Usui Reiki 1 Manual Usui Reiki I Rhonda Casale, RMT www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 9/21/2008 Usui Reiki 1 Manual Usui Reiki First Degree Manual Welcome to Reiki I I hope you enjoy reading and learning about Reiki as much as I enjoy sharing it with you. I’ve placed this Reiki manual here for the benefit of my Reiki distant attunement students as well as for others who might find it of value. I understand some Reiki Masters feel the symbols are sacred and should be kept secret to only those attuned to Reiki II and above. I respect their views and the tradition of secrecy; however, the symbols can not be used to connect with Reiki energy and its functions unless a person has received a Reiki attunement. Also, understand that no manual will ever be complete as there is always more to discover, assimilate and integrate as we walk our journey in life. .So, please check back often to see any updated versions. You may save or print this manual for your personal use. Please do not link or copy this manual to your own website without permission. Thank you Much Love & Blessings Rhonda Casale, RMT Intuitive Energy Healer/Reader, Teacher & Sign Language Interpreter 818-653-0208 www.RhondaCasale.com [email protected] myspace.com/dagazreiki facebook.com/rhondacasale www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 9/21/2008 Contents • What is Reiki?Rei • Spiritual Wisdom • Ki ~ Life Energy • Reiki and religion • Everyone can learn Reiki • Do all healers use Reiki? • Reiki can never cause harm • Reiki never depletes your energy • How does Reiki heal? • What can be treated? • Complementary Reiki • Using Reiki • What Reiki does • Channeling Reiki • Three Degrees of Reiki • The Attunement • Post Attunement • Giving Reiki • Hand positions • Reiki Techniques • Developing Intuition • The Human Energy System • History of Reiki • Reiki Precepts • Takata Hawayo • Reiki since Mrs. Takata • Takata’s Masters • Specific Affirmations • Additional Handouts • Reading List • Bibliography www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 2008 What is Reiki? Reiki is a natural, non-evasive Japanese energy healing system that restores and balances the body’s “Ki” energy centers. By balancing the body’s energy centers to a natural healthy state allows toxins or existing conflicts within the mind, body, and spirit to be cleansed and balanced, resulting in health and wellness. This hands-on or soft touch technique channels energy from practitioner to client to assist and enhance the body's natural ability to heal itself. As improvement develops the natural processes of renewal are enhanced and more effective, ultimately opening up more of the body’s life energy flow. It is this universal life energy that is within us and surrounds us, and without it we cease to exist. Those who use Reiki as part of their personal wellness program feel joyful, energetic, balanced, centered, and connected with their life’s purpose. Rei: Spiritual Wisdom The word Rei means Universal. This is a general interpretation, but, it is the definition many have accepted. However, Japanese ideograms have many levels of meaning. They vary from the mundane to the highly esoteric. “Rei” can be interpreted as universal, meaning that it is present everywhere; however, there’s a more meaningful definition that is worth exploring. Research into the esoteric meaning of the Japanese kanji character for Rei has given a much deeper understanding of this ideogram. The word Rei as it is used in Reiki is more accurately interpreted to mean higher knowledge or spiritual/God consciousness. This wisdom comes from God or the Higher Self and is the God-Consciousness, which is all- knowing. It understands each person completely, knows the cause of all problems and difficulties and knows how to heal them. It’s Rei, or the God consciousness that guides life energy the Ki in Reiki. Therefore, Reiki is defined as spiritually guided life energy. This is a meaningful translation of the word as it closely describes the experience most people have of it. Reiki guides itself with its own wisdom, rather that requiring the direction of the practitioner. Ki Life Energy The word Ki means life force energy and is referred to in the same way as Chi, or qi in Chinese, and Prana in Sanskrit. It has also been called odic force, orgone, or bioplasma. This non-physical energy animates all living things. As long as something is alive it has life energy circulating through it and around it, and when it dies the life energy departs. If your energy is low, or if there is a restriction in its flow, you are more vulnerable to illness and dis-ease. When it’s balanced and free flowing, you’re less likely to get sick. Life energy plays an important role in everything we do. It animates the body and has www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 2008 higher levels of expression. Ki is also the primary energy of our emotions, thoughts, and spiritual life. The Chinese place great importance on life energy, or Ki. They have studied it for thousands of years and have discovered there are many different kinds of Ki. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which is over 4,000 years old, lists thirty-two different kinds of Qi, Chi, or Ki. Martial artists in their physical training and mental development use Chi or Ki for centering energy and balance. Ki or dragon breath is also used in meditative breathing exercises by mystics of all cultures for intuitive awareness, manifestation, and healing. Ki is the non-physical energy used by all healers. This energy is present all around us and can be accumulated and guided by the mind. Reiki and religion. Reiki is spiritual in nature and has no religious dogma associated with it; there is nothing you must believe in to learn and use it. It is not dependent on any belief system and works whether you believe in it or not. It works because Reiki comes from a higher power, allowing many people to go beyond intellectual concepts and directly experience their own spiritual beliefs. Everyone Can Learn Reiki The ability to learn Reiki is not dependent on intellectual capacity, you do not have to be able to meditate, and it does not take years of practice. It is simply passed on or channeled from teacher to student by way of an attunement. As soon as this happens, the student has the ability to channel Reiki and can use it. Do all healers use Reiki? There are many kinds of healing energy systems used and all healing energy uses life energy. However, not all healers use Reiki energy or Ki. Reiki is a unique kind of healing energy that can only be channeled by someone that has been attuned to it. Reiki is life energy that is guided by a Higher Power. It is possible that some people are born with Reiki or have gotten it some other way; most people need to receive a Reiki attunement to be able to specifically use Reiki. Therefore, most healers who have not received the Reiki attunement from a Reiki Master are not using Reiki but another kind of healing energy. Reiki energy is more powerful and of a much higher vibration or frequency than other methods. Unlike other energy methods which need to be guided and directed, Reiki energy does not; it begins flowing without having to direct it. Reiki is a pure form of healing that is not dependent on individual talent or acquired ability. Because of this, the personality of the healer is less likely to cloud the significance of the experience. The feeling of being connected directly to God’s healing love and protection is clearly apparent. www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 2008 Reiki Can Never Cause Harm Because Reiki is guided by God-Consciousness, it can never do harm, and always knows what a person needs and will adjust itself to create the appropriate effect. You never have to worry about whether to give Reiki or not, or if you’re giving too much. The body will only take in what is needed. In addition, because the practitioner does not direct the healing and does not decide what to work on, or what to heal, the practitioner is not in danger of taking on the karma of the client. Because the practitioner is not doing the healing, it is much easier for the ego to stay out of the way and allow the presence of the Creator to clearly shine through. Reiki Never Depletes Your Energy The practioner’s energy is never depleted because the energy is channeled through the practioner to the recipient. The Reiki consciousness considers both the practitioner and client to be in need of healing, so they both receive healing energy. Because of this, giving a treatment always increases both the practioner’s and recipient’s energy surrounding them with loving feelings of well-being. How Does Reiki Heal? We are alive because life energy or Ki is flowing through us. Ki flows within the physical body through pathways called chakras, and meridians. It also flows around us in a field of energy called the aura. The free and balanced flow of Ki is the cause of good health and well-being. It is Ki that vitalizes the physical organs and tissues as it flows through them. Ki nourishes the organs and cells of the body, supporting them in their vital functions. When the flow of Ki is disrupted, it causes diminished functioning within one or more of the organs and tissues of the physical body. Therefore, it is the disruption in the flow of Ki that is one of the causes of stress and illness. Ki is responsive to thoughts and feelings. When we have positive optimistic thoughts, we increase our flow of Ki and this causes us to feel better. However, when we have negative thoughts, our Ki is disrupted and diminished and we do not feel or function at our best. When negative thoughts become lodged in the subconscious mind, they create a disruption of Ki. This happens when we either consciously or unconsciously accept negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves. These negative thoughts attach themselves to the energy field and disrupt the healthy flow of Ki. Various organs and tissues of the body can be affected depending on the site of the blockage. This lowers the vital function of those organs and cells and unless the blockage is released a person could eventually become ill. When a person receives a Reiki treatment, the Rei or God-Conscious part of the energy assesses where the person has blocks, then directs the healing energy to that area, usually but not always to the block that is nearest the hands. However, sometimes it will go to www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 2008 the block that is most important even if is far from the hands. The energy then works with negative thoughts and feelings that are blocking the natural flow of Ki by flowing through the affected parts of the energy field and charging them with positive energy. Reiki raises the vibratory level in and around the emotional and or physical body where the negative thoughts and feelings are attached. The energy clears, straightens and balances the chakras and energy