Discover the World of Reiki
What is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a Japanese spiritual healing art and energy balancing system. The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words: "Rei," which means "Universal Life" or "Higher Power," and "Ki," which means "Energy" or "Life Force." Therefore, Reiki is often translated as "Universal Life Energy."
It is a gentle, non-invasive hands-on (or hands-off, for distance healing) technique that promotes healing by encouraging a healthy flow of energy in the body. Reiki practitioners believe that when life force energy is low or blocked, we are more likely to get sick or feel stress. When it is high and flowing freely, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. Reiki aims to restore balance to the body's energy centers (chakras) and energy pathways, thereby supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.
Reiki is not affiliated with any particular religion or religious practice. It is a subtle and effective form of energy work using spiritually guided life force energy.
Who is the Founder of Reiki?
The Usui System of Reiki Healing (Usui Reiki Ryoho) was founded in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui (臼井甕男) in the early 20th century, around 1922. After a period of spiritual quest and a profound meditative experience on Mount Kurama, Dr. Usui is said to have gained the understanding and ability to work with Reiki energy.
Dr. Usui dedicated his life to practicing and teaching Reiki. He established a clinic in Tokyo and founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, a society to promote Reiki healing. His teachings emphasized not only the healing aspects of Reiki but also spiritual development through the Reiki Principles (Gokai):
- Just for today, do not anger.
- Just for today, do not worry.
- Just for today, be grateful.
- Just for today, work with diligence.
- Just for today, be kind to others.
Dr. Usui trained several masters, including Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, who played a significant role in bringing Reiki to the West through Hawayo Takata.
The 3 Levels of Reiki
The Usui system of Reiki is traditionally taught in three levels or degrees. Each level involves an "attunement" (also called an initiation or Reiju), which is a sacred ritual performed by a Reiki Master to open the student's energy channels to connect to the Reiki energy. This process also imparts the knowledge and symbols associated with that level.
Reiki Level 1 (Shoden - First Teachings)
Reiki Level 1 focuses on self-healing and opening the energy channels. Students learn the history of Reiki, the Reiki principles, hand positions for treating oneself and others (primarily family and friends). The attunement at this level connects the student to the Reiki source, enabling them to channel Reiki energy for themselves and others through direct touch. The primary emphasis is on personal healing and spiritual development.
Reiki Level 2 (Okuden - Inner Teachings)
Reiki Level 2 significantly increases the practitioner's ability to channel Reiki energy. Students are introduced to three sacred Reiki symbols: the Power Symbol (Cho Ku Rei), the Mental/Emotional Symbol (Sei Hei Ki), and the Distance Healing Symbol (Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen). These symbols allow practitioners to enhance the energy flow, address mental and emotional issues more directly, and send healing energy across distances and time (past, present, future). This level is often considered the "practitioner" level, allowing individuals to offer Reiki to the public.
Reiki Level 3 (Shinpiden - Mystery Teachings) / Reiki Master
Reiki Level 3 is the Master level. At this stage, the practitioner receives the Master attunement and is introduced to the Master Symbol (Dai Ko Myo). This level focuses on deepening one's spiritual connection and commitment to Reiki. There are often two parts to this level:
- Reiki Master Practitioner: Focuses on using the Master symbol for personal growth, advanced healing techniques, and embodying the Reiki energy at a deeper level.
- Reiki Master Teacher: Involves learning how to give attunements for all Reiki levels and how to teach Reiki to others. This level requires a significant commitment to the Reiki path and a desire to share this gift with others.
Different Types of Reiki
While Usui Reiki Ryoho is the foundational system from which many other forms have evolved, various styles or "types" of Reiki have emerged over time. These forms often incorporate additional symbols, techniques, or philosophies while still being rooted in the core principles of Reiki. Some well-known types include:
- Usui Reiki: The original system developed by Mikao Usui. This is the most widely practiced form.
- Karuna Reiki®: Developed by William Lee Rand and other Reiki Masters. Karuna is a Sanskrit word meaning "compassionate action." This system uses additional symbols and is said to work on a deeper, more specific healing level.
- Jikiden Reiki®: Focuses on teaching Reiki as it was originally taught in Japan by Dr. Hayashi, emphasizing simplicity and directness.
- Holy Fire® Reiki: A more recent form of Reiki introduced by William Lee Rand, described as a higher vibrational energy.
