Threshold-reiki--level-one-manual--essence-version-0609214.pdf

Threshold Resources

Threshold Reiki First Degree/Shoden Manual (Essence Version for Sharing)

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

www.threshold.ca

Threshold Resources

The main graphic on the front page is the Japanese Kanji for the phrase “Rei Ki” I photographed it from the writing on the Usui Memorial tablet at Usui Sensei’s grave site at the Saihoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan – November 2000.

============================================ This manual is updated from time to time, so please check my web site for the latest version. This Version – June 9, 2014

Note: this version of this part of my Reiki 1 manual may differ slightly from my current class version. Also, there are some topics taught in my Threshold Reiki 1 class that are not included in this section. Notably - Distant Reiki and Highest Ki They are found in the Appendix in the complete manual or as pdf files on my main reiki web site at www.threshold.ca

Terms of Use of this Manual You may freely download this pdf version of the manual and share it with others, provided it is not being sold outside of a Reiki 1 class, or being presented for downloading at another web site or group page like Yahoo Groups, or any free pdf sites. When you do make use of this manual, aside from the Appendix header pages please leave the rest of it intact and use it as is. Also I trust that your own Reiki Ethics will respect the various Copyrights within the manual. If in doubt about copyright of any material (whether it is noted as so or not) please refer to my web page on this at this link - www.threshold.ca/reiki/Copyright_Using_Threshold_Pages.html or contact me at www.threshold.ca

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

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Threshold Resources TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to This Manual .................................................................................................................. 1 Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................................. 2 An Explanation of Reiki and Its Origins............................................................................................. 3 Usui-Do (Usui-no-Michi): The Origin of Usui Reiki Ryoho............................................................ 10 Receiving the Reiki Empowerment .................................................................................................... 13 Traditional Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai Hand Positions - Self Treatment ...................................... 15 Modern Reiki Hand Positions - Self Treatment .............................................................................. 17 Reiki Analogies ................................................................................................................................... 22 Using Reiki to Scan Yourself .............................................................................................................. 26 Traditional Japanese Reiki Components ............................................................................................28 - Byosen Reikan Ho (Scanning); ..................................................................................................... 29 - Reiji Ho (Intuitive) .......................................................................................................................... 31 - Nentatsu Ho (Affirmation); ...............................................................................................................32 Giving a Reiki Session to Someone Seated ...................................................................................... 34 - Modern Method: the Main Chakras or Energy Points .................................................................. 35 - Traditional Japanese Treatment (plus Intuitive Treatment)........................................................... 37 Taking Reiki Into Your Everyday Life .............................................................................................. 39 A Complete Reiki Session on a Table (plus some guidelines) - Preparing to Give a Full Reiki Session ........................................................................................ 41 - Scanning the Recipient ................................................................................................................... 42 - Treating the Front of the Body ..................................................................................................... 43 - Treating the Back of the Body....................................................................................................... 50 - Balancing the Chakras .................................................................................................................... 52 - Finishing the Session (Front or Back) .......................................................................................... 54 - Finishing the Session (Back) .......................................................................................................... 56 - Sample Reiki Session (Full Body) ............................................................................................... 59 The Usui Gainen ................................................................................................................................ 61 Hatsurei ho Meditation ....................................................................................................................... 69 * * * Optional Additions to This Manual * * * * Appendix A * - Additional Reiki 1 Support Material * Appendix B * - Excerpts from Japanese Gendai Reiki Ho Shoden Class Material * Appendix C * - Selected Articles from the Reiki Threshold Website (www.threshold.ca) * Appendix D * - Your Reiki Teacher's Bio and Related Information * Additional Handouts (loose pages in sheet protector folder} * - Selected Articles from Reiki Books and Websites

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources About The Author And This Manual Shortly after completing 18 years in Information Technology departments in the office world, Richard Rivard began studying Reiki in September 1992. Two years later he started offering Reiki classes to others. Even after attaining master (teacher) level in 1994 he continued to draw Reiki educational experiences to himself, and these would gradually shape the way he practiced and taught Reiki. Richard’s North American style Reiki 1 and 2 training came from Canadian teachers very close to the Takata and the Reiki Alliance lineages. Reiki 3 and Master training from a student of the William Rand lineage followed this. Shortly afterwards, he repeated master level in Tera-Mai Reiki with founder K. Milner. Eventually he took training in the combined energy system of Sekhem-Seichim-Reiki with Tom Rigler, a student of founder Diane Shewmaker and Patrick Ziegler. His Japanese style training includes the Hayashi originated systems from Dave King (Traditional Japanese Reiki as learned from Hayashi student Tatsumi-san) and Rev. Hyakuten Inamoto (Komyo Ki Reiki as learned from Hayashi student Yamaguchi-san). He also trained in Japan in the blended URR Gakkai - modern Reiki system of Gendai Reiki Ho from originator Hiroshi Doi, a URR Gakkai member since 1993. Richard followed this with some training in Usui Sensei’s original 1923 and 1925 structured spiritual methodology from Dave King known as Usui-Do (aka Usui-no-Michi) and Usui Teàte. In addition to the above, Richard and a group of international Reiki friends sponsored several annual Reiki conferences from 1999 to 2002 around the newly discovered methods of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and Usui Sensei’s original teachings. These became known at the time as Usui Reiki Ryoho International. The material in this manual is a partial representation of the entry-level teachings to these systems of Reiki, and together with his own blend of Reiki energy Richard calls this Threshold Reiki. Along with the various Appendix sections it is intended to give the new Reiki student an idea of how Reiki has been taught and how it can be used in simple intuitive ways, or more complex formulated methods, depending on the preferences of the healer and the healing situation. Over the years Richard has come to understand that not all Reiki teachers, new or experienced, are comfortable with such a large manual so the core of his Reiki level 1 teachings are presented in this section of the material. It contains the essential components, which are more than enough for any beginning Reiki student. It is hoped that this manual will give you, the new Reiki student, some simple guidelines to follow in your daily practice of Reiki, and help you discover the joy in practicing with and sharing Reiki energy. Sharing from the Heart Richard R. Rivard December, 2008 For an extended biography of Richard, please consult his Reiki web pages at www.threshold.ca or Threshold Reiki 1 students can find this in Appendix D in this manual. Many Thanks to the models in my photos: my wife Nadya, my daughter Sabrina, friends Tom, Jessica, Emiko, Isao.

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources REIKI FIRST DEGREE

Introduction To This Manual Welcome to the world of Reiki. The purpose of this class is mainly to assist your access to the Reiki energy, and to teach you various ways to make use of it. The Reiki teacher will attempt to ensure that you leave the class with an appreciation of, and a firm belief in the knowledge that you do indeed have access to the Reiki energy, and are now able to apply it to yourself and another person with little or no effort. Also, the teacher will share some additional techniques that you can optionally use in your treatment sessions. This class contains a combination of information that Richard received from a variety of teachers (all of diverse Reiki backgrounds) both traditional and modern in origin, and is integrated into a process that you can adapt into your own Reiki practice. In this class we will cover the following subjects: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

The origin of Reiki, what it is, how it works The Reiki empowerment ceremony Traditional and modern methods of applying Reiki to yourself (with practice time) Analogies for better understanding Reiki and how it works Scanning the body for areas in need of Reiki. Methods to apply Reiki to another person (with practice time in class) Bringing Reiki into your everyday world The original spiritual concepts of Mikao Usui The opening meditation used in the Japanese Reiki society’s monthly meetings

Optional Topics: These may or may not be part of your class but are included in Richard’s larger Threshold Reiki 1 material:  The aura and how to sense it; chakras and their functions  Additional concepts and techniques taught in some Japanese Reiki systems  Distance Reiki healing methods for the level one practitioner.  Additional articles from The Reiki Threshold and other web sites, intended to help you be more aware of ideas and information that may be useful to you. Although there is a lot of material in this manual, Reiki in its simplest form is simply receiving the Reiki empowerment or attunement, and then placing your hands on yourself or another and allowing it to flow. Note that the high vibration energies of the attunement process may trigger a balancing/cleansing cycle, in which the body works to adjust to the new vibratory rate. The results and duration of this process differs from student to student, and can be so small that you may not notice it. For those taking the class with Richard, please consult his web site for the complete content of his classes, both live and distant training, as well as for details on his post class support. © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER REIKI (also known as "Usui Reiki Ryoho") 

is a natural method of energy balancing for the purpose of stress reduction and relaxation. It can involve "the laying on of hands" although this is not required for Reiki to be effective.



while it can be used entirely on its own, it is not meant as a substitute for medical, or psychological, diagnosis and treatment. In fact it can readily compliment other forms of therapy.



practitioners should not diagnose conditions, nor do they perform medical treatment, prescribe substances, or interfere with the treatment of a licensed medical professional, unless they have received training in such a licensed professional practice that supports this. (This type of skill is not a part of a normal certified Reiki training program).



should not compete with medical doctors and their treatments.



can be used together with any other form of medical, natural or alternative therapy in order to compliment it. Note: It’s recommended you see a licensed physician or licensed health care professional for any physical or psychological ailment you may have.

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources AN EXPLANATION OF REIKI

An Explanation of Reiki and Its Origins The origins of Reiki are shrouded in the mystery and inaccuracies of oral teachings and very few public documents. Yet we do know some facts due to knowledge shared by Usui students in the late 1990’s. Since ancient times people have called upon natural energy from around them or from within, to heal themselves and others. They might have called this energy prana, life force, ki or chi. For many, the process was a conscious effort. Their procedure might include clearing and/or grounding themselves, connecting with higher forces, focusing on a certain energy or colour, and finally presenting this energy with their hands towards a recipient. Some could do this with little or no effort. Certain energy disciplines like certain Qigong practices might have required the practitioner build the energy up within their own body first, before transmitting it to the recipient. For those who called upon their own energy or the energy around them, especially a novice, this could often be an exhausting process, and they often had to build up their energy again after each healing. Other energy disciplines would teach a person how to channel or be a conduit for higher energies, those not normally accessible by a person. To do this one might be initiated or introduced to the energy through a ceremony, ritual or just a simple empowerment process, seeming like a transfer of energy. Some individuals were able to connect to these energies on their own through the use of their Higher Self, Ascended Masters, Ancestors, Archangels or other such Spirit Guides. This may have occurred through a great spiritual experience. In time, a person could simply shift their vibration radiance to that of the energy intended, and thus flow or broadcast this to their intended recipient; much like suddenly playing a higher vibration of music. Reiki (ray-key) is a natural healing technique that feels like a flow of a high frequency of energy into and through a practitioner, and out the hands into another person The system of Reiki, also referred to as Usui Reiki Ryoho, grew out of the original teachings of Mikao Usui (on the left), a Japanese man, around 1925-26. He had called his own teachings "My Method" (in Japanese, Usui-Do or Usui-no-Michi.) which were actually a simpler way to better develop oneself spiritually. In the West, it was previously thought that it was Usui's purpose to find out how famous healers like Buddha and Christ healed the sick, without depleting their own inner energy. However, the original Japanese Reiki society - Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai - teaches that he had a very spiritual experience or vision in which the meaning of his life was made clear to him. He then set out on a 3 year quest to discover how he could attain this, which cumulated in a powerful experience on the Japanese mountain of Kuramayama, and resulted in his achieving his quest plus experiencing strong healing © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources AN EXPLANATION OF REIKI

abilities. More current teachings from his own personal students, still alive in the early 2000’s, tell us that Usui (often known as Usui Sensei, Sensei, or O-Sensei) was actually a lay Tendai Buddhist monk who had a family, and who had begun teaching a more modern system of spiritual living based on his Tendai Buddhist, Shinto and other training. He began this work in Kyoto near the base of Mt. Hiei (the location of the main Tendai temple) and then in 1922 moved with his family and some close students to Tokyo where his brother Dr. Sanya Usui lived. He opened another dojo or training hall there and became known for his spiritual teachings which he began to formalize into 13 steps. He also became well known for his healing abilities, especially in the aftermath of the huge Kanto earthquake the following year. It seems his inner spiritual work had to led to developing these very strong healing abilities and he was known to radiate a powerful energy or Ki that those who came near to him could easily feel and sometimes acquire, often his own students. One of his senior Kyoto students, Toshihiro Eguchi, joined him in 1923 and with Usui's permission, rented evening time in the dojo to give lectures. Eguchi, under the watchful eye of Usui, began making small changes to the Usui system. However, by 1925 Eguchi was also experimenting with the idea of holding his own strong Ki or energy hands around some non students during his evening workshops. He seemed to be exploring duplicating the natural abilities Usui Sensei was noted for. At about this time, a retired naval veteran Dr. Chuujiro Hayashi, joined the dojo and while he too became a senior student of Usui, he also worked with Eguchi with these healing concepts, something that would be very useful in his private clinic.

By late November of 1925 the navy had learned of these healing experiments and 20 officers, led by Admirals Ushida and Taketomi, joined the dojo. While they too would have been Usui-no-Michi students, Ushida influenced Eguchi to develop a system where learning a healing method would be the main focus. In late January 1926, around 20 or so dojo members graduated from this new 3 level system (later 4 levels), and referred to their group as Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai or learning society (borrowing from the name of the Usui Gainen or concepts hanging at the front of the dojo.) While not formally involved, out of respect, admiration and being the dojo Shihan, Usui is given credit as its founder. He died shortly after this (in March 1926) and the dojo and new healing society were moved to Dr. Hayashi's clinic. During his life, Usui studied old religions and ancient teachings, Japanese forms of © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources AN EXPLANATION OF REIKI

Taoism and Zen. He also had a variety of occupations and was survived by his wife and 2 children. He was a member of a warrior monk group and thus a student of martial arts, and knew many well-known teachers including the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano. In modern times the word Reiki has become synonymous with natural energy healing, but the term was actually an adjective that Usui Sensei used in defining a set of concepts for his original system. Reiki Ryoho was a common term at the time used to define a spiritual methodology. The term Reiki later seemed to become a sort of slang term used by Dr. Hayashi. Western translations thought the word Reiki was made up of two Japanese words - Rei and Ki. Literally, taken one word at a time, Rei can mean supernatural force or spiritual intelligence; Ki can mean life energy. Thus Reiki is often mis-translated in the West as "spiritually guided life force energy". However this is much like taking the French word "chateau" (castle) and looking up the meanings for "chat " (cat) and "eau" (water). In Japanese, words must be taken together and in the context of their use in order to understand their actual meaning and intention. (See my article "Origin of the Term "Reiki".)

Here is an excerpt from Paul O'Neil's Japanese dictionary "Essential Kanji" Current Brush Stroke ======== in stroke order

Pen Stroke Version ============== Top -- Current/ Bottom -- pre- 1947

Base Definition of Character by stroke numbers, plus Examples of use

The original society's version of the Reiki system was trimmed in some ways, and expanded and modified in others by Usui's students, depending on their own preferences and needs. The version that reached North America in the late 1970s was introduced by Dr. Hayashi's 1935 Hawaiian student, Hawayo Takata. It rapidly grew in popularity and was thought to be the original form of Reiki until my friends and I discovered teachers of other versions in Japan in the late 1990s.

