It may not be commonly discussed but poetry was also a part of the system of Reiki’s original Japanese teachings.
This lack of acknowledgement is largely due to the reading of poetry being a culturally specific practice in Japan. Most Westerners have no, or little, understanding of this practice in its Japanese form.
Many things are attributed to attunements in modern times, but how are they viewed from a traditional Japanese perspective? It appears that many contemporary notions relating to what attunements actually do, do not correspond to the Japanese way.
Dogma; something that is considered to be absolutely true.
Since we entered the world of Reiki we have seen many variations on what is taught and how it is taught. One of the things that has stood out is that the teaching of hands on healing on others is often taught as a dogma rather than a healing practise. These restrictions placed on hand positions have made it very difficult for practitioners and teachers alike to become more fluid with their practise.
I have learned over the last 15 years as a practitioner and teacher of yoga, meditation, and Reiki – that the forms and styles available to us are not all created equal.
I practice Anusara® yoga (a style of hatha yoga), Kriya Yoga (a meditation path), and Japanese Reiki. They all share a very important and fundamental element in common – they are spiritual practices with deep roots in a meditation tradition. Because of this, they are perfect complements to one another, and are seamlessly woven into the fabric of my life.
Excerpt from Mrs. Takata’s diary Dec 10th 1935:
Meaning of “Reiki” Energy within oneself, when concentrated and applied to patient, will cure all ailments - it is nature’s greatest cure, which requires no drugs.
It helps in all respects, human and animal life. In order to concentrate, one must purify one’s thoughts in words and to meditate to let the true “energy” come out from within.
It lies in the bottom of the stomach about 2 inches below the navel. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, concentrate on your thoughts and relax.
We received a question this week that brings up a number of connected issues.
Q: Hi I just read an article about Reiki and it said that Intention is not a part of Reiki and that Reiki brings a meditative state itself and is unlike disciplines such as QiGong where a practitioner grounds him/herself first.
A: Intent is… everything.
“Reiki” the word can be found in the branches of schools that developed from Usui’s teachings. Both the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Society of the Usui Spiritual Energy Healing method) and Hayashi Reiki Kenkyu kai (Hayashi’s Spiritual Energy Research Society) use the word ‘Reiki’ to signify ‘spiritual energy’ but neither actually called the system - Reiki.
In 1980, American Peace Corp worker, Patrick Zeigler, spent a night in the Great Pyramid of Giza which lead him to eventually develop an energetic practice called Seichim (also known as Seichem, Sekhem, SKHM).
