Health

Posts Tagged ‘books’

Reiki: the Breath of Earth and Heaven

 

In this article I would like to talk about the energy that we work with when we practise Reiki: when we work on ourselves and when we share Reiki with others. The energy that we channel is described in various ways: we are said to be working with universal energy, we are passing on unconditional love, or chi, or prana. But there are aspects of the energy that are not being explained through this use of words, and in this article I want to talk about the essence of Reiki energy. In doing this we will touch on Taoism, QiGong, Shintoism, meditation, breathing, chanting and the use of the Reiki symbols.

Now many people reading this article will be practising something called “Joshin Kokkyu Ho”, an energy breathing method taught in the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, the Usui Memorial Society in Japan – part of a longer sequence of exercises referred to as “Hatsurei ho”. It was also used in Mikao Usui’s original system, according to a group of Usui Sensei’s surviving students who are in contact with one or two people in the West. Joshin Kokkyu Ho translates as something like ‘technique for purification of the spirit’ or ‘soul cleansing breathing method’, and on its own ‘Kokkyu Ho’ means ‘the way of breathing’. When we use this method we are moving energy in time with our breath, into and out of our Tanden (Dantien in Chinese), it is a way of achieving balance, but there is more significance to this technique than simply moving energy through our bodies.

With each in-breath we are filling the body with ki. This ki is yin in nature, it is the breath of earth, of physicality and the power of separation. By contrast the out-breath distributes ki throughout our bodies. This is yang in nature, it is the breath of heaven, of spirituality and the power of unification. So from the moment that we practise Joshin Kokkyu Ho we are experiencing earth ki and heavenly ki.

In fact, earth ki and heavenly ki are what we are: we are physical reality and we are spiritual essence. In Taoist philosophy, Earth and Heaven – along with Humanity – are known as the “Three Powers”. Humanity is in a pivotal position between the cosmic powers of heaven and the natural forces of earth, covered by heaven above and supported by earth below. Qi Gong, the energy cultivation technique which is practised in Japan as ‘kiko’, allows us to work with these two energies and bring them into balance. Shinto practices also refer to these two basic energies, these two essential aspects of what we really are.

It is not surprising, then, that these two energies are the basis of Usui Sensei’s spiritual system, and latterly his healing system. When we practise Reiki we are working with earth ki and heavenly ki, in a conscious or unconscious fashion; when we channel Reiki, we are channelling either the ki of earth or heaven, because that is what we are.

But Usui Sensei’s system goes further than just acknowledging our true nature, our physical and spiritual nature, because Reiki allows us to fully experience our physical reality, and fully experience our spiritual essence. This is a powerful method for achieving balance. We can return to that state of perfection we enjoyed at birth, before life corrupted us; we can be reborn. How this was achieved is as follows: At second degree in the original system the student would be shown how to experience earth ki and heavenly ki, they would learn to ‘become’ the energies of earth and heaven. How this was achieved very much depended on the student’s background, since Usui Sensei varied his teachings and methods according to the needs of his students. If the student had a Buddhist background then they would have used meditations, and if they had a Shinto background then they would have chanted sacred sounds called ‘kotodama’. Later on in Usui’s system, symbols were introduced for the Imperial Officers, but all these approaches had the same end in mind: to fully assimilate, to fully experience or become the energies of earth and heaven, the essence of what we are. The meditations, the kotodama, and the symbols are all tools used to trigger, to invoke within us, to allow us to experience an energy or a state. Second degree is all about getting to grips with earth ki and heavenly ki, to fully assimilate those energies, to reconnect to what is within and realise our true nature.

CKR and SHK represent earth ki and heavenly ki respectively, but they do not represent something new: these two energies are already within us. They do not represent something additional that we are connected to: they emphasise or flag up something that is already there.

