Reiki Practitioners who are afraid of the "Symbols".

I've been scanning other REIKI forums and came across a very interesting topic: there are actually practitioners out there who are "AFRAID OF THE SYMBOLS". How is it possible that these people suspect the symbols to be linked to "sorcery"? VERY ODD. It contradicts everything I know about REIKI.

DameMantis wrote:I've been scanning other REIKI forums and came across a very interesting topic: there are actually practitioners out there who are "AFRAID OF THE SYMBOLS". How is it possible that these people suspect the symbols to be linked to "sorcery"? VERY ODD. It contradicts everything I know about REIKI.

Hello DameMaantis,
A lot of devoutly religious people do have concerns about Reiki Ryoho when they hear the practice can involve the use of symbols, which is I suppose understandable, especially if they learn that the original symbols may have connections with other religions like Buddhism and Shintoism. I was told that some Christian Reiki practitioners substitute Christian symbols for the four familiar Reiki ones. Other members on this forum might know more on this. But do you mean the people on the other forum are concerned about the Usui symbols being linked to sorcery, or is it other newer symbols they are worried about?


EZRI

Hi EZRI:
It's the (5)USUI traditional symbols they are worried about. I can understand the concern about the newer symbols: because there IS a trend towards FUSION with "cult" OR "occult"
elements. For example, some WICCAN/ other Spellcraft sites; are offering "Reiki Healing", using symbols I never even heard of. Maybe those that are afraid of the traditional USUI symbols are linking them to "REIKI Helling, not REIKI Healing". Obviously, not EVERYONE is following the Traditional USUI path. Our Mentor, USUI, was not known to be a "Sorcerer".
Personally, I picked this form of REIKI to become attuned to because I felt more comfortable with the Japanese Path (having been a ZEN meditation practitioner since I was only 14---and I'm 55 now). Perhaps I should go back there and clear up the "confusion" on those boards...I don't like misinformation spreading around like that. Someone strikes a "match" and the "fire spreads. The match is the false assumption and the fire is the fear factor spreading.

Book burnings have that affect
to kill off info. Fires
of hell a threat if you don't do
it our way

Occult to me is any religious
or other organization that you
have to go through rituals to join

A cashier who was wearing a....
Immaculate Conception medal
necklace, looked at my St
Bridget's cross necklace and
asked what cult I belonged to.
I was amused that she did not
recognize my Celtic cross as
Catholism. A cult indeed.

Lots of ignorance around...that's for sure. I'm also technically, a "Catholic" but chose to wear St. Michael's Medal around my neck instead of a cross. If these "Christian practitioners" who are afraid of the USUI SYMBOLS are using "Christian" symbols, what are they doing? (Switching the Japanese to crosses/ the "fish" symbol)? Reminds me when a couple of years ago I was asked by a woman in her early twenties if I was a"ghost-buster" of some kind because SHE recognized the Archangel's medallion. Oh well....
(from one cultist to another)

DameMantis wrote:Hi EZRI:
It's the (5)USUI traditional symbols they are worried about.

(5) USUI traditional symbols?

Let's see, I've got CKR, SHK, HSZSN and DKM...nope, I've only got 4!

have I been shortchanged all these years?!!

DameMantis wrote:
Our Mentor, USUI, was not known to be a "Sorcerer".

Well, actually...

on the Usui Memorial, listed amongst his great knowledge it mentions, divination and incantation, which could be considered sorcery by some.

Also, if, as is suspected he was also a student of Shugendo (mountain asceticism/shamanism) it is likely that he practiced some magical practices, maybe deriving from Onmyodo (a old Japanese form of Taoist magic, based heavily on the Five Elements) and also Mikkyo or Esoteric Buddhism with it's many spells and charms - one of which, incidentally appears to be the source of HSZSN!

I think it all comes down to perception, what your in-grown beliefs are and whether you consider that if something (or someone) appears to have something do with magic or sorcery then it (they) must be inherently evil (or not).

There is certainly something very magical about Reiki but I certainly would not say I was afraid of it or its symbols. Some people who do not appear to have a full understanding of the Reiki symbols and their origins may be helped in the relief of their fears by education while, unfortunately, others will always remain scared because they do not understand or because their own beliefs are so fundamental and inflexible.

Colin you are so wise beyond your years.

Colin you mentioned "In-grown beliefs"
would that be, the family culture one
is born into?