Above are the 6 Japanese or kanji characters for "Usui Reiki Ryoho" and below, to the © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources AN EXPLANATION OF REIKI

right is the same phrase in O-Sensei's handwriting. The original system of UsuiDo or Usui-no-Michi is still being taught, and as of the end of 2004 there were still a handful of O-Sensei's students alive in Japan, who communicated with some Western students. However, since that methodology is highly personal and spiritually oriented, most people seem to drawn to the study of Usui Reiki Ryoho as a healing method, in one form or another As each colour in the rainbow is actually a different frequency or vibration of white light, the Reiki energy can be considered a range of vibrations of the Universal Energy or The Light, but perhaps a range that is beyond the normal access of each individual. But it is well known for its ability to bring the human energy field into balance on all levels, thus encouraging the healing process. A standard Reiki treatment includes placing the hands above, or on, the head, shoulders, stomach and feet. In addition, other positions may be used for specific conditions the client may have. Each position is held 2 to 5 minutes and the entire treatment lasts 45 to 90 minutes. Originally it is thought Mikao Usui (we call him "O’Sensei" or "Usui Sensei") would have placed his hands on a few places on the head, then worked on the places of illness or injury. One of his students, Dr. Hayashi, made use of an old Chinese medicine process which involved upper body hand positions at strategic meridian points, to allow for a more structured approach in his clinic. He also added lower body positions so that two practitioners (a level 1 and a level 2) could work on a client together. A treatment creates a wonderful radiance that is deeply relaxing and includes many beneficial affects for both client and practitioner. At the very least, you will feel very relaxed during a session, often to the point of falling asleep. A Reiki session always seems to impress those who say they find it difficult to relax. As a Reiki practitioner, you can also treat yourself by placing your hands on yourself. Reiki will flow into you and begin its healing work. As in other forms of energy healing, a Reiki practitioner can also "send" a treatment to another person who is not in the same room or location. This is usually called Distant Reiki. In oriental cultures, healing disciplines like Reiki may be applied to healthy people as a preventative method. However, Reiki may also be used to assist you in returning to a state of health. Reiki is both powerful and gentle. In its long history of use Reiki has aided in healing virtually every known illness and injury including serious problems like cancer and heart disease as well as skin problems, cuts, broken bones, headaches, colds, sunburn, insect bites, insomnia, lack of confidence, etc. Reiki can also be used to relieve © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources AN EXPLANATION OF REIKI

stress, to overcome unwanted habits, to achieve desired goals, and to protect from harm. Many Reiki practitioners have found that plants and animals also respond well to a Reiki session. Even if you are conservative in explaining Reiki to others, you can describe it as an old Japanese remedy to reduce modern day stress and bring about relaxation. Most people who receive a Reiki treatment, will fall asleep during the session. And of course, relaxation promotes balance and healing on all levels. The ability to use Reiki is transferred to the student by the Reiki Master through an empowerment within an attunement process or ceremony. It is like a re-awakening of a talent that is lying dormant within you. For some, it may be possible to re-activate this ability on their own. But for most, it is far simpler to receive a Reiki attunement. Because of this, virtually anyone can learn Reiki with no prior experience or ability necessary. The attunement process opens the heart, crown and palm chakras and creates a special link between the student and the Reiki source. The Reiki Master then explains and demonstrates its use. After that, the student simply places her or his hands on someone with the intention of healing and the Reiki energies will automatically flow through the student into the recipient. Because of this unique attunement process, Reiki can be easily taught during a one day class, or less. The Reiki Empowerment is actually a powerful healing experience in itself, since it causes your bodies (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) to vibrate to a higher resonance. This can cause slow or stuck energy to return to its normal flow, and thus improving your overall condition. Children can easily acquire this ability, even small children. Since no focus or concentration is required, they can even watch TV, read a book, talk, etc. while giving a very effective Reiki session. I have found that I could encourage my young children to give me a Reiki session while they watched their favourite TV program or video. Their energy was always strong and constant. I simply moved their hands to different positions when I felt they had been in one place long enough, or they felt to hot for me . You may be surprised to learn that small children can easily see the aura or spirit guides. It is only our modern society that conditions them into ignoring such. Reiki is an amazing energy that comes from the highest spiritual source. It has its own intelligence and knows exactly where to go and what to do. It is multidimensional and will heal the cause of a problem on whatever level it may exist - body, mind, or spirit. It does not have to be directed by the practitioner. Because it is a channelled healing, the Reiki practitioner's energies are never depleted. In fact, when giving a treatment, the Reiki practitioner is © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources AN EXPLANATION OF REIKI

healed as well and always experiences an increase in life-force energy. People that already do healing work report their healing energies increase by at least 50% after receiving Reiki training. I have been amazed to discover that this also happens to many others as well. One of my students reported the ability to see the colours of the aura more clearly. Other students suddenly manifested clairvoyant abilities or could suddenly see spirit or angels. Many people just find that their life seems to take on a greater meaning to them. Torii in Usui's Home village

Consider whenever a person goes outside to water the garden. They turn on the water tap, pick up the hose and focus the nozzle of the hose towards the garden. (Let's assume there are no city water use restrictions in effect <smile>). The person isn't usually concerned with the water running out, nor with the possibility of anything foreign coming in through the sides of the hose. The person also doesn't worry about anything coming back up through the nozzle as the water pressure is too strong. While this person could just let the water run in one spot and it would work its way to all parts of the garden, they like to direct the water to their favourite plants, then possibly the balance of the garden. However, if there is a part that is much drier than the rest of the garden, the water will accumulate more here, as it works to balance the entire garden's water content. And it is usually quite obvious where these spots are, as more water gets absorbed here, than elsewhere. The water can be thought of as the Reiki energy. It comes from a source outside of you, and seems to have no limit to its availability. The person is the Reiki practitioner. The hose is like the purified Reiki channel that is opened within the initiated Reiki practitioner. It is very pure and strong and nothing can penetrate it; i.e. your energy does not get mixed with the Reiki ray before it leaves you. The energy flows out the palms of your hands, your nozzles (as well as other chakras in the body), and the recipient's energy does not flow back into the practitioner (so you don't Fountain at Amataka Shrine, Taniai Village take on their mis-qualified energy). The Reiki practitioner can just stay in one place projecting the energy on or towards the person who is receiving it, but typically moves around the body, starting with the recipient's head (just like watering the favourite flowers first) . While the Reiki energy fills and surrounds the recipient's body with its gentle vibrations, if there are parts that require more balancing of energy (called energy blocks), the Reiki energy will focus more in those places. The potential end result is a balancing of all the energy in the body (not to mention the other levels of the aura). © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources AN EXPLANATION OF REIKI

The Reiki frequency can also be thought of being similar to playing a special music album. As you play it for others you also experience the same effects of the music, yet you can play it over and over with no loss of quality or stretch on your part. The result of this is that the Reiki practitioner feels energised and vibrant after giving a Reiki session, and is quite capable of performing several sessions in a row. I have encountered some people who feel they are naturally exhibiting Reiki-like qualities. Some of them have been born with healing abilities, while others have learned similar energy techniques. I qualify as "Reiki” the same energy that Mikao Usui originally experienced, and then later taught to his students. This implies that a person has received the energy in a way that Mikao Usui’s students used to pass it on to their students; that is, by way of an empowerment ceremony, usually given in a Reiki class, by a Reiki "master". Perhaps it would be more appropriate to discuss whether a person is using the same energy as Reiki. In my experiences with those who have a natural healing skill, all who have gone on to receive the Reiki attunement have told me that the energy they had previously thought was Reiki, was either quite different, or not as strong, or not as easily accessed as Reiki. They talk of Reiki as being a higher vibration, or a different colour, or that it flows through them differently, than what they were previously using. I Richard performing simple reiju/attunements at feel that the natural energy they have URRI 2000 in Kyoto Japan. is an enhanced version of their own natural Ki, what I might call their own Highest Ki. This is not to say that Reiki is better than what they are already using. There are indeed other energies that seem to work the way Reiki does, but have a different feel or vibration to them. As for the most efficient healing method, I have found that the most benefit seems to come from a combination of the person giving the energy, the person receiving, the situation, the presence of compassion and Love, and the energy technique. Sometimes a hug is the most powerful technique.

While this manual presents much detail on how to give Reiki and on its history and meaning, in its simplest form Reiki is just receiving access to this energy, and then finding some way to apply it in your daily life. After you have tried all the methods presented here, I encourage you to use the way that feels and works best for you.

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources USUI-DO / USUI-NO-MICHI

Usui-Do (Usui-no-Michi): the Origin of Usui Reiki Ryoho "Unity of self through harmony and balance" (Original Usui dojo motto)

Since 1996 I have been discovering more and more current information about the origins of the origins of practice of Reiki. Thus I find it useful to present the following article that discusses the evolution of Mikao Usui’s teachings after 1920. This was the time (until 1926) when he became more public with his work, and bean to formalize his system (which he simply called “My method”), which would eventually lead to his student’s creation of the Reiki healing system that grew to become what we now know it as. Sources: Dave King, Melissa Riggall, George Mullen (1971 students of Eguchi student, Yuji Onuki.)

The system of Reiki we now practice in the West actually comes out of 3 Japanese sources, all of which were influenced heavily by the original system taught by Mikao Usui. He had simply called this “My Method”, thus "Usui-no-michi" or “Usui-Do” in Japanese. These 3 systems were Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, Hayashi Reiki Kenkyukai and Eguchi’s Tenohira Ryoji Kenkyu-kai. In the final years of his life, Usui Sensei was teaching his personal spiritual system, Usui-no-michi, which by this time was now structure, having been influenced by Sensei's friend Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. The 13 steps were rokyu, gokyu, yankyu, sankyu, nikkyu (#1 symbol), ikkyu (#2), shodan (#3), nidan (#4), sandan, yondan, godan, rokudan and shichidan. Another influence in his life was his earlier student and friend, Toshihiro Eguchi, a school teacher who had an interest in hand healing methods. Eguchi would rent evening time in the Usui dojo (training hall) and teach a revised version of Usui’s teachings which came to be called Usui Teate.. (Eguchi later had his own school called Eguchi Tenohira Ryoji Kenkyu-kai )

Eguchi and Hayashi (founder of Hayashi Reiki Kenkyukai) were the only 2 students to complete the original Usui spiritual training (to Shichidan). Even after Usui’s passing they continued to offer this system to some students along with their own healing systems. Women were traditionally not allowed to attain the highest levels in Japan but the 2 of the 5 nuns who worked daily with Usui Sensei from 1920 to 1926 reached Rokudan. One of these was Tenon-in (Mariko-Obaasan), who in 2005 was over 107 years old. (She passed away in September, 2005) When 2 retired navy admirals, Ushida and Taketomi, and 18 of their retainers joined the Usui dojo in December 1925 there was a sudden shift in Eguchi’s evening class structure. Perhaps due to their social standing they had more sway in, but a new healing oriented system began to emerge alongside the Usui system, most likely being taught by Eguchi in the evenings. The new system included Eguchi hand healing concepts, an energy transfer ceremony (unlike Usui’s transformation ceremony) and the admirals were calling this Usui Reiki Ryoho (a phrase from the original Usui concepts or precepts). The first Shinpiden graduates occurred in late January and by the time Usui passed away in March, a Gakkai (learning society) was formed to promote this system. Eventually they began meetings with some Meiji Emperor poetry (gyosei) - probably to make the meetings © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources USUI-DO / USUI-NO-MICHI

appear loyalist and not religious (which was outlawed at the time of the Taisho emperor.) They added a healing guide for beginner students (composed by Hayashi) to their material, as well as a number of Tui-na and Kikou (Qigong) techniques that Eguchi had introduced from a 1923 hand written booklet he had purchased. After Usui Sensei's passing in 1926, Usui-Do and its 1925 version Usui Teate, seemed to slowly slip from the limelight as the new society, Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, began to grow in popularity. The spiritual concepts were retained to some degree, but mainly taught to the advanced members, with personal healing through "Reiki" energy being encouraged on the novice. Eguchi had left the URR Gakkai in 1927 but he continued to teach both systems. One of his Shichidan graduates (1926-30) was Yuji Onuki. After 1931 Hayashi, who had by then left the URR Gakkai, no longer seemed to teach the original inner system of Usui-Do, although he had conferred Shichidan status on at least 12 students, including Tatsumi-san (1927-31). The system that Hawayo Takata-sensei learned from Hayashi (1935-38) was a much-revised version he was teaching at that time. Dave King and Melissa Riggall of the Usui-Do Eidan received Rokudan from Onuki-san in 1971 while George Mullen received Godan; Dave and Melissa also received Shichidan from Tatsumi-san in 1996 and Godan from Tenon-in in October 2002, the latter giving them a direct spiritual connection to Usui Sensei through. Melissa passed away in March 2003. Changes to the Usui System over the years 1926 URR Gakkai

Today URR Gakkai

Today Western

Name

Name

Name

Name

Name

th

rokyu

th

gokyu

th

yonkyu

rd

sankyu

nd

nikyu (#1)

st

Ikyu (#2)

st

shodan (#3)

nd

nidan (#4)

kaiden gata

rd

sandan

th

yondan

th

godan

menkyo kaiden gata

th

rokudan

soke

th

shichidan (nanadan)

6 grade 5 grade 4 grade 3 grade Transformations

1925 System Usui Teàte

2 grade 1 grade 1 dan 2 dan 3 dan 4 dan 5 dan 6 dan 7 dan

dai roku to shoden gata

shoden

dai go tou dai yon tou

chuuden gata

chuuden

okuden gata

okuden zenki

shoden

1st degree

dai san tou okuden zenki

2nd degree

okuden koki okuden koki

shinpiden

shinpiden

shihan

Shinpiden

Level

1923 System Usui-Do

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Note: This table is from URRI 2002 & 2003 handouts given by Usui-Do Eidan www.usui-do.org

Reiki Master / Teacher

Threshold - 11

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3rd degree/master

#1-4 are what we now call the symbols

Threshold Resources USUI-DO / USUI-NO-MICHI

From TJR information, May 2000 According to Hayashi student Tatsumi (1927-31), Eguchi student Onuki (1928-30) and Usui student Mariko-Obaasan (1920-26), Usui Sensei originally did not divide the system into degrees but worked with each student until one of them called a halt to the training. By 1923 he did break his system into steps and labelled them similar to Judo. In Dr. Hayashi’s school, at the time of Tatsumi's departure (1931) Chuuden level was dropped and a multi-step Shinpiden became the top level, equivalent to third step level 1; Okuden was now second step. Another Hayashi student Melissa met, Ms Kobayashi, received this form. It seems that Mrs. Takata and Ms. Yamaguchi did too. Both Tatsumi and Onuki were very clear about not trying to guide or control the energy in any manner but to simply offer it unconditionally so that the REAL intelligence, that of the body, can make the best use of it. Hayashi had started to teach his own system after 1931 which had no set hand positions. (Admirals) Taketomi and Ushida were still with Hayashi at that time and it is most likely that this found its way into the URR Gakkai teachings.

