Post by saisri on Feb 1, 2006 0:37:57 GMT
Moving Past the Need for Symbols
In Usui Shiki Ryoho in the Takata lineage, the Reiki Symbols are an integral, primary part of the system. It is now clear that the symbols were developed by Usui later in the development of the system. This was done to aid those with little energy work who had trouble connecting to the energy directly. The original empowerment used by Usui was "Reiju" and used no symbols. Chujiro Hayashi increased use and emphasis on the symbols and their importance in the system became greater. They were now a primary part of the system. This was done because the movement was from daily Hatsurei ho and frequent Reiju, to a system that could be learned quickly. The symbols also now became part of the empowerment system and the process was changed from empowerment to attunement.
Symbols work in a traditional stimulus-response fashion. The act of drawing, visualizing or saying the name of the symbol (Stimulus) gives us the response of connecting to the energy. The goal for those that learned the symbols in Usui's Reiki Ryoho was to use them to become intimately acquainted with the energy and then to move part reliance on them. One analogy I have seen used, is that they are like training wheels on a bicycle, you use them while needed and then take them off. This is very different in application and philosophy from the western Hayashi-Takata lineage of Usui Shiki Ryoho where symbols are revered and a major part of the system.
These days there are many different attitudes and beliefs regarding the symbols. Some masters believe them to be "sacred", while others consider them "secret", some believe them secret and sacred, while still others consider them neither secret nor sacred. There is a group of masters that believe the symbols have their own power, and on and on. For the record here, I will state that I consider the symbols neither secret nor sacred. They are an important part of a system that helps train the mind to work with the energy. Use them to help you focus. Meditate with them in your daily Hatsurei ho or other meditation. There is a symmetry and wisdom to them. But always remember, in a Buddhist sense, the symbols represent an attatchment and as much as they can help you grow with the system and energy, they will also eventually limit you.
The question many students ask is "how do I move past the need to use the symbols. This is not as hard as it might first seem. The following are some suggestions and exercises to help you accomplish this. It should be stated that for most people it is not suggested to do this until you have practiced Reiki for at least a year or more past the master level. This ensures that you have been using Reiki consistently over a period of time sufficient to for you to have developed the skills necessary to do this. Some people always will use the symbols, while others quickly move past them. Both are correct and appropriate, and you must make the decision regarding this. Here are some activities that you can try.
Exercise #1 - Making a Reiki Chi Ball
Hold the hands in front of the chest, palms facing each other and in front of the chest. Focus or intend that you are connected to the Reiki. Your hands will get warm. Think of the Reiki flowing into the hands, and then continue to let them come farther apart until they are about a 12 inches (26cm) apart. Hold this and let it fill with the Reiki energy. When done move the hands to the outside of the ball and pull it into yourself letting it fill you with the energy.
Exercise #2 Using the Reiki Chi Ball to send distant healing
Perform the Reiki Chi Ball exercise above. When you are done, rather than pull the ball into you, will and intend that it be sent to someone for distant healing. Focus on the person, and let the energy beam out the palms to them.
Exercise #3 - Connecting to the Reiki Energy Prior to a healing Session
Many people use a ritual of drawing the symbols prior to doing healing on others. Next time you are doing a healing, try the following: (this practice is sometimes called the Reiki Shower)
Stand in a comfortable position. Close your eyes or keep them in the Zen practice of being half-open. Breathe through the nose normally. Place the hands in the gassho position and breathe normally. Raise the hands into the air, palms upward and visualize that the Reiki energy is coming down over you and you are being bathed in a shower of Reiki energy from the reiki source. Focus on the sensation. Move your raised hands down over the front of the body from head to toe with palms facing the body. Continue to focus in the Reiki energy flowing over you as well as the Reiki pouring through your hands cleansing the energy field around you, and let the excess energy run into the earth. Do this three or more times. Finally, put your hands in the gassho position in front of the heart and breathe for a few minutes. When you are finished shake your hands nine times. Then proceed to do the healing.
