The Four Aspects and the Nine Elements of Reiki were developed by Phyllis Fuumoto, Mrs Hawayo Takata‘s Granddaughter, who was the Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Lineage Bearer after Mrs Takata’s death. Phyllis was a wonderful lady and one of my Facebook friends. Phyllis carried on the work of Takata, sharing and promoting it worldwide till her death in 2019.
Phyllis handed over the title of Lineage Bearer to her loyal student and friend, Johannes Reindle just before her death. She personally mentored Johannes
Healing Practice – Usui Shiki Ryoho has as its basis self treatment and a form of treatment to be used as a way to treat others. This is achieved through a series of laying-on-of-hands treatment positions.
Personal Development – Through the practice of this system, the student is presented in everyday life with choices. These choices address underlying principles and beliefs that the student has acquired over the years of life. These principles and beliefs are often challenged as they may not be beneficial for the student’s path toward authenticity.
Spiritual Discipline – inherent in the regular practice of the Form is the connection to spirit within each of us as a human being. This connection to spirit can result in students considering this practice as a spiritual path.
Mystic Order – practice of Usui Shiki Ryoho brings mystic experiences and a sense of connection and common purpose with others following this path.
Nine Elements
Oral Tradition – The form and essence of this system is passed on only through a person to person relationship with a Reiki Master involving verbal and non-verbal communication and energetic transmissions.
Spiritual Lineage – Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata and Phyllis Lei Furumoto are recognized as the spiritual lineage of this system. The living lineage bearer embodies the essence of this system. The teachings are passed down through this line of masters, developing through the experiences of these masters, the cultural norms of the time frames, and the development of global society.
History – The story that is told from master to student is passed through the oral tradition in the First Degree class. This is the story of Reiki and this particular form of practice. This is not a story that is about people but the way in which Reiki has passed through each of the lineage bearers and become a manifest form.
Initiation – This secret and sacred ritual is passed down from the Lineage to the masters of the system. The masters, in turn, use this ritual to connect each student to the energy of Reiki and to bring life to the form of the practice that accompanies the initiations.
Symbols – The three symbols taught in the Second Degree classes are accompanied by a specific form of practice. These symbols seem to act as energetic keys that access the non physical world. This part of the practice prepares the student for a greater choice in life and a wider understanding of the world in general.
Treatment – The treatment form consists of hand positions held for a few minutes in a specific order. This is the formal treatment practice. The informal treatment is any hand position that is practiced with the consent of the person being treated for as long as is necessary. Treatment of the First Degree is done on the physical body with hands on the body. The Second Degree treatment is also practiced on the physical body and also at a distance through use of the symbols.
Form of Teaching –The Form is the container for the teaching of First and Second Degree classes.
Monetary Exchange – Each initiatory step of the path has a specific monetary commitment from the student to the master.
Precepts – The Five Precepts are intended to awaken questions within a student and therefore involves the mind as well as the body and spirit in the process of becoming whole in body and spirit.
Just for Today, I let go of Anger
Just for Today, I let go of Worry
Just for Today, I count my many Blessings
Just for Today, I do my work Honestly
Just for Today, I will be kind to my Neighbour and Every Living Thing
(Note: every living thing includes YOU. Be kind to YOU!)
The secret art of inviting happiness
The miraculous medicine of all diseases
Just for today, do not be angry
Do not worry and be filled with gratitude
Devote yourself to your work and be kind to people
Every morning and evening join your hands in prayer,
Pray these words to your heart,
And chant these words with your mouth
Usui Reiki treatment for the improvement of body and mind
The founder … Usui Mikao
When Japanese Buddhist teachers (for example Shugendo, Shingon, and Tendai priests) have been shown the Reiki Precepts, they point out that the precepts are linked to the six paramitas. Takeda Ajarai, an esteemed Shingon priest, feels that Mikao Usui created the Reiki precepts to allow his students to have a direct experience of the six paramitas without actually pointing the six paramitas out to them. This might have been done because in Mikao Usui’s time the Meji Emperor decided to separate Shinto and Buddhism in Japan. State Shinto was introduced and was promoted in the name of national unity and patriotic duty. Therefore, Mikao Usui might have created a simple form of the six paramitas which was more accessible to people who had to practice State Shinto.
Kyo dake wa
Ikaru-na
Shinpai suna
Kansha shite
Gyo o hage me
Hito ni shin-setsu ni
This can be translated in different ways depending not only on how the kanji is read, but also on the spiritual state of mind of the translator. I personally like this translation of the precepts:
For today only
Do not anger
Do not worry
Be grateful
Practice diligently
Show compassion to yourself and others
Many Japanese Buddhist teachers (for example Shugendo, Shingon, and Tendai priests), point out that the Reiki Precepts are linked to the six paramitas of traditional Buddhism. Takeda Ajarai, an esteemed Shingon priest, feels that Mikao Usui created the Reiki precepts to allow his students to have a direct experience of the six paramitas without actually pointing the six paramitas out to them. This might have been done because in Mikao Usui’s time the Meji Emperor decided to separate Shinto and Buddhism in Japan. State Shinto was introduced and was promoted in the name of national unity and patriotic duty. Therefore, Mikao Usui might have created a simple form of the six paramitas which was more accessible to people who had to practice State Shinto.
In Japanese Reiki the focus is more on the Spiritual Path than on physical healing, and although Reiki has no religion and holds no creeds, it is interesting to look at things from a Buddhist perspective since Mikao Usui was actually a Buddhist.
The six paramitas are listed here:
Let’s have a look and see how the Reiki precepts and the six paramitas intertwine with each other with a more in depth look.
Reiki is more than just a form of hands-on healing, it is a way of life
