All the following energy techniques are not just for reiki practioners but will enhance any energy work that you do. Great for Healing work, Meditation, Chi Kung or Tai Chi or just to balance your energetic systems.
Enkaku Chiryo ho “Enkaku Chiryo ho” is our old friend “Distant Reiki” or “Absentia Reiki” that is commonly taught in Usui Shiki Ryoho Level II classes. There are many methods of doing Distant Healing. One specific distant technique Usui taught was called “Shashin Chiryo ho” or Photograph healing. This practice used a photograph of the person as a focus or “proxy” for healing. While having a photograph is nice, anything can be used as a proxy or representation of the person. A printed email would seem to be a “modern” equivalent.
Blood Cleansing Techniques Ketsueki Kokan ho or Ketsueki Joka-ho Ketsueki Kokan ho (Ketsueki Joka ho) are called “Blood Cleansing” Techniques. The “Blood Cleansing” techniques were part of Takata Sensei’s teachings as she originally taught. In her notes and diary she describes the “Traditional Reiki Finish” or nerve stroke. In Reiki Ryoho there are two other techniques besides the one Takata Sensei taught. The idea of “blood cleansing” may seem odd to the westerner.
These techniques are thought to cleanse the blood of toxins. It should be pointed out here that Reiki Ryoho was based on meridian theory not unlike Traditional Chinese Medicine and not on chakras as is commonly added into reiki in the west. The meridians stimulated are thought to stimulate new red blood cells to be formed and to bring fresh blood into the area. By bringing fresh blood into the area healing is more rapid. (There is a saying “Where blood flows chi goes; Where chi goes, blood flows”.) These techniques involve moving the hands along the spine rather than just the laying of hands. Massage laws in the various U.S. states (and in many other parts of the world) began to restrict others from using any technique that could be construed as “manipulative”. As a result, many teachers did not pass along the technique. This is a wonderful and useful part of Reiki and should be taught.
Hanshin Koketsu ho (Half Body Blood Cleansing) This is the half body blood cleanse.
Method One In the first method you are to stroke with the flat of the hand down the arms and legs. First, start at the shoulder and stroke down to the tips of the fingers 15 times. Do both arms. When finished with the arms, start at the outside of the hip and stroke down to the tips of the toes. Again repeat 15 times.
Method Two It is taught that the upper body be unclothed when doing this.
I would advise strong caution and recommend that you not do this unless this is your spouse, significant other, partner or someone else that will not later take offense. These are litigious times and people sue for sexual harassment at the drop of a hat (i.e., Imagine yourself in court explaining to the opposing counsel and jury that you were simply stroking outward on their naked back doing a half body blood exchange….). Have the person lay on the reiki table with their back unclothed. Some suggest using some light oil, if you start using massage oil it looks suspiciously like you are doing massage). In this technique both hands are used.
Place both hands at the top of the spine with one hand on either side. Start at the top of the neck and stroke outward and slightly down making an outward circular motion. These are small motions from the center of the spine outward to the sides of the body. Do this going down one hand width each time until the entire spine is treated from top to bottom. The entire spine is done 10 to 15 times. To finish place both hands again at the top of the spine with one hand on either side of the spine. You index finger and thumb are on the muscles that are on either side of the center of the spine. Hold your breath and then with light pressure (not hard!) stroke down the spine from the top of the neck to the base of the spine. End by pressing the fingers lightly (not hard!) into the muscles at the bottom of the spine and then exhale. This entire process is repeated 10 to 15 times.
Zenshin Koketsu ho Full Body Blood Cleansing Zenshin Koketsu-ho is the full body blood cleanse. This is the easiest technique of the “blood cleansing” techniques. Begin by doing the normal positions on the head. Then follow this with the normal hand positions on the chest and the abdomen. Finish by doing Method One of Hanshin Koketsu ho. (You can do method two instead if you prefer.) Stroke with the flat of the hand down the arms and legs. First, start at the shoulder and stroke down to the tips of the fingers 15 times. Do both arms. When finished with the arms, start at the outside of the hip and stroke down to the tips of the toes. Again repeat 15 times.
