Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

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by Nathaniel

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Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

Nathaniel

Indie publishing, 2013 A State of Mind http://astateofmind.eu

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by Nathaniel

Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual (Shoden) 2013 by Nathaniel. FIRST EDITION Indie publishing, 2013 ISBN: 978-1484890127 eISBN: 978-83-935633-2-6 Self-published under the A State of Mind brand, an official website of the author. Website: http://astateofmind.eu Email: nathan@astateofmind.eu Wroclaw, 2013

Support Indie publishing by sharing your reviews of this work on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com. The author appreciates your support.

Images and illustrations originally published in Droga Reiki (Ezokultus 2012, ISBN: 9788393147182). Permission to republish granted by Ezokultus publishing company. Additional Credit: Primary font for title and A State of Mind's Logo: Fertigo, by Exljbri. Additional font: OptimusPrinceps, by Manfred Klein.

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Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

Table of Contents
An Introduction to Reiki
What is Reiki? What & How Does Reiki Heals? Life Changes After First Degree Short History of Reiki Intentions in the Practice of Reiki

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17 20 30 33 35

Essential Practical Techniques

The Five Reiki Principles Live a Better Life Kenyoku Ho Learn Spiritual Cleansing Byosen Scan For Illness Reiji Ho Develop Your Intuition Gassho Meditation Find Your Peace of Mind Joshin Kokyu Ho Grow Strong Roots

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48 53 57 58 61 66

Healing With Reiki

Self-healing With Reiki Full Reiki Session For Others Short Reiki Session For Others Balancing Chakras With Reiki Reiki for Animals Reiki: The Small Way

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73 79 86 88 91 92

Additional Elements of Practice

Spiritual Cleansing An Elemental Safety Rule Grounding on the Path of Reiki Preparing Your Reiki Business An Example of a Healing Session Schedule for Self-practice

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96 98 100 104 106

Resources
Bibliography
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Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

Disclaimer The information presented in this book has been carefully researched and passed on to our best knowledge and conscience. Despite this fact, neither the author or the publisher assume any type of liability for presumed or actual damages of any kind that might result from the direct or indirect application or use of the statements in this book. The information in this book is solely intended for interested readers and educational purposes and should in no way be understood as diagnostic or therapeutic instructions in the medical sense. If you suspect the existence of an illness, we recommend that you see a physician.

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by Nathaniel

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Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

Dear reader, Welcome to the first book of Learn Reiki - a short collection of guidebooks to the practice of Reiki. This short book is a guide to the practice of the first degree of Reiki, called Shoden1 - I tried to keep it in a form of a manual. A manual, which I would never hesitate to offer my own students. Actually, that's why I wrote this guide because there are more and more people seeking English-based Reiki workshops in Poland, which I provide. Such more personal and practical approach results in a manual perfect for beginners. Within this book, you will find theoretical information about the first degree, as well as practical techniques, exercises, tutorials and uses for Reiki method. This guidebook explains the essential elements of the Reiki practice. You will find elements of Buddhism and modern spirituality here, as well as classic Japanese techniques. On the other hand, I tried to limit the number of New Age theories that are often associated with Reiki, but I include some things in the footnotes, as well. Still, do not be mislead Reiki can be learned by everyone, because the method itself and additional techniques are surprisingly neutral and in the end, unrelated to any modern religious path, even if we can find Buddhist roots in Reiki. This book provides you with tips, information about safety rules, illustrations of the hands positions, practical uses and more. Soon, you will learn the essential elements of the practice of the first degree. With a bit of practice and this simple manual, you will be able to use Reiki for yourself, friends, family members, and in addition, you'll be able to open your own Reiki studio.

