concerning 'ULE'...

Why should Reiki not only be energy, but like all others things, be more than energy. .

Why should Reiki not only be energy, but like all others things, be more than energy. .

chi_solas wrote:Reiki is a system that uses ULE

Wayne are you saying that ULFE is bigger than Reiki/other healing energies? and we have yet to measure beyond the simplicity of the alternative healing modalities?

When I think about an apple as you protray it. I see the apple transfering its energy to the receiver. It would appear that all of ULFE rotates energy in different forms rotating as one experiences during the 4 seasons......
(not these 4 seasons Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar. )

Wayne can you expand on this, I'm not quite sure were you going with this idea

Why should Reiki not only be energy, but like all others things, be more than energy. .

Milarepa wrote:

chi_solas wrote:Reiki is a system that uses ULE

Wayne are you saying that ULFE is bigger than Reiki/other healing energies? and we have yet to measure beyond the simplicity of the alternative healing modalities?

When I think about an apple as you protray it. I see the apple transfering its energy to the receiver. It would appear that all of ULFE rotates energy in different forms rotating as one experiences during the 4 seasons......
(not these 4 seasons Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar. )

Wayne can you expand on this, I'm not quite sure were you going with this idea

Why should Reiki not only be energy, but like all others things, be more than energy. .

sure,, everything around you is energy, right now, where you are sitting. If i asked you to describe the room you are in, to say 'energy' tells me little.

Likewise with Reiki, although it is energy, as all is, this tells folks little of what it also is.

when we look around, everythng is energy..and something more.

i'm using everyday examples of energy to show that only using the word energy to describe them is inadequate.

take care
Wayne

Edit: only my opinion, it doesn't have to be right, .

Milarepa wrote:
To say Reiki is energy, is as useful as describing a chair as energy. Most inferior description.

Take care
Wayne

Thaak wrote:

Milarepa wrote:
To say Reiki is energy, is as useful as describing a chair as energy. Most inferior description.

Take care
Wayne

And yet, I would say it is an absolutely sufficient description.



Andy

Thaak wrote:[
What I think you are trying to say is this.

Everything is energy, yet everything has its own individual frequency of said energy. It is the frequency that defines each "thing's" individuality. That includes Reiki.

Thaak wrote:I understand completely what you are saying Wayne.

However, I think you are thinking too much about it.

Thaak wrote:
An apple is a very specific frequency of energy that allows me to taste a specific flavor, feel a specific texture, experience many other things specific to what an apple is. But ultimately an apple is energy at a low frequency, else it would not be a mixture of solids and liquids (some times maybe even gases, although I wouldn't want to eat a gaseous apple.)

Thaak wrote:
It is the definitions of things that create attachments and creates the problems we all face with trying to wrap our brains around this spirituality.

Thaak wrote:
If we approach it from our heart, the definition of what the energy actually is doesn't matter anymore. Because through our heart, we can access that energy at any level we wish to, and fully experience it, and allow it to fully experience us.

Thaak wrote:
Ultimately an apple is just that, energy. It just happens to be a highly individualized specific frequency of energy. That's it. There is no grander explanation for it.

Milarepa wrote:

Thaak wrote:I understand completely what you are saying Wayne.

However, I think you are thinking too much about it.

Are you sure it's not that folks think too little about it? It's said Reiki is energy. Big deal. Everything is energy, that still doesn't tell what exactly Reiki is.

BEYOND "UNIVERSAL ENERGY": DEFINING REIKI
Copyright 2002/3 James Deacon


While the term "Reiki" is used to describe both the system of healing & spiritual development developed by Mikao Usui, and the therapeutic 'phenomenon' at the heart of the system, it is this latter - the 'Reiki' itself, rather than the system - that I wish to focus on here.

When it comes to the matter of a definition of Reiki, a commonly held view amongst Reiki practitioners, it seems, is: "don't think too much about it - Reiki is experiential - just do it.." - and of course, in one sense, this is true.

But, on the other hand, as the Shakyamuni Buddha is credited with saying: "With our thoughts we shape our reality".

So too, I would venture to suggest: "With our thoughts we shape our Reiki..."


Takata-Sensei's Explanation of Reiki:

When asked what 'Reiki' meant, Takata-Sensei frequently gave a very simplistic answer, along the lines of: Rei means 'Universal', and Ki means 'Energy'.
[Yet it has been said on more than one occasion that this particular explanation was something that only came to prominence, probably during the latter 60's, to fit a more generalised 'frame of reference' of the people drawn to her as potential students]

However, in attempting to transmit a deeper understanding of the meaning of Reiki to her students, Takata-Sensei spoke of Reiki as:

"...a universal force from the Great Divine Spirit"

and

"...a cosmic energy to heal the ill..."*

and yet more specifically, as:

"God Power".

