Reiki Ryoho Shoden

Reiki Ryoho Plain and Simple
A Compendium of Reiki Ryoho Techniques by Vincent Amador
Manual of Practices and Techniques

Shoden - Level One

In recent years material from how Reiki is practiced in Japan began to surface. This information has come in spurts and it has been confusing to get a comprehensive grasp on it. This is compounded due to the material coming from several sources, and due to the problems most westerners have with understanding Japanese. In the spirit of it's sister publication "Reiki Plain and Simple - A Comprehensive Guide to Usui Shiki Ryoho", this e-book "Reiki Ryoho Plain and Simple - A Compendium of Reiki Ryoho Techniques" is an attempt to integrate, cohesively organize, and simplify the Ryoho material that is now proliferating.

Shoden is the first teachings or Level One in the Japanese Reiki teachings. It contains some of the material that is commonly taught in the Western reiki schools as well as additional techniques that are practiced in Japan. There is not total agreement on specifically what techniques should be included here in this level. Some sources include some material that are not included in others.

There are many reasons for this. The primary reason is that there is no way to completely know exactly what techniques Usui originally used. While it is said that the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai is the continuation of Usui's original Reiki organization, neither the Gakkai nor any of its official teaching members have come forth with the information. Writers such as Frank Petter have done extensive research of the remaining Usui lineages in Japan and that can help us in our understanding of what might have been the original techniques.

What follows in this manual is representative of areas of concurrence from the many sources that I have. When disparate sources are reporting the same techniques it is likely that they were from a common source, namely Usui's original practices. Differences in techniques in the various sources of information may indicate that these are techniques added later, or ones that are specific to that lineage.

Shoden - Level One

Shoden is the first teaching. This consists of the following techniques:

1. The Reiki Principles
2. Hands on Healing ("te-ate" in Japanese)
3. Jakikiri Joka ho
4. Nentatsu ho
5. Shuchu Reiki
6. Reiki Mawashi
7. Byosen Reiki-an ho
8. Reiji ho
9. Gyosei
10. Usui's Manual - Usui Reiki Hikkei
11. Receive Reiju Empowerment

1. Usui Reiki Principles

The Reiki Principles exist in several forms in the west. Most contain inaccuracies such as "Honor your parents, elders and teachers". A literal translation is provided below.

The Secret Method of Inviting Blessings.
The spiritual Medicine of Many Illnesses.
For today only do not anger, do not worry.
Be Grateful and
Do your work with appreciation.
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
-- Mikao Usui

An Alternate version might read:

For today only
anger not,
worry not.
Be humble, and
With Gratitude work on yourself.
Be Compassionate.

These are the Reiki Principles as adopted by Mikao Usui from the Meiji Emperor. Do your work with appreciation refers to one's spiritual work, to awaken and find the life purpose of your soul.

The Usui Reiki System was an enlightenment system which as a side effect allowed you to heal yourself and others. It was designed to connect you to and synchronize you with the Universal Source of love, light and harmony. Anger, Worry, Rudeness, and other ego based behaviors and feelings make it hard to connect and be with this Universal source of love, light and harmony. They also keep one asleep, unaware of the greater spiritual purpose and awakening.

The principles were to be said morning and at night, with hands held in the Gassho position. Likewise, they are said before meditation and before Hatsurei ho. Thinking them throughout the day helps as well. When you integrate these simple things into your thinking, you find that they will be there when you begin to anger, worry, or are unkind to others. In this manner you learn to see why you do these things and heal yourself. You will find as you do this you are more in sync with the Universal source of light, love and harmony.

2. Hands on Healing - Usui's Original Hand Positions

Usui Shiki Ryoho is the most common form of Reiki in the world. This was Reiki in the Hayashi-Takata line. The 12 positions that Takata taught (varies slightly from system to system) are the set that most practitioners know. Hands on Healing is the common element to all versions of Reiki. In Japanese this is called "Te-ate" (pronounced "tay-ah-tay").

It would appear in Hayashi's practices that he had several sets of hand positions at different points in the development of his interpretation of Reiki. Hayashi Reiki Ryoho appears to have had 7 positions initially. This set can be seen at the Traditional Japanese Reiki web site. It is a powerful set and follows the large intestine meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It also appears that the set that Mrs. Takata taught was the one used for group treatment with several practitioners in Hayashi's clinic.