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Master / Teacher

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Threshold Resources REIKI FIRST DEGREE EMPOWERMENT

Receiving the Reiki Empowerment - in person and distant The access to Reiki energy is usually awakened within you by means of an empowerment ceremony - often called an attunement or initiation. In some Reiki schools this is performed up to 4 times during the course of the class, usually if the class is split into several parts, each a few hours in length. This comes from the original Reiki society’s process of giving you an empowerment every time the teacher met with you, whether in a class setting, or in a Reiki society gathering. The society (Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai) felt that each time you experienced the ceremony (called “rei ju”) your body could grow to handling more of the Reiki energy afterwards as you used and integrated the energy. Then, when you were offered another by the teacher, you could possibly absorb a bit more. I usually accomplish the same result by performing the Threshold Reiki ceremony in class, and having the student work with the Reiki energy throughout the day. Later in the class I usually give an additional empowerment, but this time to a selection of Japanese Reiki energies I have received. I find this assists the student in extending their Reiki abilities, as well as giving them an additional set of energies to explore and compare should they wish to develop their ability to sense energies. After class I also make additional empowerments available from time to time to the student. I might do this while in meditation, intending that the student receive the empowerment at the most suitable time for them. If I attend a Reiki gathering or exchange, I often empower/attune many others there (students of mine or not), even if they are already a Reiki masters. Also, I have on-line internet pages that achieve the same result, allowing the student to select his or her own time for this. Exploring the Reiki Attunement If you are a bit analytically oriented, and would like to determine any changes in your energy before and after an attunement, here is something you can try doing. Before the attunement, sit in a chair with your hands on your knees.. -- Notice how each of your hands feel. -- Notice how each of your knees feel. Now raise your hands just about 1/4 inch. Just so they no longer touch your knees, but are very close. Again, how do each of your hands feel; how do each of your knees feel? If you are receiving a distant attunement, where the teacher is not present but is transmitting to you over a distance, the following is what you can do for the attunement ceremony. © Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Master / Teacher

Threshold - 13

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Threshold Resources REIKI FIRST DEGREE EMPOWERMENT

Just before the agreed time sit down in a chair, preferably with your feet on the floor. Use whatever technique you want to get relaxed. I like to tell my students what I will be doing so that they can close their eyes and focus on what they feel, and not have to peek. If this is a distant attunement, while you are sitting there I will visualize or imagine you making the required movements during the attunement, such as moving your hands over your head, etc. However, you need not do this. As part of the process I will imagine I am right there in the room with you, first adjusting the room’s energies so as to keep out any that may be distracting. I will then begin by performing energy work over your head and then imagine blowing the energy through your hands (which I visualize as being in prayer position over your head). I then seal the energy at this point and assist it throughout your body. I will imagine lifting on your occipital ridge to integrate the energy into the body. Next I come around in front of you and focus Reiki energies in front of your third eye (your forehead), bringing your hands up in front of this spot and blowing the energy in through your hands. I then seal this spot. I do the same for your throat area and then for your heart area. Then I go behind you and run the energy through your body again. All throughout the process, I have been focusing on connecting you to the Reiki energy as well as your own Highest Ki or highest energy (a bonus with my Threshold Reiki classes.) Don’t worry, I will explain that part in class. The attunement is now complete. It all seems like a lot of make-believe, but the amazing thing is that the attunement always happens, and it is completely safe. There are many forms of Reiki ceremony, each as effective as the next. Each ceremony simply provides a way for the teacher to hold a strong focus on what he or she is doing, and a certain amount of time (at least a minute) for the student to be held in this energetic space. After the ceremony is finished, usually about 5 to 10 minutes in length, think about anything you experienced during the attunement. Do you now feel different than before? Did you see any colours? Did you hear anything? Did you feel any sensations in your body? You may even want to write all this down. If you are experiencing the attunement with someone else, then you can share what you experienced with each other. Or you may want to write down the experience. The purpose of this is so you will remember later what the attunement felt like. It's like your right brain needs to tell your left brain what it just got. Don't be concerned if you think you felt no change at all. What you feel is right for you. I personally don't remember anything unusual during my first attunement. I think I was too busy trying to figure out what the teacher was doing and thus missed the best part of that experience. To continue, after the attunement, check your energy as you did before the attunement (previous page). Then give yourself a complete Reiki treatment to help exercise the new energy. Reiki energy can feel warm, cool, tingly and many other sensations in your hands, and may feel similar in the area being treated or even elsewhere in the body, since the energy moves to where it is needed. Later on you will discover that a good way to determine if anything is changed is to treat a familiar Reiki healing subject with the new energy and see what their reaction is. Often it is more than what you may notice yourself .

© Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Master / Teacher

Threshold - 14

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Threshold Resources USUI REIKI RYOHO GAKKAI HAND POSITIONS

Traditional Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai Hand Positions – Novice Self Treatment Originally the practice of Reiki was taught quite differently than what we experience in the West and even in modern day Japan. In fact, it’s still taught close to the original way in the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, the original Reiki society. Once the student had experienced Reiju or the Reiki empowerment process, he or she was then shown a simple set of hand positions that might be used to apply the new energy. The following is a good way to begin exploring Reiki for yourself. Try holding each hand position for about 3 to 5 minutes. Your arms might get a bit tired so you might want to do these lying down. These 5 hand positions actually cover key meridian points on the head, which may have been the original purpose for selecting them. During the class you are going to learn a number of ways to apply Reiki to yourself and others, and eventually you will settle on a method that works best for you. Here is the method as taught to me by one of my Japanese teachers, Mr. Hiroshi Doi, a member of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. While he does teach Mrs. Takata’s Western Reiki idea of 12 basic hand positions (I also suggest a few extra), if there is little time available for the treatment, he recommends using the original Gakkai hand positions. Source: Essence of Gendai Reiki Ho Shoden Level - Sensei Hiroshi Doi

Reiki healing basics 1. Do not use your consciousness or mind power for healing (i.e. don’t force this process.) 2. Set your focus on the target and objective of Reiki healing (to whom and how). Then just be a clear channel of Reiki energy. The recipient determines the result. Healing others Once you have developed Byosen, which is the ability to perceive the sensations you receive from the problem area in the body, this will automatically help you to decide where and how long your hands are to be placed to give Reiki. Since you do not feel anything until you develop Byosen, you can use the basic 12 hand positions (from Western Reiki) for healing yourself and others. It is preferable to return to give Reiki to the problem area after completing the 12 hand positions. However, If time is limited, first give Reiki at least to the 5 basic head positions or head positions used in traditional Reiki Ryoho, before you start putting your hands on the problem areas.

© Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Master / Teacher

Threshold - 15

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Threshold Resources USUI REIKI RYOHO GAKKAI HAND POSITIONS

Head positions used in traditional Reiki Ryoho -- Self Treatment Zento-bu:

Sokuto-bu:

Forehead top, between the eyebrow and head top (the line where your hair starts to grow)

Both sides (temples) of your head at the same time

Koutou-bu:

Enzui-bu:

Upper back of your head; the middle point between the top of the head and spine

Upper part of your back neck; where the brain and spine meet

Toucho-bu: Top of your head; the crown

The original Gakkai Reiki Ryoho manual, Reiki Ryoho Hikkei (see Appendix), has a section called Ryoho Shishon - "Guide to a Method of Healing" written by Dr. Hayashi. The table includes all the major body parts, as well as major illnesses of Usui Sensei's time. Depending on the size of the treatment area, the practitioner can lay one or two hands on the area, or simply place the index and middle fingers on the area. Reiki also flows out of the fingertips. The first section of the guide deals with the major body parts. Note that the letters C, T, L and S represent the terms Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar and Sacral Vertebrae. In some Gakkai branches, students had to memorize this part of the table, even if they developed more advanced techniques. Doi-sensei said it was a beginner's guide, mainly used by those who had not developed Byosen Reikan Ho or Reiji Ho. We will cover these 2 techniques later in class. However, the Head Area in the table actually involves the above 5 positions, followed by the neck area (then sometimes the lungs), then the stomach and intestines. In URR Gakkai sensei Fumio Ogawa's book "Everyone Can Emulate Reiki" he says that applying Reiki to all these areas was the typical way to begin a Reiki treatment, although they were preceded by an affirmation or visualisation (Nentatsu Ho). This then might be followed by scanning (Byosen Reiki Ho) and/or intuitive Reiki (Reiji Ho). © Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Master / Teacher

Threshold - 16

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Threshold Resources SELF TREATMENT

Modern Reiki Hand Positions - Self Treatment These are some examples of hand positions you can use on yourself. Feel free to add others or remove those you do not feel a need to do at any time. Do them in an order and a way that is comfortable for you, and try to hold the position for a few minutes or as longs as you feel the urge to. Move your hands slowly from one position to another. As you perform each hand position, take time to be aware of what your palms/hands are feeling, and what the area of your body that you are working on feels like. This will help you to expand your ability to sense the energy. Try each of the hand positions at least once, then in future, simply use those that you feel the urge to. Reiki will fill you and concentrate in the areas of most need. However the various hand positions will help you to sense where these areas are, and give you an idea of how the body is doing all over. At each position, experiment again with raising your hands a tiny bit away from the body. It has the same benefit because you are still in the lower layer of the aura. After playing with this you can have your hands on or off the body, depending how you feel. It doesn't matter if your mind starts to wander while doing this. You can talk, read a book, watch TV (that's the only way I can get my kids to sit still while they Reiki me). If you want to feel what is happening again, just focus on what your palms are feeling.

Eyes Gently place your palms over or just in front of your eyes. Hold for 3 to 5 minutes (or as long as it feels comfortable to do so). If you have learned the eye exercise called palming, adding Reiki can increase the benefit.

© Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Ears Place your palms over or close to your ears In Reflexology and Acupuncture charts, there are many meridian/energy points in the ears.

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Threshold Resources SELF TREATMENT

Crown Place your hands on or above the top of your head. Originally Mikao Usui only used 5 hand positions which involved different parts of the head.

Back of Head/Occiput Place your hands at the base of the skull on the occiput. Again you are affecting all the major energy meridian lines as they pass through to the rest of the body.

Back of Head and Forehead This is a very good hand placement for relieving stress and headaches. The forehead allows you to relax the tension in your head, and the back of the neck position encourages the flow of blood into the head, and also relaxes the neck.

Neck This is a good position for a sore throat or to help you communicate better with others. The energy will also flow into the shoulders, another common place for tension.

© Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

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Threshold Resources SELF TREATMENT

Heart/Chest

Solar Plexus/Sternum

The heart centre is the most important area of spiritual growth as we learn to receive from others, as well as give to others.

This is your power centre and the area where you experience a lot of emotion in your reactions to others. Reiki can help calm this centre.

Navel/Tummy Area

Pelvic Area

This is the area where you often take in other people's emotions, and a common area for stress to build up.

Aside from the physical cleansing involved with the male and female reproductive centres, this is also the are where your survival instincts gather. balancing can occur on mental and emotional levels as well.

© Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

Threshold - 19

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Threshold Resources SELF TREATMENT

Back Area

Knees

Do whatever areas you can reach like the middle and lower back. This is around the area of the kidneys and the adrenals.

We are told that the knees (and elbows) reflect our attitude towards change in our life - the left side is our creative side, and the right is our analytical.

Ankle

Foot

Ankles (and wrists) reflect our flexibility to issues in our life. Again the left and right relate to the creative and analytical issues, respectively. After you Reiki one ankle and foot, switch to the other foot.

Like the ears, there are many acupressure points here. Reiki can stimulate all of these points, and used in conjunction with reflexology can bring greater relaxation and ease of stress.

© Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

Threshold - 20

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Threshold Resources SELF TREATMENT

Summary of Possible Reiki Hand Positions For Yourself Hand positions are usually held from 3 to 5 minutes, or as long as comfortable. For Western method, try all positions once, then use the ones that feel appropriate. Japanese scanning is usually only done to the lap HANDS ON OR HANDS OFF REIKI Western Reiki Beginner (Reiki 1) Starting Method

Eyes

Ears

Crown

Back of Head

Back of Head and Forehead

Neck

Heart/Chest

Solar Plexus/Sternum

Navel/Tummy Area

Pelvic Area

Back Area

Knees

Ankle

Foot

Use 2 hands …

or 1 hand

TRADITIONAL REIKI Japanese Reiki Beginner (Shoden) Starting Method: 5 positions

SCANNING & APPLYING REIKI

Hairline

Japanese Reiki Beginner (Shoden) Advanced Method 1: Byosen Reikan-Ho

(Note: Advanced Method 2: Reiji)

Temples

Back of Head

Sense Area

Apply Reiki on Body

Top of Neck

Top of Head

… or in Aura

Finished at Lap

© Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

Threshold - 21

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Threshold Resources REIKI ANALOGIES

Reiki Analogies Simple Ways to Explain the Workings of Reiki and Other Healing Energies Sometimes the ease and simplicity of Reiki can be deceiving and even seem confusing for new students. Either that, or some people may simply wish a better understanding of how Reiki works when applying it to themselves or others. These concerns often lead me to try to come up with some examples of everyday experiences that Reiki can be compared with. Here are some of the ideas I share in my classes. Reiki as Watering Your Garden Most people are familiar with watering a garden, watering their yard or just their houseplants. They have an idea of how water works with and flows through the soil and plants. So one analogy I suggest they can think of is the act of applying Reiki as being similar to watering a garden. No matter how it’s watered, the water still gets to all parts of the garden and concentrates more in the areas of greatest need. You might begin at one end of the garden and work methodically towards the other end, noticing as you progress how each plant responds to the water. Or you can search out the plants that seem in need or that you know will need the most and water them first. You might spray the entire garden at one time from one location. And some might even just leave the garden hose slowly flowing water at the upper end of the garden and let nature and gravity do their own balancing act without having to move the hose around. In all cases, the water gradually fills the garden, and more important, it tends to be drawn most to satisfy the plants and areas with the greatest need. Reiki and other healing energies work much the same way, filling the body and beyond, and concentrating or being drawn mostly to the areas of greatest need; whether this be a poorly functioning or healing body part, an energy block or area of stagnant energy, or simply improving the overall flow of energy through the body. The Reiki practitioner can choose his or her own method of application knowing that ultimately the recipient will receive what is required at the time, and in the appropriate quantity. Reiki as Electricity Imagine that the awakening of Reiki (with the help of your teacher) within you is like installing an electrical box in your house or apartment. Then, think of your hands (or your feet, your eyes, breath or whatever you use to share the energy with) as your electrical wall outlets that are hooked into your house's electrical (Reiki) box. You simply move your outlets (hands, etc.) to an area of the body intending to apply Reiki and that part of the body (much like an appliance) "plugs in" and decides how much Reiki energy to draw. You just offer it and the "appliance" does the rest. So a body part might feel like it's drawing like a table lamp, a toaster (at various settings), an oven, a clothes dryer or even a fridge or freezer (with cooler energy being called for). There’s no real work on your part – no concentration to keep Reiki flowing, no intention to force or push the healing, © Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

Threshold - 22

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Threshold Resources REIKI ANALOGIES

no sense of being drained as this is not your normal life energy you are using but that of the source of the electricity, i.e. the source of the Reiki. Note that the wall outlet does not take on the properties of the appliance in this scenario, and similarly your hands do not take on the properties of the unhealthy or out of balance body part – SO LONG as you DO NOT try to make the body take more than it draws. There is a synergy between the energy and the body, just like with the electricity and the appliance. There is a right amount of energy needed and then it must be assimilated and worked with. Also take note that just as an oven or clothes dryer has a much larger wall plug and can suddenly draw to the limits of the electrical box, so too can the condition in one area of a person’s body suddenly draw to your maximum ability to flow Reiki. This can be quite a surprise when it occurs an d you may even need to back your hands away for a bit or move to another body part if it feels too strong for you (it may simply take some getting used to this level of Reiki.)

Reiki as Music My favourite analogy is to think of Reiki as music. You are simply playing this special healing music, which is different from your normal music, and allowing the recipient (or yourself) to respond to it. You don’t have to force the music; you just allow it to flow naturally and that is all the effort required. It’s like putting on your favourite CD and letting the volume change automatically (as if you had an intelligent stereo system that could sense the need for more or less volume.)