pathways in the blocked area allowing healthy Ki to flow in a natural way. Sometimes the entire block is lifted to a higher vibrational field where it can be brought to the conscious level as thought, or knowings where it can be processed and released. At other times it is quietly dissolved at the subconscious level. Sometimes, when a block is released a person will feel either a cold or warm sensation when it is being cleared. Once Ki is flowing naturally, the physical organs and tissues are then able to complete their healing process and health is balanced. What Can Be Treated? Reiki in its long history has aided in the healing of virtually every known illness and injury. It is always beneficial and also works to improve the effectiveness of all other types of therapy. In addition to physical healing, it can be used on any object or situation requiring positive energy and balance for its highest and greatest good. Complementary Reiki Reiki is complementary with all types of therapy and healing modalities as it can never cause harm. It is important to consult and inform your physician that you are receiving Reiki treatments. Continue with your regular medical or psychological treatment while receiving Reiki sessions as it will improve the results of any medical treatment, acting to reduce negative side effects, such as those from chemotherapy, surgery, and invasive procedures. It shortens healing time, reduces or eliminates pain, reduces stress and helps create optimism while undergoing treatment. It has been documented that patients receiving Reiki leave the hospital earlier than those who do not. Reiki has also been successfully used in conjunction with psychotherapy to improve the healing of emotional trauma and other issues. Its psychological benefits can include improved memory and greater self-confidence. If clients have a physical or psychological condition and want to be treated with Reiki, it is recommended that they do so under the supervision of an enlightened medical doctor, psychologist, or other health care professional. Using Reiki After receiving the Reiki attunement, all that is necessary to start Reiki flowing is to ask or intend that it begin to flow and it will. This can be done simply by silently saying the word Reiki at the beginning of a healing session. It is always ready to flow and will do so whenever you want it to. By placing your hands on someone with the intention of giving a treatment is enough to start the energy flowing. It’s not necessary to meditate, or concentrate or go into an altered state to use Reiki. Reiki flows so easily that just www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 2008 thinking or talking about it turns it on. One thing that sometimes happens, especially in groups, is that people giving Reiki will start talking. This tends to focus attention away from the client and can decrease the value of the treatment. Although Reiki does flow when you are talking, it works much better when you are in a quiet relaxed state, allowing your consciousness to flow with the energy. When giving a Reiki treatment it is important to keep your hands relaxed keeping your fingers together. This will concentrate the energy and create a stronger flow. Be aware of the sensations in your hands such as warmth, tingling, vibrations, pulsations indicating a flow of energy. You may also feel Reiki flowing through other parts of your body such as out the bottom of your feet. If you feel this happening, feel free to use your feet to give Reiki too. Standing close to the client, the energy that flows from you will treat the client’s aura before entering the body where it is needed, or it may simply travel up the outside of your legs and be added to the energy coming from your hands. You may experience this as feelings of relaxation, joy, love, well-being, security, unlimited potential, freedom, creativity, beauty, balance, harmony, and other positive emotional states. Allow these feelings to become your feelings. If other thoughts come up, gently brush them away and bring your attention back to the consciousness of energy. As you do this you will be allowing Reiki to flow in full awareness, you will also be receiving a deep healing yourself and your client will receive your full healing intentions. By being in the stillness of Reiki, you will be entering a state of mind that allows your personal Reiki guides to work more intimately with you. They will be better able to channel their energy through you and send it directly to the client. The most important way to increase the effectiveness of Reiki is to come from true love, compassion, and kindness. This will create feelings of emotional safety for clients, encouraging them to fully accept the energy. It will also open the door to your healing potential, increasing the strength of your Reiki and provide a deeper healing for you! The question sometimes comes up as to the amount of time that Reiki should be given. Since Reiki is spiritually guided and never causes harm, you can never give too little or too much. If all you have is a few minutes, go ahead, Reiki will always help. Short treatments can provide great benefits and have relieved headaches, toothaches, bee stings, stopped bleeding, along with many other valuable results. What ever the length of time Reiki is given you can not give your client to much energy or cause harm. The hand positions for treating yourself and others are meant as a general guide, you do not need to strictly adhere to them. Use your