http://www.ncreview.com/ 1221-679 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/reiki-the-true-story-an-exploration-of-usui-reiki Sensei Mikao Usui (1865-1926) is regarded as the “founder” of Reiki, and author/sensei Don Beckett draws from extensive interviews with the founder’s former students to trace the threads of Reiki and Usui’s life, which included rich and varied experiences. Sensei Usui grew up in a Tendai Buddhist monastery, studied the Japanese equivalent of qi-gong, and obtained the highest proficiency in the martial art of Yagyu Ryu (Samurai swordsmanship) and other traditional Japanese martial arts. More informally he studied Chinese medicine, numerology and astrology. He also worked as the bodyguard for various minor Japanese politicians, a reporter, office worker, and supervisor of convicts. Reiki, as taught by Mikao Usui, was apparently taught according to the needs of the student. For example, some students learned it as a method of self-awakening with levels of initiation and ceremonial rights of passage modeled on Japanese martial arts practice. Others learned it as a spiritual path that included some focus on healing and an “empowerment” procedure called Reiju. It is this latter practice that has come to come to be commonly known as Reiki. For Mikao Usui, Reiki was “a method to achieve personal perfection.” This book is divided into four sections. The first three sections are based on the three levels of initiation into the practice of Reiki, and the final section looks at practices complementary to Reiki. The first section and first level of initiation is called Shoden (The Entrance), and describes the origin of what we call Reiki and how it passed from Japan to the West. The story of how a Japanese-based spiritual path to was transferred to America during World War II is an amazing story that by itself is worthwhile reading. Shoden also covers the basics of Reiki as a spiritual and energetic healing practice. This includes step-by-step instructions for working with the energy of Reiki. These are presented in terms of focusing Reiki-energy into the chakras, a practice derived from Beckett’s own work. Where the author’s own practice varies from “traditional” Reiki he is clear to identify it as such. The second section, Okuden (The Deep Inside), presents the second level of Reiki, with advanced exercises for spiritual development. These teachings are identified as Earth energy, Heaven energy, and a state of mind or being called Oneness. Students “become” Earth, Heaven, and Oneness through daily meditations and/or kotodama: the latter is a toning practice derived from Shinto. It is at this point that the symbols of Reiki, actually Japanese kanji (written text) figures become part of practice. The symbols were not always part of Usui’s original practice but were taught to his final students, officers in the Japanese navy, in lieu of meditation and kotodama. The third section, Shinpiden (The Mystery), presents the “Master” symbol. This section focuses on combining the Earth, Heaven and Oneness teachings along with a fourth aspect, Empowerment. Empowerment is presented as a symbol and as a series of exercises only given to someone who has “mastered” the energies of the Okuden level—a practice that might take years to integrate. The fourth and final section deals with the use of alternative energy systems that Don Beckett has found compatible within his own Reiki practice. These include the use of chakras as energy channels, Chinese elements, and Johrei— a different school of Japanese energy work. The book also provides a glossary of Japanese terms that are encountered throughout. Whether your previous experience with Reiki has been through a class or weekend workshop, or you’ve spent years in study with a Japanese-trained sensei or you are just curious about Reiki, this book provides a comprehensive account of the practice and its origins. ]]> Thu, 05 May 2011 01:48:08 -0700