Note that when you are in "playing music" mode, you don't lose any of your music or take on anyone else's; you just resonate your high level (Reiki) music and your target area responds as needed. As you do this, you can simultaneously do any other task: pilot a boat, watch TV, do your normal work, read, talk, cook, etc. The energy works on auto-pilot. You can also flow the music into your food, cooking, beverages, the boat, the ocean, your work, your projects, etc. Some people, after “hearing” the Reiki music can actually begin to play it for themselves, much like a person who is able to repeat a song having heard it only once. However, it is easier for most of us to attend a class where the Reiki teacher will teach us the music during the attunement or reiju ceremony. Reiki Symbols as Musical Instruments Continuing with the analogy of Reiki as music, in my Reiki level 2 classes I explain how the Reiki symbols (and even other modern day healing oriented symbols) can be thought of as some of the instruments within the music. And just as each musical instrument evokes a certain feeling within a person upon hearing it, the energies invoked by the symbols awaken an energetic quality within an individual who experiences it. © Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

Threshold - 23

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Threshold Resources REIKI ANALOGIES

Reiki Attunement / Reiju as Learning Music When the original Reiki attunements are given, the teacher is helping the students to learn the overall music. However when Reiki 2 attunements were given, the teacher would seem to focus on one instrument here and there within the music, again with the intention that the student learn these. It’s much like a jazz music piece where each instrument plays a solo within the composition. And just as with any music piece or instrument being learned, after the initial lesson with the teacher the student will go home and practice what they have experienced. Then they can return to hear the same music and instruments again (via a re-attunement) when they next meet with their teacher. In the original Reiki society, the URR Gakkai, reiju (i.e. re-attunement) was given to all members at each weekly or monthly meeting. Reiki as a Thermostat An interesting observation many Reiki practitioners notice is that sometimes the Reiki energy will begin to flow even without their intention for it to do so. This might occur when they place a friendly hand on a friend or their arms around someone as they hug them. Or it might occur as their hands rest on themselves in a moment of high emotions, especially anger, sadness or depression. It is as though the energy were operating like a heating thermostat, knowing when the room suddenly needs more heat or coolness, and activating the furnace or air conditioner. Reiki as Flavours of Energy In my web site article titled “Exploring Variations of Reiki” I explain how originally I thought all Reiki was identical. Then as my ability to sense energies began to awaken I discovered that there were many variations of Reiki energy, both inside and outside Japanese teachings. Since all true Reiki energies have the same common baseline or carrier frequencies, I like to equate the family of Reiki to something like chocolate. It’s as though Usui Sensei or one of his senior students had discovered chocolate and everyone began to try to copy this. Over time various versions of Reiki evolved, much like we have variations of chocolate, like German, Belgian and Dutch chocolates, and the candy bar flavours of Hershey, Cadbury and Nestle. So too the Hayashi Reiki of Mrs. Takata feels a bit different than that of Mrs. Yamaguchi; the URR Gakkai Reiki of Mr. Doi’s Gendai Reiki feels different than the Gakkai energy he received from Mr. Ohta; The Tera-Mai Reiki of K. Milner feels different than the Karuna Reiki of W. Rand. And on and on. They all have a common base feeling to them yet each has something added into them to make them slightly different from the next. And just as we each might have our own preference for certain types of chocolate, so too might we prefer one type of Reiki over another. © Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources REIKI ANALOGIES

Taking this analogy a bit further, we notice many other healing energies being present to the public, each making similar claims to Reiki or even beyond. For example, we have Seichim, Magnified Healing, Quantum Touch, Urevia, Sekhem and many others. While they all have healing properties, each of them feels different. If Reiki is chocolate ice cream, then these others might be thought of as strawberry, butterscotch, orange, spumoni, etc. They all have the commonality of being healing energies, yet they are different families of energies. Which works best for an individual will depend on many situations, yet each can claim to have effected every type of healing in some situation or other. Healing as Blowing Up a Balloon I often say in class that healing is like having a balloon you wish to be blown up and busted or at least start a leak so that it will no longer affect you. You pass the balloon to everyone you interact with asking them to blow into it as you try to heal; your friends and family (e.g. talking to them about your problem), your doctor, your Reiki healer or teacher, your body work healer, your pharmacist, etc. However, the one who is with you when you finally get a result (the balloon breaks or finally begins to leak) gets ALL the credit. Sometimes the condition is resolved completely, as if the balloon has popped. And sometimes it begins a slow leak as you gradually release the problem condition. However, even if you are receiving some kind of treatment or therapy, if afterwards you continue to carry out the actions and thoughts that contributed towards the condition, it is as if you are plugging in the holes of the leaks your “healer” just helped you create. So even though you may receiving treatment, it is a good idea to try to determine if you are still contributing daily towards the cause of the condition. My many thanks to www.inmagine.com for the royalty free images.

© Copyright 2008-2013

Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

Threshold - 25

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Threshold Resources USING REIKI TO SCAN YOURSELF

Using Reiki to Scan Yourself As you continue to use Reiki, you may find some of your natural energy abilities increasing. One of these is the ability to sense energy within or around the body with your hands (your non-dominant hand is usually best). This is especially true of areas where emotional and mental energy has slowed down and become stagnant, often called energy blocks. A technique that makes use of this skill, called Scanning, can be used in locating these areas on yourself or a client. Reiki can be directed to this area and the energy may immediately begin to return to its normal vibration. If this is done in the emotional and mental layers of the body (about 2 to 10 inches above or away), potential problems that may arise may be avoided before the energy manifests in the physical body. Long-term blocks may also begin to slowly dissipate, causing emotional and mental relief. Since we normally apply Reiki at the body level (hands on or about an inch away), we will usually deal with the physical blocks as we do a full treatment. Ultimately this energy will work its way to the other levels of the aura as well. However, if we have the time and the desire, we can try to effect change at the mental and emotional layer more quickly by scanning these layers, and then applying Reiki to any place we feel an unusual energy. You may also find scanning at the body level useful as well, as it can give you a detailed idea of how you or the recipient are doing at the physical level.

Use 2 hands …

.. or 1 hand

Sense the Area

Apply Reiki on Body

… or in the Aura

To scan your own energy, simply follow the Self Treatment positions but hold your non dominant hand about 2 to 10 inches away from your body. Do one quick pass, trying to pay attention to the overall feel of your energy. Then do a second pass, this time noticing the subtle differences from place to place. An area may feel hotter (drawing energy in) or cooler (energy flowing out). Or perhaps it feels thicker or thinner, with your hand moving more slowly or faster through this space. There may be subtle vibrations that change from place to place. Again, this is all about 2 to 10 inches away from you (in the mental and emotional space). (See the handouts or http://www.acupuncture.com/education/ diagnosis/qiqualities.htm. for what you might feel.)

These sensations usually indicate that the energy is either in a state of change, or needs some assistance. Next, apply Reiki in your aura with both hands wherever you felt something unusual or different. Just give Reiki for a minute or two in each place. When you are finished, begin a normal Reiki treatment on yourself. Notice if the Scanning and Reiki in the higher levels of the aura have made a difference in how you feel (mentally, emotionally, physically). Over time you will become familiar with the energy feel of your aura and body. While right-handed people might find their left hand is more sensitive for scanning, I find © Copyright 2008-2013

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Threshold Resources USING REIKI TO SCAN YOURSELF

that a typical left handed person is often omni-handed (i.e. equally left and right handed). The dominant hand rule really applied to most right handed people, and a few left handed, however, in either case, I suggest the student can use whichever hand feels best each time. In a live class, I often give an additional exercise to students to help them realise that they already have the ability to sense energies. I ask them to look out my living room window. Across the street are some large Japanese Cherry trees - the kind that have the pink blossoms in the spring. I ask them to look at one of them (Tree A) and try to determine in their mind how they feel about the tree. Then after a minute I suggest they determine where on the tree their attention is mainly drawn. What point would they touch if they could reach out and do so? Next I have them do the same to the tree next to it (Tree B) or sometimes with a different type of tree (Tree C). I also ask them to compare what they feel and also where their attention is drawn on both trees. What is interesting is that everyone is able to do this and has some kind of feeling about each tree and some special point they seem to be drawn to look at.

Tree A

Tree B

Tree C

I then tell them that what they have just done is scanned the trees from a distance, and they have also used a form of the Reiji Ho or intuitive Reiki (from the Shoden section) on each tree. I suggest that they might want to try the same idea when they see 2 people walking towards them outside (even if they are far away at first). This will help develop their energy sensitivities for these methods with people. There are many things you can gradually sense about others (and things) if you wish to pursue this. In my article on the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (see the Appendix or www.theshold.ca), at the end I talk about the former society president Mrs. Koyama whom my student Shiya Fleming met. She said Mrs. Koyama was able to scan people as they came into her house and know what their problem was and even how many treatments would be required. It is also possible to scan someone you cannot see, as in giving a distant treatment, even if you have never met them. In the Gakkai, a Reiki 1 student (or Shoden level) must demonstrate certain abilities before being able to continue with Reiki 2 (or Okuden level). 2 of these tests are being able to demonstrate Byosen Reikan Ho and Reiji Ho with precision. These are the preferred techniques used in traditional Japanese Reiki healing. © Copyright 2008-2013

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Threshold Resources USING REIKI TO SCAN YOURSELF

Traditional Japanese Reiki Components As mentioned earlier, the original URR Gakkai Reiki manual had a section called Ryoho Shishon - "Guide to a Method of Healing" created by Dr. Chuujuro Hayashi. It follows typical Oriental energy healing hand placements. The purpose of the guide was to assist the beginning Reiki practitioner who had not yet developed Byosen - the ability to feel or sense where Reiki is required. An advanced practitioner would not require this table. Depending on the size of the treatment area, the practitioner would lay one or two hands on the area, or simply place the index and middle fingers on the area . Here is the first section of the guide that deals with the major body parts. Note that the letters C, T, L and S represent the terms Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar and Sacral Vertebrae. Guide To Method of Healing (Ryoho Shishon) 1. Basic treatment of body parts. Head area ...... Forehead (hairline), general area, temples (temple) general area Back of the head area, neck area, crown area, stomach, intestines. Eye ................ eye, inner eye corner, outer eye corner, neck area cranial neck vertebrae C1,2, 3.) Nose .............. nose bone, nose flares, between eyebrows, neck area (cranial neck vertebrae C1,2, 3.) Ear ................. ear canal, front part and back part of ear, cranial neck vertebrae C1. Mouth ............. cover mouth without touching lips. Tongue .......... top side of tongue, root of the tongue (most likely from the outside, neck, under the chin). Throat ............ thyroid cartilage, neck area. Lung............... lung area, back, inside of shoulder blade, Thoracic vertebrae T2, T3, T4, T5 T6. Heart .............. heart area, cranial neck vertebrae C5, C6, C7. Thoracic vertebrae T1, T2, T3, T4, T5. Liver ............... Liver area, Thoracic vertebrae T8, T9, T10. (especially right hand side) Stomach......... stomach area, Thoracic vertebrae T4, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10 Intestine ......... ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon area, small intestine area, (navel point area), Thoracic Source of Image: vertebrae T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, Lumbar vertebrae L2, www.spinalinjury.net/html/ L3, L4, L5, buttocks. _spinal_cord_101.html Bladder .......... bladder area, Lumbar vertebrae L4, L5. Uterus ............ uterus area and both sides of it, Thoracic vertebrae T9, T10, T11, T12, Lumbar vertebrae L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, sacrum, coccyx. Kidney ............ Kidney area, Thoracic vertebrae T11, T12 Half Body ....... neck muscles, shoulders, back muscles, both sides of the vertebrae, waist area, hip area. Tanden under the navel, also the area 3 finger widths down (Continued in the Reiki Ryoho Hikkei) © Copyright 2008-2013

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Byosen Reikan-ho The following explains the scanning technique as taught in the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. Source: Essence of Gendai Reiki ho Shoden Level - Sensei Hiroshi Doi

Purpose: Healing by way of feeling a resonance or hand sensation. When a person has a disease, you can feel ‘something’ transmitted from the source of the disease. This is called "Byosen". What you feel as Byosen varies depending on the type, severity and status of the disease, and from person to person. But some samples are: sensations of something moving, pulsating, or piercing, or of a bug crawling, biting or of pain, numbness, heat, coldness, tickling, tingling, etc. The sensation you have in your hands is called “Hibiki” or “Resonance” and by it you can learn to judge the cause of the disease, the status of it and the time it will take to heal. As long as a person has a disease (even if the person is not aware of it), there never fails to be a byosen. So if you are careful enough to detect the byosen, it is possible to treat the disease a couple of days before it actually shows up. Also there could be a byosen in people who are said to have recovered completely from his/her disease. If you get rid of the byosen in these cases, you can prevent the disease from developing again. A byosen could show up in the obvious problem area but also could be sensed in areas different from the problem area. For example, the byosen for stomach disease often shows up in one’s forehead; for roundworm it can show up under one’s nose; for liver problems it can show up in the eyes, etc. Method: 1.

The recipient can be seated or lying on a massage table, or on a mat on the floor.

2.

Gassho, and call Reiki to yourself. (this may be done by extending your hands and arms upwards, bringing in the Reiki light).

3.

Mr. Doi suggests that you perform Aura Cleansing before a Reiki treatment, however, this is not part of the traditional URR Gakkai method.

4.

You place your hands on the basic Western Reiki hand positions until you develop your sensory power of your hands. You may also simply perform the 5 original Usui head positions.

5.

Once you develop byosen (the ability to feel a special sensation from the problem area of the body), practice your healing using the following procedure.

6.

First put your hands (one hand or two) on or above the body and move them around scanning the whole body. Hold your hands where you feel the strongest hibiki or sensation of pain, heat, coolness, vibration or numbness. The part is often different from where the symptom is. It takes experience to judge the © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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sensation. 7.

The hibiki gradually increases until it reaches its peak then starts to subside. That makes “one pass” or “one cycle”. You should at least hold your hands for one cycle. As it repeats its cycle, the peak of hibiki will decrease.

8.

Move your hands to the next byosen and repeat .

9.

You are finished when there are no more points of hibiki. When treating oneself, this is usually when your hands simply flow down to your lap.

10. Mr. Doi suggests that you perform Aura Cleansing after a Reiki treatment, however, this is not part of the traditional URR Gakkai method. 11. Gassho and finish. Shake your wrists well. Revive the recipient.

Comments: At first, the ability to sense Byosen differs depending on individuals but as you practice healing others anyone can develop the ability gradually. In the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, this technique is taught once a person has begun their Reiki training. Usually the average person at this point has an energy rating of 6 (on a scale of 6 to 1, 1 being the highest). Once this technique is taught, your energy rating is at 5. Usui-sensei rated himself as 2 in the hopes that one of his students would surpass his abilities. To this day, out of respect for Sensei, no one is ever rated higher than 3. Once this technique is mastered, you are taught Reiji-ho and your rating increases to a 4. Upon mastering Reiji--ho, you are rated a 3 and are allowed to have Okuden training.

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Reiji-ho The following explains the intuitive Reiki technique as taught in the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. Source: Essence of Gendai Reiki ho - Sensei Hiroshi Doi; translation by Yukio Miura; editing by Richard R. Rivard, Tom Rigler.

Purpose: Allowing Reiki to guide you to the place of greatest need of healing. This technique is taught once you have developed a very good ability for Byosen Reikan-ho. Method: 1.

