Reiki Lecture April 29 2010

Reiki: The modern interpretation of the Usui system for natural

healing.

James C. DuCanto, M.D. Independent Reiki Master

Assistant Clinical ProfessorDepartment of AnesthesiologyMedical College of Wisconsin

Director of Anesthesiology Clerkship,Aurora St. Luke's Medical CenterMedical Advisor to Human Energy

Committee and Healing Touch Workgroup

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Objective 1: Learn about the human bioelectric field and its relationship to human health

and disease.

Objective 2: Learn the concept of grounding and how to extend

that to others.

Objective 3: Learn the Origin, purpose and modern

interpretations and applicationsof the energy medicine art

known as Reiki.

Objective 4: The core of Usui Sensei Teachings: The five

precepts of Reiki.

Objective 5: The Hand positions of a Reiki Treatment

Objective 6: Understand Common reactions and side effects during Reiki and after

Reiki Attunements

Objective 7: Understand the Universal “Source” of the Reiki

energy

Objective 8: Experience an Attunement to the Reiki Energy

First things first…

• It is NOT possible to harm yourself or anyone (or anything) else with these techniques....Reiki is not that kind of energy.

Introduction: What is Reiki?

“What” is Reiki

• Creative extension of the Human energy field (more on that later).

• Healing and realignment of the subtle and gross energies that comprise the human body.

• Reunification of the “parts” with the “whole”.

Reiki Defined

• Reiki was originally defined by its founder as, “The spiritual medicine of all illnesses.”

• Translated from Japanese, it means “spiritual energy”.– Interaction and manipulation of the human

energy field.– The restoration and maintenance of balance

physically and energetically.

• Eastern medical thought presumes health to be the presence of balance.– Western medical thought presumes health

to be the absence of disease

• It’s not a technique to take you out of your body or out of your mind--it’s purpose is to GROUND you profoundly in your own body and mind.

What is the most practical aspect of Reiki and other energy

medicine modalities (like Healing Touch and Therapeutic Touch)?

• These modalities teach the absolute finest ways to touch patients in a manner that communicates:– Compassion, love and respect.

– The intention of fostering a patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

Objective 1: Learn about the human bioelectric field and its relationship to human health

and disease.

What are we restoring balance to? A discussion of human energetics.

Kirlian photography refers to a form of photogram made with high voltage. It is named after Semyon Kirlian,

who in 1939 accidentally discovered that if an object on a photographic plate is connected to a source of high voltage,

small corona discharges (created by the strong electric field at the edges of the object) create an image on the

photographic plate

The Human Electric Field (HEF)

• The summation of the individual electric fields of the individual cells, organs and parts of the human body that coalese to form the HEF.

The Human Bioenergetic Field•  Body network gains speed• By Eric Smalley, Technology Research News

• The human body is capable of many things, including acting as an information conduit -- quite literally.

• Researchers from NTT Docomo Multimedia Labs and NTT Microsystem Integration Labs in Japan have demonstrated a 10-megabits-per-second indoor network that uses human bodies as portable ethernet cables.

• The network, dubbed ElectAura-Net, is wireless, but instead of using radio waves, infrared light, or microwaves to transmit information it uses a combination of the electric field that emanates from humans and a similar field emanating from special floor tiles.

• The network is faster than commercially available personal area networks like the 1-megabit-per-second Bluetooth radio wave system, and tops the 4-megabits-per-second infrared standard set by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA).

• The system could eventually provide high-speed wireless communications among portable electronic devices whose positions constantly change. "The main aim of the system is to provide [a] new indoor communication infrastructure for [the] coming wearable and ubiquitous [computing] era," said Masaaki Fukumoto, a researcher at NTT Docomo Multimedia Labs.

Patient care monitors use the HEF...

Human energy system

• India: The Chakras

• Japan: The Hara

• China: The Meridians (and the Hara, or “belly”

Chakra

• “Chakra” is a Sanskrit word for wheel or disc

• Signifies one of the seven basic energy centers in the body.– Each correlate to major nerve ganglia.

• Chakras correspond to:– Levels of consciousness– Archetypal elements– Developmental stages of life– Colors, Sounds, etc.

Objective 2: Learn the concept of grounding and how to extend

that to others.

Quick Practical Experience...Grounding

• The following is a breathing technique utilized in both Buddhist meditation and ki development in the martial arts, e.g., Aikido:– With your back straight, sitting up:

• Inhale deeply through your nose, with the intention of filling your lower abdomen with air.

– Feel your belly expand like a balloon

• Hold it for 7 seconds.• Exhale through your mouth

• Notice the feeling you have in your body:– The point in which you feel the weight of

your body falls from the level of your chest to your lower abdomen, or “hara”

– You may feel your shoulders drop slightly, and your arms may seem longer.

