiki and Animals

Animals react positively to Reiki energy and while Reiki treatment should never be given in place of veterinary treatment it can work alongside very well indeed.



One of my own dogs, Molly was adopted from a rescue centre after spending some time as a stray. She suffers from separation anxiety and is quite the worrier which shows as a sensitive tummy. We've found that when she seems a little overwhelmed, me sitting for 30minutes with her channelling Reiki into her doggy chakras really does soothe her. She is an absolute fan of Reiki and has been known to stand and lean against me when I'm channelling Reiki either whilst treating my husband or sending distance healing.



All animals have chakras just like we humans do. Their chakras don't exactly correlate to the human chakras in positions, you can find images examples on the internet using sites such as Pinterest.
http://www.pinterest.com/edelphyra/chakras/



To channel Reiki for an animal is maybe more simple than for a human because you let the animal guide where they want you to place your hands. Ask your guides to come and assist you, draw Reiki into yourself and then channel it through your hands into your animal recipient. If they don't wish to receive reiki they will get up and leave. If it isn't possible or appropriate to be hands on with the animal recipient you can channel Reiki in the same way either sitting in the vicinity of the animal or through distance healing.   Don't be offended if an animal rejects your offer of Reiki, one of my cats turned down a reiki treatment but only the first time, I guess he found the experience initially unusual and he's not one for change, so I amended my way of channelling the Reiki energy to him until he felt more comfortable having my hands placed on him while giving him a treatment.



I hope you have found my blog interesting and I'd love your experience of hands on healing whether it be Reiki or another healing modality.



With Reiki Blessings

Rachel

Energy cleansing part 2.

Having discussed the topic of energy cleansing with a few friends I've decided to extend on this topic a little further. There are so many different way you cleanse your own energy but it is equally important to be able to cleanse your home.

Here are a few ways that I have used previously for cleansing both myself but also my home.

Smudging the aura/home
This involves setting herbs or incense alight creating a small column of smoke that you can sweep through your auric field and waft into the corners of every room to lift stagnant energy. The most common herb that is used is sage for its purification. Most commonly you can buy them as bundles of herbs which are tightly bound with thread. This is lit and when the ember glow blown out so that it smoulders slowly creating the smoke. Once lit it should be placed in a fire proof bowl, I have a cast iron pot that I use. To cleanse your aura, place the smoking sage bundle in the fire proof bowl and set it down on the floor, allow the smoke to circle up and the step over the bowl and through the smoke. To cleanse your home take up the bowl and a feather and starting at your front door walk clockwise around each room of your home, using the feather to waft the smoke into every corner of each room, first downstairs and then upstairs. I recommend you open the windows before you begin so that the negative energy has an exit point from your home.

Crystals & salt
Quartz crystals are a great way to lift and the protect your home from negative energy. Gather/buy enough so you have one for each room, they don't need to be big pieces. Cleanse them under running water and charge them under moonlight and then place one in each room, repeat the cleansing of the quartz periodically.

Salt is also very effective for cleansing the home of negative energy. Sprinkle salt around the edges of each of the rooms and refresh after hoovering, you don't need very much at all. This is especially good in children's rooms if they are having nightmares or if they are sensitive to energy and not able to settle easily at night.

Sound
This one is a fun to do and lifts the stagnant energy from your home and yourself in one go. You don't need any special instrument, I have Tibetan bells and a Tibetan singing bowl, but a pan lid and a wooden spoon work just as well. Again open the windows and starting at the front door work clockwise through each room making as much noise as you can, letting it vibrate though your home lifting that stagnant and negative energy and ushering it out of the windows. You may get a few funny looks from the neighbours for a while but it's still good fun, maybe it is one to try with children if you have them kids love an opportunity to be loud.

Reiki Principles

Today I'd like to share with you the Reiki Principles as defined by the found Dr Mikao Usui.

They are very simple and practitioners often repeat these each morning and keep them in mind throughout their day.

Just for today, I will let go of anger,

Just for today, I will let go of worry,
Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings,
Just for today, I will do my work honestly,
Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbour and every living thing.

Dr Mikao Usui

Energy cleansing and Energy protection

Our energy or auric field expands beyond our physical body, it expands when we are happy and contracts when we are ill or sad.
Each and every day we are bombarded with energy, some of this energy is positive and influences us in a positive and uplifting way, at the same time we are exposed to negative energy which has a negative or destructive influence upon our emotions and experiences. To avoid being bogged down or overwhelmed by the negative energy it is important to regularly cleanse our energy or auras and also to put in place protection to limit the impact that negative energy has upon us.


Energy cleansing
There are a number of ways to clear our energy centre and auric fields of negative energy. Those attuned to Reiki are able to perform what is known as a Reiki shower where they channel Reiki to cleanse away any negative energy.