The recipient can be seated or lying on a massage table, or on a mat on the floor.

2.

Gassho, and call Reiki to yourself. (this may be done by extending your hands and arms upwards, bringing in the Reiki light).

3.

It is recommended that you perform Aura Cleansing before a Reiki treatment.

4.

With your hands back in Gassho, tell yourself you will begin Reiji-ho now.

5.

Ask Reiki to guide you to the place of greatest need in the receiver's body (or your own body if this is a personal treatment). You can say something like "Reiki, please guide me to where this person most needs Reiki".

6.

Allow your hands to intuitively move to a location above or in front of the person's body. You can lay hands on or just above the body. Or you may be guided to apply Reiki in the aura.

7.

You will feel the hibiki or sensation of pain, heat, coolness, vibration or numbness in your hands.

8.

The hibiki gradually increases till it reaches its peak then starts to subside that makes “one pass” or “one cycle”. You should at least hold your hands for one cycle. As it repeats its cycle, the peak of hibiki will decrease.

9.

Move your hands back to Gassho and repeat from step 5 until you are no longer guided to a point. When treating oneself, this is usually when your hands simply flow down to your lap.

10. When finished, it is recommended that you perform Aura Cleansing after a Reiki treatment. Gassho and finish. Shake your wrists well. Revive the recipient. Comments: In the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, this technique is taught to students once they have mastered the technique called Byosen Reikan-ho. After learning Reiji-ho the student's energy level is rated at 4. Upon mastering Reiji-ho, the student's energy is rated as 3 and they are allowed to have Okuden training Usui-sensei rated himself as 2 in the hopes that one of his students would surpass his abilities. To this day, out of respect for Sensei, no one is ever rated higher than 3. © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources NENTATSU HO

Nentatsu-ho : Healing Affirmation / Visualization Method In 2005 I received a self-published Japanese book called “Everyone Can Emanate Reiki” written by Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai Shihan (teacher) Fumio Ogawa. I asked a group of my Japanese students to translate the book and upon reading it I learned several concepts not taught in Western Reiki. One concept related to the beginning of a Reiki treatment. Ogawa-sensei wrote the following: “This is the method for sending a thought to another. Focus on the anterior hairline on the forehead of the healing subject to send your thoughts. Strongly affirm the message you are sending. “For example, for a critical patient, send the message “You will get better.” Also, send the Gokai. Do this for one to two minutes. For a critical patient, it is helpful to use Nentatsu-ho with each treatment. “Generally, Reiki Ryoho is a mental therapy. The state of a patient’s mind exerts an influence upon the effects of a healing. Clearly it is very important to strengthen their mind or improve their comfort with Nentatsu-ho. “For not serious illnesses, at the beginning of a treatment (after Nentatsu Ho) put the hand on the effected area for one or two minutes. The patient becomes relieved if Nentatsu-ho works. Without the firm belief of the healer, the patient feels uneasy; without the true heart of a healer, the patient dislikes having the treatment. Doing a treatment with the true heart of a healer, the patient becomes trusting, relieved, and grateful. A wicked heart doesn’t lead to a good result. From ancient times, the reason of effectiveness of treatments from the famous Buddha and wise men is that a noble mind reflects itself on the mind of the sick.”

In his “Guide and Commentary on Reiki Ryoho” section, Ogawa encourages students to “always place the hand at forehead, the hairline, and apply Nentatsu” and ” While putting the hand on these places, you affirm (in your mind) what you want to say to the healee. It seems unnecessary, yet it is very important and beneficial. Do not neglect this process.“ The following is this method as taught in the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. It is taken from my Gendai Reiki Ho training material. Traditional URR Gakkai Nentatsu Ho Method Source: Essence of Gendai Reiki ho - Sensei Hiroshi Doi; translation by Yukio Miura; editing by Richard R. Rivard, Tom Rigler.

Purpose: The traditional method for sending a thought or wish while using Reiki to assist.. This is a technique for getting a silent message across to the recipient’s subconsciousness with the Reiki vibration transmitted through your hands. There is a wide range of use for it, such as breaking bad habits, getting across Usui-sensei’s five Reiki principles to people in serious disease, etc. (Do not get this mixed up with the concept of healing with mind power.)

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Method: 1.

The recipient can be seated or standing. Ask them what habit or difficulty they wish to work on. Suggest a positive affirmation that you can transmit.

2.

Gassho, and call Reiki to yourself. (this may be done by extending your hands and arms upwards, bringing in the Reiki light).

3.

Say silently “I begin Nentatsu-ho now”

4.

Place your hands (or just one) on the person’s forehead where the hair starts to grow.

5.

Think the thought that they have asked you to help them with. Make sure it is positive and in their highest interest.

6.

Transmit the message with a pure mind and confidence.

7.

Remove your hands. If this is part of a normal treatment, then proceed. Otherwise:

8.

Gassho, and finish. Shake your wrists well.

Comments: You can apply this technique to others and yourself. Note that the URR Gakkai teach to use this technique at the beginning of every treatment. The thought that you suggest should be one that the recipient is likely to accept or follow. Just as with hypnosis, most people cannot be encouraged to do something that is against their nature or will.

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Threshold Resources SEATED REIKI SESSION

Giving a Reiki Session to Someone Seated Over the years I have found that most students don’t go out immediately after class and purchase a massage or Reiki table, even though that might be how they practiced with Reiki in class. And if they do own a table, sometimes they are in a location or situation where it is not practical to use one. So it’s a good idea to practice different ways to give a treatment while a peso is either standing, or more conveniently while they are sitting in a chair. Thinking about what you have studied so far, you can drawn on a combination of your experiences using a self treatment, scanning (Byosen Reikan Ho), intuitive Reiki (Reiji Ho) and affirmation or visualization methods (Nentatsu Ho). There is no best way to do this, just whatever ways seems appropriate and comfortable in the moment. So let’s look at an ideal situation and some possible forms of applying Reiki to another while they are seated in a chair. Starting the Treatment 

You might begin by standing (or sitting) behind the person and placing your hands on their shoulders. This is usually the safest and most accepted area that a person will not be bothered by direct contact in a healing situation, assuming of course there are no injuries or frailty in the area. However, some people are very sensitive to the energy of others and might feel a cold shock as you do so. So in anticipation of this, as you are moving your hands towards their body, when you get a few inches away, slow down and gradually and gently rest your hands on the middle or outer parts of shoulders, but keep your hands away from the neck (many people are sensitive about the front of their neck being touched.)



Note that in many cultures, touching in the normal course of social interaction has become very restricted due to concerns about inappropriate behavior, so many people do not receive much of this kind of human contact any more. This has led to a lot of problems in society as people become more and more isolated. But since touch is often acceptable and trusted in a healing situation, your recipient might appreciate the actual laying on of hands, as long as common sense and care is used to do so appropriately and non-invasively. You might even have the recipient first view and even fill out the Client Release Form suggested in the Additional Support Material Appendix (if available) as it can illustrate where you will be applying Reiki hands-on and hands-off during a treatment.



But know that if you prefer using hands-off, or if the recipient is not comfortable with touch in any area, you can keep your hands raised an inch or so above the body. However, note that over time this might become a bit tiring for you. I recommend trying a bit of each when you are first practicing Reiki on a friend or family member, to see how you find this and to get some feedback from your © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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recipients as well. 

Please do not force the healing. This means – do not try to heal the person. This may sound silly as of course you do wish for the person to get better. But what I mean is don’t concentrate on pushing or forcing the Reiki energy on the person. I can’t emphasize this enough. If you do this, it is possible for you to actually connect to the vibration of the problem area, and then you might begin resonating to it as well. Then you will need to heal yourself afterwards as well as your healing subject. This is actually a old form of natural healing and one that beginning natural healers sometimes fall into. Simply allow your Reiki energy to be drawn as it is needed to the recipient. It may rise and fall in strength from area to area and from time to time, but let that higher spiritual aspect of the healing subject decide how much is needed at this time.

Duration and Movement of Each Hand Position 

How many hand positions you use and how long you leave your hands at each position will depend on how much time you have for the treatment. Ideally, 3 to 5 minutes is a good time, especially when you are new to Reiki and your energy abilities are just developing.



If you only have 5 or 10 minutes, then either select only a 3 or 4 positions leaving hands there a couple minutes each, or if this is a simple demonstration then you can do one minute per hand position. However, the longer you can leave your hands in open place, the more likely your recipient will relax into the treatment, and this alone can be beneficial to them. In the case of a very short treatment, it might be best just to do the shoulders a couple of minutes and then place the hand open or above an area where they have a complaint.



When you do move from one hand position to another, try to keep one hand in place as you slowly move the first hand. Then move the second hand to its next position. This of course assumes you are always using 2 hands. In some places, only one hand is required (e.g. the op or crown of the head) and in the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (URR Gakkai) they would only use two hands of there were two similar body parts involved (as in two lungs) or if using complimentary positions (e.g. forehead and back of head.)

Adding in Affirmations and/or Visualization (Nentatsu-ho) 

As you allow Reiki to flow at the shoulders (or first position), send a positive thought towards the person – something like “Your condition is improving, and you feel much better.” Or you can imagine the person in an improved state of health, even visualize them in a healthy state you have known them to have been in. Nentatsu-ho can also be done without touching the person, before the first hand position.

Now you can proceed chasing one of the following treatments. Modern Method: the Main Chakras or Energy Points: 

From the shoulders, gradually move both your hands (or one hand) on or just above the top of the head (affects the crown or 7th chakra). Note that it’s not necessary for the © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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person to have their hands in Japanese gassho position as shown (this is similar to Namaste or prayer position.)



Place one hand on or close to the forehead and the other hand on or close to the Medulla oblongata, the area between the back of the head and the top of the spine (affects the third eye or 6th chakra, front and back.)



Place one hand in front of and close to the base of the throat, but not touching. Or, if they don’t mind, you can rest the bottom edge of your hand on the person’s collar bone with the palm of the hand facing but not touching the throat. Optionally, you can just place one hand at the back of the throat as illustrated above, on or close to the 7th (protruding) cervical vertebrae (affects throat or 5th chakra).



From here, if you or the recipient are concerned about hand positions on or near the front chakras, you can easily just place one hand on the back locations for each. In fact it’s quite simple to do 2 chakras at a time. First ask the person to sit sideways on the chair. Then place one hand on or close the back of the heart area, close to the level of the adrenals (affects heart or 4th chakra). Then place the other hand on or close to the back at the level of the kidneys (affects the solar plexus or 3rd chakra). If you begin to get a bit uncomfortable bending over or kneeling, pull up another chair and sit comfortably while you do the remaining positions.



Next, place one hand on or off the body, close to the back of the navel or abdominal area, at about the same height (affects the spleen or 2nd chakra). Place the other hand on or off the body, close to the back of ovaries or prostate area, at about the same height (affects the root or 1st chakra). Note that in choosing to place a hand on at this position, it might be more prudent to place your hand just below your other (as illustrated). The energy will still find its way to the chakra. © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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

After completing the 7 major chakras, if you have time and wish to do work on the legs, it’s quite simple to do the knees. Again you can use hands on or off.



Once you are finished, you can always go back to any areas that you sensed needed some more energy, or where the person had a concern or a complaint of discomfort there before you began the treatment.

Traditional Japanese Reiki Treatment While the original Japanese treatment didn’t begin with the shoulders, I did include this option a little further on, and again it still might be a gentle way to connect with a new healing subject. The treatment actually began with Nentatsu-ho, so you can either do this technique with the next hand positions (the usual method), or as before just combine it with Reiki on the shoulders.

: Combine the Forehead and Back of Head

Treat both Temples

Treat Top of Head and Back of Neck



Treat the forehead and back of head (the round part) as shown above. As mentioned previously, this is where you can also perform Nentatsu Ho, sending a thought to the healing recipient, something like “You are able to attain harmony and peace of mind with the vibration and Love of Reiki.”



Treat both temples as shown above.



Treat Top of head and nape of neck. As shown above.



Treat the stomach area. This can be done on the back as shown in the previous healing method.



Treat the lower intestine area. This can be done on the back as shown in the previous healing method.



Use Scanning (Byosen Reikan Ho) or Reiji-Ho to locate areas that seem to need special attention. (These are actually the main components and the favoured methods of the URR Gakkai.)

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Intuitive Japanese Reiki Treatment If you feel proficient enough, you can try giving a treatment by simply doing Byosen Reikan Ho (scanning and treating) and/or Reiji Ho. With the latter, you can even leave your hand in that area for 15 minutes or so. In some cases, Japanese healers have been known to work the main critical area alone for up to an hour. Simply put, with any treatment method, do the best you can in the amount of time you have. Accidents and Other Emergencies As there is usually some amount of trauma and/or shock, immediately lay one hand on or over the solar plexus and the other on or over the kidneys (suprarenal glands). Then move your second hand to the outer edge of the shoulders. When shock appears to have subsided you can treat the area of injury. In cases where the shock is minimal (e.g. a small child is not seriously hurt but is crying or stressed) place one hand on the solar plexus and the other on the area of injury. Remember, use discretion: do not put your hands on open wounds or very tender injuries, and still call for professional medical help immediately, if the injury appears severe.

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Taking Reiki Into Your Everyday Life After I had been teaching Reiki for a while, I began to realize that many of my students who were not involved in a healing oriented business, were just using Reiki and Light at home, as a healing tool, on themselves, family, friends, pets and plants. There didn't seem to be too many who had thought about using this wonderful tool for other areas in their life. Having used energy techniques in the office place in the past, I know that there is much potential for Reiki and other techniques in that part of our daily life, and elsewhere. Beginning with the Light Technique (see Reiki 1 Handouts in folder at back or my web site – www.threshold.ca) you can use something like this (or Reiki) to freshen up the "air" in your work place. Simply taking time before or during work to call the Light to you (Solar Light - the Light from the Soul plane is even better) , and then sending this from your heart to fill your immediate space, and eventually to your co-workers as well. If you do this from home, or on the way to work, you will find that you feel very good when you arrive at your workspace. Also, others will find they enjoy being in proximity to you at work. Another way to use Reiki or Light is to shower co-workers with rainbow energy, or to dump an imaginary bucket of energy over anyone who walks through a certain doorway. One business owner who began showering her employees every day with Light, soon noticed a decrease in the number of sick days with her staff, and the overall attitude in the office improved greatly. If you have co-workers or management who are especially difficult to deal with, start sending them beams of Light as described at the Light Technique page, remembering to tell yourself you are clear after you call the Light, and then sending it in a burst from your Heart centre, with healing intention. You may be surprised how quickly this may resolve some issues, especially from your side of things. I have found that even before the issue is resolved, I begin to feel less tension and concern about it, as I have already grown through the situation and am content from my part. By the time the other person also experiences a shift in attitude, I am ready to accept their new position. Reiki can also be used in this manner, and you can even run it all day long. Simply write on a Post-It Note the name of the person or situation you wish to send Reiki to, and allow Reiki to flow. Every now and then, look at the Note or just think of the person and Reiki will continue to flow. If the Note is in your peripheral vision, your subconscious will pick up on this and continually send Reiki. One friend of mine from my office days, Kirk, came to take classes from me. He was still in the same line of work as we had been in together in the 1980's. Sometime during the course of the training, Kirk accepted a management position in a new company. He found he was immediately placed in the middle of some very strong office conflict and politics. Each time he arranged a meeting with © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources REIKI IN EVERYDAY LIFE

department representatives, they tried to take advantage of his inexperience with the company to get his team to do computer systems work for their own area. Kirk found that he was constantly under stress and was not happy in this new position. I suggested he try filling the meeting room in advance with Reiki. He agreed to try this and added other level 2 and 3 techniques as well for good measure. Even during the meeting he continued to send Reiki to the "problem" representatives. Kirk said he was very impressed with the results. Not only did the meeting go smoothly, but it was the first one in which he didn't get verbally "beat up" and that everyone seemed to be in a sort of harmony. Happy with the success of these techniques, Kirk continues to use them whenever he can. Reiki can be a part of your private and recreation time. You can allow the energy to flow as you take part in sports, a hobby, reading, your cooking, quiet moments with family and friends, or just when you are going for a walk. Each time you go for a walk simply call on Reiki and allow it to be a part of your experience. As you do this you are growing your ability to handle more and more of the energy, and you are slowly balancing your complete being. Try to find ways to fit Reiki into your everyday life. If you have leaned other techniques for shifting situations or relationships in your life, like the “Bridge of Light” by LaUna Huffines (see my article at www.threshold.ca) then you can add or combine Reiki with them. For the “Bridge of Light”, after you decide what your bridge will be created for (e.g. trust, love, harmony, abundance, etc.), next let Reiki flow from your heart out onto the bridge, saturating it with healing, uplifting energy. As you walk the bridge and approach its center, continue to do this. If you are using the bridge to meet someone and work out an issue, continue to flow Reiki towards them. You might even imagine them willingly receiving this energy on your bridge and being more wiling and able to work out the situation to a happy or agreeable result. Then if and when you meet them in person, once again let the energies flow towards them and notice if this helps the meeting flow better and with harmony. You can do similar exercises as you sit quietly, go for a walk or meditate on manifesting your desires and changes in your future, whether that future be near or several years down the rode. Each time you are adding to the balance and harmony that the outcome can bring to you, even if the actual result isn’t exactly as you had planned or anticipated. You are making Reiki a part of all aspects of your daily life. My many thanks to www.inmagine.com for the royalty free images.

