In the Spring of 1999 I was privileged to attend a workshop run by Jill Cockitt, a student of Ajarva Petter, presenting the new information gleaned from Petter's contacts in Japan and Usui's workbook. Obviously, this whetted my appetite for more and over the weeks and months that followed, I began to build up a new picture of the origins of Reiki, its purpose and its practice. At this point I would like to thank Andrew Bowling for teaching me Reiju.
Here is an interesting translation of "Reiki" - "Rei" the spirit or soul of the individual. "Ki" the breath of the Divine, that which gives all things life. The writing of the Japanese is an artform in and of itself, a picture or image which, like all artforms, implies a great deal more than a literal translation can convey. The two pictograms, merged together, imply the merging of the soul and the spirit or breath of the Divine, a mystical marriage which has been described by mystics of all religious traditions. At its most basic, Reiki is healing both for the practitioner and for those around them. At its most profound it is a spiritual practice which can lead us, as the drop, to merge with the ocean of love which is the Divine.
Reiki is taught in Japan completely differently to the West. Weekly classes are given in which a topic is covered, practice is encouraged and the empowerment known as Reiju is given to all who attend. On October 7th 1999 I began running free weekly classes based on the Japanese model, which were a revelation to all who attended. The side benefit of this method is a real building of community in the regulars, which I have always emphasised in my teaching of Reiki as the concept usually described as "energy exchange".
Many of the techniques taught in Reiki Ryoho I had come across under different names as different healing modalities. The Reiki Circle you will find elsewhere on this site. Katsugen, meridian massage, meditation are other modalities that are out there in the alternative health community.
I thought it was interesting that something I had come to believe had been developed by the Takata lineages (the Reiki Circle) had in fact been passed to us from Usui. Some of the techniques that I had filed under "not Reiki" in fact turn out to be part of the Reiki system. Having practised these methods as other modalities I can testify to their effect and I was delighted to know that they are a part of Reiki.
The remainder of the additional techniques are introduced in the second level seminar. Although each method could stand on its own I find that the greatest benefit comes from the full set.
Obviously, the Japanese techniques are now incorporated into my regular Reiki training, but for those interested in learning Reiki Ryoho, I've put together two half day seminars, outlined below. If you would like to attend my one of these seminar days please contact me. Manuals and certification are included in the half day seminars.
The seminars include the following areas and compare and contrast the various forms from various sources:
Level I
Comprising one half day (3 hours).
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Gassho : a meditation technique to be practised daily at both ends of the day.
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Reiki Undo : a movement exercise to release tension.
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Ken Yoku: "dry bathing" - to clear and strengthen the energy channels.
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Jyoshin Kokiho: cleansing spirit, heart and mind - a method of breathing consciously.
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Reiki Mawashi: the Japanese Reiki circle.
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Tanden Healing: the depoisoning technique
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Hatsurei: together with Reiju, the heart of Reiki Ryoho
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More as we have time for.
Level II
One half day (3 hours).
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Kokiho: healing with the eyes.
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Gyoshiho: healing with the breath.
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Shuchu Reiki: the three pillars of Reiki -
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A form of Gassho - connecting to Reiki
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Reji - indication of the spirit, a prayer for the well-being of the client.
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Byosen: scanning and focused healing.
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Seiheki Chirjyo: Natural habits healing.
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Symbols Review.
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Enkaku Chirjyo: distance healing
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Shashin Chirjyo: distance healing using symbolic representations, e.g. photographs, drawings etc.
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More as time permits.
These are exciting times in the Reiki Community and I invite you to add these techniques to your Reiki "kit bag" and join me on this great voyage of rediscovery
Try Reiki Ryoho for yourself: contact me for a chat, to arrange an appointment or to book a place on my next Reiki course.
