Post by dancingwind on Oct 21, 2005 7:41:15 GMT
About Symbols
There are at least three fundamentally different types of symbols and beliefs regarding the nature of symbolic forms. The first kind of symbol is those in which the power or ability to create effect is inherent in the form of the symbol. Those used in sacred geometry or the tattwas and to a certain extent Yantra Mandalas are among those in which the actual shape or form is said to directly stimulate the subconscious energy patterns in the brain and energy body or physical and nonphysical reality.
These symbols are said to contain the power to waken an ability or create a result or convey mystical information and realization of themselves with no or little action or intention by anyone . The second belief is that objects and symbols can be something that is charged or empowered by intention or ritual or proximity to holy places or people to contain the power to create an effect. The last kind of symbol is those that are tools or triggers which enable you to connect with and use a spiritual function, information, energy and so forth, that exists separate from the symbol itself. The symbol is more like an on button the power is in what the symbols represent rather than having any power of its own. These viewpoints are not really mutually exclusive they are just different ways of looking at things. Some people in the United states have considered and taught that the Reiki symbols and their names or mantra themselves inherently contained the power and were sacred and secret not to be revealed to anyone who was not an initiate. Most of the Symbols used in Reiki are Kanji that is written words which have esoteric symbolic meanings in some Buddhist traditions.
I have always felt that the Reiki symbols were primarily of the third kind. They are tools to facilitate connecting with aspects of the universal energy for healing. They do not themselves have inherant power. There are often many different ways to draw a particular symbol but they all effectively assist in connecting to the Reiki energy. Now that Western Reiki Practitioners have made contact with Japanese Reiki Practitioners from the Reiki Association founded by Mikao Usui it is apparent that this is the way they are used in that society and that many people become able to use Reiki functions without directly invoking the symbols .
These symbols are exactly that, symbols. They are not what they represent. The Reiki symbols represent specific properties functions of energy for healing and spiritual enhancement . When anyone who is attuned to Reiki sees and says the name or draws these symbols it helps them to connect themselves with the Reiki energy and activate the function and specific purpose the symbol represents . The specific attunement the author of this manual uses does confer an automatic ability to choose to work with the Reiki functions by intention and use words or thought as the activator as well as by consciously invoking the symbols . Direct intention activation does not substitute for the information and experience to be gained from studying and using symbols . It is not necessary to understand the meanings of the symbols or even to consciously use them to gain and share the benefits of the Reiki system. Though it can enrich your experience to explore the meanings. The symbols remind us that there are ways to focus on different aspects of the energy and use them.
You may also use Reiki to focus on other aspects and purposes of the universal energy by direct intention. Other systems which have evolved from Reiki such as Seichim and Karuna use different symbols to focus on other aspects of the energy. However you can use Reiki for these functions without further attunement and with or without the use of the additional symbols. I do not mean to say that working without symbols is "more advanced" than working with them. I mean that it is simply different, not better or more advanced, and that what istrue or right for one person may not be the best way for another person.
In the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai which is the Reiki society founded by Usui Sensei, We understand that it is taught that the symbols were added by Usui sensei sometime after his realization of Reiki in order to help those people who had little experience in energy work or who needed help connecting with energy.
The symbols were apparently selected from those terms used in some esoteric Buddhist sects that are appropriate for the function of the Reiki focus . I was actually familiar with most of these terms before encountering Reiki so I am not surprised by this at all. Many more books and translations of Reiki teaching from Japan will be published in the future so our historical information about Reiki will continue to expand. Reiki is not a closed system, while we benefit by having a sound background in traditional Reiki practices Usui Sensei, by designating himself as second rank gave symbolic indication of his hope that the system would continue to develop after his passing.
The method of becoming attuned to the ability to use Reiki has changed over the years from the way it was and is practiced at the Japanese Reiki society . In the Reiki Ryoho in Japan you would meet weekly with fellow members and a master, have a lesson or lecture and possibly practice and or receive healing treatment after which you would do the hatsurei ho meditation during which the master would give you and the other members "Reiju" an empowerment which helps to connect and deepen your connection to Reiki energy usually gradually in accord with your personal development. Possibly after a period probably of a year or more of this practice and study you might be invited to learn the second teachings.
In the Hayashi-Takata lineage called Usui Shiki Ryoho the symbols are of more importance. The system was set up to teach Reiki faster than the lengthy training in Reiki Ryoho. There was more emphasis on symbols and hand positions so that students could connect to Reiki in order to work in the Hayashi clinic before they developed the ability to sense the energy of clients. This is also probably why an attunement process was developed similar to the initiations used in many healing and spiritual traditions in order to. greatly accelerate the clearing and connection and ability to work with universal energies The Masters that Mrs. Takata trained were taught with this emphasis on the symbols and were also sworn to secrecy about the Reiki symbols and other practices.