Reiki elements

Throughout the system of Reiki’s globalthese elements create a whole that is firm yet flexible,
trotting and time traveling, just five elements havesupporting practitioners on their individual spiritual paths.
remained consistent. Many other aspects have beenIf practitioners tread in the footsteps of Usui
removed, altered or created over the last 100 years.(metaphorically) with steadfast self-practice they will
Culturally, the system has adapted itself to variousbe assured of discovering deeper, more consistent
traditions where it has been modified to suit the moraland lasting results from the system of Reiki.
and spiritual values unique to each tradition. Individually, itApplication
has also been molded to the tastes and skills ofThe five elements appear at different levels of the
practitioners - and yet these five basic elements havesystem of Reiki. Some are repeated as a part of all
remained. Often in the past, this survival has beenthree levels in varied forms while the importance of
reliant on unusual guises that reflect, once again, aothers is restricted to just the one level. For clarity, a
cultural or individual influence. Therefore it is easy totable is provided that associates the five elements and
understand why for many practitioners today it is atheir uses with specific levels of the system
challenge to see the system’s five elementsLevel 1
clearly.To learn to sense Ki, cultivate Ki and use this
It has already been described how the basis of theknowledge to ground and heal the self (healing others
system was created by a Japanese man, Usui Mikao,for non-professional use may also be taught).
in the early 1900s from his own unique experiences.Gokai – Develop the spiritual and mental
Usui’s blending of esoteric Buddhism calledconnection using gokai (five precepts).
Mikkyô, ancient Shugendô practices, classicalKokyu hô – Learn kokyu hô
samurai teachings, and martial arts know-how(breathing techniques) appropriate to this level to
produced distinctive teachings. By utilizing traditionalground the student.
approaches in his own inimitable way his intention wasTenohira –The physical practice of tenohira
to bring about an unmasking, a revelation of what it(palm-healing) on the self/others for the purpose of
meant to be human.healing. Reiju – Receive reiju (a blessing)
Consequently, it is not the energy itself that makes thisfrom a teacher to develop the student’s
system unique but the path that is walked. This pathenergetic connection.
developed into one consisting of five elements:Level 2
gokai (daily precepts)To learn extra tools to strengthen a
kokyu hô (breathing techniques)practitioner’s knowledge and connection with
tenohira (palm-healing)Ki. Using Ki to connect to others not within physical
shirushi and jumon (symbols and mantras)reach for healing (healing others for professional use
and the receiving of reiju from a teacher (a blessingmay also be taught).
from which the Western attunement evolved)Kokyu hô – Learn kokyu hô
A practitioner practices the majority of these elementsappropriate to this level to generate more energy.
alone – gokai, kokyu ho, and shirushi andJumon and Shirushi – Learn three jumon and
jumon. Tenohira, too, is practiced on oneself with thethree shirushi to aid the student in focusing Ki and
possibility of using it on others. These elements all‘becoming’ the appropriate
become part of a personal daily routine coupled withenergies.
the regular receiving of reiju from a teacher whereReiju – Receive reiju from a teacher to
possible. When brought together each of the elementsdevelop the student’s energetic connection.
exerts a separate influence on the practitionerLevel 3
producing a complete system that affects powerfulpersonal development and the passing of the system
change.of Reiki on to others.
RewardsKokyu hô – Learn kokyu hô
Using each of these five elements individually is aappropriate to this level to advance deeper into
strong practice yet when you combine them theypersonal spirituality.
produce a complete spiritual teaching that is accessibleJumon and Shirushi – Learn one jumon and
to everyone. Each element supports the other, filling inone shirushi to aid the student in focusing Ki and
the gaps that will exist for different practitioners. No‘becoming’ the appropriate energy.
two people have the same needs when learning. ForReiju – Receive reiju and learn how to
this reason working with all five elements gives eachperform reiju on others.
practitioner a greater chance of success. Together