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Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

An Introduction to Reiki
"The spiritual realization of Reiki develops like a Lotus flower in the heart of daily practice." - unknown Reiki practitioner

efore you begin to learn the practical uses for Reiki, you must first learn the theory we cannot go the other way around. But the theory behind Reiki is quite simple so it won't be problematic to understand, at least on the basic level. Reiki, if you wish to become a teacher, requires a lot of reading and studies of texts from both Buddhism, Shinto and other spiritual paths, but the basic approach to personal growth and healing requires little theory. Quite often I say that the first degree is a lot of talking especially if you participate in the first degree class. There's a lot of talking, and a lot of theory after all, the principles have to be explained from scratch so that in result, your Reiki practice will be safe and effective.
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A word of disclaimer is needed. There are many theories about Reiki what it is, how does it work, where does it come from. If you read enough books, you may realize that some theories are the opposites of other theories, and even the historical data doesn't fit together. The problem is that a lot of Reiki practitioners mix historical facts with their own beliefs and with legends and rumors, thus creating a mix of theories. To help you navigate through the wide knowledge, books and source, I want to provide you with few tips: Practice is the most important aspect of Reiki keep practicing, and Reiki will guide you to things you really need to know. The theories might be problematic and even chaotic, but the practice itself is pure and effective. Try to recognize when someone speaks of his own experiences and do not consider this as the ultimate truth, just as some person's experience. This happens often in case of books abut Reiki. Only consider sourced books as quite true authors like Walter Lubeck, Mark Hosak, Frank Petter and William Lee Rand had done a lot of research into historical data and written sources and even into Japanese and Buddhism traditions. Their books are considered the most essentials for the theory of Reiki from a historical point of view. But in addition, remember that some sources are yet to be found, and other information are effects of interpretation and deduction. While we've made huge steps in historical research, there are still many things that need to be understood about Reiki.

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Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

In the end, we as practitioners with our different experiences, perception and theories agree with the following few things: Reiki works, and it is an effective method of spiritual healing. It brings peace, harmony and happiness. It's neutral, and everyone can learn Reiki. Age, faith, gender, political views, none of this matter. It helps in many illnesses, and it's wonderful that there are more and more practitioners and scientific research into the subject of Reiki.

If you have decided to learn Reiki and you are afraid because of so many theories and explanations, don't be. You have chosen to learn a wonderful method of healing that will guide you; that will improve your life, and that is pure in its essence. In the end, what really matters for you is the practice of self-treatments. They are the most important element of Reiki practice, and quite often, regular self-treatment is enough for Reiki to guide you to a better life. It is the practice of an individual practitioner that brings fruits. Theories, terms and historical data are useful only as tools used for reference, and as knowledge that supports the practice and helps us understand what really is going on. On the path of Reiki, many different psychological and emotional experiences can become a part of your life, and more serious spiritual knowledge will prove useful to help you understand what is happening to you. But at the beginning of your journey, you should not worry too much about things that may happen in the future. Buddha himself said in the Kalama Sutta that one should trust only that which he tries himself.. The people of Kalama
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asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerable people, and holy ones. Buddha said: Do not believe anything on mere hearsay. Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places. Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it. Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage. Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being. Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true. Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests. But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it. Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire. Do not trust everything you read, rather practice something yourself and see what kind of fruits the practice gives you. If the practice benefits you, then keep practicing it. If it doesn't, then look for something else as your path is very individual one. All I have to say right now is that if you wish, then Reiki will show you everything you need to know in order to experience happiness and heal your life. Practice is the key.
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An Official Introduction to Reiki