- Seichim/Sekhem Reiki: An ancient Egyptian-based energy healing system that is often integrated with Reiki. It's known for its powerful, feminine energy.
- Rainbow Reiki®: Developed by Walter Lübeck, it integrates traditional Usui Reiki with other healing methods, crystals, and aromatherapy.
- Lightarian™ Reiki: A system that aims to expand the vibrational range of Reiki beyond Usui and Karuna® based modalities for accelerated spiritual growth.
- Shamballa Multidimensional Healing: Often associated with St. Germain and Ascended Masters, it's described as an expansion of Reiki energy, incorporating a large number of symbols.
It's important to note that all forms of Reiki ultimately channel the same universal life force energy, though the methods and focus might vary.
Reiki Symbols (28 Examples - Usui, Karuna, Shamballa & Others)
Reiki symbols are sacred tools used to focus and amplify Reiki energy. Below are examples, starting with traditional Usui symbols, followed by placeholders for Karuna, Shamballa, and other symbols often found in extended Reiki systems. You will need to provide the specific images and detailed information for symbols 6-28 based on the list from reikiscoop.com or your chosen system.
Cho Ku Rei (超空霊) - The Power Symbol
Pronunciation: Choh-Koo-Ray
Meaning: Often translated as "Place all the power of the universe here" or "God is here."
Purpose and Use:
- Amplifies Energy: It acts like a light switch, instantly boosting the flow of Reiki energy. It can be used to increase the power of healing sessions.
- Cleansing: Used to cleanse spaces, objects (like food, water, crystals), and auras of negative energy.
- Protection: Can be used to create an energetic shield around a person, object, or space.
- Focus: Helps to focus energy on a specific area or intention.
- Grounding: Can assist in grounding energy.
- Manifestation: Used to empower affirmations and intentions.
The Cho Ku Rei symbol is typically the first symbol taught in Reiki Level 2. It can be drawn in a clockwise or counter-clockwise spiral, depending on the practitioner's intuition or specific teaching, to either draw in or disperse energy.
Sei Hei Ki (清平気) - The Mental/Emotional Symbol (Harmony Symbol)
Pronunciation: Say-Hay-Key
Meaning: Often translated as "God and Man become one" or "The Earth and Sky meet." It represents harmony and balance.
Purpose and Use:
- Emotional Healing: Helps to release emotional blockages, calm anxiety, fear, anger, sadness, and other emotional distress.
- Mental Healing: Aids in healing mental patterns, negative thoughts, and addictions. It can improve memory and concentration.
- Harmony and Peace: Promotes a sense of peace, balance, and harmony within oneself and in relationships.
- Clearing Negative Energy: Used to clear negative energies from the subconscious mind and from environments.
- Healing Past Traumas: Can be used to address the emotional and mental aspects of past traumas.
- Balancing Chakras: Particularly effective for the heart and solar plexus chakras.
The Sei Hei Ki symbol is used to bring the "above" (spiritual consciousness) into the "below" (physical body), creating a harmonious connection. It often looks like a wave or a stylized wing.
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (本者是正念) - The Distance Healing Symbol
Pronunciation: Hon-Shah-Zay-Show-Nen
Meaning: Often translated as "No past, no present, no future," "The Buddha in me connects to the Buddha in you," or "The Divinity in me salutes the Divinity in you."
Purpose and Use:
- Distance Healing: Its primary use is to send Reiki energy across any distance, whether to a person in another room, city, or country.
- Healing Across Time: Can be used to send healing to past traumas or events, or to future situations (like an upcoming exam or surgery) to create positive outcomes.
- Connecting to Akashic Records: Some practitioners use it to access information from the Akashic Records (a compendium of all human events, thoughts, words, emotions, and intent ever to have occurred).
- Healing Karmic Patterns: Can assist in healing deep-seated karmic issues.
- Inner Child Healing: Effective for connecting with and healing the inner child.
The Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen symbol is complex to draw, consisting of multiple Kanji characters. It acts as a bridge, transcending the normal limitations of time and space, allowing the practitioner to connect and send healing energy wherever and whenever it is needed.
Dai Ko Myo (大光明) - The Master Symbol
Pronunciation: Dye-Ko-Mee-Oh
Meaning: Often translated as "Great Bright Light," "Great Shining Light," or "Great Enlightenment."
