Symbols
What is this symbol?
This is the Antahkarana Symbol (male version). It is used with Reiki or any other healing methodology and you do not need to be attuned to it (unlike the other symbols used at Reiki level 2).
It is usually used in its printed form although some people do sign it our with the hand. Just by having it in your presence, it will enhance the healing power of any healing method. It will also improve meditation or any exercise designed to improve health, well-being or connection to the higher power. It is not a secret symbol. You can hang it on the wall in your healing room, place it image up under your healing table etc and it does not need to be seen by the healee in order for it to be beneficial. The male version (show above) is smaller and has an assertive energy, the female version is a little larger with slimmer lines and is used when compassionate energy is required.
Reiki
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The practice of Reiki was founded by Dr Mikao Usui,who was born 15th August 1865 in Taniai-Mura, a small village in Kyoto, Japan. Mikao Usui grew up in a Tendai Buddist (a form of Mystical Buddism) family and through out his lifetime studied other forms of Buddism and had high spiritual values. Mikao wanted to understand the purpose for being, so studied further and eventually found enlightenment. He found that the ultimate life purpose was 'Anshin Rytsu Mei' which is "The state of your mind being in total peace, knowing what to do with your life and being bother by nothing!" however, actually attaining this 'Anshin Rytsu Mei' proved more difficult. Mikao went to Mount Kurama which was a sacred mountain, to meditate 'The Lotus Repentance' and fast for 21 days. During this time he experienced a satori or enlightenment which was the beginnings of Reiki. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy." However Mr Usui didn't oroginally call it this, it was known as "Method to achieve personal perfection" and his student often called it Usui Do or Usui Teate which means 'Usui hand application' Reikis' original purpose was to understand life purpose and to achieve this, the healing aspect of Reiki was a side effect. Reiki is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that the "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. This is the same energy that is described as Prana in Indian countries, as Chi in China and which emanates from Crystals!
Benefits of Reiki
The benefit are Reiki are vast.The effects can be spiritual, physical, emotional or mental healing or all. Reiki flows to where it is needed and activates the bodys natural ability to heal itself. It releases blocked energies, cleanses toxins and helps the body to rebalance and it definitely relieves stress.
How does a Reiki treatment feel?
My experience was a positive and very relaxing one. The practitioner didn't actually lay her hands on my but was in my Aura and just hovered over my body over my major chakras and minor chakras, all the same I felt intense heat in areas where she worked and at times, tingling. People who I have given Reiki to described similar feelings of intense heat in areas, tingling and pulling sensations. Following the treatment some clients felt a little lightheaded and the advice I was given and give, is to drink plenty water to help the detoxification process.
Reiki Attunements
To be able to give Reiki you need to be attuned. There are 3 levels. The first level is the First Degree Reiki and is called Shoden. This level enables you to self treat and give treatments to friends and family. At this stage you are still a learner and need to develop Reiki. Level 2 is Second Degree Reiki and is called Okuden. This level teaches the Reiki symbols to connect you further to the energy and allow you to give distance healing, this is a practitioner level. The Third Degree Reiki or Master level can attune others to use reiki. The attunement is a ritual, where the master 'intends' to pass reiki to the student and connect to the energy.
Working with the energy - Practice
In the first 3 weeks following your attunement it is really important to practice and get used to the energy. As with anything, practice makes perfect as as we are a new channel for the energy to flow, we need to ensure our 'plumbing' is as clear as possible so the practicing allows us to 'flush through' our systems. I was taught to self heal, meditate and practice Hatsu rei Ho which is a technique to strengthen your energy. You can also play with the energy to get used to how it feels. I first felt the energy while cleansing my crystals with Reiki. The way I can describe it is like a cushion of air beneath your hands or when you have 2 magnets that repel, that feeling you get inbetween the magnets but in your hands instead.