Now, Usui Sensei’s students worked long and hard to assimilate or integrate these energies. The might have spent 6-9 months just meditating on one energy, before moving on, so there were no short-cuts and it was a long process. They started with the energy of earth and moved on to work with the energy of heaven. We can echo that original practice by working with the energies of CKR and SHK. It is not enough to be ‘attuned’ to a symbol – whatever that means – and it is not enough to use a symbol in practice when treating someone. To fully get to grips with an energy we need to meditate on the symbol, using its energy individually, not combined with others, and we need to commit ourselves to doing this regularly if we are going to fully experience the benefits that are available through Usui Sensei’s simple spiritual system.

About the Author

Reiki Evolution is a Reiki training organisation in the UK that provides small scale Reiki training throughout the country. The Reiki Evolution web site is a very useful resource for people who wish to find out more about the Reiki system, and for Reiki practitioners and Master/Teachers who are interested in developing further with Reiki.

The web site offers free Reiki guides, a free ezine and loads of interesting and inspiring Reiki articles written by Taggart King. You can order professionally printed Reiki manuals and books, download ebooks and self-help guides, and order Reiki CDs or MP3s with commentary and guided meditations.

We teach a form of Reiki that is close to Mikao Usui’s original system, rather than the ‘Western-style’ Reiki that is found on most Reiki courses, and our approach is based on information coming from a group of Mikao Usui’s surviving students.

We are one of the few people in the world to be offering high-quality Reiki home study courses that are the equal of live training, with one-to-one e-mail support, quality manuals, CDs and DVDs, and detailed course instructions. So you can train with us no matter where you are in the world. www.reiki-evolution.co.uk

What is Reiki?

Courage Essential Oil Blend 15 ml reiki $14.99

NEW Essential Reiki Teaching Manual: A Companion Guide $21.64

NEW Intuitive Reiki for Our Times: Essential Techniques $25.25

Vision Quest Essential Oil Reiki Wicca Witch ‘See’ $23.00

Hemp Cannabis Blossom Essential Oil 15ml PURE reiki $129.99

Reiki: The Essential Guide to the Ancient Healing Art $7.93

Angels Surround Essential Oil Blend 15 ml reiki $29.00

Essential Reiki Teaching Manual: An I – Stein, Diane Ne $21.12

Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to – Stein, Diane Ne $21.23

Essential Reiki by Diane Stein (1995, Paperback) $4.00

SANDALWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy $17.13

TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy $9.92

SAGE ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy $9.92

RUE ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy Voodoo $13.53

PINE ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy Voodoo $7.22

CEDARWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy $7.22

Moldavite GI Quartz Essential Oil reiki crystal psychic $19.99

Essential Reiki Teaching Manual: An Instructional Guide $25.36

Essential Reiki Teaching Manual by Diane Stein (2007 PB $18.95

Reiki and the Seven Chakras: Your Essential Guide by R $6.36

Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Heali.. $13.10

YLANG YLANG ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy $13.52

Reiki: The Essential Guide to the Ancient Healing Art N $18.93

VETIVERT ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy $13.52

Essential Reiki by Diane Stein (1995, Paperback) $10.64

Hemp Blossom Essential Oil RARE 2 oz PURE reiki $499.99

Zen Natural Bug Spray Reiki New Essential Oils $7.00

Zen Happy Spray Aromatherapy Essential Oils Reiki $7.00

Reiki and the Seven Chakras: Your Essential Guide NEW $16.68

Diane Stein’s Essential Reiki Workshop (VHS) 4 Tape Set $28.99

Reiki & the Seven Chakras: Your Essential Guide – NEW $20.74

Essential Reiki Stein 1995 holistic medicine Buddhism $14.99

It’s Time To Wake Up: Reiki & Other Essential Tools $14.79

Reiki: The Essential Guide to the Ancient Healing Art, $8.31

Reiki and the Seven Chakras: Your Essential Guide to th $13.29

ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL 10ml Wicca Reiki Aromatherapy $7.22

Hemp Blossom Essential Oil Cannabis Sativa Rare Reiki $25.00

Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing $12.95

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL, FOR PERFUME & OIL BURNING REIKI $9.75