Purpose and Use:
- Spiritual Connection & Enlightenment: This is the most powerful symbol in Usui Reiki, representing enlightenment and profound spiritual connection. It embodies the essence of Reiki.
- Empowerment: Empowers all other Reiki symbols and enhances the healing process.
- Attunements: Used by Reiki Masters during the attunement process to pass Reiki energy to students.
- Soul Healing: Works at the soul level, promoting profound healing and spiritual growth.
- Increased Intuition: Can help to enhance intuition and psychic awareness.
- Manifesting Highest Good: Used to connect with one's higher self and manifest outcomes for the highest good.
The Dai Ko Myo symbol is given to students at the Reiki Master level (Level 3). It is considered a sacred symbol that brings about deep transformation and a greater understanding of one's true nature and connection to the Universe.
Raku (ラク) - The Completion or Grounding Symbol
Pronunciation: Rah-Koo
Meaning: Often referred to as the "Fire Serpent" or "Lightning Bolt." It symbolizes completion, grounding, and sealing of energies.
Purpose and Use:
- Grounding: Primarily used at the end of an attunement process or a healing session to ground the recipient and the practitioner. It helps to bring the energy down through the body and into the earth.
- Sealing Energy: Helps to seal the Reiki energy within the recipient's aura after a session or attunement, allowing the healing to continue integrating.
- Separation of Auras: Used by the Reiki Master during an attunement to separate their aura from the student's aura once the attunement is complete.
- Completion: Marks the completion of a cycle or process.
- Kidney Stones & Blood Clots: Some traditions suggest its use for specific physical ailments like kidney stones or blood clots due to its focused, piercing energy (use with extreme caution and never as a replacement for medical care).
Raku is often depicted as a lightning bolt shape. While not one of the original symbols taught by Dr. Usui in the same way as the first three, it became associated with some Reiki lineages, particularly in the West, for its use in the attunement process. Its inclusion and use can vary between different Reiki schools and Masters.
6. Zonar
System: Karuna Reiki®
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - often related to infinity, karma, cellular healing)
Purpose and Use:
- Healing past lives, karmic issues, cellular memory.
- (Add more details)
7. Halu
System: Karuna Reiki®
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - often related to love, truth, beauty, deeper healing)
Purpose and Use:
- Dispelling illusion and denial, healing shadow self, psychic attack defense.
- (Add more details)
8. Harth
System: Karuna Reiki®
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - often related to love, compassion, heart healing)
Purpose and Use:
- Healing relationships, developing compassion, healing addictions, restoring love for life.
- (Add more details)
9. Rama
System: Karuna Reiki®
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - often related to grounding, connection with Earth, God)
Purpose and Use:
- Grounding, clearing lower chakras, manifesting goals, clearing spaces.
- (Add more details)
10. Gnosa
System: Karuna Reiki®
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - often related to mystical knowledge, spiritual connection)
Purpose and Use:
- Connecting with Higher Self, increasing spiritual awareness, understanding.
- (Add more details)
11. Kriya
System: Karuna Reiki®
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - often related to action, manifestation, perfect balance)
Purpose and Use:
- Manifestation, healing human race, bringing plans into action, grounding.
- (Add more details)
12. Iava (Iava Chanting Symbol)
System: Karuna Reiki®
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - often related to balancing elements, dispelling illusion)
Purpose and Use:
- Dispelling illusion, healing Earth, reclaiming personal power, balancing four elements.
- (Add more details)
13. Shanti
System: Karuna Reiki®
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - often means "Peace")
Purpose and Use:
- Promoting peace, healing past, releasing fear/anxiety, soothing aura, insomnia.
- (Add more details)
14. Dai Ko Myo (Tibetan)
System: Tibetan Reiki / Some Western Lineages
Pronunciation: Dye-Ko-Mee-Oh
Meaning: (Similar to Usui DKM, but visually different - Great Bright Light)
Purpose and Use:
- Often used in attunements, similar to Usui DKM but some find its energy different.
- (Add more details)
15. Fire Serpent
System: Tibetan Reiki / Some Western Lineages (Related to Kundalini)
Pronunciation: (Please add)
Meaning: (Please add - represents Kundalini energy)
Purpose and Use:
- Aligning chakras, connecting chakras, used in attunements.
- (Add more details)
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