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Threshold Resources PREPARING TO GIVE A REIKI SESSION

A Complete Reiki Session on a Table: Preparing to Give a Reiki Session Read Reiki Session Guidelines in Appendix A for tips on Reiki ethics, Hygiene, preparing yourself and the client, etc.

If you use a table, cover it with a sheet so it doesn't feel cool. You can use a pillow for the head, and another one for under the knees (to make the back go flat). You can play some relaxing music. This will help both you and the client enjoy the session more. Start by doing some Reiki on yourself. You can also call upon any guides, spirit, angels or any other beings of Light to assist you and guide you during the Reiki session. Intend that the highest possible healing take place.

Make sure the table is at a comfortable height for you. Help the person onto the table and make sure their head is within easy reach of the end of the table for you. You may ask the person to loosen any belts or tight clothing so they feel comfortable. See the Session Guidelines in the Appendix. You can also cover the person with a sheet or a blanket in case they get cold.

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Threshold Resources SCANNING ANOTHER PERSON

Scanning the Recipient You can do scanning on your Reiki subject before you begin the usual Reiki treatment. At the very least, do the Evaluation Scan as this can help you decide how well the person experienced the Reiki session, and when they might return for their next one. Evaluation Scan Part 1: Start by running your non-dominant hand over the person's body, from their crown to their feet. Your hand can be a few inches above the body (higher if you like). At the lower abdomen, scan down one leg to the toes, then return to the same point and scan the other leg to the toes. Notice the overall feel of the aura. Try to retain what you noticed because at the end of the treatment you will do another similar scan to compare results. Scanning and Applying Reiki: If you wish to scan further, on the second pass take note of any areas that feel different (hotter, cooler, thicker, thinner, any unusual vibrations). Again, these may be areas in need of some assistance to restore them to a normal flow. Go back to these areas (again, simply select three to begin with) and apply Reiki with both hands at this level in the aura for about a minute or two. You may even notice a change in the sensation as you do this. In some cases you can move your hands higher up until you find the top of the energy block (if one exists). This may feel like your hands are gently resting on something more solid. Often applying the energy there results in your hands beginning to slowly move down on their own accord, as the energy slowly dissolves or moves on. As your hand reaches the body or about an inch above, you can move on to another area. If you are exploring the height of the block, and it does not seem to move, you can try the Paula Horan technique for Removing Energy Blocks (see Handout articles). This often has an immediate effect on the spot. Remember to fill in the area with Reiki energy for a couple of minutes after you use this technique. This will ensure that the void or energy left behind is immediately balanced with reiki vibration. Having finished the scanning on the person, you can now continue with a complete Reiki hands-on (or off) session. © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - FRONT

Reiki Hand Positions - Treating Another Treating the Front of the Body As with the Self Treatment Hand Positions, the following are some ideas for hand placement while treating another. Feel free to add others and remove any you feel that are not required during a given session. Allow your hands to remain for a few minutes or as long as you feel necessary. One guideline is to determine how many hand positions you often use, divided into how long your treatment may be. Over time you will gain a feeling for when to move on from position to position. As you perform each hand position, take time to be aware of what your palms/hands are feeling, and what the area of your body that you are working on feels like. This will help you to expand your ability to sense the energy. Try each of the hand positions at least once, then in future, simply use those that you feel the urge to. Reiki will fill you and concentrate in the areas of most need. However the various hand positions will help you to sense where these areas are, and give you an idea of how the body is doing all over. As you move from one hand position to another, try to do this very slowly and softly, so as not to disturb the recipient. Some people react to your hands moving too quickly in and out of their aura. One method of moving around the body is to simply move your left hand (slowly) to the new position, then follow with your right hand. Also, you can pay attention to what your hands are feeling and what messages you are receiving about the person and their condition at each had placement. It doesn't matter if your mind starts to wander while doing this. You can talk, read a book, watch TV (that's the only way I can get my kids to sit still while they Reiki me). The person on the table will find little change in the energy, since it flows on its own to fill the body, and concentrates where it is needed most. If you want to feel what is happening again, just focus on what your palms are feeling. After you have tried all of the positions, then you can continue to use this procedure or you can create your own version of a Reiki session.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - FRONT

Eyes

Alternate Position

Gently place your palms over or just in front of your eyes. Hold for 3 to 5 minutes (or as long as it feels comfortable to do so). If you have learned the eye exercise called palming, adding Reiki can increase the benefit.

Place a tissue over the eyes for hygienic purposes. It's always a good idea to wash your hands before and after giving a treatment. In Japan you would have a small, wet wash cloth nearby that you would use to wipe your hands. I like to use a nonallergenic, unscented hand cleaner and keep it handy during classes as well.

Ears

Crown

Place your palms over or close to your ears. In Reflexology and Acupuncture charts, there are many meridian/energy points in the ears.

Place your hands on or above the top of your head. Originally Mikao Usui only used 5 hand positions which involved different parts of the head.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - FRONT

Back of Head/Occiput In order to get underneath the head, it is easier to gently push the head to the side with one hand, and then cup your other hand underneath. Gently lift the head to position both hands underneath. Place your hands at the base of the skull on the occiput. Again you are affecting all the major energy meridian lines as they pass through to the rest of the body.

Alternate Position Back of Head and Forehead This is a very good hand placement for relieving stress and headaches. The forehead allows you to relax the tension in your head, and the back of the neck position encourages the flow of blood into the head, and also relaxes the neck

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - FRONT

Neck Place one hand under the neck and one hand above, but not touching the throat (this might feel invasive to some). This is a good position for a sore throat or to help you communicate better with others. The energy will also flow into the shoulders, another common place for tension. Alternate Positions Another alternate position is to simple lay the hands over the collar bone

An alternate position is to gently place the edge of your small fingers on the collar bone (clavicle).

Heart/Chest It is not necessary to touch the body during the session, and this may be preferable for sensitive areas and the genitals. Simply hold your hands an inch or two above the body and you will accomplish the same benefits. The heart centre is the most important area of spiritual growth as we learn to receive from others, as well as give to others.

You can choose to hold your hands side-by-side as in the opposite photo, or an alternate way to hold your hands is to overlap them, the heel of one palm over the fingertips of the other.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - FRONT

Solar Plexus/Bottom of Chest

Upper Abdomen Area

This is your power centre and the area where you experience a lot of emotion in your reactions to others. Reiki can help calm this centre.

A simple way to move along the torso is to just move your hands a handsbreadth at a time, moving towards the feet. Remember that the Reiki energy will go where it is needed most so you can chose hand positions that feel right to you.

Navel/Tummy Area

Pelvic Area

This is the area where you often take in other people's emotions, and a common area for stress to build up.

Aside from the physical cleansing involved with the male and female reproductive centres, this is also the are where your survival instincts gather. balancing can occur on mental and emotional levels as well.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - FRONT

Back Area

Knees

If you will not be turning the person over onto their stomach, do whatever areas you can reach like the middle and lower back. Gently reach under the back to the middle of the spine with one hand. Then you can also move to under the spine at the lower back.

We are told that the knees (and elbows) reflect our attitude towards change in our life - the left side is our creative side, and the right is our analytical. Often a lot of energy is released here and you may feel a cool sensation indicating this.

This picture shows around the area of the kidneys and the adrenals.

Ankle Ankles (and wrists) reflect our flexibility to issues in our life. Again the left and right relate to the creative and analytical issues, respectively. After you Reiki one ankle and foot, switch to the other foot.

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Energy can move in and out through many points in the body.

Choose a position that is comfortable for you. This position which involves cupping the heal in the palm of your hand, usually feels very comfortable and nurturing for the recipient.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - FRONT

Foot As in the ears, all of the meridian lines end here and there are many acupressure points. Reiki here can stimulate all of these points, and used in conjunction with reflexology can bring greater relaxation and ease of stress.

Other positions you can do are the arms (which are really appreciated by those who work a lot with their hands or arms) .......

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....and the legs, which also feel very relaxing for most people.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - BACK

Reiki Hand Positions - Treating Another Treating the Back of the Body Hand Positions in Detail As you know, Reiki flows through the entire body and concentrates where it is needed most. It will flow from the hand positions you perform on the front, right through to the back area. For this reason, it is not necessary to turn someone over and work the back. Also, if you have reached under the back to do a hand position or two (as well as the shoulders) you will have given adequate treatment. But if you do have the time, and the desire, a back treatment can add additional relaxation and potential for healing to the complete treatment. If your recipient is complaining about back problems, you may find it feels very good to them if you turn them over and do a few positions on their back. Even if the person is healthy, this can feel quite wonderful. Start by touching their shoulder and telling the person you'd like them to slowly role over onto their stomach. If you have a pregnant lady or a person with a sore sensitive chest or abdomen, they can simply roll onto their side. Otherwise, remove any pillow under the knees and ask the person to bring their knees up and slowly roll to the side. Then they can continue onto their stomach. For someone on their side, put a pillow or two against their back to allow for some support. Once the person is comfortable you can continue with the treatment.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - BACK

Depending on whether you have already worked under the shoulders on the front, you can begin with the shoulders or start at the upper back as shown here. You can hold your hands as you did on the front of the body. This position is in back of the heart area.

Just as on the front you can move your hands down the body, about a hand's width at a time. This are shows the small of the back area, in the area of the second chakra.

While some people may be sensitive about touching the buttocks, you can do this area hands off. Or, an alternate position is to place your hands on the hips as shown here. This area often stores up unexpressed emotions.

If you wish, you can also do the backs of the knees and the soles of the feet. Then you can proceed to the next step.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - BALANCING CHAKRAS

Reiki Hand Positions - Treating Another Balancing the Chakras Before you end the Reiki treatment, you can help the person open and balance their major chakra points in order to allow the Reiki energy you have shared with them to continue to flow more easily and effectively for a period of time. This only takes a few minutes and it will also help to develop your ability to sense energy. The process can be done while the person rests on their back or on their stomach. The process involves placing your receiving hand (left one if you are right handed) a few inches above the legs and below the root chakra (crotch area) Then you place your giving hand a few inches away from the crown chakra. and allow the Reiki energy to flow from your giving hand, into the crown, through the body and out the bottom of the body to your receiving hand. You can then evaluate the flow of Reiki into that chakra and through the body. You hold your hands in this position until you feel a sensation in your receiving hand, and then you move on to the next position (chakra). With a healthy open chakra you can feel a strong tingling sensation in your receiving hand. If the chakra is blocked, you may not feel much at all. Simply hold your hand above the chakra for about a minute or so, intending to open it up. When you have taken the Reiki Two class, you will be able to understand how to improve the flow by drawing one or more Reiki symbols over the chakra. If you are having trouble sensing anything, that's all right. The more you practice this and scanning yourself and others, you will be able to improve your abilities. Simply hold your hand at each chakra point for about a minute, then move one.

Begin by placing your receiving hand a few inches above the legs and below the crotch area. Then place your giving hand a few inches away from the crown chakra. Allow the Reiki energy to flow from your giving hand, into the crown, through the body and out to your receiving hand. Do this until you feel a flow or tingling in your receiving hand, or about a minute.

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Move your giving hand to a point above the forehead, palm facing downwards. Again hold this position until you feel sensations in your receiving hand, or at most, one minute. Then move to the next position. You can experiment drawing one or all of the 3 symbols I show, especially if there is little sensation from a chakra.

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - BALANCING CHAKRAS

Place your giving hand a few inches above the throat area. As you move from chakra to chakra, notice which ones seem to have more flow than the others. This means that they are more open.

Place your hand above the heart centre. This is a chakra that seems to be partially closed for many these days. You may even ant to spend an extra minute here. You can experiment drawing the Harth symbol above this area.

Place your giving hand above the solar plexus chakra (bottom of the rib cage).

Place your hand above the second chakra area (above the belt or waist area).

When you are finished, slowly move the giving hand out and away from the body, and then the receiving hand.

Place your giving hand above the root area (the base of the spine).

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Threshold Resources FINISH TREATMENT - FRONT/BACK

Finishing the Session Front or Back of the Body Evaluation Scan Part 2: Once again scan as you did for the Evaluation Scan Part 1. Now compare these sensations to what you felt during that first. If there was a large improvement, you may feel that the person does not require another treatment very soon. Or if there seems little or no change, you may feel that the next session should be soon (within a day or so) or after another week. Understand that each person will need to integrate the energies received, and that process will be different for each person. Reviving the Healing Subject: Once you have finished giving Reiki to your client, he/she may still be asleep or in an altered state. If you know that the client is not in a hurry to leave, and you do not have another session planned right away, you may want to just let the client be for a while until he/she naturally awakens or returns to normal consciousness. If they do not revive themselves within a reasonable period of time, you can assist them by simply massaging their arms, feet and/or their legs, gently or firmly. If they have revived themselves without your assistance, make sure that they are not feeling light headed when they leave, especially if they are driving. If that is the case, make sure you do give them a light massage to help them to return to a state of complete alertness. Or you may want to use a combination of techniques to "ground" the client, but make sure you have received their permission to do so before you start the Reiki session, and that you have explained the procedure to them. Caution: use your own judgement as to whether this "massage" will be appropriate for the recipient (for example, they may have an injured shoulder or leg). If your recipient is on his/her back, see the next section for an additional massage you can carry out.