It would appear that Usui either used Reiji and treated where indicated, or used a set of 5 hand positions and then used Reiji. Reiji is the ability of the reiki practitioner to allow their hands to move or be drawn to the area of that body that needs healing. Mrs. Takata also taught this technique of Reiji, teaching that we must notice the sensations in the hands and let them move. This happens as the hands become more sensitive with practice and as intuition develops. Reiji and Byosen Reikian-ho (focused healing method) were skills that were expected to be developed at Shoden (level I) before Okuden (level II) would be offered to the student.

Usui's five position set is based solidly on Traditional Chinese Medicine. The head and thorax are the 5 positions treated followed by Reiji. The body is considered to be the head and torso, and all major meridians pass through the head, thus by treating the head all areas of the body and mind are treated. (Thanks to Andy Bowling for sharing this information so freely on his web site.)

Have the person sit, they are not laying down. These 5 positions were held for about 5 to 6 minutes each.

1. Zento-bu - This position is at the top foreward part of the head. It is specifically at the hairline. You can use the technique of Nentatsu-ho (see below) to aid in the healing by using affirmations while you use this position.

2. Sokuto-bu - This is the standard hand position on the side of the head. The hands are on the sides of the head (i.e., one hand on either side).

3. Koutou-bu - This position is where both of the hands are placed on the upper part of the back of the head. This is the area between the base of the skull (bulb) and the top of the head.

4. Enzui-bu - In this position, both hands are placed on the bulb of the head. This area is the occiputal area commonly taught in Takata's teaching.

5. Toucho-bu - In this position, both hands are placed on the top of the head.

After these 5 are performed for about 5 minutes each (or as needed) you follow this by performing Byosen Reikian ho (focused scanning healing technique) or Reiji. Using Byosen or Reiji guides you to know where to treat next for focused healing.

3. Jakikiri Joka-ho

Jakikiri Joka-ho is a technique used to purify or transform negative energy. "Jaki" means negative energy and "kiri" means to cut. This technique is supposed to remove negative energy or vibratory problems from objects, purify them with reiki vibrations and energy and to fill them with reiki positive energy. It is taught that this technique should not be used with people. This is interesting as it is a common new age technique to "cut cords".

A. Using the hand with fingers together, palm flat and stretched out, chop horizontally cutting the air with your hand about 2 inches above the object (5 to 6 cm for you metric people!) and stop the chop abruptly and definitely at the end of the range of motion as if doing a karate chop. This turns the vibrations into good ones.

B. Hold your breath and stay centered and focused and keep the focus on the tantien (tanden, dantien, danden, etc.) as you do this technique.

4. Nentatsu-ho

Nentatsu-ho is a reiki method for sending a thought or wish, also called a "deprogramming" technique. The technique itself is thought to send a though or wish to yourself (higher self) or that of another with reiki energy or vibrations. The technique is simple to do and involves placing your hands another's head (or your own) and confidently transmitting or sending the message with a pure mind and intent. It is important to understand that this is not healing with mind power, but rather sending a message to the person's sub consciousness with the reiki energy. Do not push, strain or try to hard as it can create tension for you and the other person. Like all reiki techniques, this is an effortless practice. It is done from a relaxed, meditative state of mind that is free of selfish intent.

This technique is still seen in the west in some attunement sets. It is common for the hands to be placed on the forehead and back of the head and to place an affirmation such as "you are perfectly attuned to the reiki", etc., when doing the attunement.

Nentatsu-ho can be used to share or transmit the five principles of Reiki, to remove bad habits, to reinforce good or positive alternate behaviors when treating bad habits, to reinforce functional or positive affirmations and many other possibilities. If you are doing this for other people, make sure you understand clearly what the other person wants. Make sure you choose positive affirmations.

A. Connect to reiki. One method is to hold your hands up high in the air to feel the reiki energy and let its light flow into your whole being.

B. Bring the hands down and place one hand on the forehead (hairline) and the other on the back of the head. The affirmation "I am the Great Universe, Great Life Source and Great Reality" was taught to me to say at this point. You can say, "you are healed, healthy, well" or any other affirmation that you choose. It is an aid to treatment and healing. The important part is to keep the intent clear, pure and confident.

C. Move the hand on the forehead to the back of the head by placing that hand on top/bottom of the other hand that is already on the back of the head and send the energy there for several minutes.

4. Shuchu Reiki

Shuchu Reiki is taught as the traditional method of a Reiki Group Treatment. It is a group of practitioners working together. This technique is common to many schools of reiki. The idea is that the energy is intensified as you add more practitioners to the treatment. As its most basic practice it is a group of practitioners working together. First connect to reiki. Begin working the standard hand positions or use reiji to spot areas to treat. Last treat the person as a group.

