Question:
Hi all, I have noticed that there has not been much activity on HP since the whole reiki-ing the weather incident so I thought I would start a thread to encourage people to post again.
I realise my posts can be a little abrupt and as my lovely girlfriend has pointed out 'it is in the way I tell em'. I am being true to myself though and never have intended to cause offence.
I do sincerely respect other people's wishes and views, sometimes though people do post things that I find have no bearing on Usui's teachings from my own research and teachings, which is fine if you clearly state that it is a different type of reiki but somethings in the West (and increasingly in Japan) have become ingrained as the gospel of Usui's teachings (chakras etc) which I feel should not be so as it is inaccurate (there I go again).
Sometimes there may be passing comments (such as the driving) where I feel that we as reiki practitioners who are meant to be looking out for the good of all are causing more harm to us and our surroundings than we consciously are aware of. As this has been pointed out, there are other forums that are more appropriate for such topics.
In one respect, I feel that there has been a little victimisation by stating 'off topic' and locking the forum as I have seen other threads that have gone the same way yet attracted no moderation.
But what the hell anyway. We are here to learn from each other and the short of it is I will attempt to be more mindful of the potential effects of my posts. I won't handle things with kid gloves as we are all adults capable of some degree of emotional control and responsibility, but I will take more care as to how I word things (without being sickly sweet about it!).
Here's to getting back on track (hopefully).
Mr H (Darren)
I haven't really read many of your posts and I don't know what transpired in the post you refer to and I hope you don't take this the wrong way but,I'm a little scared of you and I think it's your name on here,it sounds abrupt. I can imagine a very straight-laced, authoritative gentleman saying to me, sternly, "it's Mr Harper to you!" LOL
Sorry, no offence meant, I'm sure you're a totally lovely guy (you have a girlfriend so you can't be that bad;)) I'm just saying how I feel [sm=hidesbehindsofa.gif]
Calmer
Dear Darren,
For what it is worth I agree with you! ;)
Any symbols that are not part of our founders work is not Reiki.
Any additions like the teachings of chakra's was also not included by our founder they were added during the 1980's.
Reiki is the work of Dr Usui passed on to humanity, if humanity chooses to change the foundations then it is not Usui Reiki and nor should it be called so.
If we people add extra's to Reiki courses then it should be made clear that this is not part of Usui Reiki but has evolved afterwards. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not know what is from Dr Usui and what isn't.
Divine Love
Just wanted you to know that I don't find your name scary, cosI've always thought of you as Keanu Reeves.... cos he played Mr Harker in the film version of Dracula and I always get his name wrong, thinking it was 'Harper'!
On the other bits, I have been Reiki II for 2 years but am still learning (mainly through HP!) about the background. At the end of the day, most things (that is a very general 'things') evolve to suit current environments/ideas etc, but I agree that any additions should be stated as such.
One thing I have found on the 3 HP forums I subscribe to, everyone has different backgrounds, experience and, perhaps most importantly,perspective. Although that can be a bit confusing, it also enables people to have access to ideas and information they would not normally come across and then enables them to make up their own minds or prompts them to do their own research. I am sure I am like many on this forum and rarely come into contact with other therapists so I really appreciate hearing others thoughts (and research).
Loving you all,
Florence x
Hi to all who posted so far.
calmer - you can come out from behind the couch! Just to explain the name, it is just my sense of humour and when I thought up the name (which was the result of a conversation with my girlfriend, which I cannot quite recall) we laughed for ages about it! So I will wag my finger sternly at you as I gaze from above my horn rimmed spectacles and say 'Do not be scared, be merry!' (jokingly).
Divine Love - it is worth a lot to me that you agree and share the same passion and respect for reiki and Usui sensei. His effort and dedication gave humanity a complete form of self development and a means of gaining enlightenment so I am baffled sometimes when I hear people speak about reiki, acknowledge him as the founder and then speak about chakras etc in the same breath! Keep up the good work!
Florence - what can I say! It made me smile thinking of you thinking of me as Keanu Reeves! I agree that it is vastly important that everyone has an input as people can explain concepts in different ways that someone else may understand better than if another had explained it. I agree with the additions part being stated as such too. I found out that the whole chakra integration started in the US with a student of Mrs Takata's. Now many have been taught the same way, so I do not 'blame' (such a harsh word really) the student as this is what they are taught and this is why it is important that others share their info about reiki because there is very limited info available as to what is original and what has been added, with many believing that what they practice is based on the Usui system.