After the session, in order to help the person become grounded, and fully awake, pull firmly along the shoulders. Do the same if the person is lying on their stomach. © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

Firmly pull all the way down to the finger tips. Do this about 3 or 4 times. (if the person has sensitive arms or legs, then you may want to do this gently, or just skip it.) Reiki Shihan (Master / Teacher)

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Threshold Resources FINISH TREATMENT - FRONT/BACK

Pull firmly down the outside of the legs.

Pull all the way down to the toes. Do this about 3 or 4 times.

When you are finished, help the person sit upon the table, supporting their back as they do so.

Before they get off the table, offer them a glass of water to help them become more awake and grounded.

Help the person get off the table, making sure they are not dizzy, and that they can walk all right. They may need to sit down for a bit.

Hugs are always very welcome, especially from friends and family.

© Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

If you have used a release or consent form, have them initial it to indicate they are happy with the treatment. Payment may also constitute this if you have indicated so on the form.

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Threshold Resources FINISH TREATMENT - BACK

Finishing the Session on the Back of the Body For another version of this process, see Finishing a Reiki Session - Additional Techniques in the Appendix. If your patient is on their stomach, and you are ready to revive them, you can use this simple technique to ground them and release any negative energy down the spine. Warning: do not use the above step if the client has diabetes or a heart condition. Simply scoop the negative energy collected at the small of the back and flick it away from the body.

At the top of the spine, place your thumb and index finger on one side of the spinal column and your next finger on the other side.

Firmly stroke down to the base of the spine.

Do this a minimum of three times, although the client may require 10 to 20 strokes depending on how much reviving they need; listen to your intuition. Mrs. Takata also taught this technique to her students.

Finish the motion with a flick of your wrist outwards and away from the body (with the intention of sending off any negative energy)

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Next, do a similar massage along the arms and legs as that shown at the page Finishing a Treatment Front/Back

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - SUMMARY

Summary of Possible Reiki Hand Positions For Another Person

Prepare Self .

Sense Whole Body

SCANNING

..

Sense Unusual Area Apply Reiki in Aura

FRONT POSITIONS

A= Alternate Position

Over Eyes

Over Ears

Over Crown

Under Head

A Forehead & Neck

Under/Over Neck

A Thymus/Heart

Over Heart

Over Chest Bottom

Over Solar Plexus

Over Navel

Over Knees

Around Ankle

Bottom of Foot

ADDITIONAL POSITIONS

BACK POSITIONS Arm

Leg

Upper Back

BALANCE CHAKRAS Mid & Lower Lumbar

Hips

Throat

Heart

Solar Plexus

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Crown

Forehead

Navel

Root

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Threshold Resources TREATING ANOTHER - SUMMARY

As you perform each hand position, take time to be aware of what your palms/hands are feeling- called "Hibiki" or "Resonance" , and what the area of the recipients' body that you are working on seems to feel like. This will help you to expand your ability to sense the energy. When a person has a disease, you can feel ‘something’ transmitted from the source of the disease. This is called "Byosen". What you feel as Byosen varies depending on the type, severity and status of the disease, and from person to person. But some samples are: sensations of something moving, pulsating, or piercing, or of a bug crawling, biting or of pain, numbness, heat, coldness, tickling, tingling, etc. Try each of the hand positions at least once, then in future, simply use those that you feel the urge to. Reiki will fill you and concentrate in the areas of most need. However the various hand positions will help you to sense where these areas are, and give you an idea of how the body is doing all over. At each position, experiment again with raising your hands a tiny bit away from the body. It has the same benefit because you are still in the lower layer of the aura. After playing with this you can have your hands on or off the body, depending how you feel. It doesn't matter if your mind starts to wander while doing this. You can talk, read a book, watch TV (that's the only way I can get my kids to sit still while they Reiki me). If you want to feel what is happening again, just focus on what your palms are feeling. In all cases, use hands on or hands off, depending on the recipient, the situation and/or the place of application on the body

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Threshold Resources SAMPLE REIKI SESSION

Sample Full Body Reiki Session Sample Session - Reiki Level One Practitioner Here is an example of how a Reiki Level one practitioner might conduct a complete Reiki session, making use of most of the Reiki knowledge they have learned. It's a good idea to look over the Reiki Session Guidelines before you give a session just to refresh your memory, and to decide which steps you will carry out. Preparations Before the session have the recipient/client fill out the information/release form (from the Reiki 1 handout).

Ask the recipient to remove their shoes, and to loosen any belts/buckles that may restrict their breathing and comfort. Also, suggest they remove any dangling earrings, eye glasses, or jewellery that you feel might get in the way of your work with them. Assist the person getting up onto the Reiki table (you may need a small stool for them if the table is high).

Have the person lie down on the table, making sure they have a pillow under their head and possibly one under their knees to support their back. In case they may feel cool during the treatment, keep a light blanket available to cover them with. Ask if they feel comfortable and tell them they may close their eyes and relax. Make sure the temperature in the room feels comfortable and that there is not too much distracting background noise (lawn mowers, etc.). Optionally, put on some soothing music to help the recipient relax. Make sure your hands are washed and clean (perhaps keep a scentless sterile hand cleaner nearby).

Be careful not to breath into the person's face while they are on the table (perhaps make sure your breath is refreshing, just in case). Optionally, silently invite in spirit guides and acknowledge (and connect to) the higher self of the client, and ask their permission and cooperation in the session. Optionally, surround yourself with a field of white transforming Light to turn all energies coming to you from the recipient into relaxing, harmonious, uplifting energies; sort of a form of protection. To do this, simply call the most brilliant Light you can imagine to come to you, and asking it do as you wish. The Treatment Perform an Evaluation Scan (see text). Scan the mental and emotional layers of the recipient's aura, applying Reiki wherever the energy seems "different" to you. Perform a standard hands on (or off) Reiki session with the recipient lying on their back. If you wish, you can simply work over the areas you feel drawn to. This is actually how © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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Threshold Resources SAMPLE REIKI SESSION

Reiki was originally given by Usui-sensei. If you have time, or if the person has complained of back pain, you can carefully have the client roll over onto their stomach. Then use a number of hand positions for the back. Optionally, use a method of balancing/aligning the energy of the chakras (from the Reiki 1 class). Perform another Evaluation Scan (see text). The Finish When you are done, if the recipient is not in a hurry, you can let them lie and relax for awhile. Meanwhile, get a glass of water for yourself and the recipient. You can revive the person by touching their shoulder and calling out the person's name. Tell them to take their time in "waking up". You can firmly pull/massage each arm (or both together) about 3 times. Then do the same for the outside of the legs. This is to help the person ground themself - to bring their astral body fully back into the physical. As they sit up, assist them, supporting their back. While they sit on the table, offer them a glass of water, which also helps to revive them. Help them to carefully get off the table, making sure they are steady on their feet. Then lead them to a chair so they can put their shoes on and their jewellery, etc.

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Threshold Resources USUI GAINEN

The Usui Gainen. . The Usui Gainen (concepts), also known as the Usui precepts, Usui affirmations or Usui Principles, are the heart of every system of Reiki that is attributed to Mikao Usui. This includes the original Usui-Do, Usui Teàte, Usui Reiki Ryoho, Dr. Hayashi’s Reiki school, and all early systems in Japan and afterwards. As a student progresses his/her way through the structure of the system, eventually he/she comes to a deeper understanding of their meaning. Modern Japanese kanji is read with a mixture of what is termed as the KUN reading and the older ON or Chinese reading. All Japanese students learn both On and Kun interpretations of kanji in school. The Usui Gainen are intended to be read mostly with the On reading. (see the end of this article for the breakdown) Original Translation (intended meaning)

The secret method of inviting blessings. The spiritual medicine of many illnesses. Anger not, worry not, today only. (moment to moment, be in a state of non worry,non anger)

Do your work with appreciation (live your life with gratitude)

Be kind to people. (show empathy and awareness to yourself and others)

In your life, perform gassho as your mind recalls (experience your life through these concepts each day)

The Usui system for connecting with your ancestral self, through the body-mind. (within each of us from the moment of conception)

The founder Mikao Usui (The complete explanation is later in this document) A close reproduction of the original Usui Gainen © Copyright Dave King 2008

Most outside of Japan first learned of Reiki through Mrs. Hawayo Takata (a student of Dr. Hayashi) or via the lineage of her students. Here is how she worded the core part of the Gainen in her early diary.

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From Takata-sensei The Ideals (or Spiritual Precepts of Reiki) Just for today--Thou Shalt not Anger Just for today--Thou Shalt not Worry Thou shall be grateful for thy many blessings Earn thy livelihood with honest labor Be kind to thy neighbors The concepts have been presented in many forms since Mrs. Takata first taught the core part of them. The central part is known in the old Japanese Reiki society as the Gokai (go-kah-ee) - and most have been similar in their wording. But recently, these versions have been found to be a little incomplete and slightly inaccurate. In June 1996, I taught a Japanese fellow who was in Vancouver learning ESL (English as a second language). Just before leaving Japan he purchased a 1995 Reiki book called "Iyashi No Te" (Healing of Hands -- or Healing Hands). The author is Reiki Master Toshitaka Mochizuki, and this was the first modern Reiki book written by a Japanese. He has connections to many Reiki masters in Japan, at least one of whom has a lineage to another of Usui's students, Toshihiro Eguchi. In Mochizuki's book he had a copy of the complete Usui Gainen (in Mochizuki's handwriting). With the aid of one of my Japanese students, Emiko Arai, a group of Reiki Masters sat down to decipher this version of the Gainen. Dave King also brought a copy of the original affirmations in the handwriting of Mikao Usui, which he had received on one of his Japan trips. Emiko compared the modern day Japanese translation in Mochizuki's book to the copy of the original we had. If you have ever had to decipher someone's handwriting, you know that there are usually some words you have to guess at. It is the same with the handwritten version of the Gainen; plus, this style of writing and the Japanese Kanji used, are a bit different from that in use today. Here is a VERY LITERAL TRANSLATION of the Gainen, from that day. Please note that the sentence structure is sometimes backward to that normally used in English (i.e. the verb comes first). Also, the first 2 lines are actually heading lines. Also, the Gainen in its original Japanese form (previous page) are read from right to left, top to bottom. Literal Modern Translation

Romaji or Japanese Pronunciation

Inviting blessings of the secret method, Many illnesses of the spiritual (heavenly) medicine Today only, anger not, Worry not. With appreciation Do work. To people be kind In morning at night hands held in prayer think in your mind Chant with mouth. Mind body change it for better Usui Reiki method. Founder Usui Mikao

Shou fuku no hiihou Manbyou no Rei yaku Kyo dake wa Ikaruna Shinpai suna Kansha shite Gou ou hageme Hito ni shinsetsu ni Chou seki* gassho shite kokoro ni nenji Kuchi ni tonaeyo Shin shin kaizen, Usui reiki ryoho Chouso Usui Mikao

th

* Note: Originally Emiko translated the 5 line as the phrase “Gyo wo”. However, I have revised this based on what I learned later from Dave King’s discussions with Tenon-in. © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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In any translation, you usually have several words to choose from, and you should pick ones that express the content of the whole, (and the culture). E.g. 'spiritual" may be more accurate in Japanese than "heavenly". So, if you try to put this into modern English, you could get something like the following, which is close to what Takata-sensei translated them as : The Secret Method Of Inviting Blessings The Spiritual Medicine of Many Illnesses For today only, Do not anger, Do not worry not. Be grateful. Do your work. Be kind to all people. In the morning and at night, gassho (hands in prayer). Think this, chant this. The Usui Reiki remedy to change your mind and body for the better. The founder Mikao Usui However, in 2002 in his Usui-Do classes, Dave King presented a different translation and explanation of the Gokai section, as well as the term Usui Sensei used – “Usui Reiki Ryoho.” In 1996, Dave and his colleague, Melissa Riggall, were introduced to several students of Usui Sensei who were all in their late 90’s. One of them, a lay nun known as Tenon-in, began to share information about her daily life assisting in the Usui dojo with 4 other nuns, from 1920 until Sensei’s passing in 1926. She explained that Sensei wrote the affirmations one day in 1921 after receiving inspiration on nearby Mt. Hiei, his favourite mountain near Kyoto. It is also the location of the main temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, which Sensei was born into. He wrote them on a large piece of mitsumata washi (paper made from the misumata bush), which he then hung as a kakejiku or hanging scroll. This still hangs on the wall in a private shrine to Usui Sensei (not the Saihoji Temple site), which is kept secret from the public. In her written comments to the Usui Reiki Ryoho International gathering in Toronto in 2002, Tenon-in describes the origin of the Gainen. (my comments are in brackets.) “Usui-sama frequently made trips to Hiei-zan (Mount Hiei in Kyoto). He told us that he was waiting. We asked what is was that he was waiting for. He replied he would know when it arrived. Then one day in 1921, Usui-sama made yet another trip up to the Enrakyu Temple (on Mount Hiei) and returned several days later with a sheet of gold coloured paper. “O-Sensei sent us to buy a sheet of mitsumata washi (paper made from a mulberry type bush) and he spent the rest of the day with ink and brush. When we returned the next day, the paper was already mounted in the tokonoma (alcove). He had signed the sheet in red ink and had spilled some of the ink on the edge of his cushion which took the shape of kokoro (heart).”

It was previously thought that the Affirmations were derived from the words of the Meiji Emperor, but on my trip to Japan in November 2000 I learned the following from Hiroshi Doi-sensei in his Gendai Reiki Master class. "Usui Sensei created (the) Gokai (the 5 principles) getting hints from a book "Kenzon no Gebri" written by Dr. Bizan Suzuki (published in March, 1914.) The book says "Just for today, do not get angry, do not feel fear, be honest, work hard, and be kind to others." © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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So it could have been a coincidence, or Usui Sensei could have noticed the inscription in the book and become inspired by it. Whatever the source, the Gainen are what the spiritual side of Sensei's system was all about. Another interesting coincidence is that Suzuki was Usui Sensei’s wife’s maiden surname. The Gainen were called by the original term Usui Sensei wrote near the end of the document - Usui Reiki Ryoho. In traditional Japanese Reiki and Usui-related schools like Gendai Reiki Ho, Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and Usui-Do, they are explored in great detail. When Melissa Riggall spent a month working with Mr. Tatsumi (a senior Hayashi student from 1927-31) in 1996, she pointed to the kanji for the term "Reiki" in a photo of the original affirmations that Mr. Tatsumi had. She said this is what the Western world called the healing system. Tatsumi said that the term is simply what O'Sensei (meaning Usui; the term refers to the head of a system) used to refer to his ancestors. Dr. Hayashi had taught him an inner spiritual system (the original Usui-Do or Usui-no-michi) and an outer palm healing system that Usui's friend Eguchi created at the Usui dojo in 1925. Together with the Navy students of Usui, Eguchi and Hayashi had formed a learning society (Gakkai) called Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. The palm healing system was the main method being taught, with spiritual work being increased as one progressed. But the system was shortened to 3 or 4 levels and few learned the complete Usui system. Dr. Hayashi continued to teach both systems until at least 1931, while Eguchi may have taught both for longer. Since Takata-sensei’s time the original Usui concepts were mistakenly called “precepts” or “principles”. However, thanks to the meeting of Melissa Riggall and Dave King with several of Usui Sensei’s living students, new insight has been discovered on what was originally intended by Usui Sensei’s writing. They explained that the correct term for this writing is “Gainen”, which means concepts. This is how Sensei referred to them in his dojo (training hall). The image on the first page of this article is a reproduction close to how the original Usui Gainen looks in its resting place in a small shrine to Usui Sensei near Tokyo, based on in-person observations by Dave King and others. Dave shared these comments of Tenon-in at URRI 2002. “In 1921 O-Sensei made a further trip to Hiei-zan and returned several days later with a sheet of yellow paper. He sent one of us to buy mitsumata washi (bluish paper made from a kind of mulberry bush) and he spent the rest of the day with ink and brush. When we returned the next day the paper was already mounted in the tokonoma, He had signed the sheet in red ink and had spilled some of the ink on the edge of his cushion which looked like kokoro (the kanji for heart).”