One method for this is to have several practitioners work at once. This method used the 12 Takata hand positions and three practitioners (i.e., each of the three practitioners do four positions). The person working on the head position is the designated the "leader" and directs the group. Each time the person at the head changes hand position, each of the others also change position.

As a guideline, a treatment should take about 12 to 20 minutes (4 movements at 3 to 5 minutes each). 12 to 15 minutes (i.e., five minutes for the five minutes for the front, five for the back).

6. Reiki Mawashi

Reiki Mawashi is commonly known as a reiki Circle. This is a group of reiki practitioners in a circle. The hands are held with your left hand palm up and your right palm down. Your left palm is placed against the next person's right hand that is palm down on top of it. All members are connected in this manner making a complete circle.

The circle is part energy movement and part meditation. The reiki flows from the crown down the right arm to the hand and the overflow goes into the left hand of the person next to you. The energy moves into all and around the circle in this manner. The energy can be quite intense over time.

Some traditions hold an inch to three inches between the participant's hands. Some traditions have a master stand in the center of the circle to direct the flow.

7. Byosen Reikian-ho

Byosen means "focused healing". It is similar to the scanning and beaming techniques commonly taught in the Rand Usui/Tibetan Schools although the technique and application are slightly different.

Byosen is what you feel energetically from the source of the disease. What you feel varies from person to person and illness to illness. This is not a diagnostic technique, but a way to find and treat the source of illness. Some sensations could be pulsating, piercing, pain, numbness, heat, cool, coldness, tingling, tickling, a moving sensation, etc. Byosen may be in close proximity to the person's perceived problem or in another area of the body entirely. This process develops with practice and time. It is said that Byosen was done at the beginning and end of a treatment; in the beginning to find the problem areas and at the end to re-balance the aura.

The fingers are "coned". This is a simple position where all four fingers and the thumb are touching. The little finger and thumb are touching. This forms a hand position resembling a "cone". For those familiar with Chinese Martial Arts this is called a "Crane's Beak".

The technique is part scanning and part beaming. The practitioner should ask to be guided for the highest good of the client. You move the hand and "scan" to find where there are blocks and where to place your hand. It is part scanning (as in the Rand method) and part intuition where you move the hands as they move.

Energy is sent into areas that are intuited through the coned fingers as a type of "focused" healing, that is similar to the idea of "beaming" taught in the Rand schools.

8. Reiji-ho

Reiji is the ability to find imbalances in the body. It was necessary to develop this ability prior to being offered level II (Okuden) training. Reiji is not so much taught as it is something that develops as you practice reiki. Reiji tells you where to put your hands and for how long. Some people question what the difference is between Byosen and Reiji. Byosen is a process, done with coned fingers that helps develop Reiji. Reiji is moving from technique to becoming part of the flow itself, a oneness with the Reiki energy and an automatic thought free movement that happens.

When doing Reiji, sit with your back straight so the energy flows freely up the spine. Do Gassho and connect to reiki and then do Jyoshin Koki-ho. Focus on the tan tien. Feel that your body is filled at every level with reiki and that you are part of or one with the energy. Wait a while, perhaps a few minutes, and then bring your hands in the gassho position up to the forehead.

The next part is simple and hard to do. Trust reiki. Totally detach from outcome. You will find that your hands will simply begin to move where needed. The energy will flow. It will taper off and then your hands will be guided to the next area.

If there are no more areas needing treatment (or there are no areas that need treatment) then your hands will be guided to your knees or the sides of your body. Finish by again doing gassho.

9. Gyosei

Gyosei refers to the poetry of the Meiji Emperor. It is a type of poetry that helps one to focus and prepares the mind to be in the right state to receive reiki. Gyosei was done after saying the principles in a group and prior to doing Hatsurei-ho. Examples of this poetry can be found at http://threshold.ca/reiki

10. Usui Reiki Hikkei

Usui was known to have given copies of the Hikkei (his manual) to all his students. Hayashi gave copies of his manual as well. It is unknown why Mrs. Takata did not continue this practice. Copies of Usui's Reiki Hikkei are Universally copyrighted by several people (including Andy Bowling and Rick Rivard) and can be seen at Rick Rivard's web site at http://threshold.ca/reiki

11. Receive Reiju Empowerment

Reiju was the empowerment that Usui purportedly used. Reiju is said to be the precursor to the attunements that are used in the west. This was a simple empowerment that Usui learned in Mikkyo Buddhism (a style of Japan Tantra that probably had roots in China) and adapted to use in Reiki. Reiju does not use the reiki symbols. At this level (Shoden) the student performs Gassho and then Jyosen Koki-ho and receives the empowerment. It should be noted that the Reiju taught in the west and in the schools calling themselves "Usui Reiki Ryoho International", is based on Doi's practice and observation of the Gakkai's practices and should be thought of as Doi's version of Reiju. It is Doi Reiju, not Usui Reiju. Doi taught this from his observation, he is not Shinpiden, but Okuden (level II) in the Gakkai.

