BEYOND THE REIKI SYMBOLS
"Symbol:" 1, an object used to represent something abstract (the dove is a peace symbol); 2, a mark, letter, etc...standing for an object, quality, quantity, process, etc..as in music or chemistry...from New World Dictionary, 4th edition
- "Shirushi:" Japanese hiragana script: mark, sign, indication, symbol...from wiktionary...
- "Yantra:" Sanskrit word, a mystical or astronomical diagram (usually a symbol, often inscribed on an amulet) sometimes said to possess mystical or magical powers....wikipedia.
The use of the reiki symbols is one of the seven main elements of the art of Usui Reiki Ryoho, as taught by the Founder, O- Sensei Mikao Usui (the other ones being gokai, gassho, rei ju, reiki- ko, jumon, and chiryo-ho).
In this article I would like to discuss a key aspect of learning to work with the reiki symbols, one which is important for long-term growth as a reiki practitioner or teacher. This is the practice and concept of 'transcending' the reiki symbols and embodying the reiki energy more directly.
Symbols are something people everywhere are familiar with. As an American, some of our most famous symbols are the Bald Eagle, the 'Golden Arches,' $$$, and the Nike Swoosh. Symbols are tools which have been utilized for probably as long as there have been humans on Earth.
In ancient cultures, such as those in Asia and the Middle East, entire arts and disciplines have been built and created around the use of symbols; such as in meditation, yoga, martial arts, and religion. These systems naturally migrated West and were integrated into these cultures.
* Please note that for the purposes of this simple article, I am going to discuss this topic in general terms, leaving it up to the scholars and historians of such things to flesh out the details...it's a long story.
In modern times, the use of symbols has been adopted and utilized to great effect by business, industry, government, religion, and politics...who can forget Adolf Hitler's use of the ancient symbol, the swastika- the symbol of spiritual victory- for his evil purposes? A more positive use of symbols is the song, 'We Are The World' which has been utilized many times for great and compassionate causes, large and small.
Naturally, the Founder of the compassionate healing art of Usui Reiki Ryoho- O- Sensei Mikao Usui- integrated the use of symbols into his art. Being a Buddhist, martial arts expert, meditation master, etc...and a life long learner with a thirst for knowledge, this would have been simple for him to do. Given that he wanted his art to be widely dispersed, the use of the symbols in his art is fairly simple, so that laypeople can easily benefit from it. In other words, one need not be a Brahmin Priest or Buddhist Scholar in order to understand what to do. The genius of O- Sensei's system and the power of reiki lies in it's combination of simplicity, power, safety, and effectiveness. The art of reiki is the pure essence of healing, love, and compassion personified. Pure and simple.
So, O- Sensei integrated the use of symbols into his art, in order for us to learn how to access and make use of this compassionate healing force. Some of the reiki symbols are shamanic/ yantra like- such as CKR; some are adapted from ancient written languages, such as SHK- and some are actually just the kanji characters for the words/ mantra's utilized- such as HSZSM and DKM. Due to his attainments as an Avatar of healing they are all empowered with reiki and work as given to us during attunement. Nowadays, many other reiki symbols are in use beyond the one's which O- Sensei passed on to us. There are many reason for this, but that is a topic for another article (see my books for much more info.). I make use of many reiki symbols, including symbols from my teachers rare Burmese lineage.
As students of reiki, one of our long-term goals is actually to transcend the symbols, to become so thoroughly immersed in them and the reiki healing force herself, so that we actually embody and transmit the energy directly. At this point, the actual process of utilizing the symbols becomes very simple and natural; and we may even make little formal use of them. This can only come about through regular discipline over a period of time (usually ten or more years) combined with a pure heart and intention, dedicated to the highest good of all...Thy Will Be Done, not mine...in other words, we must master the mechanics of utilizing the symbols, and then have subjugated or eradicated our personal ego/ small self...so that we may embrace and embody the Greater/ Higher Self. This is not as easy as it may sound, for it implies the achievement of a very high and pure state of conscioussness. But again, this is clearly one of the goals of O- Sensei's art and system (see the 'Reiki Ryoho Hikkei').
As an analogy, we may look at the worlds of cooking, music and visual arts. Chefs start out by learning the basics, studying and cooking various recipes, etc...but if they stay at it they may no longer have much use for cookbooks or recipes. I've never seen Emeril or the Iron Chef's consulting cookbooks! Not that they don't, it's just that they certainly don't need to...they have mastered their arts to the point of being able to create their own recipes.
In music, everyone knows that the notes on the printed page are not the music. Or that the letters I am writing are not the vocalized sound of speech. These things are 'symbols.' Similarly, the reiki symbols are not the reiki healing energy. They are merely tools- blessed tools- but tools none the less. They should not be confused with the Source, Primal Vibration, or Divine Light. We can and should have great respect for them, for they are also part of the divine creation and help us to make use of the healing force of reiki, but they aren't 'the real thing, ' as it were....
In this era of instant, so-called, 'reiki master's' we must be very careful that the art and the concepts surrounding the art are not watered down to the point of making it useless and powerless....I am all in favor of O- Sensei's mission, namely that all people are capable of receiving the 'divine gift (reiki attunement)' and becoming reiki practitioners. Reiki For All!!! It's just that actual true mastery of the art may not be in everyone's grasp. I have watched thousands of movies in my life....but this does not make me a master of film-making, say the way Martin Scorcese or Oliver Stone is (pick your great director)...taking a few classes and reading a few books may or may not actually lead to mastery...
Back to the topic at hand, I would love to hear some of your thoughts on this topic of transcending the symbols and embodying the energy. I recently had a discussion with a wonderful, powerful, and pure hearted practitioner and teacher in the U.K. who told me she hasn't used the reiki symbols in years! Keep in mind after reading this article that I am not advocating everyone should abandon and throw away their reiki symbols! Rather, I am merely presenting a simple outline of a path towards a goal...
They say the true Master is formless, like the Void...I challenge reiki people to embrace this path towards self-realization, in the way which suits you best...
** great thanks to O- Sensei Usui for sharing this great art with us; and to my teacher, Dr. Maung Gyi for giving me this vision and mission.
