Symbols of the Butterfly Reiki System
So, in my book “The Seven Jewels of Reiki” I introduce the concepts and practice of the reiki symbols and mantras and their importance and uses in the art of Usui Reiki Ryoho, and in life in general. In “The Compassionate Touch of Reiki: Healing Concepts, Elements, Methods” I expound upon them in much more depth, including the specific mantras/ symbols I emphasize in the Shoden and Chuden levels (first two levels) of my reiki system, the Butterfly Reiki System. These three Usui lineage symbols form the backbone of the use of symbols in my system. In fact, none more are needed unless one goes on to learn to teach reiki, whereupon there are additional symbols/ mantra for use during the attunement/ initiation process.
To review, the reiki symbols are forms of “shamanic symbols,” “sacred calligraphy,” “holy script,” “holy forms” and “sacred letters.” The reiki mantras are what is known as “holy words,” “power words,” “true words” or in Japanese as “jumon” and “kotodama.” For them to be activated and “reiki- fied” one must receive them in a reiki attunement from a reiki teacher in a direct lineage of the Founder, O-Sensei Mikao Usui. In the case of non- Usui lineage symbols and mantra it is the same: they must be received in a direct lineage and they must be empowered symbols/ mantra, suitable for use in reiki healing. One can’t just pick them out of the ethers like playing finger painting with reiki or the like.
Symbols Taught at the Chuden Level:
The Usui CKR is an example of a shamanic symbol. The SHK is based upon a “sacred letter” adapted for use in Usui’s reiki healing art. The HSZSN is a special version of “sacred calligraphy” whose power lies primarily in his mantra- true words of power. The DKM is another version of “sacred calligraphy” again whose power comes through the mantra, though with both in most systems of reiki now we make use of both the symbol and mantra in conjunction in order to “activate” them. As detailed in my 2nd book, the first 3 of these symbols/ mantras I share in my second level of training, known as Chuden, or the “intermediate teachings.” I use Chuden as a bridge from the students first introduction to reiki and reiki healing arts- Shoden- to the higher level of Okuden, or the “Inner Transmission” or “Inner Teachings.” To be a fully qualified reiki practitioner one need not go any further than the Chuden level, in my system. Click here to read up on the Levels of Reiki Training in the Butterfly Reiki System.
Now, as mentioned in my books, I have also been blessed to have received some other quite rare yet effective reiki healing symbols, some of which are not in use by any other reiki system out there and which come from a true ancient lineage of reiki healing arts (non- Usui and non Japanese). These being the symbols which the famous grandmaster, Dr. Maung Gyi shared with me which come from his ancient Burmese lineages. Burma (Myanmar) has a most special and ancient history and culture. She sits at the crossroads of India, Tibet and China as well as East and West. The ancient “Burma Road” was one of the old pathways from West to East and vice-versa, similar to the “Silk Road.” Thus the Burmese arts and culture have been exposed to the arts and culture of many great nations and empires since before the beginning of recorded history. Dr. Gyi and his family have been instrumental in preserving this great cultural heritage, especially the martial, yogic, meditative and spiritual arts treasures of Burmese history- both ancient and modern. Dr. Gyi was given the mission from his father, the late, great U Ba Than Gyi, to spread these arts here in America and the Western world in order to preserve them. Which he has faithfully and tirelessly done since he arrived in 1950. I must say Dr. Gyi is a truly remarkable and amazing person, like a living Yoda (when I met him and first trained with him he was 76 years young, and though he didn’t need it utilized a hand carved cane and on breaks smoked a hand carved pipe!). His knowledge and skills are seemingly limitless. They encompass the scholarly, martial, medical and spiritual worlds and arts- in fact, he is at the highest world level in each of these fields. At any rate, everyone who has met him and especially those who have trained with him can affirm this. Of course, like all the true wise ones, he is also so very humble. To be clear, I am not presenting myself as one of his disciples or heirs, I am not. Those worthy individuals are known via his organization, the American Bando Association.
However, due to my teacher and his teachers’ friendship with and association with Dr. Gyi going back to at least the 1960’s, when I met Dr. Gyi and introduced myself and where I came from, he immediately took a liking to me and began teaching me personally. I spent every moment I could with him during the seminars/ classes and followed him out on his breaks. When he visited to teach at my school the first time (shortly after 9/11) as I carried his luggage and led him to my car I asked him quite naively, “Dr. Gyi, have you ever heard of reiki?” He stopped dead in his tracks, as if I had given him a great insult. Ooops! He responded, “young man, reiki comes from my country!” LOL! And then proceeded to share with me huge amounts of information and many methods on reiki healing arts from that moment on over the course of close to ten years. Including upon my request to enhance our knowledge of and skill with reiki healing arts. Much of this information again has not been transmitted to the wider reiki community out there, and is right in line with O-Sensei Usui’s reiki teachings. As an aside, ever the student, Dr. Gyi himself took classes in Usui reiki, so he had insights and training directly into our Founders art and methods. On one of his visits, early in the morning as we were getting ready for the days seminar, Dr. Gyi was standing in the driveway and smoking his hand carved pipe (again, Yoda- like). As we chatted at a certain point he touched his heart and made a gesture out to the world and sky/ universe, and told me I was free to share what he had shared with me “with everyone” as he put it. So, his words and gesture are my “certificate.” I am not the only one by the way, as in addition to his formal students in the A.B.A. he has taken so many others under his wing over the course of the many decades he has been teaching here. I once called him the “Johnny Apple Seed “ of the arts in America and he just laughed and nodded his head.