12. "Extra Techniques"

There are several other techniques that are taught to Shoden (level one) students. It needs to be noted that in the information I have available at the present time, that there is not consensus on these being taught in Shoden. It appears to this writer that these techniques help develop the connection with the reiki, strengthen the channel and fill you with reiki. They are the foundation to Hatsurei ho, taught in Okuden, and thus logically it would appear it would be advantageous to learn them here in the Shoden level.

These are part of "Hatsurei ho" which will be taught in combination in "Okuden" or the second teachings. It is my understanding that they were taught as individual techniques in Shoden so they are included here.

Kenyoku-ho

Kenyoku-ho (dry bathing) is a technique to clear and strengthen the energy channels. The technique was common to many martial arts and chi kung schools such as JuJitsu, Aikido and KiKo and was added by Usui.

Those familiar with the martial arts will recognize the two parts of this technique as common techniques. The first is a down block across the midsection (this technique is used in a variety of martial arts such as Karate, Kung Fu, Aikido, etc.). This down block is followed by what is commonly called in the martial arts as a "shirk" or technique to remove an opponents hand from your wrist that is done by sliding the knife edge of your hand down the arm.

A. Place your right hand on the left shoulder so that the right fingertips are on the left shoulder. The hand is open, the fingers held together all point upwards. The hand (palm down) is against the body.

B. Slide the hand downward toward the right hip. Move the hand, going across the chest and ending up fingers down at the right hip. The hand (palm down) stays in light contact with the body the entire movement. (This is what is called an open handed down block in the martial arts)

C. Repeat this process starting with the left hand on the right shoulder and going down to the left hip.

Part Two

D. Place the right hand again on the left shoulder. Slide the right hand down the left arm (inside or outside, each will cover different meridians - see below) all the way to the finger tips. (This is what would be called a "shirk" in the martial arts, used to remove an opponents hand that is grabbing your arm.)

E. Repeat this with the left hand on the right arm.

F. Start with the right hand on the inside of the left elbow, and slide the hand down to the fingertips.

G. Repeat this with the left hand on the right inside of the elbow.

Note - Some masters teach the hand should slide to the inside of the arm and others teach it should slide down the outside of the arm. Different meridians are stimulated for each. The inside slide is yin and will effect the lung, heart, and kidney meridians. The outside slide is yang and will effect the triple warmer, colon and small intestine meridians.

It is interesting that this technique appears to have survived after a fashion in the Rand school that teaches to cut the cords on the solar plexus using a "karate chopping technique".

Gassho

Gassho is a common practice in many eastern traditions. It is called "Namaste" in the Indo-Tibetan traditions. Gassho is holding the hands clasped in a prayer position at about the level of the chest. In reiki, Gassho is formally practiced by sitting on the floor or on a chair. The hands are in the prayer clasped position with the middle fingers touching in front of the chest. The eyes are closed. The reiki precepts are said (For today only do not anger, do not worry, be grateful, do your work with appreciation, be kind to all people).

The middle fingers touch as this completes the meridians that terminate in the hands, in particular the fire element terminates at the tip of the middle finger. Some call this the "reiki laser".

Jyoshin Koki-ho

Jyoshin Koki-ho (Joshin Kokyo-ho) is a breathing technique. You breathe reiki in through the nose through the crown and into the hara on the in breath. You breath the out breath from the hara.

Jyoshin Kokiho is done to cleanse the spirit, heart and mind. It is a focus meditative breathing technique. To do Jyoshin start by placing the hands in Gassho and your eyes closed. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. On the in breath, breathe in the light of reiki through the crown and into the hara. Let the light fill your body completely transmuting all that is negative and stuck into light. On the out breath, breathe out that light and radiate it from you to all the universe.

Manual Index
Introduction to the Reiki Ryoho Plain and Simple Manual
Index of Reiki Ryoho Techniques
Reiki Ryoho Plain and Simple Level One Manual - Shoden
Reiki Ryoho Plain and Simple Level Two Manual - Okuden
Reiki Ryoho Plain and Simple Level Three Manual - Shinpiden

Supplementary Information

Tendai Buddhism - Usui was a Tendai Buddhist throughout his life. This section contains links and other information regarding Tendai.

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