intuition, if you feel guided to leave out a position or add a new one, go ahead, let your intuition be your guide. If you are following the hand positions, a good rule of thumb is to hold each position a minimum of three minutes to allow time for the energy to start flowing. Intuition plays an important role when doing energy work. Scan the client’s energy body, pay close attention to any physical sensations or knowings that you receive, if you feel a www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 2008 lot of energy flowing, place your hands there. Whether you feel anything or not energy is flowing. If it concerns you, ask your intuition to show you the best place to treat the condition and move your hands to where you are directed. If you feel more energy flowing there and the client reports the symptoms subsiding, then you know you received the guidance correctly. Often, the best place to treat a condition is not where the symptoms are manifesting. Always ask to be guided to the best place to treat the condition. Use the scanning technique, or simply ask to be guided to the right place. Trust in your inner guidance even if you think it is illogical or wrong or just the product of your imagination. What Reiki Does • Reiki will leave all those who have received its loving energies completely and deeply relaxed and free from stress. Reiki has many other effects and uses, the following are just a few: • Supports the body’s natural ability to heal itself. • Clears out energy blockages from the physical body as well as the spiritual bodies. • Vitalizes and restores power to the physical body and to all levels of the spiritual bodies. • Re-establishes spiritual, mental, and emotional balance, harmony, and well-being. • Functions and heals on all levels of being: spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. • Helps loosen and release stress and promotes deep relaxation. • Cleanses the physical body and our entire being of poisons and toxins. • Adjusts and works in co-operation with the individual’s Higher Self/God-self and his or her truest desires and needs. • Works successfully and lovingly with animal, plant, insect, crystal & mineral kingdoms, as well as inanimate objects. • Works with everything we ingest: food, water, medicine, vitamins, and herbs. • Restores feelings of peace, joy, and profound love, enhances personal awareness. • Assists in the release of stored emotions, memories, and old belief systems, etc. • Assets all other healing modalities. • Acts as a gentle aid for those in the transition called death; enabling a person to leave their present life in peace and open to the new life before the www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 2008 Channeling Reiki Reiki practitioners channel energy in a particular pattern to heal and balance the energy body. Reiki seeks to restore order to the body whose energy has become unbalanced. Reiki energy has several basic effects: it brings deep relaxation, destroys energy blockages, detoxifies the system, provides new vitality, and increases the vibrational frequency of the body. The healer places their hands lightly on or above the recipient and the recipient draws the energy that is needed. The individual being healed takes an active part in the healing process as opposed to having a passive part in the healing. In this way the individual takes responsibility for his or her healing. The recipient identifies the needs by intention and directs the energy to that need. Three Degrees of Reiki: By Diane Giarusso-Barton During his mystical experience on Mount Kori-Yama, Dr Usui received the Reiki energy all at once. Although Dr. Usui transferred the Reiki energy all at once to his initiates. Dr. Hayashi broke the attunement process into three degrees of initiation practiced today. In this manner, the student is allowed to adjust to the changes in their body’s vibration over a period of time. First Degree Attunement is focused on opening up the physical body so that it can accept or channel greater quantities of like force energy. The four attunements of the First Degree raise the vibratory rate of the four energy centers of the upper parts of the body. Sealing the channel open, so that you can maintain the accelerated ability to channel the Reiki energy for the rest of your life completes the process. Once you are attuned to the Reiki energy, you can never lose it. In the first degree, you learn the basics of Reiki and the importance of healing the self before all else. Second Degree Attunement process provides a quantum leap in vibratory level, at least four times greater than First Degree. The symbols that are taught in Second Degree are used in absentee and long-distance healings, and become activated at this point. Second degree has great emphasis on adjusting the etheric body, rather than the physical body, which is the primary focus of first degree. The Second Degree class is where we focus on using Reiki to heal others and learn the very sacred use of the Reiki Symbols. Third Degree Attunement is used to initiate a Master. This attunement again amplifies the vibratory level and activates the Master symbol so it may be used to help others empower themselves. A Reiki Master is simply someone who has chosen to accept a greater level of responsibility for his or her life by acknowledging that he or she is indeed a Master of his or her own destiny. A Reiki Master Teacher, teaches how to pass on the attunements to others. www.RhondaCasale.com 818-653-0208 2008