Reiki For Dummies. Nina L. Paul

is called forth.

      In past years, some Reiki teachers sought to keep the symbols secret as a way to protect their value and keep them “pure.” However, an increasing number of authors of books and websites are revealing the symbols to the public. Chapter 8 offers clear information about the symbols so that you have all the information you need for a beginning practice of Reiki right at your fingertips.

Drawing the symbols correctly can be one of the more challenging aspects for a new Reiki student. Two of the Reiki symbols are actually Japanese characters, which for the Westerner can be a little tricky to memorize. Memorizing how to draw the symbols may be a requirement of Reiki training. Use the illustrations in Chapter 8 to help you practice drawing the symbols. Chapter 22 covers some additional symbols that are not part of traditional Reiki but may be taught in nontraditional classes. As always, follow the specific guidance of your Reiki teacher.

      

When you’re using the symbols, your intention is more important than an exact replication of a symbol.

      MANIFESTING WITH REIKI

      A definition of manifesting is to “to bring into form.” You may have an idea of what you want, but you may have doubts or be unsure how to proceed. Here are some tips on manifesting and how to use Reiki along with manifesting:

       Picture or visualize the event happening. That means seeing and feeling the result you’re looking for. You’re not denying any fear or resistance, but making space for and sending energy to the success.

       If any blocks or emotional difficulties come up, see this as a blessing because it lets you know what’s happening in your subconscious.

       Picture bright light or Reiki symbols surrounding the emotions or event.

       Imagine that all parties involved experience happiness and joy. What this means is that you don’t try to manifest something that will cause pain to anyone.

      You can use two short phrases with manifesting:

       For the greatest good of all: “I ask for [your request] for the greatest good of all.”

       This or something better: “I ask for [your request] or something better.”

      You can use Reiki symbols (see Chapter 8) or just imagine the Reiki energy penetrating and surrounding the situation. Perform this manifestation work as part of your meditation, write it in your journal, write it out and post it on your wall, or carry it in your wallet. Send Reiki to the situation as often as possible.

      For more information, check out www.reiki.org/articles/reiki-and-manifesting.

Chapter 2

      Navigating Your Body’s Energy Systems

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      

Describing the body’s energy

      

Considering your body’s aura, meridians, and chakras

      

Finding out how to detect subtle energy

      This chapter is about energy: the energy of Reiki and the energy of your own body. The Japanese word Reiki means spiritual energy or universal life-force energy. Reiki works by activating and harmonizing your body’s own energy. Modern science is catching up with ancient traditions in seeing the human body as a wondrous interweaving of energy.

      This chapter offers a road map of some of the ways to describe and find the energy systems in the body. It also discusses the nature of Reiki energy healing.

      

You do not need to know about these descriptions of energy in the body to give a Reiki treatment. These systems aren’t technically part of Reiki (though Mikao Usui and Chujiro Hayashi were probably aware of meridians and may have included them in their teachings). I include this information here because many in Western Reiki find it useful when performing Reiki treatments.

Describing Subtle Energy

      The classical definition of energy is from Physics 101: the ability to perform work. Energy comes in different forms, including chemical, electrical, light, magnetic, mechanical, and nuclear energy.

The energy associated with Reiki or the body’s energy fields is sometimes called subtle energy. The word subtle on its own means faint or difficult to grasp, as in a subtle aroma. The energy field that surrounds the human body is also called a biomagnetic or electromagnetic energy.

      Even though the subtle energies may be faint, you still notice them. Here are a few ways you may be aware of your subtle energy:

       You’ve sensed that someone was staring at you.

       You’ve walked into a room and known that something wasn’t quite right.

       You’ve felt that someone was standing too close to you even though you weren’t touching.

       You’ve put your hand on your heart upon hearing bad news.

      

Here’s an exercise to help you sense the subtle energy of your body:

      1 Hold your hands out from your body, palms facing each other.

      2 Try putting your hands together — slowly.As your hands get closer but without touching, can you feel different sensations?

      3 Try moving your hands closer together and then apart.As you move back and forth, you can feel the energy sensations.

      Hands-on, shamanic, and energy-based healing has been used globally since ancient times. Asian cultures have long-standing traditions in yoga, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and acupuncture that are still in practice today. These systems do not necessarily take the place of Western medicine but are used alongside each other as complementary medicine.

      Perhaps your own family healed you as a child by placing their hands on your cuts or bruises. Many people intuitively put their hands on themselves or others as a way of calming, soothing, and healing.

Cultures have different names for subtle life-force energy in the body, as described in Table 2-1.

TABLE 2-1 Naming the Subtle Energy in Different Cultures

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Healing Culture	Subtle Energy Name
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)	Chi or Qi