In addition to these rare Burmese reiki symbols (there are many healing methods as well, see my books) I also share reiki symbols/ mantra from my overall reiki training and experience. Each of these has been proven by my own experience, and the experience of many others, to be useful and valuable in the context of reiki healing and attunement. All except one, a unique symbol which came to me directly from the Universal Life Force in deep meditation as I was writing my reiki book in 2011. I have utilized and worked with this symbol since then, and now share it with the wider reiki world. It is also the symbol most closely aligned with the Butterfly Reiki System, being given to me directly by spirit; and it shares an element which is traditionally aligned with the Butterfly and ajna chakra (the symbol is composed of 2 well known symbols put together into a unique format). I would like to introduce and outline these symbols/ mantra now (in my 3rd and 4th books detailing the Butterfly Reiki System there will be much more):
-Symbols/ Mantra from the Okuden Level, Butterfly Reiki System:
*the well known Usui DKM, a version of “sacred calligraphy” carrying powerful kotodama, true “words of power.” DKM has a rich history in Japan, martial to spiritual arts; in reiki healing arts is primarily utilized for attunements and meditation and spiritual healing.
*”Moksha” from Dr. Gyi’s rare Burmese lineage. This is an ancient shamanic symbol, composed of a counter-clockwise spiral and vertical lines and curved lines. It is most unique. when he shared it with me/ us, he did not give it a name or mantra, he told me none was needed. Similar to some of the Japanese traditional reiki lineages that work with symbols alone. I myself enjoying and benefitting from the combination of symbol and mantra, have given it a name which is aligned with its ancient lineage and the intent of the symbol. The “Moksha” symbol as the name/ mantra suggests is a symbol of release, freedom, and opening/ clearing/ cleansing/ purification. This may range from the energetic to the spiritual, as in the ultimate release- liberation/ self- realization.
*”Aloha” yes indeed, another of the rare symbols from Dr. Gyi’s lineage. This particular symbol is a “two-handed symbol,” you use both hands and the “double-hand” symbol mudra when you activate her. As her main use is to gently energetically connect to a client and begin a reiki healing session or attunement, I have named her “Aloha.” Like ancient Sanskrit, the Hawaiian language is composed of true “sounds of power.” Given also the lineage of reiki’s transmigration to the wider world and the importance of Hawaii in that migration, I feel “Aloha” is a most fitting name/ mantra.
*”Fuji-San” Fuji-san is an ancient Chinese Shaolin nei gong inner meditation symbol which in meditation was revealed to me could be adapted to reiki healing (it has a different name in the Shaolin nei gong tradition I learned it in). He is composed of various sacred geometry put together in such a way that he resembles the power and stability of a mountain. Thus, “Fuji-san” in homage to the great cultural heritage which gave birth to Usui Reiki Ryoho, and the majestic spiritual strength which Mt. Fuji-san emanates. This symbol is utilized primarily to help ground and stabilize a client especially during a seated reiki session or attnement.
*”Om/ Aum”- the ancient and famous Sanskrit seed syllable and mantra, utilized in quite a few modern reiki systems world-wide. The original sacred spiritual vibration, he has numerous uses in reiki healing and meditation.
*2 symbols (H. and Z.) which trace their lineage to the famous reiki teacher Marcy Miller. I was taught these by my reiki teacher Susane Grasso who incorporated them into her reiki level two classes. As they are so wonderful and effective and have been safely utilized by countless reiki students world- wide in multiple reiki styles, I preserve them and pass them on here at Okuden level. They work on many issues related to karma, spiritual healing and emotional/ heart healing.
-Shinpiden Level Symbols/ Mantra of the Butterfly Reiki System:
*”Vajra” this is another of the rare traditional reiki symbols from Dr. Gyi’s lineages. Again, originally he did not share a name. I have named him “Vajra” as this traditional name/ mantra encapsulates both the image of the symbol and its use. It is similar to the lightning bolt symbol/ raku used in many reiki styles, but is much more complete than a simple jagged line. Vajra is utilized at the conclusion of a reiki attunement.
*”Dumo” this is the Dumo symbol as utilized in many reiki styles to begin the attunement process.
*”Kundalini” this is the well known “Fire Serpent” symbol utilized in many reiki lineages descended from Iris Ishikuro/ Arthur Robertson. I prefer to use the traditional Sanskrit word “Kundalini” for the symbol as that encapsulates its use- to prepare the central channel to receive reiki healing or attunement.
*”Om Hu Dee” this is the reiki symbol which Spirit gave me in deep meditation as a symbol unique to my reiki system (2011). Om as in the famous mantra, and “Hu Dee (who-dee)” which is the Chinese way of saying “Butterfly.” Hey, I am American, like our culture my reiki art is traditional, but it is also “chop-suey.” It is completely natural for us to combine the best of all cultures into something new and unique, “E Pluribus Unum” style. The “Om Hu Dee” symbol is is very active, like a Butterfly flitting from flower to flower sharing her gifts of healing and enlightenment.
**In addition to these symbols I generally also talk about the Infinity symbol and her uses in general, as well as the basic concepts of sacred geometry and sacred symbols. I also like to share a copy of the sacred “Joh Rei” White Light calligraphy, which has such high healing vibration/ power. OK, enough for now, see my books for much more.