Keep the information flowing!
Thanks again and call me Darren/Mr Harker or whatever you want, if you wish
You know, ever since I heard that in the movie "What the Bleep do we know anyway" they talked about that thoughts are more real than matter all I focus on are positive intentions. I am a Usui Reiki master and I would never allow my Reiki energyto be limited by my thoughts. I act as a conduit to send positive healing energy wherever it might be needed.
As En Vogue put it so nicely "Free your mind and the rest will follow" - that has been my motto for a long time now. In my opinion, if you put your mind to it anything is possible :)As one of my teachers in massage school would frequently say "It's all good, if your intentions are good".
Dear Darren,
Of course I live by the Reiki principles. :D Not only to respect but to continue to honour Dr Usui and my Reiki Master.
I totally agree....and should be honoured for doing so.
To ensure that his high standards and self discipline are also passed on to those that use the Reiki name.
Well compassion and unconditional love comes to mind....many were not taught the high standard that we were taught and so many are not aware that chakra's was not part of the original teachings or when chakra's were introduced and by whom. There is a lot of very innocent people around and one cannot teach what one has never learnt; so the spiral down of the original high standards continues......Or as my RM put in the late 90's Reiki has gone astray........
You too!
Divine Love
I must say Mr Harper (or whomever!) I always enjoy reading your comments when I come accross them on here.
Where can I read more about hara (is that right) as I was taught about chakras as part of my reiki and would like to know more of Dr Usui's original teachings.
Obviously all things change and evolve as time progresses - look at the English language it is in a state of continual flux - but I would still like to delve deeper into the history of the usui reiki system.
Hi Divine Love[/align][/align]Do you not think that everyone is passionate about whatever energy modality they learn, yes there are quite a few different versions of Usui Reiki doing the rounds and I am sure that everyone feels the same about the version they where taught the same as you do about yours, everyone feels they are right but unfortunately Usui is not hear any more to set the record straight.[/align][/align]Though I agree that the Chakras, the aura and the meridians where not taught by Usui, they are what makes up our energy matrix, to those that do not understand the term, there are three parts to our makeup, we have the physical body and we have our spiritual pure consciousness which is referred to as our higher self, the bit that works as a go-between and help to maintain our physical body is the energy matrix, this is the chakras, meridians and our aura.[/align][/align]Without the energy matrix we have no physical existence and are left with our pure consciousness level which is often referred to as spirit, the energy matrix is formed at conception and stays with us until we die and then it breaks up.[/align][/align]Now I know that some members disregard this part of us in energy work, believing rightly or wrongly that we should use the energy to address the physical symptoms without addressing the cause, which is often found in the energy matrix, but that isup to each individual to consider for themselves regardless of the modality practiced.[/align][/align]Those that practice Usuis original energy system would ask those who use his Reiki system why they are bothered about lineages as they don't see a use for them as it all comes from the source, if you where to ask them if they healed they would probably smile and say yes but it is not important as it is not emphasised with that system, they would certainly look at you sideways if you told them they needed symbols to work with the energy.[/align][/align]At the end of the day what we conceive as relevant is a personal thing, some people will get one thing out of a system and someone else will get something else, they would both be right as they are receiving what is right for them, later on they might both learn what the other has already learned and that is fine, energy is fluid and IMO we need to be fluid in our understanding of it.[/align]
Hi Wispy Misty :D
Try reading Japanese Art of Reiki very good exercises for working with hara and 3 diamonds. Also website for International house of reiki has good information.
Reiki Blessings, Reikilight x
Hi Wispy Misty, nice to hear from you. I am glad you enjoy my comments and I totally agree that things do change in order to further understanding, it just seems that sometimes we make things more complex and less defined in the process of these changes and the simplicity of a concept is sometimes lost among the detail.
I hope the information helps.