I learned 5 Symbols....The 4 you
mentioned plus Raku, that Lifts
and aligns the chakra's at the end
of the atunement

That's right...it's the RAKU (the zig-zag line).

It reminds me of a lighting bolt

Yes, Raku is like a lightning bolt but it was not an original Usui Reiki symbol!

It was added by a gentleman called Arthur Robertson, a student and friend of Iris Ishikuru, who developed a style of Reiki called Raku Kei Reiki, which also uses other introduced symbols (e.g. Tibetan Dumo Master Symbol, Fire Serpent (Nin Giz) and Antakharana) said to be of Ancient Tibetan origin, to fit in with his belief that Reiki was of ancient Tibetan origin. These symbols are also used in Usui/Tibetan Reiki which is taught through lineages with William Rand, which includes lots of Reiki Practitioners!

I don't see anything wrong with using Raku but just like people to be aware that it is not a traditional Usui Reiki symbol.

Thanks Colin. I've heard a lot about
added pieces like crystal grids,
feathers,pendulums and more. I was not
aware that the Raku was also added. So
then somewhere after Takata pieces must
have been added or changed.

This all makes sense because it was through Rand's lineage that I got the Raku attunement. In my first experience with REIKI, it was the traditional USUI-REIKI (only the 4 symbols there).

Yep...Don't be frightened...it's only me and this avatar depicts (me) in a more "realistic light". I'm not some "knock-out looking babe" like that cartoonish character taken from the avatar gallery. I'm more like a seeker in the desert; tattered, torn; weary; but still seeking. I'll never stop seeking: just look at the long staff in my right hand. This means serious business!

Barbara McCullough is the
first name to show under
Takata on my linage. Rand
is not on my lineage.

DameMantis wrote:Yep...Don't be frightened...it's only me and this avatar depicts (me) in a more "realistic light". I'm not some "knock-out looking babe" like that cartoonish character taken from the avatar gallery. I'm more like a seeker in the desert; tattered, torn; weary; but still seeking. I'll never stop seeking: just look at the long staff in my right hand. This means serious business!

Great Avatar

The TV series, "the seeker" is an
interesting show a mix of everything
the violence I can do without
I think it is shot in New Zealand

I don't know this show that you are referring to. But then again, I don't watch T.V. a lot. Too busy with my "researches", finding them way more interesting. The "staff" in the avatar's hand is MY DREAM REIKI DEVICE. It's like a healing rod type of thing. I have no need of "weapons" since I took KARATE long enough to be able to defend myself if I have to.

DameMantis wrote:I don't know this show that you are referring to. But then again, I don't watch T.V. a lot. Too busy with my "researches", finding them way more interesting. The "staff" in the avatar's hand is MY DREAM REIKI DEVICE. It's like a healing rod type of thing. I have no need of "weapons" since I took KARATE long enough to be able to defend myself if I have to.

I don't watch TV either.The story line is
from the novel "The Sword of Truth"


Self-defense,self-healing worthy skills

DameMantis wrote:Yep...Don't be frightened...it's only me and this avatar depicts (me) in a more "realistic light&quot".

I think some folks might perhaps be more frightened of the name rather than the image (or should that be "more frightened of the jumon rather than the symbol").

Afterall, when it comes to the Mantis, the female of the species does have a rather worrying reputation - like biting off their mate's head at a most in-appropriate moment





BTW, just out of interest - which style of Karate?

Shotokan style of Karate. Finally, someone said something about my choice of name. It's intended...I'm a voracious eater of research/knowledge/new information. I don't eat meat. In the vast scheme of things in this Universe, I might as well be an "insect"; and the title "Dame", well I earned that one for personal accomplishments.
If people (specifically men) have any concerns about the "darker side" of the Mantis, so be it. There's a "clue" there, that I have a "fighter-possibly more dangerous" side to me.

DameMantis wrote:Shotokan style of Karate. Finally, someone said something about my choice of name. It's intended...I'm a voracious eater of research/knowledge/new information. I don't eat meat. In the vast scheme of things in this Universe, I might as well be an "insect"; and the title "Dame", well I earned that one for personal accomplishments.
If people (specifically men) have any concerns about the "darker side" of the Mantis, so be it. There's a "clue" there, that I have a "fighter-possibly more dangerous" side to me.

It would be nice if you added this info to
"Avatars and forum names" in our chillout
section