Reiki a spiritual practice

Reiki is not only a healing art but also a spiritual practice. As such, like any spiritual practice, meditation is an integral part of this modality. It is on record that Usui sensei introduced the meditation known as HATSUREI HO, literally translated as Method to invoke Spirit. It is strongly recommended that Hatsurei Ho be an integral part of a practitioner’s daily implementation. The belief is if this meditation practiced daily heightens the connection with Reiki and develops deep spiritual connection.

Hatsurei Ho is a moving meditation. As the name implies, there are movements involved during the practice. The meditation has seven components. However, when performed, they are done fluidly and look like one continuous movement. Those components are:

• Focusing
• Dry Bathing
• Connection
• Soul Cleansing Breath
• Praying Hands
• Concentration Meditation
• Repeating the Precepts

Hatsurei Ho is practiced seated, either on a chair, cross-legged on the floor, or seated Japanese style. This meditation is performed either indoor or outdoor, in a quiet place away from distraction.

Sit with your back straight but relax. Rest your hands, palms down, on your lap. Close your eyes and center yourself: focus your awareness on an area about one inch deep inside your body midway between your navel and the top of your pubic bone. Just relax and be – silently observing the breath: become aware of the natural rhythms of your breathing. There is no forcing or trying to consciously control the breath – merely to be aware that you are breathing effortlessly.

Focusing

Next, silently states your intent: I will begin Hatsurei-Ho meditation now.

Dry Bathing

You begin Hatsurei Ho with an Energy Cleansing or Aura Smoothing. You do this exercise either in physical contact with your body or just off the surface, in the aura. While allowing the breath to remain as effortless as possible, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Bring your right hand up to your left shoulder. With the tips of your fingers at a point where your collar-bone ends, palm flat and facing the body, move your hand diagonally down across your body from the left shoulder towards your right hip in a slow, smooth, brushing motion. Then bring your left hand upon the opposite shoulder, perform the same diagonal movement to your left hip. Repeat two more times for a total of three sweeping movements from each shoulder to the opposite hip. Then, place your right hand on the tip of your left shoulder. Your left arm held straight out. Move your right hand, in an even brushing action, along the outside of your left arm down over the end of the fingers. Do the same with the left hand on the right arm. Repeat one more time.

Connection

Raise your hands above your head, keeping them in line with your shoulders, palms facing upwards, fingers pointing out to the sides. Using your creative imagination, see and feel the Reiki energy flowing down from above, pouring into your uplifted open hands like a stream of crystal clear light. It flows down your arms and through your body, down into your focus point one inch deep halfway below the navel and the pubic bone. Once you can feel the flow of Reiki, gently lower your hands to your lap, this time with palms up.

The Soul Cleansing Breath

Have your hands resting palms-up on your lap, and simply be – relax and observe the breath focusing on the natural rhythms of your breathing. Allow yourself to breath naturally – merely to be aware that you are breathing. Now bring your awareness gently to the focus point in your belly. As you inhale, in your mind-eye see, and feel the Reiki energy flowing down from above, as a stream of crystal clear light flooding into your crown and flowing down throughout your body into your belly. Now, you effortlessly begin to exhale, notice the light, feel it as it grows stronger and brighter, radiating throughout your entire body, dissolving and dissipating all traces of stress and tension. Feel the light positively supporting the energetic integrity your whole being. As you exhale, imagine that you are emanating the light from every single pore of your body, and the light radiates out in all directions to infinity.

Continue in this awareness of the light for as long as you feel comfortable.

Keep breathing at your natural rhythm and ensure your breath is effortless.

Praying Hands

When ready, slowly bring your hands up together in the prayer position. Gently move the focus of your awareness to where the pads of the middle fingers touch. Forget everything else. Maintain this awareness for as long as you feel drawn to do.

Concentration Meditation

When you feel ready, bring to your awareness, as you inhale the crystal clear Reiki light. Breathe it in through your hands and pour it straight into your focus point in your abdomen. As you begin to exhale, be aware of the light, feel it growing stronger and brighter in your belly. Upon exhaling, breath the crystal clear Reiki light out of your abdomen and up out through your hands.

Stay with this process for as long as you feel drawn to do.

Repeating the Precepts Three Times

When you feel ready, repeat the Gokai: the Five Reiki Precepts three times out loud and in your Heart 

Kyo dake wa – Just for today 

• Okoru-na – Don’t get angry 
• Shinpai suna – Don’t worry 
• Kansha shite – Be grateful 
• Gyo o hage me – Work hard 
• Hito ni Shingetsu ni – Be kind to others

Focusing

Returning your hands to your lap, silently state: I am finishing Hatsurei Ho now. Then, when you are ready, allow your attention to turn outwards once more.

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