Darren
Hara energy centres
Many cultures have different aspects of the energy centres of the body such as the chakra system and the universal heart and 'third eye' centres. Although the chakra system is not traditionally taught in Usui's system, one can see that there are correspondences that have lead to people merging the two and then expanding the system to cover other energy centres that are not linked to Japanese culture but Indian/Tibetan.
The Usui system of reiki is based upon the hara system (lit. belly in Japanese) with the main focus on the tanden (the hara houses the tanden) which is the storage centre for our own personal ki. This is the centre that is worked on in such systems such as kiko healing and many martial arts disciplines to increase the practitioners own personal ki. Physically it acts as our centre of gravity and a point of balance for our entire being.
In traditional Japanese healing systems, such as those studied and applied by Usui, the tanden is considered vital to self development and cultivation of energy. Focussing on the tanden centres our energy and grounds us in the present moment, making us more aware of our own energies.
Commonly, three centres are focussed on, which have been influenced by Chinese systems of healing such as Qi Gong and T'ai Chi. All three have role in our development and our well being. The three tanden are:
Shimo Tanden (the lower tanden, also known as Ge Tanden)
This centre is located in the hara which is found 'three fingers down from the navel and two behind' and is linked to 'Earth energy' (the cho ku rei). This tanden is worked upon to increase our personal flow of ki and to assist in focussing and developing our selves, our self discipline and creativity.
Naka Tanden (the middle tanden, also known as Chu Tanden)
This energy centre is located around the middle of the chest and is linked to 'Heaven energy' (the sei he ki). It is linked to our personal experiences, the emotions and acts as a balance between the spirit and the physical aspects.
Kami Tanden (the upper tanden, also known as Jo Tanden)
This energy centre is located in the middle of the forehead between the eyes and is linked to 'Spiritual energy' (rei energy). It is linked to our higher self and purpose, greater awareness and 'seeing' beyond the physical and emotional planes. It is linked to psychic abilities and enhanced awareness which come as a natural part of self development and enlightenment.
The aim is to have a balance between all three centres and to work on each centre in order to expand and grow our consciousness towards enlightenment. It is tradition to keep a straight head and spine (as done in the seiza position) so the centres are all above one another and aligned.
Very well said, Paul!
Thanks reikilight & mrharper!!
Very interesting reading - think will do some more research on these too! I totally agree that sometimes in trying to simplify something we end up making it more complicated - a bit like those automated 'phone lines "if you wish to be connected to . . . . . press 3 or else press #!!"
Love Light and Blessings to All
Hi Darren[/align][/align]Thinking about the post I placed earlier, although working with the chakrasis not taught they are actually implied, if you consider the attunement process where the master places the symbols into the top2 or 3charkas depending on the method employed, so for a 2 chakra system in all the attunements you place CKR, SHK and HSZSNin the crown and the third eye chakras,that is the 6th and 7th chakras.[/align][/align]Then for the different levels you place the appropriate symbols into the chakras that are found in the centre of your palms, so to my understanding to state that the chakras are not used in all forms of Reiki that utilise the symbols, would not be a correct statement since they are actually used during the attunement presses, but I could be wrong?[/align]
Hi Darren,
Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your posts on t'other thread I started and your replies help me a lot too.
What you say above about the chakras intrigues me though and I'm wondering why it's included in the teaching I received....maybe it's along the lines of what Paul posted here. My reasoning would be that it's an aid for me to 'open up' and tune in to feel the energy, and certainly that meditation of opening before self-healing seems to help me. But I'm still a baby in all this.... ;)
Keep your posts coming.
Josh :)
Hi Paul, it would be incorrect to say that say that the chakras are not used in some forms of reiki as they are, just not in the Usui system (although as you state they are implied which I will attempt to explain below).
Many energy systems do use the chakras to represent points on the body where there are junctions (or vortices) of energy lines (meridians etc) and I think the traditional seven major chakras correspond to the esoteric meaning of the number 7 too (not sure what it represents personally although I have heard it may represent being as one with God).
As for the attunement process, for me it is the connection (or re-connection) to God (the ultimate energy, not beardy bloke), the balancing and cleansing of the bodies energy system. The typical western attunement method is based on the chakra system (probably due to the same teachings that teach the chakras as part of Usui reiki) and this is why the symbols are put into the crown, third eye and palms (to represent the connection to God, the spiritual self and sensitivity in the palms). I have heard that some people perform attunements on each chakra.