" It is not associated with any visible material being.", she said of it, "It's an unseen spiritual power that radiates vibration and lifts one into harmony. This power is incomprehensible to man, yet every single living being is receiving its blessings..."

[This interpretation of Reiki as: 'God Power' has lead many to the conclusion that, in giving the 'simplistic' interpretation: "...Rei means 'Universal', and Ki means 'Energy'...", Takata Sensei was actually using 'Universal' in the sense that many mystics have used it, i.e.: as being a contraction of: 'the Universal' - an alternative (and intentionally less religious) term for 'the Divine', ' the Numinous' or 'God''.]

The usual way in which Reiki Teachers tend to explain Reiki to new students, is to opt for the simplistic approach [generally a very good place to start] - the "Rei" part of the name being translated as "Universal" (though some do explain that in essence, it refers, more properly, to something Spiritual or Sacred, and can mean "Soul"), and "Ki", translated simply as "Life-Force Energy" (though a few mention that it also implies 'Spiritedness', 'Feelings', or the effect of energy in action.)

Some Reiki Teachers, seeking a middle ground between, on the one hand, the more ''Newtonian' / 'scientific' concept of 'Reiki as Energy', and on the other, the more 'Spiritual' concept of 'Reiki as the Power of God', express Reiki as: "Spiritually-influenced (or "Spiritually-guided") Life-Force Energy"; or even as "Charismatic Healing Radiance".

Others, seeking to play down the (I personally feel, undue) emphasis on the concept of 'Reiki as Energy', without necessarily using terminology implying 'Things of the Spirit', prefer to speak of Reiki as an 'Experiential Phenomenon'.



'Reiki' - in common Japanese usage:

In many modern Japanese-English dictionaries, the term Reiki, (written using the modern style kanji-pair) is given (in common usage) as meaning: 'Aura'.

'Reiki' can also refer to the 'Holy Atmosphere' one experiences at a Shrine, Temple Holy Mountain, or other sacred site.

And of latter years, probably due to the re-surgence of interest in the modality and its growing popularity - 'Reiki' (written using the 'traditional' or 'old style' kanji-pair) is beginning to appear in some modern Japanese-English dictionaries to denote the 'Healing Method'.



The Reiki Kanji themselves:

As a general guide, the meaning of a kanji-pair is derived from a synthesis of meanings of the individual kanji making up that pair; and so, the meaning of 'Reiki' is ultimately derived from meanings attributed to the individual kanji: 'Rei' & 'Ki'.

NOTE: We should always remember that the 'romanised' five-letter word: 'Reiki' is simply a transliteration of the Japanese, and just as in English where (for example) the words 'rite', 'write' and 'right' all have the same sound, so too in Japanese there are often many words that sound the same, yet are written in different kanji - and have very different meanings.

As distinct from 'Reiki' i.e. the spiritual/therapeutic 'phenomenon' associated with Usui-Sensei, there are also several other, un-connected, written forms of the double-syllable: 'rei-ki', each having their own distinct meanings - including: sacred ground or sacred precincts; established rule; cold, chill, cold weather, cold wave, cold air; & (electrical) excitation.

Here, obviously, we are concerned solely with the 'Rei' and 'Ki' kanji as used to denote 'Reiki' - the spiritual/therapeutic 'phenomenon'.

As is the nature of kanji in general, the kanji 'Rei' & 'Ki' can have many levels of meaning.

A linguist (or for that matter, a good academic Japanese-English Dictionary) will explain that -

'Rei' encapsulates/refers to:

The Divine, the Numinous
The Mysterious
The Supernatural
A supernatural Being or Spirit
The Spiritual nature
Luminosity of the spirit; the luminosity of a God or Sage
Charisma, charismatic power
Inconceivable spiritual ability
The Soul
Something Pure, Unpolluted
Bright, Clear
Goodness
Something wonderful; a wonder
Excellence, Efficacy
A shaman, a person or being with spiritual or supernatural powers
A rainmaker, a diviner

'Ki' primarily encapsulates/refers to:

Heart
Mind
Influence
Spirit (in the sense of 'Spiritedness')
Feelings

and also:
Will
Intent
Invisible life-force
Vital Energy
The generative forces of Heaven & Earth
The material force of the Universe
Air
Breath
Steam (the kanji for 'ki' implies steam rising from a covered pot of rice cooking over a fire, with the lid of the pot being lifted by the steam.)
The effect/result of energy being expended



Reiki as 'Energy' or ...