– The tension in your neck and upper back drains out

– You may feel HEAVIER in your chair– If you are standing, you may feel heavier in

your feet, especially your HEELS.

• Notice the contents of your mind:– The chatter decreases or ceases– Your attention is focused where YOU send

it.

Uses of this centering breath...

• Enhancing healing• Tolerating aggravation• Focusing and improving the performance

and accuracy of various invasive procedures.

Objective 3: Learn the Origin, purpose and modern

interpretations and applicationsof the energy medicine art

known as Reiki.

Where is Reiki from and how did it come to the United

States?

Reiki is a modern interpretation of an energy medicine method from early 20th century Japan.

It came to the United States through an American of Japanese decent who learned the art in the 1930's.

The History of Reiki• Reiki began as a spiritual path for personal

purification leading to enlightenment. – Mikao Usui (the founder).

• Mikao Usui (or Usui sensei) was born to a traditional Samurai family in 1865. – He was a student of the martial arts, and

held a teaching certificate for at least one martial art.

• Usui sensei ultimately became a Tendai Buddhist lay priest. – He developed and taught a system of

personal purification and spiritual growth beginning around 1914 and ending in 1926 with his transition.

– His system of personal purification and growth arose from his own spiritual path which involved the use of “ki”, or spiritual energy to purify, energize, and lead toward the health of physical, mental and spiritual facets of the practitioner.

– Use of this system as a clinical tool came from a student of the founder, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi.

• As an experienced martial artist and a Buddhist priest, Usui sensei had an uncommon understanding and ability to manifest both personal and universal forms of spiritual energy, or “ki”.– Chinese “Chi”– India “prana”

Dr. Chujiro Hayashi

Dr. Chujiro Hayashi

Dr. Hayashi was a retired naval officer. He received the Reiki Master initiation from Dr. Usui about 1925 at the age of 47

• Dr. Hayashi opened a clinic in Tokyo with eight beds and 16 healers. – He kept detailed records of the

treatments that were given, and used this information to create 'standard' hand positions for different ailments.

From the East to the West...• Reiki was introduced to the west in the

manner in which many Asian arts have during the 20th century: Through Hawaii.– Hawayo Takata of the island of Kauai

• Mrs. Takata was treated in Dr. Hayashi's clinic during her visit to relatives in Japan, circa 1935. – She was the first foreign born Japanese

person to learn the system of healing.– She brought Reiki to Hawaii circa 1939 and

established a healing practice.

• Mrs. Takata taught 22 Reiki Masters between 1970 and her passing in 1980.

Objective 4: The core of Usui Sensei Teachings: The five

precepts of Reiki.

What was the core of Usui Sensei Teachings? The five

precepts of Reiki.

THE SECRET METHOD OF INVITING BLESSINGS

THE SPIRITUAL MEDICINE OF MANY ILLNESSES

JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL RELEASE ALL ANGER

JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL RELEASE ALL WORRY

WITH GRATITUDE

I WILL LIVE MY LIFE HONESTLY

AND BE KIND TO ALL LIVING THINGS

.

IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT, WITH HANDS HELD IN PRAYER,

THINK THIS IN YOUR MIND, CHANT THIS WITH YOUR MOUTH.

THE USUI REIKI METHOD TO CHANGE YOUR MIND AND BODY

FOR THE BETTER

THE FOUNDER

Translated from Japanese

(The westernized version).

The Core of the Reiki Precepts

• Anger not– Release grievance

• “Never make a fist in your pocket”

– Release fear– Release

disappointment with one's life

– Release attachment to your preferences

• Worry not– Accept what is– Accept spiritual

guidance

• With gratitude, live honestly– Live as if you are

worthy as a Son or Daughter of God

What is Spiritual Guidance?

• Morally centered thoughts in your mind that put your good on equal par with the good of others

• It puts the “Highest good” of yourself and others at the center of the encounter

• “Radical equality” which stems from “Radical self-acceptance”

Openness to Spiritual Guidance: Listening with the

Heart

Objective 5: The Hand positions of a Reiki Treatment

Hand Positions

• Specific places on the body where students are taught to place their hands– Dr. Hayashi

• Assists the energy to move through the patient’s body– clearing and strengthening the spiritual and

energetic connection.

• The following illustrations are from the class manual by Arline Rowden, Reiki Master Teacher and James Rowden.

First position: Under head. Second position: Around Ears.

Third position: Jaw and chin. Fourth position: Over Eyes.

Illustrations by James Rowden.

Reiki hand positions:Front of body.

Fifth position: Shoulders Sixth: V towards heart center

(consider holding hands above this area in females)

Seventh: Around shoulders Eighth: Upper arm

Illustrations by James Rowden.