As the Japanese reiki is based upon the tandens, it follows that you would balance and connect the three tandens and make the palms and body sensitive to the differing energies linked to these centres. There is no real distinction in making each levels (i.e. level I, II and master level) attunement level 'stronger' but rather a higher awareness of the energy is felt, with a deeper cleansing and connection taking place depending on where the student 'is at' in terms of energy awareness and their state of health and balance.
Hope this helps explain a bit more.
Darren
Hi Josh, as mentioned before, there is nothing wrong with the use of chakras or meditations in the healing itself, the main thing is when teachers teach it as being based upon Usui's teachings (which he didn't actually do).
If the meditation helps you before self healing, then do as you feel. It is the results that really matter.
There is a gassho meditation that can be done before commencing any treatment which is simply placing the hands together in the 'prayer' position just in front of and slightly above the heart with the arms slightly away from the body and placing your focus on the palms and specifically the middle fingers. The intention is to clear the mind and connect with the energy and be centered within your being. It is simple and effective and is done for as long as needed to become focussed and connected.
Whatever works for you is best really.
Darren
I realise my posts can be a little abrupt and as my lovely girlfriend has pointed out 'it is in the way I tell em'. I am being true to myself though and never have intended to cause offence.
I do sincerely respect other people's wishes and views, sometimes though people do post things that I find have no bearing on Usui's teachings from my own research and teachings, which is fine if you clearly state that it is a different type of reiki but somethings in the West (and increasingly in Japan) have become ingrained as the gospel of Usui's teachings (chakras etc) which I feel should not be so as it is inaccurate (there I go again).
Sometimes there may be passing comments (such as the driving) where I feel that we as reiki practitioners who are meant to be looking out for the good of all are causing more harm to us and our surroundings than we consciously are aware of. As this has been pointed out, there are other forums that are more appropriate for such topics.
In one respect, I feel that there has been a little victimisation by stating 'off topic' and locking the forum as I have seen other threads that have gone the same way yet attracted no moderation.
But what the hell anyway. We are here to learn from each other and the short of it is I will attempt to be more mindful of the potential effects of my posts. I won't handle things with kid gloves as we are all adults capable of some degree of emotional control and responsibility, but I will take more care as to how I word things (without being sickly sweet about it!).
Here's to getting back on track (hopefully).
Mr H (Darren)
Answers:
I haven't really read many of your posts and I don't know what transpired in the post you refer to and I hope you don't take this the wrong way but,I'm a little scared of you and I think it's your name on here,it sounds abrupt. I can imagine a very straight-laced, authoritative gentleman saying to me, sternly, "it's Mr Harper to you!" LOL
Sorry, no offence meant, I'm sure you're a totally lovely guy (you have a girlfriend so you can't be that bad;)) I'm just saying how I feel [sm=hidesbehindsofa.gif]
Calmer
Answers:
Dear Darren,
For what it is worth I agree with you! ;)
Any symbols that are not part of our founders work is not Reiki.
Any additions like the teachings of chakra's was also not included by our founder they were added during the 1980's.
Reiki is the work of Dr Usui passed on to humanity, if humanity chooses to change the foundations then it is not Usui Reiki and nor should it be called so.
If we people add extra's to Reiki courses then it should be made clear that this is not part of Usui Reiki but has evolved afterwards. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not know what is from Dr Usui and what isn't.
Divine Love
Answers:
Just wanted you to know that I don't find your name scary, cosI've always thought of you as Keanu Reeves.... cos he played Mr Harker in the film version of Dracula and I always get his name wrong, thinking it was 'Harper'!
On the other bits, I have been Reiki II for 2 years but am still learning (mainly through HP!) about the background. At the end of the day, most things (that is a very general 'things') evolve to suit current environments/ideas etc, but I agree that any additions should be stated as such.
One thing I have found on the 3 HP forums I subscribe to, everyone has different backgrounds, experience and, perhaps most importantly,perspective. Although that can be a bit confusing, it also enables people to have access to ideas and information they would not normally come across and then enables them to make up their own minds or prompts them to do their own research. I am sure I am like many on this forum and rarely come into contact with other therapists so I really appreciate hearing others thoughts (and research).