In Usui Shiki Ryoho in the Takata lineage, the Reiki Symbols are an integral, primary part of the system. It is now clear that the symbols were developed by Usui later in the development of the system. This was done to aid those with little energy work who had trouble connecting to the energy directly. The original empowerment used by Usui was "Reiju" and used no symbols. Chujiro Hayashi increased use and emphasis on the symbols and their importance in the system became greater. They were now a primary part of the system. This was done because the movement was from daily Hatsurei ho and frequent Reiju, to a system that could be learned quickly. The symbols also now became part of the empowerment system and the process was changed from empowerment to attunement.
Symbols work in a traditional stimulus-response fashion. The act of drawing, visualizing or saying the name of the symbol (Stimulus) gives us the response of connecting to the energy. The goal for those that learned the symbols in Usui's Reiki Ryoho was to use them to become intimately acquainted with the energy and then to move part reliance on them. One analogy I have seen used, is that they are like training wheels on a bicycle, you use them while needed and then take them off. This is very different in application and philosophy from the western Hayashi-Takata lineage of Usui Shiki Ryoho where symbols are revered and a major part of the system.
These days there are many different attitudes and beliefs regarding the symbols. Some masters believe them to be "sacred", while others consider them "secret", some believe them secret and sacred, while still others consider them neither secret nor sacred. There is a group of masters that believe the symbols have their own power, and on and on. For the record here, I will state that I consider the symbols neither secret nor sacred. They are an important part of a system that helps train the mind to work with the energy. Use them to help you focus. Meditate with them in your daily Hatsurei ho or other meditation. There is a symmetry and wisdom to them. But always remember, in a Buddhist sense, the symbols represent an attatchment and as much as they can help you grow with the system and energy, they will also eventually limit you.
The question many students ask is "how do I move past the need to use the symbols. This is not as hard as it might first seem. The following are some suggestions and exercises to help you accomplish this. It should be stated that for most people it is not suggested to do this until you have practiced Reiki for at least a year or more past the master level. This ensures that you have been using Reiki consistently over a period of time sufficient to for you to have developed the skills necessary to do this. Some people always will use the symbols, while others quickly move past them. Both are correct and appropriate, and you must make the decision regarding this. Here are some activities that you can try.
Exercise #1 - Making a Reiki Chi Ball
Hold the hands in front of the chest, palms facing each other and in front of the chest. Focus or intend that you are connected to the Reiki. Your hands will get warm. Think of the Reiki flowing into the hands, and then continue to let them come farther apart until they are about a 12 inches (26cm) apart. Hold this and let it fill with the Reiki energy. When done move the hands to the outside of the ball and pull it into yourself letting it fill you with the energy.
Exercise #2 Using the Reiki Chi Ball to send distant healing
Perform the Reiki Chi Ball exercise above. When you are done, rather than pull the ball into you, will and intend that it be sent to someone for distant healing. Focus on the person, and let the energy beam out the palms to them.
Exercise #3 - Connecting to the Reiki Energy Prior to a healing Session
Many people use a ritual of drawing the symbols prior to doing healing on others. Next time you are doing a healing, try the following: (this practice is sometimes called the Reiki Shower)
Stand in a comfortable position. Close your eyes or keep them in the Zen practice of being half-open. Breathe through the nose normally. Place the hands in the gassho position and breathe normally. Raise the hands into the air, palms upward and visualize that the Reiki energy is coming down over you and you are being bathed in a shower of Reiki energy from the reiki source. Focus on the sensation. Move your raised hands down over the front of the body from head to toe with palms facing the body. Continue to focus in the Reiki energy flowing over you as well as the Reiki pouring through your hands cleansing the energy field around you, and let the excess energy run into the earth. Do this three or more times. Finally, put your hands in the gassho position in front of the heart and breathe for a few minutes. When you are finished shake your hands nine times. Then proceed to do the healing.