Usui Shiki Ryoho(translated from the Japanese as Usui System of Natural Healing) Is a system of Reiki practice that comes through a spiritual lineage: Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata, and Phyllis Lei Furumoto. This system has a definitive form of practice that allows the student to enter a dynamic of practice that results in the development of the person as a "whole" human being as well as giving form to a method of healing. This method is known as a Japanese Healing Art. Japanese refers to the culture and cosmology from which this practice emerged. Healing refers to sense that the treatments advance the natural balancing process of the human body, on many different levels. Hawayo Takata used to refer to this as being "a complete whole." Art refers to the practice as having the potential to develop into a way of living, a philosophy of being.This practice has been given a definitive form of having 4 Aspects and 9 Elements. These describe the system and give students a way to access the deeper levels of practice. The 4 Aspects are Healing Practice, Personal Development, Spiritual Discipline, and Mystic Order. The 9 Elements that describe the form of practice unique to this system are: Treatment, Initiation, Symbols, History, Money, Precepts, Spiritual Lineage, Oral Tradition, and Form of Teaching. There is no order of importance as all are equal in importance and vital to the practice of this system. What is a Spiritual Lineage? The system of Usui Shiki Ryoho has a line of masters who have held the energetic of the practice along a time line from the conception of the practice in the early 1900's beginning with Mikao Usui. Their duty was to preserve the practice as best as they could, honoring their own master's teaching, while at the same time, monitoring the developmental progress of a living entity, Usui Shiki Ryoho. The natural developmental process has been influenced by the progress of our world society over the last hundred years, the changes of communication systems that have occurred during this time, and the natural gift of each of the lineage bearers. As the students of this system recognize this lineage, they are placing themselves in relationship with the lineage, allowing themselves to be students, not only of their personal masters, but of the system itself. How does someone become a student of Usui Shiki Ryoho? When, after exploring the alternatives, you wish to enter this practice, a prospective student would be wise to experience at least one formal treatment in order to have an experience of the energy of Reiki and the practice of Usui Shiki Ryoho. When this experience has a beneficial feeling and you wish to continue, then find a master of Usui Shiki Ryoho and attend a class. The First Degree Class is all a person needs to have a dynamic living relationship with the Reiki energy. How do I find a Master?
There are books, many books under the subject of Reiki. Because this system maintains a value of keeping this an oral tradition, there are no books on the method or instruction of this practice. There are some books that are compilations of the stories of Hawayo Takata or books that share a student's journey with Reiki. These are found in the Links or Shopping Cart. If you wish to read books on Reiki, just remember that every book is a description of the author's experience and understanding of Reiki. As there are an infinite number of points on a circle, there are infinite number of perspectives of what Reiki is and what the practice is. The line of truth lies within each student's experience. If you are curious, begin your own experience with treatments and getting to know Reiki students in your community. What is Oral Tradition? The concept of Oral Tradition has many layers. The first one is: "There are no books written on Reiki." This, of course is not true any more. So another way to say this is, "Reiki is not contained in the written word." Additionally, it has become clear that the teaching of Reiki is more than a dissemination of information. Through the relationship between the master and student, there is a transmission of energy that passes from master to student through the different ways of teaching in the class; story telling, initiation, way of being. In keeping the Oral Tradition alive, this practice acknowledges the potential of this practice to become more than a "healing technique" for a student. It is passed on as a way to a different quality of life for anyone who is willing to practice. Why is there a charge for the classes? Traditionally, until the last few decades, a student of any spiritual practice took on the care of the master, so the master could live their life without worry of not having the basic needs of life. In supporting the master, gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of the teaching were also expressed. A student stayed with a master for a number of years, deepening their understanding of the practice and providing necessities of life for the master. In the last decades, many practices have been presented as "classes" or "courses." This has resulted in class fees, which are not actually accurately described in our language. One must go deeper into what is being received. When offered as a technique, a Reiki class fee can be whatever the master or teacher would like to have for the time and energy of delivering the class. As a Japanese Healing Art, the student is offered is a way of life and a practice that needs to have commitment from the student in order for value to occur. The amount of money asked from the student is a part of the commitment of the student to practice, a small test of sincerity. At the same time, this money allows the master to support him/herself as a master without the need for another form of work. Money is not the only form of payment but is, in our world, sometimes the easiest. Masters have a choice of accepting trades of time or other products through their own discretion. The charge for the class is also combined with a certain commitment of time that the student must set aside for the class. Time and money are the ways to ask for a level of commitment from a prospective student. These are indicated within the form of the system and are a part of a common teaching practice so assuring that students receive a common practice. Are all classes alike? There are basic teachings that are included in the First Degree class that are similar for all masters. The attitude of a master within the class and the style of teaching is unique to each master. One may seem very strict and pedantic and another almost casual. You may find their style challenging for you. If you have searched and have the feeling that this is your master, then the challenge can be a teaching. What happens if I want more? This system has a Second Degree class for those who have practiced First Degree and feel called to a deeper commitment to this practice. This class involves three symbols and their daily use. It is recommended that the First Degree student has as many years as possible of practice before embarking on this next step of the journey. In keeping with this value, the passing of a year between the First and Second Degree is seen as a minimum. If a Second Degree student feeling the calling for the next step which is called Master in this system, then the student declares him/herself as a student of a master. This relationship is seen as a long term, life long relationship that will mature along with each of the participants as well as the deepening of their respective Reiki practice. This course of preparation can cover a number of years and a comprehensive program of preparation following the 4 Aspects of the system. The selection of the accompanying master must be taken with care. Time in this preparation process is an ally rather than a means of accomplishment. Explanation of the context: All responses to the questions above are consistent with the practice that comes through the Spiritual Lineage of Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata, and Phyllis Lei Furumoto. Each form of Reiki practice has its own priorities and values that are reflected in their perspective of the information and experience of the actual practice. There are many forms of which this is one. |