Almost a hundred years ago, Mikao Usui a Buddhist monk1, gave people of this world a great gift of his school of spiritual healing Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki. Commonly known as Reiki in the West, this school of spiritual healing goes far beyond Buddhist beliefs, and these days it is practiced by hundreds of thousands, if not by millions of people all around the world. It does not matter if you're a Buddhist or a Taoist, a Christian or a Pagan; it doesn't matter if you're a New Age book author or a doctor of medicine; a lawyer or a small business owner Reiki can be learned and used for healing by everyone. This wonderful method of healing is present in both Wiccan covens and public hospitals; in homes of simple people and in restaurants of rich chefs. But more than that, this wonderful method of healing is present in hearts of countless practitioners and teachers who dedicated themselves to healing themselves, others and in the result, the whole world. But there is more to practice of Reiki than laying on of hands on someone's body in order to heal this person. Reiki is, among many things, a path of spiritual development. A path of individual growth that leads to happiness, and in the end, to enlightenment whatever this enlightenment really is, because honestly, no one knows what truly hides behind this term. What we understand is this: spiritual development is a process of healing your body, mind and soul Still, the truth is the practice
1 For this very day, it is unsure if Mikao Usui, the creator of Usui Reiki, was a Tendai or Shingon monk, or even if he was a Buddhist at all. Some people say that he might have been a follower of local Japanese religion, Shinto, but as Walter Lubeck and Mark Hosak pointed out in theirs book, The Big Book of Reiki Symbols, Shinto and Buddhist co-exist side-by-side in Japan, thus it is possible that Usui was both a Buddhist and follower of Shinto tradition.
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of Reiki leads us to learning about our true, human nature, and to facing ourselves standing in the mirror. Here we are, practicing Reiki, a wonderful method of healing, yet we face our fears, traumas and unpleasant emotions. Here we are facing our inner darkness our inner shadow, as Carl Gustav Jung would say. We all have this shadow self the point is to heal it in such way, that we can turn our life upside down and make it wonderful, happy, peaceful and spiritual. This process of looking at yourself in the mirror is the process of healing ourselves through Reiki practice. You face your fears; you heal bad memories and emotions of the past; you reprogram your negative beliefs; thus, you allow more spiritual energy to flow through you, and with more spiritual attitude to your life, you manifest your dreams and goals, reaching towards pure happiness. But before you go from here to happiness, you must confront things that are hidden deep within you. You must walk the path of inner growth and healing. The first step of such inner healing is the practice of the first degree of Reiki, called Shoden. Once you are healed yourself, you can offer Reiki sessions to others. In a wonderful movie, the Peaceful Warrior2, there is a dialog between two main characters: - Everyone wants to tell you what to do and what's good for you. They don't want you to find your own answers, they want you to believe theirs. Let me guess, and you want me to believe yours. No, I want you to stop gathering information from the outside and start gathering it from the inside.

Peaceful Warrior (2006), Director: Victor Salva.

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And a Taoist master that I've met at some point of my life said: The role of the teacher is not to share his power with the student. The role of the teacher is to show the student that he has power within himself. I prefer to teach you how to look for your own answers while you walk the path of Reiki. Because your answers are far more important to you than the answers I can provide. It's your life live it. Even if this book has been written in such way to guide you from the beginning, from the first day of your Shoden 3 degree practice, you do not have to be fresh Reiki practitioner in order to benefit from this book. You might be a Shinpiden practitioner already, but you might be facing many problems, troubling relationship or fears in your life. And still, you can read this book from the beginning to the end because some things might be explained here. The basics, which you might have missed in the past. Everything starts with the basics there are few things you're going to need if you wish to improve your life with Reiki. Being initiated, or attuned, to Reiki is essential, of course. Everything begins with the first degree Shoden the essential teachings that introduce you to the wonderful world of Reiki healing. Attunement/initiation is offered by Reiki teachers.

What is Reiki?
Reiki is a method of spiritual healing that originates from Japan. The full name of this art is Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki this
3 Japanese term for the first degree of Reiki. It means first teachings.
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can be translated as the method of natural healing by Usui. A Japanese Buddhist practitioner, Mikao Usui, is the creator of Reiki system. This method of healing traveled across the ocean thanks to Chujiro Hayashi and Hawayo Takata to the United States of America, and from there, it expanded to the whole world near the end of the XX century. The word Reiki is made of two parts Rei and Ki. In the Japanese language, the very same word may have multiple meanings, and the correct meaning is figured out by the context. In the context of Reiki, the word Rei means spiritual and the word Ki is the term that describes the life energy, or life force. The whole word Reiki can be translated as a universal spiritual energy. The old versions of the translation say that Reiki means universal life energy, but today we believe this to be incorrect, and that universal spiritual energy is the accurate term. The term Reiki is represented by a symbol, called Kanji Reiki. This symbol is known also as Ling Chi or Ho Leng. Later on, I will explain why Usui decided to use this particular symbol to describe the method of Reiki. Reiki as universal spiritual energy is the energy, with which we can work in Reiki method. Thus, the term Reiki stands both for the energy and the method. This method of spiritual healing is based on channeling a healing energy either on the distance, or directly by putting on hands on the ill body. The practitioner of the first degree can send the energy directly through his hands the distant healing in this case is limited to few centimeters, only. This doesn't count in case of using Reiki for animals because animals can connect with healing energy from a couple of meters. The serious distant healing in case of Reiki can be performed by the practitioners of the second and third degree. Generally, the practitioner place his hands on another person and with a simple intention the energy flow from the
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practitioner's hands into the other person in question. This person will experience the process of healing through Reiki. The Reiki practitioner does not own the energy as practitioners we act as channels. We channel the energy from the Source. This Source is more of a concept or idea, than of a real place, in which Reiki energy is stored. We use this term to simplified things. Everyone can learn Reiki there are no limits, really. While the second and third degree become more advanced and more difficult, the first degree is meant for everyone. Your age, gender, beliefs, religion all of this doesn't matter. You can learn Reiki. In addition, you should know that Reiki is not a religion there are no prayers, no deities, no ceremonials and rituals to perform regularly. It is more like a tool than a belief system.