Kotodama Kotodama and Mantra in Reiki / Kotodama – “Word spirit “ Information is now beginning to come forward that Mikao Usui taught Kotodama to his Okuden (level II) Students. What follows is an explanation of Kotodama. Additionally we will explore the use of Mantra in Reiki and examine some sonnections between Reiki and other energetic arts and practices that developed in the early 1900′s in Japan. Kotodama (Kotodama) literally means “word spirit”. Although not easily translatable, the most basic idea is that there are words that evoke a spiritual feeling or state. It is a practice of intoning sounds (phonemes or phonetic components of language) to bring about a mystical or spiritual state. There are some that believe that intoning these sounds can direct or harmonize everything in the physical world or bring about a desired outcome in the physical world. This practice is thought to bring about the unification of God, heaven, man and earth.
The kotodama are often thought of as the core sounds of the Universe. You can chant and call forth the respective energies to bring them into balance within yourself: Here is an example of some of the sounds: A – Heaven O – Earth U – Spirit E – Mind I – Void This idea of sacred syllables is common to many mystical practices including the Kaballah, Western Magick, Wicca. Mantras or Mantra-yana, which is the use of a sound chanted is a similar practice that is also used to bring about a mystical state. Mantra practice is common to many meditative practices such as Transcendental Meditation (TM), Nichiren Buddhism (the “namu myoho renge kyo”), Tibetan Buddhism (the “om mani padme hum”) and many other Indian and eastern traditions. “Mantra” generally refers to Sanskrit words that are sacred words. They might be a verse such as ” om mani padme hum”, or a syllable such as “om” or “mu”.
Some of the sounds are thought to be the sounds of a specific deity or a supernatural power. The practice of Kotodama is to repeat the sacred syllables and intone them. The power of the word spirit resonates in the vocal cords, vibrates the air, spirit, heart and mind of the person directly. The history of the practice of Kotodama is not entirely clear. Some scholars indicate it is from Shinto origins, while others trace a Shingon Buddhist path. Most likely it is some combination of both as the two religions, ideologies and practices were interwoven through history in Japan. Kotodama is commonly used in Shinto and Neo-Shinto rites and rituals. It also occurs in Omoto Kyo and Aikido. It is said that Usui taught Kotodama as a spiritual practice at level II (Okuden) in reiki.
What is particularly fascinating is the interconnection of this practice to many of the healing practices that were developing at the time that Usui originated Reiki. Morihei Ueshiba was the founder of Aikido and he incorporated Kotodama into his Aikido. It is said that he learned the practice in 1919 from Onisaburo Deiguchi who developed the art of Omoto Kyo and then went on to study the practice in Shingon Buddhism. Deiguchi was considered by some to be the leading Kotodama master in the country at that time. Ueshiba was a follower of Omoto-Kyo until his death in 1969. Another connection to Omoto Kyo occurs in the religion of Johrei. Omoto Kyo was studied by Mokichi Okada (Meishu Sama) who developed Sei Kai Kyu Sei Kyo better known as Johrei and as the Johrei Fellowship Worldwide. Like Usui’s Reiki, Johrei also uses Reiju to empower its followers.
So what we have here is an interesting concurrence of interconnected circumstances: * Kotodama is said to be taught by Usui in level II reiki as the means to connect. This was done prior to the symbols being developed. * The leading Kotodama expert during the time of Usui’s life was Deiguchi. * Deiguchi’s teachings show up in other energy related healing arts such as Johrei, whose founder, Mokichi Okada, studied with Deiguchi. His Sei Kai Kyu Sei Kyo uses reiju as an empowerment with his followers. This is also the technique used by Usui in his reiki. * The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, also studies with Deiguchi and incorporates Kotodama in his practices. Aikido also used many Ki techniques including developing, strengthening and healing with Ki.
Here are some simple guideline to doing Kotodama or Mantrayana with Reiki. Some guides to the practice: Sit in a comfortable chair. You can also sit in the classical Zazen posture if you know it and can sit comfortably in this position. The key is for the back to be straight. Place the hands on the lap or in the gassho (namaste) position. Breathe normally through the nose and exhale the syllables through the mouth. Connect to reiki before starting.
Doing hatsurei ho is a good way to do this. The syllables are said with total concentration and unity of body and spirit. Keep the mind clear and intent pure. The syllables are voiced slowly, strongly and one at a time. They are separate in pronunciation. Do not slur them together. For each syllable breathe in through the nose and vocalize out through the mouth. The sound resonates outward to all the universe.