Loving you all,
Florence x
Answers:
Hi to all who posted so far.
calmer - you can come out from behind the couch! Just to explain the name, it is just my sense of humour and when I thought up the name (which was the result of a conversation with my girlfriend, which I cannot quite recall) we laughed for ages about it! So I will wag my finger sternly at you as I gaze from above my horn rimmed spectacles and say 'Do not be scared, be merry!' (jokingly).
Divine Love - it is worth a lot to me that you agree and share the same passion and respect for reiki and Usui sensei. His effort and dedication gave humanity a complete form of self development and a means of gaining enlightenment so I am baffled sometimes when I hear people speak about reiki, acknowledge him as the founder and then speak about chakras etc in the same breath! Keep up the good work!
Florence - what can I say! It made me smile thinking of you thinking of me as Keanu Reeves! I agree that it is vastly important that everyone has an input as people can explain concepts in different ways that someone else may understand better than if another had explained it. I agree with the additions part being stated as such too. I found out that the whole chakra integration started in the US with a student of Mrs Takata's. Now many have been taught the same way, so I do not 'blame' (such a harsh word really) the student as this is what they are taught and this is why it is important that others share their info about reiki because there is very limited info available as to what is original and what has been added, with many believing that what they practice is based on the Usui system.
Keep the information flowing!
Thanks again and call me Darren/Mr Harker or whatever you want, if you wish
Answers:
You know, ever since I heard that in the movie "What the Bleep do we know anyway" they talked about that thoughts are more real than matter all I focus on are positive intentions. I am a Usui Reiki master and I would never allow my Reiki energyto be limited by my thoughts. I act as a conduit to send positive healing energy wherever it might be needed.
As En Vogue put it so nicely "Free your mind and the rest will follow" - that has been my motto for a long time now. In my opinion, if you put your mind to it anything is possible :)As one of my teachers in massage school would frequently say "It's all good, if your intentions are good".
Answers:
Dear Darren,
Of course I live by the Reiki principles. :D Not only to respect but to continue to honour Dr Usui and my Reiki Master.
I totally agree....and should be honoured for doing so.
To ensure that his high standards and self discipline are also passed on to those that use the Reiki name.
Well compassion and unconditional love comes to mind....many were not taught the high standard that we were taught and so many are not aware that chakra's was not part of the original teachings or when chakra's were introduced and by whom. There is a lot of very innocent people around and one cannot teach what one has never learnt; so the spiral down of the original high standards continues......Or as my RM put in the late 90's Reiki has gone astray........
You too!
Divine Love
Answers:
I must say Mr Harper (or whomever!) I always enjoy reading your comments when I come accross them on here.
Where can I read more about hara (is that right) as I was taught about chakras as part of my reiki and would like to know more of Dr Usui's original teachings.
Obviously all things change and evolve as time progresses - look at the English language it is in a state of continual flux - but I would still like to delve deeper into the history of the usui reiki system.
Answers:
Hi Divine Love[/align][/align]Do you not think that everyone is passionate about whatever energy modality they learn, yes there are quite a few different versions of Usui Reiki doing the rounds and I am sure that everyone feels the same about the version they where taught the same as you do about yours, everyone feels they are right but unfortunately Usui is not hear any more to set the record straight.[/align][/align]Though I agree that the Chakras, the aura and the meridians where not taught by Usui, they are what makes up our energy matrix, to those that do not understand the term, there are three parts to our makeup, we have the physical body and we have our spiritual pure consciousness which is referred to as our higher self, the bit that works as a go-between and help to maintain our physical body is the energy matrix, this is the chakras, meridians and our aura.[/align][/align]Without the energy matrix we have no physical existence and are left with our pure consciousness level which is often referred to as spirit, the energy matrix is formed at conception and stays with us until we die and then it breaks up.[/align][/align]Now I know that some members disregard this part of us in energy work, believing rightly or wrongly that we should use the energy to address the physical symptoms without addressing the cause, which is often found in the energy matrix, but that isup to each individual to consider for themselves regardless of the modality practiced.[/align][/align]Those that practice Usuis original energy system would ask those who use his Reiki system why they are bothered about lineages as they don't see a use for them as it all comes from the source, if you where to ask them if they healed they would probably smile and say yes but it is not important as it is not emphasised with that system, they would certainly look at you sideways if you told them they needed symbols to work with the energy.[/align][/align]At the end of the day what we conceive as relevant is a personal thing, some people will get one thing out of a system and someone else will get something else, they would both be right as they are receiving what is right for them, later on they might both learn what the other has already learned and that is fine, energy is fluid and IMO we need to be fluid in our understanding of it.[/align]
Answers:
Hi Wispy Misty :D
Try reading Japanese Art of Reiki very good exercises for working with hara and 3 diamonds. Also website for International house of reiki has good information.