The Reiki Energy and Harmony

Reiki energy is a spiritual energy that brings peace and harmony. It is an energy which heals, and brings the living being back to its natural state. Mikao Usui, when performing a healing session, used to say: Human being, return to your natural state. In this saying, there's a lot of truth and explanation of the nature of Reiki. This method of healing helps us return to the state of harmony, to our natural state, in which: we understand our place in the world, and we can grow emotionally, spiritually and technologically while still taking care about Mother Nature. In this natural state, we're healthy and happy. We embrace our goals, dreams and destiny, and we recognize the nature of our mind, which allows us to experience enlightenment. This is what Reiki leads us to.
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Practitioners often say that Reiki is an energy of love a spiritual energy of high vibrations. More traditional practitioners say that Reiki is associated with a Great White Light, a spiritual power associated with Buddhas and Heaven. Whatever the description is, what we can say for sure is that this energy allows us to see the sources of our problems, and to learn our true dreams, goals and passions. With it, we can find our inner genius. We can find our place in the world. What Reiki energy is we recognize by the results and effects it brings, not by definitions. And the results and effects are very positive. Reiki heals life. Some people can see energies through clairvoyance 4 and they say it's a bright, pearl-like white energy. Others say it's a purple energy. Some people can sense energy, and they say they feel it like pleasant tingling or heat. But these feelings belong to the spectrum of an individual perception. You may be able to sense Reiki energy but do not worry if you can't. Some people can, some cannot. The good news is that even if you can't sense the energy, which is quite subtle, thus harder to sense, you still channel it. Being able to sense the energy is not the point of the practice. Therefore, do not focus too much on your sensations, but on your intuition and on your feelings. The same thing applies to people you treat with Reiki.

What & How Does Reiki Heals?

Reiki can be used to do many things: mainly, it is used as a technique of relaxation and stress reduction method. In private practices, hospitals and holistic health centers, Reiki is used to support the process of healing of all illnesses. It can be used
4 Clairvoyance a spiritual (or psychic) ability to see energies and spirits, either through physical sight (rare ability) or the inner sight (similar to imagination or visualization).
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successfully in reducing pain and anxiety. Further on, it can be used to change habits, and heal unpleasant emotions. With enough practice, it can power up our motivation for achieving dreams and goals, and in the end, it can change our life for better. It is important to know that Reiki heals according to its own Will - the energy itself is intelligent, and it knows that must be healed, and how it must be healed. Our task, as practitioners, is to channel Reiki and offer this energy in a peaceful form. But we do not know how Reiki will heal the person and what kind of changes will this energy push the person towards. Often, if the healing is to be done, one must go through something we call a healing crisis.