When we speak of Reiki in terms of 'energy', what do we understand by this - many have a perception akin to that of electricity flowing through a wire, to others it may be one of 'emoting' or motivating force, yet others still will hold a perception of 'Love'.

As mentioned, Takata-Sensei also referred to Reiki as 'God Power' - something Spiritual or Sacred.

It is commonly expressed that "Reiki has its own Intelligence" - that it is "Spiritually-influenced" or "Spiritually-guided".

Would this not put it more in the category of 'Energy-Presence' or 'Energy-Sentience'?

Since the latter part of the 19thC, when metaphysical, mystical, and spiritually minded people began to adopt a 'more scientific' vocabulary in which to attempt to express their conceptualisations, it has been a common (and often unconscious) practice to substitute terms such as 'energy', 'energies', 'vibrations', etc. for supposedly 'less scientific' terms such as Spirit, Spirits, Presences, etc

So just where does 'Energy' end and 'Spiritual Entity' or 'Presence' begin?

Depending on the given context, the word Reiki can be used to suggest a Spirit, an Aura - even, in certain cases, to refer to the influence of a Ghost or Ancestral Spirit.

The manifestation of some form of Numinous Being or Presence is a common concurrence with instances of kantoku (visionary mystical experiences) or satori (lesser-enlightenments) in Japanese Culture.

The following is an extract from the writings of Morihei Ueshiba - the founder of the Spiritual Discipline and Martial Art: Aikido - describing his 'satori'-like mystical experience out of which the art of Aikido was created:

"Then in the spring of 1925, if I remember correctly, when I was taking a walk in the garden by myself, I felt that a golden Spirit sprang up from the ground, veiled my body and changed my body into a golden one.

At the same time my mind and body turned into light. I was able to understand the whispering of the birds, and was clearly aware of the mind of God, the Creator of this Universe..."

Now, in the account of Usui-Sensei's experience on Mt. Kurama, recorded on his monument, it states:
"One day he went to Kurama Yama on a 21-day retreat to fast and meditate. At the end of this time, he suddenly felt a great Reiki over his head and received spiritual insight into the Reiki healing method..."

"...a great Reiki over his head..." - this is usually interpreted as meaning he felt 'Reiki energy' but it may in fact be simply stating that he had a kantoku visionary experience of a great (in the sense of 'important') Spirit over his head. A vision of, as Takata-Sensei put it 'God Power' - the Power of God - what in western terminology we might refer to as the 'Holy Spirit' - an 'energy' in the sense of a Numinous Being (in the Japanese conceptual view, possibly: a kami, butsu, or bosatsu) rather than 'energy' in our Newtonian understanding of the term.

So, while the commonly-held perception of Reiki may well be that of Healing Energy - possibly even 'Spiritually-influenced' or 'Spiritually-guided' Healing Energy, perhaps it may help to deepen the quality of our connection if we allow ourselves to perceive Reiki - not so much in terms of a 'Universal Energy' - as in terms of a 'Universal Spiritual Presence' - a 'Holy, Healing, Spirit Presence'.

In this perception, Reiki as a system can truly be claimed to be a system of Spiritual Healing - a charism - a 'Gift of the Spirit'.

_________

Note:

*It seems that in hearing Takata-sensei speak of Reiki as a "...a universal force from the Great Divine Spirit" and '... a cosmic energy...' , many of her students took this to mean that Reiki - as an 'energy' - was something outside of ourselves: something 'out there' - beyond us. Something we 'channeled', rather than something arising within us. And this is the understanding these students passed on to their own students.

However, this idea of Reiki as being something external is perhaps only part of the truth...

In a diary entry dated Dec. 10 1935, Takata-sensei wrote about Reiki being:

"...Energy within oneself " - and also about how we must "...meditate to let the "Energy" come out from within."

Concerning the "Energy" she said: "It lies in the bottom of your stomach about 2 in. below the navel."