Reiki: The Essential Guide to the Ancient Healing Art b $8.50

Happy Feet Essential Oil Blend 15 ml reiki $17.99

Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing $24.64

Reiki: The Essential Guide to the A By Chris Parkes,Pen $2.99

Reiki and the Seven Chakras: Your Essential Guide to th $14.84

Reiki and the Seven Chakras: Your Essential Guide to th $16.64

Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing $25.40

Reiki and the Seven Chakras: Your Essential Guide t… $16.91

Reiki and the Seven Chakras: Your Essential Guide t… $16.91

~ESSENTIAL REIKI~Complete Guide~Diane Stein~SC $16.24

Essential Reiki Teaching Manual: An Instructional Guide $20.68

---

6 x 3 Crystal Journey Herbal Magic Reiki Charged Pillar Candle, Joy $12.95 This is the Crystal Journey Herbal Magic series candle in the “Joy” design. This candle features Plumeria, Jasmine, Sandalwood. Use to discover true joy within one’s being. When the time is right to visit your sacred space, allow these Reiki charged candles to enlighten the journey. Each of the herbal magic candles has been designed with a specific intention using a unique blend of essential oils…

Crystal Journey Herbal Magic Reiki Charged Candle, Abundance, 7 $7.97 This is the Crystal Journey Herbal Magic series candle in the “Abundance” design. This candle features Clove, Citronella, Lemon Balm, Cinnamon and Nutmeg oils. Use this candle to attract prosperity, increase success and obtain material possessions. When the time is right to visit your sacred space, allow these Reiki charged candles to enlighten the journey. Each of the herbal magic candles has be…

Crystal Journey Herbal Magic Reiki Charged Candle, Protection, 7 $8.43 This is the Crystal Journey Herbal Magic series candle in the “Protection” design. This candle features Frankincense, Sandalwood, Rosemary and Clove oils. Use this candle as protection from outside forces. When the time is right to visit your sacred space, allow these Reiki charged candles to enlighten the journey. Each of the herbal magic candles has been designed with a specific intention using…

Arbonne Seasource Detox Spa 5-in-1 Essential Massage Oil (6 oz) $9.50 Experience a blissful massage with this enriched, oil-infused formula with stimulating ingredients that help soothe skin and deliver nourishing minerals, resulting in deep relaxation….

Master Massage SpaMaster Essentials Universal Massage Table Carrying Case $45.99 Our deluxe nylon case comes with sturdy ergonomic shoulder and cross-body adjustable straps, Snap-Lock Buckles to fasten your table in the case securely and a large outside storage compartment for accessories. It provides an easy and convenient way to store and transport your portable massage table. This case is designed for any 25″-31″ wide table and features unbreakable metal hardware instead…

Reiki Charged Herbal Magic Pillar Candle – Spirit – Made with Aromatherapy Essential Oils Sage, Lemon & Clove $9.00 Magic Happens with Reiki Charged Herbal Pillar Candles. Each of our Herbal Magic Pillars have been designed with a specific intention using a unique blend of essential oils. Use Spirit Pillar Candle to assist your focus on the spiritual side of life. Use in combination with Positive Energy to create success in the new millennium. Scents include Sage, Lemon, and Clove Spirit: “I am spiritual. I mov…

Essential Reiki Workshop [VHS] $22.45 …

Dahn Yoga Essentials DVD: Featuring Brain Wave Vibration $19.95 Dahn Yoga is a rapidly growing holistic health program that integrates deep stretching exercises and meditative breathing techniques with energy awareness practice. There are currently nearly 1,000 studios and 200,000 practitioners worldwide. The word Dahn means primal life energy, and development of the individual’s energy system is a major goal of the practice. As part of the Brain Education …

Aromatherapy and Massage $25.00 This video will help you understand the benefits of Aromatherapy. It goes in depth of different treatments for you or for a client….

Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art $10.00 Reiki is an ancient and profoundly simple system of “laying on of hands” healing derived from Tibetan Buddhism. In the West, Reiki has been kept highly secret for many years. ESSENTIAL REIKI presents full information on all three degrees of this healing system, most of it in print for the first time. Teaching from the perspective that Reiki healing belongs to all people, Diane Stein bre…

---