The Healing Crisis & Process

As Reiki practitioner, you must be familiar with the concept of healing crisis and the way Reiki heals. According to some theories, based on the traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that illness is a result of blockages and tensions stored within person's body either the physical body, as tensions in muscles and physical tissue, and in the spiritual body, as blockages upon the energy channels. All these blockages are results of negative emotions traumas, fears, hate, aggression and unpleasant thoughts or beliefs. Of course, not every illness is a result of emotional blockage and tension. Even if there is a lot of spiritual belief in case of Reiki, you must recognize that there are still viruses and bacterias and medical reasons for illness and that some health problems are caused by our lifestyle, contact with bacterias and viruses, or bad posture in front of the computer. There must be a balance between spirituality and biology in the practice of Reiki. In both cases, Reiki heals not the symptoms of the problem, but its source. For example, if a pain is caused by a tension in a
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muscle, caused by emotional trauma, Reiki will heal the memories and emotions related to that trauma. When this is complete, the tension is gone, and the pain is gone. In another example, if the back pain is caused by bad posture, Reiki might affect the person's life, so he or she will decide for regular visits to a massage therapist, but in addition, he or she might spend more time exercising and less time sitting in front of a desk. Sometimes, Reiki heals in an active way problems that can be found within us, from emotions to viruses, and sometimes Reiki heals in a passive way, affecting our life because the change in some areas of our life is necessary for healing to take place. One thing can be said for sure Reiki heals in mysterious ways, and sometimes the healing comes with a great dose of synchronicity and signs from the Universe. What you and your patients must be prepared for is the healing crisis. The healing crisis is a time when the illness intensifies, or the source of the problem re-emerge from the subconscious mind and becomes obvious. This might be painful, or it might even seem that the Reiki sessions made the problem worse. But the truth is that such events like healing crisis are normal in case of natural or spiritual healing they are the signs that the process of healing has begun. The illness must be healed, and the emotional problems must be solved, as well. Only then, the healing will be complete, and positive results of Reiki therapy will be manifested in your life. Sometimes, these problems can be healed simple by regular Reiki sessions, by allowing Reiki to work, and by allowing the body and mind to heal itself by using its own natural systems of self-healing and regeneration, which work both for physical and emotional aspects of a human being. But sometimes, you will have to accept that besides Reiki sessions, you or your patient should use few other techniques like meditation or psychotherapy to support the energy sessions.
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Your intuition and Reiki will guide you, and your patients to the best possible solutions, so don't worry. Just accept the process and remember that Reiki knows what it's doing. With a simple technique, called Reiji Ho and your inner trust towards Reiki, you will develop your intuition, so do not worry about it too much right now. There are many theories as to how Reiki works. But they are all theories some are based on spiritual understanding; some are based on Chinese traditional medicine, and others are based on scientific understanding of the energy medicine. Still, the honest truth is that right now we do not know how Reiki works for real. What we know is that it works.

Two Schools of Thought

In the West North America and Europe Reiki is mainly considered being a form of alternative healing, a form of energy medicine. Practitioners offer their services as healers, and by doing so, they follow the New Age holistic trends. This is good because with Reiki we can help a lot of people. But it is important to know that Mikao Usui created the system of Reiki not simple as a form of therapy, but also a system of spiritual development as I have mentioned in the introduction. Through the practice with Waka poems5; contemplation of Five Reiki Principles; through self-healing (self-treatment) and different forms of meditation, the practitioners were to seek and find inner peace, health and happiness for themselves. Service to others is wonderful, but every Reiki practitioner should remember that he cannot help others if he won't help himself, first. This guidebook
5 Waka poems have been written down by Emperor Meiji between XIX and XX century. They have been used by Mikao Usui as a moral and ethical guidelines for his Reiki students. You can find the translation of all 125 Waka poems by Emperor Meiji in the book Spirit of Reiki by William Rand, Walter Lubeck and Frank Petter.
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helps you learn the basic spiritual techniques that will help you heal yourself first before you proceed to offering Reiki to others.