All Western versions of this document are from a photo taken most likely by Dr. Hayashi, who was also an amateur photographer. The monochrome photographic plates he used did not seem to pick up Usui Sensei’s signature in red ink, and Dr. Hayashi may have blanked the 3 hankos out when he developed the photo of the Gainen. Perhaps they were only proper on the original work. Dave had also observed that the original was brushed (shodo style) on blue mitsumata paper of the time, made © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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from the mulberry bush. It was hung in typical Japanese kakejiku fashion, using a dark blue linen for its background. The actual Gainen is quite large – about 35 by 27 inches. Dave King was originally led to this (with eyes covered) in the early 1990’s by the son of an Usui student he had met at Saihoji temple, and then a second time a few years later by Japanese friends. The shrine is extremely small, just big enough to stand in, and has the Gainen on one wall and the Usui portrait photo on another wall. There are some vases with flowers and a guest book. A portion of Usui Sensei’s ashes is buried vertically (traditional style) in the floor. (The remainder are at Saihoji Temple.) In Dave’s Usui Teate class, he explains: ”The Gainen ARE Usui's system! They can be a philosophy, a way of living, a way of practicing the system (or “all of the above ”). They are NOT a set of control statements! The term gainen (from Mandarin Gài Nìan) translates as “concept .” ”

Dave and Melissa were receiving training from one of Usui’s students, a lay Buddhist nun named Tenon-in (also called Mariko-Obaasan or Grandmother Mariko by those close to her). He further explained the following (with my notes): “I had asked Mariko Obaasan to comment on the translation I had from Tatsumi (which was similar to that we worked out with Emiko all those years ago). (Note: this was in July 1996)

”The phrase kansha shite gö o hageme is not separated into kansha shite [be grateful..] and gö o hageme [work diligently]. In Japanese one can not string clauses together using a conjunction such as 'and'. Instead, the main clause appears at the end and is preceded by the dependent clause using the -te form (gerund) of a verb to link them. Shite is the -te form of suru (to do) and is used here to indicate concurrency. We get: Appreciate [at the same time as] encourage work [karma] ===> Do your work with appreciation. ”The secret method of inviting blessings is not reiju. (Note: reiju is the term traditional Reiki uses for their empowerment ceremony).

“The effective medicine of many illnesses is not reiji. (Note: reiji is the traditional Reiki term for giving intuitive healing).

”The title refers to that which can be accomplished from following the system (the gainen). One is seeking a shikan state (not exactly nirvana which is permanent shikan*). ”We cannot have FIVE concepts even if we separate the "worry-not" from the "anger-not" (regardless of whether we consider the "today only" to apply to all concepts or just those in the same 'sentence' (worry-not, anger-not). Mariko had not heard of the expression Gokai - they were called Gainen at least during her stay at the dojo.” (*Shikan - a definition -- “A meditative state in which perception is utterly free of discrimination between mind and matter, self and object; where the only permanence is impermanence; and change, whether subtle or violent, remains the essence of being.)

Here is Dave’s translation based on Tenon-in’s own training directly from Usui Sensei:

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© Copyright Dave King 2002 THE HEADINGS

Shou fuku no hiihou: The Secret Method Of Inviting Blessings Manbyou no Rei yaku: The Spiritual Medicine of Many Illnesses THE FIRST CONCEPT:

Here we have two complementary ideas dealing with our interaction with the outside world that might inhibit our ability to be mindful. • • •

Kyo dake wa: Today only This does not have to mean literally today. It is valid for any period of time (the duration of a specific activity). Ikaru na: Anger not. This is a state of polarity that is balanced on the side of openness to the perception of the effects of others on the self. Shin pai su na: Worry not. This is a state of polarity that is balanced on the side of the non-presence of concern over the outcome of a given activity. To not worry is itself worry!

(Note: Dave explained Polarity vs. duality. "Duality is represented by two opposites, often based on moral values, such as good vs. bad, right vs. wrong etc. There can not be a balance because duality can have only two states. Polarity seeks a balance between two complimentary ideas: warm is somewhere between cold and hot. In nature everything seeks a balanced state." Dave also explained that the idea here was to always be in the NOW, the immediate moment.) THE SECOND CONCEPT:

•

•

Kansha shite göu ou hageme: Do your work with appreciation. Apply wei-wu-wei (use without use e.g. if one has a experience that relates to one of the symbols, then the symbol has been used) and work guided by shen (the spirit) rather than yi (the ”thinking” mind). Although the characters [kansha] used in this Concept literally mean “gratitude” the interpretation should be one of openness to one’s interaction with nature. The character reading “göu” is better associated with Buddhist karma than “gyö” work. THE THIRD CONCEPT:

•

Hito ni shinsetsu ni: Be kind to people. Show empathy and awareness both to yourself and others. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Chou seki gassho shite kokoro ni nenji Kuchi ni tonaeyo: In your life*, perform gassho as your mind recalls (the Gainen) •

It seems that Melissa had been working on the Gainen in her last days. She had received more information from Mariko-Obaasan that deals with the meaning of the "instructions". Previously we had used 'asa yuu' - the kun (Note added August 30, 2005)

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(Japanese) readings (instead of “chou seki’).* The kanji are the same but Usui intended ON (Chinese) readings. The image here is ‘constantly’ - literally ‘from morning to night’. The intent is to experience your daily life through the Gainen. You are not expected to literally perform gasshou and chant the Gainen! Shin shin kai zen, Usui reiki ryoho: The Usui system for connecting with your ancestral self through the bodymind. •

Reiki is a compound of REI and KI imported directly from China where it is pronounced LING QI. In Taoist cosmology the act of conception unites the souls called HUN and PO. When that being dies HUN returns to Heaven to be reborn in another incarnation and PO returns to Earth. However, if that being achieves a state of "nirvana" it may choose not to "die" in which case the souls remain on Earth and may become a source of guidance to those who come after. The result is simply a presence, not a "form of energy". It is only in very recent times that this term has been used to describe a specific form of energy connected with Usui Mikao and others of the post-Meiji period in Japan.

•

In the mid 1990s my associate Shen Lissa (Melissa Riggall) stayed for a month with Tatsumi-san who was a student of Chuujiro Hayashi from 1927 to 1931. One day she pointed to a photo of the Usui concepts in Tatsumi-san's house. She noted the term "Reiki" and said that this was how the West referred to the hand healing system. Tatsumi-san said that the hand healing was simply referred to as te-àte, and that by using the term "reiki," O-Sensei (Usui Sensei) had been referring to his ancestors. Usui Reiki Ryoho simply means 'Usui system for connecting with your ancestral self'- something that is already within each one of us from the moment of conception.

(Note: Dave’s Usui-Do colleague, George Mullen, explained the term “reiki” this way: “Reiki is a compound of REI and KI imported directly from China where it is pronounced LING QI. In Taoist cosmology the act of conception unites the souls called HUN and PO. When that being dies HUN returns to Heaven to be reborn in another incarnation and PO returns to Earth. However, if that being achieves a state of "nirvana" it may choose not to "die" in which case the souls remain on Earth and may become a source of guidance to those who come after. The result is simply a presence, not a "form of energy." “) SIGNATURE

Chouso: the Founder Usui Mikao: Mikao Usui

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At URRI 2000 in Kyoto Mr. Hiroshi Doi taught the following in his Gendai Reiki Master class. "Usui

Sensei created (the) Gokai (the 5 principles) getting hints from a book "Kenzon no Gebri" written by Dr. Bizan Suzuki (published in March, 1914.) The book says "Just for today, do not get angry, do not feel fear, be honest, work hard, and be kind to others."

It is interesting to note that Sensei’s wife’s maiden name was Suzuki – although Suzuki was a common name. At the URRI 2003 conference in Denmark, Mr. Doi explained the use of the word "Reiki" as used by Usui Sensei. He said: "The word "reiki" is used often by spiritual therapists during (the) Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1912-1925) and early Showa (1926-1988) Era. Many people used the phrase "reiki ryoho" to refer to their therapies, and "reiki ryoho" is not original with Usui Sensei. The name Usui Sensei used was "Usui Reiki Ryoho." "The first person to use the term "reiki ryoho" was Mataji Kawakami, who was a therapist, who published "Reiki Ryoho to sono Koka" (Reiki Ryoho and its Effects) in 1919. However, today the term "reiki ryoho" almost exclusively refers to "Usui Reiki Ryoho." "

In our 1996 translation, Emiko Arai also offered this interpretation of Usui’s name: "Usu" means 'a large grain or rice mortar'; "i" means 'water well'; "Mika" is a very old name no longer in use that meant 'sacred rice wine cup or vessel', probably used in a spiritual offering; "o" denotes a masculine name.”

Dave King found another translation for "Mikao" -- Jar/jug/vat/urn/vase. Note: all comments from Dave King, Melissa Riggall and Tenon-in are © Copyright Dave King 2002

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Hatsurei-ho Source: Essence of Gendai Reiki ho - Sensei Hiroshi Doi; translation by Yukio Miura; editing by Richard R. Rivard, Tom Rigler.

This is a meditation process taught Mr. Hiroshi Doi-sensei, still used at a Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai Reiki gathering, mainly in the Shuyo-ho form. Some of these techniques here have been slightly modified by Doi-sensei. Hatsurei-ho is a way to enhance your Reiki vibration and help you grow spiritually. I.

Kihon Shisei (standard posture) Sit on the floor (Seiza style - on your knees, sitting on your legs) or sit on a chair Remove all the tension from your body and relax. Close your eyes lightly. Straighten your back. Bring your attention to the Tanden (3-5 cm below the navel). Both hands on the lap, palms facing downwards.

II.

Mokunen (Focusing) This means to quietly tell your subconscious mind "I'll start Hatsurei-ho".

III.

Kenyoku (Dry bathing or Brushing off) Note: you should breathe out as you brush using the Hado method- as you exhale, say "aaaaah" or something similar - i.e. make a sound. Brushing can be either with contact (touching) or in the aura (not touching).

1.

Place the fingers of your right hand near the top of the left shoulder, with the fingertips over the indentation just in from the edge of the shoulder (where the collar bone meets the shoulder). The hand is lying flat.

2.

Draw the flat hand down across the chest in a straight line, over the "V" of the sternum (where the rib cage meets) down to the right hip, while doing the Hado breathing and the ‘Haa’ sound.

3.

Repeat this procedure on the right side, using the left hand. Draw it flattened from the shoulder, in a straight line, across the sternum, to the left hip.

4.

Repeat the procedure again on the left side.

5.

Place the fingers of the right hand on the middle of the left forearm, fingertips on the edge pointing outwards. (Note: See Doi's sensei's modified version and the current URR Gakkai in the Shoden-Gendai: Kenyoku-ho technique.)

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IV.

6.

Draw the right hand, flattened, down the outside of the arm, all the way to the finger tips, all the while keeping the left arm straight and at your side, while doing the Hado breathing and the ‘Haa’ sound.

7.

Repeat this process on the right side, with the left hand on the right forearm and drawing it down the right arm to the fingertips. (Or use Doi-sensei's version).

8.

Repeat the process on the left side again.

Connect to Reiki Raise your hands high up in the air, visualize and feel the vibration/light of Reiki flowing into your hands and running through your whole body.

V.

Joshin Koku ho (Cleansing Breathing) This means to purify the mind The original Gakkai method is to simply do clean breathing. As some students find this difficult to do, Doi-sensei replaces this with Joshin Koku Ho. 1.

Calmly breathe in and out from the nose with pure thoughts. Both hands are on the lap, palms facing upwards and slightly curled as if holding an egg. Bring the mind to the Tanden and keep it there. Breathe naturally in a relaxed manner and release the tension from the body.

2.

As you breathe in, imagine or visualise that white Reiki energy is coming through the top of the head down to the Tanden and spreading everywhere throughout the body. At the same time imagine that all the tension is melting away and making you feel relaxed

3.

As you breathe out, do the Hado breathing with the ‘Haa’ sound slowly and firmly. At the same time imagine that the light which filled all of the body, is emanating out through the skin and spreading into infinity.. © Copyright 2008-2013 Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc.

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4. VI.

Repeat (2),(3) for a couple of minutes or as long as you like

Gassho Put your hands together holding them in front of your chest (like praying hands) a little higher than your heart.

VII. Sei Shin Toitsu (Concentration). This means to concentrate the mind. The original Gakkai method is to simply make your mind blank. As some students find this difficult to do, Doi-sensei replaces this with Sei Shin Toitsu. 1,

Keep the Gassho, bring your attention to the Tanden. Imagine that you are breathing through your hands.

2.

When you breathe in, visualize that the light of Reiki flows in through your hands on to your hara line, and filling the Tanden.

3.

When you breathe out, do the Hado breathing, and visualize that the Reiki light stored in your Tanden radiating out thru your hands. (your attention should remain on your breathing).

4.

Repeat (1), (2) for a couple of minutes or as long as you like

VIII. Mokunen Put your hands back on to your laps with your palms down. Say silently to your subconscious mind "I have finished Hatsurei-ho." Open your eyes and shake your hands up/down/left/right for a few seconds.

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Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai’s - Shuyo ho Source: Essence of Gendai Reiki ho - Sensei Hiroshi Doi; translation by Yukio Miura; editing by Richard R. Rivard, Tom Rigler.

The Hatsurei ho described above is a slightly modified version of the URR Gakkai’s original method. It is their group method or shuyo ho done at the beginning of their monthly meetings (shuyo kai). It goes like this: 1. Clear one's mind by singing Gyosei In the Usui Reiki Hikkei, there are 125 of the Gyosei, the Wakka style poems of the Meiji emperor. Some students learn only a few favourites, while others may learn all of them. So as the Gyosei are repeated, some may repeat a few or one over and over, while others may repeat several. (Wakka: 5 - 7 - 5 - 7 - 7 syllables)

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

02. Ten Asamidori Sumiwatari keru Oozora no Hiroki wo onoga Kokoro tomogana

The Heaven (Sky) I wish my heart could be as clear and broad as the great sky and the spring green field.

Seiza - sit on the floor in zen style Kenyoku - brushing off Joshin Kokyu - Soul cleansing breathing: meditation focusing on "tanden" Gassho Seishin Toitsu - continue to meditate (this is when "Reiju" is given by teachers) Gokai sansho - say main Usui concepts aloud three times

The teacher first says these aloud, then everyone says them together, then everyone says them silently Kyo dake wa, ikaruna, shinpai suna . Kansha shite gyo wo hageme, Hito ni shinsetsu ni

Anger not, worry not, today only. (moment to moment, be in a state of non worry, non anger) Do your work with appreciation (live your life with gratitude) Be kind to people. (show empathy and awareness to yourself and others)

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This Section Contains Additional Reiki First Degree Support Material

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This Section Contains Excerpts from the Japanese Gendai Reiki Ho Shoden Class Material

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This Section Contains Selected Articles from the Reiki Threshold Website (www.threshold.ca)

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This Section Contains Your Reiki Teacher's Bio and Related Information

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