An alternative method for cleansing away negative energy is to have a salt bath on a weekly basis. There are various types of salt available and I use magnesium salts as my preferred choice, but you can use rock, sea, Epsom salts and so on. Some are more expensive than others so choose one which also fits your budget. I use about 250-500g of salt per bath. If I feel particularly drained or stressed then I will use up to 1.5 kgs, and soak for 20 minutes. (NOTE: If you are currently under treatment for a medical condition, please consult with your Dr before trying this method of cleansing, as there may be some medical conditions where salt baths are not recommended.)


Energy protection
Bubbles/armour of brilliant light will effectively shield a lot of negative energy. During my Reiki training the following was suggested as a method and I use it twice daily. Visualise a bubble of brilliant light growing from you centre illuminating out around your physical body, expanding around your home and loved ones, visualise all negative energy bouncing off this bubble. The colour is an individual choice. Personally I visualise a pink light spreading out to surround everything I hold dear, but you can use any colour that you want. I repeat this visualisation on a twice daily basis, first thing in the morning when I wake and again, last thing at night as I lay down to sleep. This ensures that I am protected from the majority of negative energy 24 hours a day. Only Reiki, love and positive energy is able to permeate this bubble.

Spirit Guides

A Spirit Guide is an entity/soul/being in the realm outside of our own, who is assigned to support and guide you as you progress and learn the lessons set for this lifetime. They see us in our true energy form and have the ability to show themselves to us in a form that is comforting.

The awareness and support of spirit guides is not limited to Reiki, however in some cases the Reiki  attunement brings with it a deeper and clearer perception regarding their existence and how they may support you, not only on your Reiki journey but also as part of your daily life. During my own attunements my awareness of my spirit guides became more defined. I was previously aware of one of my guides and felt the presence of another but I couldn't name or describe them in any detail. I feel this belief came from my spiritual path before Reiki.

Making contact with your spirit guides can be achieved through a variety of ways and some people find the process easier than others. Even if you are unable to connect to the point where you know their name and what they look like accept that they are with you always waiting for you to ask for their guidance. They will be able to communicate their message to you some how, you won't need to strain yourself to hear it.

I met my guides through the process of guided meditation and I think this is a valuable practice to master, it isn't the only way but this has been how I have connected so I will provide only my experience here. Take the time to build up the time you meditate from a minute to two and increase until you reach a comfortable period for you that is insightful but not tiring. I tend to meditate between 10 and 20 minutes on average, sometimes I can meditate for 45 minutes but that isn't common for me. Again don't try too hard and build up the time gradually, don't expect yourself to get it right first time. I find guided meditations most useful as I will wander off away from the guided voice but if I lose focus I can refocus back into mediation using the voice when needed. You will find many different types of meditation so research and try the different ways and see which suits you best. Youtube.com can be a useful resource for meditations as well as iTunes, music shops, alternative/new age/occult shops as well as some meditation CDs in books shops in the mind body and spirit section.

Anyway back to the point of this discussion, I am now aware of 4 guides complete with their backgrounds which are very different from one another and their recognisable ages vary from a female child to that of a mature male.

I will share with you the guides that are with me currently and a brief description alongside how they help me both with my Reiki journey but also my spirituals and daily life. I will refrain from using their names here as they are personal to me. I am not limited to just 4 guides there may be many other who may come and go throughout my lifetime.

The first spirit guide that I clearly identified was a Celtic lady, she presents herself as a slender lady dressed in green, with mahogany red hair and startlingly green eyes. Her purpose is to support me when I perform Reiki on myself and on clients, she helps me to identify where my hands should be placed on a clients body to channel the reiki energy directly to the area in need. She is a healer.

The second spirit guide was a mature man of Scandinavian heritage. He is a woodsman with shoulder length white hair and beard, he is rugged and has been weathered by the elements, he has gentle blue eyes. He carries and axe with an intricate pattern on the handle,  we met and sat by his hearth where he presented me with a dagger. His purpose is as a gatekeeper and protector. He guides positive spirit towards me and keeps me safe from negative spirit who may drain my energy.

The third spirit guide was a surprise to me. It feels quite cliché to have an American Indian but he presents himself as a young warrior, long black hair and dark brown eyes, muscular physique with painted face and body. His purpose is to help me maintain my link and fascination with nature, her elements, her strength and fragility. He helps me to accept and cherish what cannot be changed such as the cycle of life and gives me the power to fight for the things that I can influence.

My final guide is a young Victorian girl, a child but a face that shows her wisdom. She is to ensure I remember to look at the world with the innocence of a child and to enjoy life, accept that while I have responsibilities I shouldn't take myself too seriously. I have found that this spills over into my private life the most and I have found that instead of things worrying me as they once did I am more inclined to laugh and carry on. Occasionally I find myself getting too involved with things and need to remind myself to step back. I'm not perfect by any means and it is a balance I'm still trying to find. She is very creative and prompts me to show my creative inside to.

I hope you have found this insightful with regards to spirit guides and their purpose in helping you along your life path, I would love to hear your experiences.