The Attunement & Initiation

Reiki is an initiation based system. It means that if you wish to learn Reiki, you have to find a teacher who will initiate you into practice. The process that gives you the ability to channel Reiki is called attunement. In the process, you are being tuned in to the frequency of Reiki energies, so you can channel them through yourself. Think of yourself as of a radio in order to listen to specific radio channel, you need to play with frequencies first and find the one that you seek. Something similar happens when the teacher a practitioner of the third degree with proper credentials and knowledge attune you during a Reiki workshop or course. The attunement to Reiki gives you the following benefits: The ability to channel Reiki energy so you can heal yourself, your friends, family members and other people. The protection against energies of another person during the treatment this way, the problems and illnesses of the other person won't be passed onto you, like it often happens in other schools of healing. The protection of your own energies while you channel Reiki, you do not channel your own Chi, or life energy. This way, Reiki treatments won't make you feel weak or tired, like in most forms of psychic healing. This way, in addition, you won't transfer your own problems onto another person. The increase in spiritual sensitivity this makes you more sensible to spiritual forces, and to synchronicity, that guide you to the best events and experiences.
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Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

Once you're done with the workshop and initiation, you can use the knowledge from this guide to improve your practice and use of Reiki. A word of wisdom: if you have learned the classic Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki from Takata's lineage), you should continue to follow this lineage and learn no additional techniques like Gold Reiki, Kundalini Reiki or Karuna Reiki. 6 This is advice from experience it's a spiritual fact that too many different attunements can cause great chaos within you, and they will neglect each other. In some way, the more of different Reiki schools you are attuned to, the less you can actually do. Finally, there is no point of learning additional schools of thought because with enough practice, even the basic Usui Reiki is enough to accomplish anything peace, harmony, happiness and enlightenment. Still, if you wish to learn additional schools, remember that completing Usui Reiki first degree is not enough to participate in, for example, Karuna Reiki second degree you should complete Karuna Reiki first degree because it's a slightly different system. The same rule applies to other non-Usui Reiki schools of thought. Back to Usui Reiki, or classic Reiki. There is a difference between the attunement, which you receive during Reiki class (or workshop), and the process of initiation into Reiki practice. Attunement is a simple energy work process, in which a teacher acts as a channel for Reiki, and it is Reiki energy that attunes
6 Some modern styles of Reiki are often created because of the teacher's ego, or for commercial reasons, or because people seek something more powerful than ordinary Reiki. Yet remember, it is not the name of the style that matters. Reiki is powerful enough to heal you and others, but it simple requires practice. Seeking to learn new styles of Reiki won't replace patience nor practice.
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you, actually. This allows you to work with Reiki energy. But the initiation is something different - initiation is the process, in which the knowledge of both theory and practice is passed to you; then you walk through the breakthrough point, which is the attunement itself; and then you spend a couple of weeks or even months, working things out and getting used to working with energy. The process of healing your body and soul after the class is the final part of the long process of initiation. Thus, the initiation can last for few months, or even few years when youve participated in the class of the third degree. Be prepared for this. One more, little thing. Often, people ask about selfattunements. Of course, you can self-attune yourself to Reiki, just like Mikao Usui did.7 But it requires a lot of effort, and years of studies, meditation and practice. Usui designed attunements to shorten the path towards Reiki.

Kanji Reiki the Symbol of Reiki

Reiki is symbolized by a Kanji 8 this Chinese symbol is a beautiful explanations of how Reiki works and I intend to explain it now as I have promised earlier. Some modern practitioners use the Japanese version of the Reiki symbol, but I suggest using the original Chinese version because this version tells us a story. A story that explains how Reiki works, and what kind of energy it is.

7 8

Some people say that Mikao Usui was initiated by a light being, one of the Buddhist deities, yet it is just another theoretical idea. A Kanji is a Chinese ideogram, a symbol, being present and used in Japanese language. This is because when Chinese culture begun to expand in Japan, the people of Japan knew no script. The Japanese symbols were developed later. There are many Kanji symbols in Japanese language these days.
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Look at the image above. The people [1] with spiritual skills ask the Heaven9 [2] to send rain [3]. Rain was considered to bring life, because once if falls on the ground [4], it helps the seed of rice to raise [5]. Thus, people [1] have food to eat. This is a beautiful explanations of a life circle. In the context of
9 In China, Heaven was considered to be a place of great power, where God the Father in the Sky lives. Of course, the Chinese concept of the Father in the Sky is very different from the European concept, so don't be mislead. If you seek more knowledge, read more about Taoism and Confucianism.
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Reiki: the practitioner [1] asks the Source [2] for Reiki. The energy flows, influencing the three aspects of our being the body, the mind and the spirit.10 [6]. The energy flows into the person's body, where it is transformed into life force Chi [5]. The life force is later used by the practitioner to: channel the energy to someone or something else, or spend it for the practitioner's own needs; to heal body or emotions, or to speed up the spiritual development. This is how the Kanji Reiki, the symbol of Reiki, explains the nature of the energy we work with in this wonderful method. All you have to do is attune yourself once, and then with your intention ask for Reiki, and it will flow to you, and through you. The simplicity of this method is what makes Reiki one of the most popular methods of spiritual healing in the world. It is believed that the modern Reiki symbol, with an X at the bottom, has been set as Reiki symbol because after the second world war, few Japanese people were able to recognize and understand the original Kanji. This modern symbol is more like a simple set of syllables, Rei-Ki while the original Kanji is a complete story, like Behold, for there is a story of people seeing help from Heaven, for the crops are dry and in great need of life-giving rain.