Ninth: Lower arm Tenth: Abdomen below costal margin.and hand cradle. Repeat to level above waist.

Eleventh: Side of hip. Twelfth: Upper leg and knee.

Illustrations by James Rowden.

Illustrations by James Rowden.

Thirteenth: Lower leg and ankle. Fourteenth: Around foot.

Repeat these positions on the lower extremities on the opposite side of the body.

Sweep excess liberatedenergy away using a gentle sweeping motiona few inches above the body. Perform 3 times.

This maneuver clears stagnant ki released during the Reiki session.

Transform the sweptaway energy so that the earth can accept it in a purified manner(simply requires the intention of doing so).

Illustrations by James Rowden.

Reiki hand positions for back of body:

First position: Second: Upper back Third: Back between Head. and shoulders. second and fourth

positions.

Fourth: Back justabove waist Fifth: Over the hips, fingers towards

the tailbone.Illustrations by James Rowden.

Sixth: Upper leg and Seventh: Lower leg and heel back of knee of foot

Eighth: Perform a series of 3 sweeps over the back as previously described.

Illustrations by James Rowden.

Ninth: Balance-Charge battery

Tenth: Close—Walk hands up the back over the spine from the waist to the base of the neck.

Eleventh: Polish Halo—Make severalvery slow swirls over the top of head.

Illustrations by James Rowden.

Objective 6: Understand Common reactions and side effects during Reiki and after

Reiki Attunements

Common reactions and side effects during Reiki in the person receiving

Reiki treatment

• Emotional releases– Represents an opening of the heart chakra

• Relief of pain

• Muscle spasms with release of stagnant channels of energy

Reactions in the Reiki practitioner

• Warmth in hands

– Awareness of “information” surrounding the person receiving Reiki

• 21 day cleansing period following initiation attunement

– 3 cycles of energy moving through the 7 chakras

– Can be subtle or overt• Note: If you are having any major effects

and are concerned get in contact with your Reiki Master for reassurance.

From http://www.reikithehealingpath.com/reiki_cleansing_

process.htm

• Physical Purification

• Flu-like symptoms may be experienced, minor discomforts include:

– achy muscles, fever, headache, sore throat, excessive mucus, coughing, constipation, diarrhea and other minor symptoms as toxins are released and your body is cleansed and balanced.

• To lessen effects: take long walks in country settings, exercise the entire body mildly or do yoga, breath clean fresh air and drink lots of pure fresh water.

• Eat light nourishing meals, which include fresh fruit, vegetables and juices.

• Try to stay away from caffeine, nicotine.

• Emotional Purification

• Deeply held emotions may surface for no apparent reason: anger, frustration, grief, fear sadness and others.

• These emotions have been repressed or suppressed from earlier times, this life and past, they are being released.

• Do not allow yourself to become emotionally effected by what you experience.

• Do not place blame on anyone or anything for these feelings. Just experience them as they surface and let them go.  

• Mental Purification

• Old thought forms, behavior patterns and habits may come to the surface.

• Addictive desires for food, beverage, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol etc. may increase or resurface.

• Thoughts of judgment, blame, victimization, abuse, denial, self-destruction, self-pity etc may happen.

• Do not be hard on yourself or allow these impulses and thoughts to get the better of you.

• Acknowledge them; let them go, then change your thoughts willfully to those of a more positive nature.

• To lessen the effects:

– Be kind to yourself, do things that make you feel good, repeat positive affirmations, mantras, and listening to your favorite music eases the intensity of the potentially negative effects of the thoughts.

• Spiritual Purification

• Your beliefs may be shaken and challenged, beliefs in how the world operates, how relationships should be, religion, what is important to your life.

• As this occurs, insights, revelations and new understanding will become clear; these will be the building blocks of your newly forming and ever changing spiritual foundation. 

Objective 7: Understand the Universal “Source” of the Reiki

energy

Divine Mother Energy

• Embodies (to me) what the Reiki energy is about– Where it comes from– What it does

• It represents radical self-acceptance– “With Gratitude, I will live my life honestly”

Embodiments of the Divine Mother Energy

• Western Images: Virgin Mary

• Eastern Images: Kuan Yin (China) Kwannon (Japan), Aspects of Shakti (India)

• Aboriginal/Native Images: The Earth

Virgin Mary (Virgin of Guadalupe)

Quan Yin

Lakshmi (an aspect of Shakti)

Objective 8: Experience an Attunement to the Reiki Energy

Attunement

• A ritual performed with a student which opens the student to the flow of personal and universal energies.

• Clearing of the merdians of the body and the ability to conduct more energy through the body.

Coming up next…

• A short lecture and guided meditation with Paul Ferrini, author of Love Without Conditions– A connection to what he calls the “Divine

Mother Energy”