We seek to explain everything because we have mistaken the answer for the question. Just Be Reiki. Then you are the answer. It is not something that you "know" It is something that you are and always were.....
from the writings of Vincent Amador

chi_solas wrote:It's my understanding that Takata's teaching/ meanings changed depending on her audience at different time periods.

chi_solas wrote:
We seek to explain everything because we have mistaken the answer for the question. Just Be Reiki. Then you are the answer. It is not something that you "know" It is something that you are and always were.....
from the writings of Vincent Amador

Milarepa wrote:

Thaak wrote:I understand completely what you are saying Wayne.

However, I think you are thinking too much about it.

Are you sure it's not that folks think too little about it? It's said Reiki is energy. Big deal. Everything is energy, that still doesn't tell what exactly Reiki is.

Thaak wrote:I understand completely what you are saying Wayne.

However, I think you are thinking too much about it.

An apple is a very specific frequency of energy that allows me to taste a specific flavor, feel a specific texture, experience many other things specific to what an apple is. But ultimately an apple is energy at a low frequency, else it would not be a mixture of solids and liquids (some times maybe even gases, although I wouldn't want to eat a gaseous apple.)

I am energy. I am a different individualized frequency than you are. You define me by the name Andy Christian. Reiki Master Teacher. Colleague on a message board. Maybe even friend. Et. Al.

It is the definitions of things that create attachments and creates the problems we all face with trying to wrap our brains around this spirituality.

If we approach it from our heart, the definition of what the energy actually is doesn't matter anymore. Because through our heart, we can access that energy at any level we wish to, and fully experience it, and allow it to fully experience us.

Ultimately an apple is just that, energy. It just happens to be a highly individualized specific frequency of energy. That's it. There is no grander explanation for it.

The flower meditation....
Imagine that you are deep,deep inside yourself, deep in your heart, where everything is dark & silent. Feel that you are a seed deep within the earth,
in the darkness of silence, deep in the protection of the earth.Now feel that
some warmth is bathing you from above, and you start to grow towards the warmth , unfolding and growing, slowly expanding yourself, yearning for the source of this warmth...pushing against the resistance of stones and clods of earth ... growing, unfolding,stretching,reaching,yearning upwards suddenly you burst forth from the dark earth into the sunlight and feel warmth and light streaming down from above.You grow and unfold stretching upwards to the sun,to the warmth,to the light,to the blue sky.
now feel a bud forming at the tip of your stem. The bud is tightly folded, its petals all unfurl.Now slowly it begins to open petal by petal, opening to the warmth,to the light, to the sun. Now remember that this flower is inside your heart and imagine that as the petals unfold they fill your heart and your entire being.Imagine your entire body is filled with the beauty and fragrance of this flower.
Now imagine the gentle breezes of the meadow wrafting the fragrance of your heart flower to all corners of the meadow...then in all directions ...to the corners of the earth The fragrance of your heart flower is touching all different places on earth, subtly and invisibly touching people with a breath of peace and love.

Thaak wrote:
I'm sorry Wayne, but I'm going to have to agree to disagree with you here.

I don't believe we need an explanation more than we already have.

Thaak wrote:
Maybe, since everything is energy and Reiki is energy then Reiki is everything?

Rlei_ki wrote:Is Reiki 'energy'?

Everything is Energy.
Yet energy is Nothing
- without 'Pattern'.
It is 'Pattern' which gives energy
Meaning & Form,
& Influencing Expression
in the Flow Of Life...



.
.
.

Where is God ?

Two little boys, ages 8 and 10, were excessively mischievous. They were
always getting into trouble and their parents knew all about it.

If any mischief occurred in their town, the two boys were probably
involved.

The boys' mother heard that a preacher in town had been successful in
disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys.

The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So the mother
sent the 8 year old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the
preacher in the afternoon.

The preacher, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down
and asked him sternly, "Do you know where God is, son?"


The boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there
wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open.

So the preacher repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is
God?"

Again, the boy made no attempt to answer. The preacher raised his voice
even more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, "Where is
God?"

The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove
into his closet, slamming the door behind him.

When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, "What
happened?"

The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, "We are in BIG trouble
this time,"


"GOD is missing, and they think we did it!

Rlei_ki wrote:Is Reiki 'energy'?

Everything is Energy.
Yet energy is Nothing
- without 'Pattern'.
It is 'Pattern' which gives energy
Meaning & Form,
& Influencing Expression
in the Flow Of Life...



.
.
.

chi_solas wrote:Wayne, the best enlightenment comes from within each individual. Each individual needs are different.

chi_solas wrote:
Thankyou Wayne for giving us the opportunity to regroup, learn, and challenge our own thoughts as we move along this Reiki path