The Journey of the Three Degrees

There are three degrees in Reiki. The first one is called Shoden - it means preliminary teachings or basic teachings. The second one is called Okuden - it means inner teachings. The third degree is called Shinpiden - it means secret teachings and this secret refers more to finding the secret power within you, than to some occult teachings.
10 This is how Reiki fits into the body, mind and spirit ideology and holistic medicine.
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As Reiki practitioner, you may wish to take a journey through all three degrees. The first degree of Reiki builds the essential foundation for your practice. You strengthen the roots that keep you safe and stable in the physical world so you can reach for the sky, just like a tree develops its roots first in order to grow high and strong later and reach the sky. The first degree teach you about the simplest uses for Reiki in the daily life uses like improving your morning coffee, reducing headache or helping plants to grow. Through the practice of the first degree, you learn, as well, about the universal power of Reiki this energy can be used to improve the taste of your food, to heal pain and illness, and to support dealing with emotions and speed up the process of spiritual development. You learn to see that Reiki can be used all the time, in almost any situation. You improve the way the energy flows through you, so over time you can become a better practitioner. Finally, you learn that even if you're a spiritual being, you're also a physical being at the same time, and you have to eat, sleep, meet with your friends, have fun and taste life through the balance between physicality and spirituality, you learn to seek true happiness. And in the end, Reiki connects the sacrum with profane that which is sacred with that which is physical and mundane. The second degree takes you to the depths of your own mind. It's a journey through your fears, worries, concerns, dreams, goals and expectations. This way, you face yourself in a mirror, and you can heal that which is destructive, and you can strengthen that, which is creative within you. The practice of the second degree is a journey towards improving yourself by facing the hidden emotions hidden because you denied them attention. Through the practice, you learn that there are no real limits that the only thing that limits you is your own mind with its fears
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by Nathaniel

and beliefs. If you can change your beliefs and face your fears, then the gates of happiness and enlightenment will be open to you. The third degree opens the door to the understanding of the great secret of life through practice you lead yourself to the unification of the Yin and Yang energies in order to bring inner harmony and balance. From this, you create inner peace, which becomes a gateway to the final enlightenment.

You've reached the end of free sample. If you like it, get your full copy today from Amazon. If you own a Kindle device, you can purchase the Kindle edtion, and if you prefer the old school, the book is available as paperback, too!
"Learn Reiki: First Degree - Shoden" is a complete guidebook to the practice of the first degree of Reiki, called Shoden. Written by a Reiki practitioner and teacher, the book includes: - Exercises and techniques, that originate in the days of Mikao Usui in Japan. - Meditations that will help you improve your Reiki practice and help you on the path of spiritual growth. It includes the classic Reiki meditations of Gassho and Joshin Kokyu Ho. - Safety rules that will help you make sure that your Reiki practice is safe and effective. - Hand positions on illustrations that will guide you through the entire self-treatment, full treatment, short treatment and chakra balancing sessions.

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Learn Reiki: First Degree Manual - Shoden

In addition, learn what Reiki is and what it is not; learn the short history of Reiki; understand the principles of spiritual cleansing and grounding; what should you expect from Reiki practice; learn to meditate with Five Reiki Principles; and more.

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