{This is copy/pasted from my Bebo blog, with some subtle changes).
Hi All,
For some time, many have percieved a difference between what some classify as Western & Eastern Reiki. The latter usually only existing via claims of somehow being superior. Sometimes in not so obvious ways. I.E. 'originality'.
Perhaps one of the ways is the long standing supposition that as Hayashi sensei was a Doctor in the navy, he would have focussed more on any healing aspects of the style, and in doing so, took out any religious/spiritual overtones.
Of course, first of all, it'd have to be discerned were there any religious aspects in the style (setting aside our originality 'sources' today), and if they were took out, by whom?
The memorial has gave us an indication that Usui sensei wished this gift to be shared among many. Did he only treat Buddhists? Apparently not. Would Usui sensei have changed aspects of the style to fit others religious followers beliefs? Quite possibly. Would it have mattered to either Usui sensei, or say, a Christian student? Even more likely, it wouldn't. Reiki is simple, always best to share in a direct manner, without all these 'bells & whistles'. It is not required for any religious doctrine, yet a love for all religions' one truth, for all humanity, for all spirituality, is what gives this phenomenon a reason to exist. If we can see that, surely Usui sensei could. Why then would any religious aspects that weren't directly crucial to expereincing Reiki be included? Obvious answer is, they wouldn't.
Having said that, through Hayashi sensei, an apparently learned Christian (it's widely reported Mrs.Yamaguchi said Hayashi sensei was Christian), Usui Shiki Ryoho was shown to be immensely spiritual. He passed on the denju attunement, which has some fundamental Buddhist aspects. Not to mention his perhaps most important sutdent ever, Takata sensei. Takata sensei described Reiki as (i'm para-phrasing) God power, which resides just below the navel.
I wonder where, or who, she got that from, hehe. Do we really think, a Christian (Hayashi sensei) who studied under an apparently exceptionally spiritual teacher (Usui sensei), would not regard Reiki in such a spiritual way? IMO, too much is made of Hayashi sensei being a doctor, and too little made of the possibility of him being Christian.
Hayashi sensei is credited with providing the standard 12 hand position in western Reiki. If he did, it's kinda interesting, when we look at the first three. The pineal gland has long been associated with spirituality, and is regarded by many as the 'third eye'. Sharing the same general 'coverage' area of the three hands positions is the pituitary gland. For anyone interested, even a cursory google of 'pituitary' & 'spirituality' brings a wealth of information showing how important this gland is also to spirituality.
I guess though, a Christian wouldn't be interested in any of that, hehe.
What i'm guessing has happened, and i've done it myself, is....
We get taught Usui Shiki Ryoho. Then we attempt to look outside ourselves. Both for Reiki & spirituality. So we go seaarching for this 'spiritual' style of Reiki etc...
When all along, spirituality, and Reiki, our aspect of the divine, is, and always has been, within us.
Perhaps, once we strip all the excess down, and resist our ego trying to replace it with other peoples 'excess', we can finally see, we've been searching for something we had all along.
Take care
Wayne
Hi All,
For some time, many have percieved a difference between what some classify as Western & Eastern Reiki. The latter usually only existing via claims of somehow being superior. Sometimes in not so obvious ways. I.E. 'originality'.
Perhaps one of the ways is the long standing supposition that as Hayashi sensei was a Doctor in the navy, he would have focussed more on any healing aspects of the style, and in doing so, took out any religious/spiritual overtones.
Of course, first of all, it'd have to be discerned were there any religious aspects in the style (setting aside our originality 'sources' today), and if they were took out, by whom?
The memorial has gave us an indication that Usui sensei wished this gift to be shared among many. Did he only treat Buddhists? Apparently not. Would Usui sensei have changed aspects of the style to fit others religious followers beliefs? Quite possibly. Would it have mattered to either Usui sensei, or say, a Christian student? Even more likely, it wouldn't. Reiki is simple, always best to share in a direct manner, without all these 'bells & whistles'. It is not required for any religious doctrine, yet a love for all religions' one truth, for all humanity, for all spirituality, is what gives this phenomenon a reason to exist. If we can see that, surely Usui sensei could. Why then would any religious aspects that weren't directly crucial to expereincing Reiki be included? Obvious answer is, they wouldn't.
Having said that, through Hayashi sensei, an apparently learned Christian (it's widely reported Mrs.Yamaguchi said Hayashi sensei was Christian), Usui Shiki Ryoho was shown to be immensely spiritual. He passed on the denju attunement, which has some fundamental Buddhist aspects. Not to mention his perhaps most important sutdent ever, Takata sensei. Takata sensei described Reiki as (i'm para-phrasing) God power, which resides just below the navel.
I wonder where, or who, she got that from, hehe. Do we really think, a Christian (Hayashi sensei) who studied under an apparently exceptionally spiritual teacher (Usui sensei), would not regard Reiki in such a spiritual way? IMO, too much is made of Hayashi sensei being a doctor, and too little made of the possibility of him being Christian.
Hayashi sensei is credited with providing the standard 12 hand position in western Reiki. If he did, it's kinda interesting, when we look at the first three. The pineal gland has long been associated with spirituality, and is regarded by many as the 'third eye'. Sharing the same general 'coverage' area of the three hands positions is the pituitary gland. For anyone interested, even a cursory google of 'pituitary' & 'spirituality' brings a wealth of information showing how important this gland is also to spirituality.
I guess though, a Christian wouldn't be interested in any of that, hehe.
What i'm guessing has happened, and i've done it myself, is....
We get taught Usui Shiki Ryoho. Then we attempt to look outside ourselves. Both for Reiki & spirituality. So we go seaarching for this 'spiritual' style of Reiki etc...
When all along, spirituality, and Reiki, our aspect of the divine, is, and always has been, within us.
Perhaps, once we strip all the excess down, and resist our ego trying to replace it with other peoples 'excess', we can finally see, we've been searching for something we had all along.
Take care
Wayne