Reiki Blessings & Love

Rachel

Reiki as a spiritual path

Reiki isn't just about healing it is a whole way of life and a spiritual journey. Each morning starts with me asking my guides to be with me during the day, create a circle of protective energy and perform a self-healing. Each evening I give thanks for my guides being with me and I again create a circle of protective energy. I tend not to perform a self-healing just before I go to sleep as I find that the Reiki energy energises me and then keeps me awake and I like my sleep.

Dr Usui also wrote the guiding principles of Reiki and I'd like to share them with you.

Just for today, I will let go of anger,
Just for today, I will let go of worry,
Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings,
Just for today, I will do my work honestly,
Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbours and every living thing.

You try to achieve these each day and it helps if you say them to yourself at the start of the day, and if one day you have an "off" day its ok, just restate the above at the start of the next day and do your best.

How did I come to start this journey? I have been a pagan and a witch for 15 plus years and used to working with energy in my spiritual practice. This isn't me coming out of the broom-closet. Many of my friends and family are aware of my beliefs and have supported me along my journey and I don't hide my faith from people but nor do I go out of me way to tell everyone...lol. I just feel that it is relevant to this blog.

In the years leading up to starting my Reiki journey there were many signs that Reiki could be a future path for me, though I remained sceptical at the time. In 2009, I had a period of illness and Reiki again came to my mind and I began looking for a Reiki Master. I talked to a number of Reiki Masters and in 2011 I finally met who would become my Reiki Master and I am so pleased. I have a mentor and a friend all rolled into one.

Reiki was introduced to me at a time I had become stagnant in my pagan beliefs and didn't know quite where to go. Reiki has re-energised my pagan faith and Reiki compliments my pagan belief system. I use Reiki on a daily basis to make life better for myself, my husband, my animals and my friends. I also use Reiki in my magical workings, for example making a herbal balm I can channel Reiki into the balm and increase its effectiveness or create a protective circle when people around me are being affected by negativity. As part of being attuned to Reiki I have gained an awareness of my spiritual guides, I knew of their presence before, but I didn't have a way to connect properly to them to hear their names or to know what they look like. I have currently identified 4 guides who work with me using Reiki with clients, teaching and with my spiritual beliefs. I'm sure there will be a few more as I progress. A blog for the future perhaps?

I am now honoured to be in a position of being other peoples Reiki Master, assisting them to begin this journey and guide them on their way. I am very blessed.

Distance Reiki - How does it work?

I'd like to share with you my ritual for sending Reiki to someone who I am not able to meet face to face. All that I need is a name, a photo (optional) and the reason for the healing, actually the reason isn't that important either but for completeness and something to go back to for review its nice to have.

I set the intention to send Reiki to someone or a situation, even to myself at a future point so that the Reiki can be used by the higher consciousness for whatever is required for that individual. I do this in a variety of ways.

I have a book containing the names of all those who I wish to send Reiki to, where I have received a request from someone or someone's loved one then the name is added to my book. I create a crystal grid on top of the book which consists of 6-8 local crystals a mix of quartz and fluorspar. In the centre a rose quartz point. I draw the relevant Reiki symbol over the book and crystal grid to energise the crystals with Reiki energy and then I visualise the energy beaming out to those who it is intended for.

If I'm requested to send Reiki to an individual I have made myself a Reiki doll. I go through the sequence as I would if I were working on the actual person, whilst visualising the Reiki energy being directed to that person. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to do the sequence, similar to the time a Reiki therapy session would take if I were working on the actual person.

 

Welcome to 2014.

To start the New Year and with the unfortunate loss of my blog on my webpage http://gentlereikihands.moonfruit.com/# I have decided to take up residence in Blogger.com.

As a little background. My name is Rachel and I am a Reiki Master in the North East of England. My Reiki journey began relatively recently in 2011 and I received my Reiki Master Attunement at the end of 2012.

The Reiki path I was attuned to is the Usui Shiki Ryoho which is just one of many Reiki paths that can be chosen. My Reiki journey is made up of both Eastern and Western traditions as my Reiki Master was attuned and studied both traditions, and I will continue to present this combined tradition to my students.

Reiki is a hands on healing system from Japan, rediscovered by Dr Mikao Usui. It translates as "Rei" Universal/Life and "Ki" force/energy. It is the energy that surrounds each and everyone of us all: animals, plants and mineral. It is accessible to all life, however I have been attuned to able to channel this energy and direct it towards a recipient, situation etc. and it works by stimulating the recipient's own healing capacity. It is a gentle but definite energy, some recipients may not feel this energy while some feel it as warming/cooling sensation (there are lots of other sensations, too many to list), even if it is not felt it is working.

I regularly send Reiki Distance Healing to those who request healing for themselves and their loved ones. I send Distance Healing absolutely free and once you are in my book you will be sent Healing each time for your higher self to use as it needs it.

In September 2013 I attuned my first group of Students and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. They enjoyed themselves also and I hope they will all continue to their Level 2 with me in 2014. I chose the Yurts at Killhope Lead Mining Museum which is an area I am drawn to time and time again. The setting was perfect for the workshop held and we were even blessed and then distracted by the scamperings of little red squirrels. Well worth a visit if you are ever in Weardale, Co.Durham.