Reiki Blessings, Reikilight x
Answers:
Hi Wispy Misty, nice to hear from you. I am glad you enjoy my comments and I totally agree that things do change in order to further understanding, it just seems that sometimes we make things more complex and less defined in the process of these changes and the simplicity of a concept is sometimes lost among the detail.
I hope the information helps.
Darren
Hara energy centres
Many cultures have different aspects of the energy centres of the body such as the chakra system and the universal heart and 'third eye' centres. Although the chakra system is not traditionally taught in Usui's system, one can see that there are correspondences that have lead to people merging the two and then expanding the system to cover other energy centres that are not linked to Japanese culture but Indian/Tibetan.
The Usui system of reiki is based upon the hara system (lit. belly in Japanese) with the main focus on the tanden (the hara houses the tanden) which is the storage centre for our own personal ki. This is the centre that is worked on in such systems such as kiko healing and many martial arts disciplines to increase the practitioners own personal ki. Physically it acts as our centre of gravity and a point of balance for our entire being.
In traditional Japanese healing systems, such as those studied and applied by Usui, the tanden is considered vital to self development and cultivation of energy. Focussing on the tanden centres our energy and grounds us in the present moment, making us more aware of our own energies.
Commonly, three centres are focussed on, which have been influenced by Chinese systems of healing such as Qi Gong and T'ai Chi. All three have role in our development and our well being. The three tanden are:
Shimo Tanden (the lower tanden, also known as Ge Tanden)
This centre is located in the hara which is found 'three fingers down from the navel and two behind' and is linked to 'Earth energy' (the cho ku rei). This tanden is worked upon to increase our personal flow of ki and to assist in focussing and developing our selves, our self discipline and creativity.
Naka Tanden (the middle tanden, also known as Chu Tanden)
This energy centre is located around the middle of the chest and is linked to 'Heaven energy' (the sei he ki). It is linked to our personal experiences, the emotions and acts as a balance between the spirit and the physical aspects.
Kami Tanden (the upper tanden, also known as Jo Tanden)
This energy centre is located in the middle of the forehead between the eyes and is linked to 'Spiritual energy' (rei energy). It is linked to our higher self and purpose, greater awareness and 'seeing' beyond the physical and emotional planes. It is linked to psychic abilities and enhanced awareness which come as a natural part of self development and enlightenment.
The aim is to have a balance between all three centres and to work on each centre in order to expand and grow our consciousness towards enlightenment. It is tradition to keep a straight head and spine (as done in the seiza position) so the centres are all above one another and aligned.
Answers:
Very well said, Paul!
Answers:
Thanks reikilight & mrharper!!
Very interesting reading - think will do some more research on these too! I totally agree that sometimes in trying to simplify something we end up making it more complicated - a bit like those automated 'phone lines "if you wish to be connected to . . . . . press 3 or else press #!!"
Love Light and Blessings to All
Answers:
Hi Darren[/align][/align]Thinking about the post I placed earlier, although working with the chakrasis not taught they are actually implied, if you consider the attunement process where the master places the symbols into the top2 or 3charkas depending on the method employed, so for a 2 chakra system in all the attunements you place CKR, SHK and HSZSNin the crown and the third eye chakras,that is the 6th and 7th chakras.[/align][/align]Then for the different levels you place the appropriate symbols into the chakras that are found in the centre of your palms, so to my understanding to state that the chakras are not used in all forms of Reiki that utilise the symbols, would not be a correct statement since they are actually used during the attunement presses, but I could be wrong?[/align]
Answers:
Hi Darren,
Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your posts on t'other thread I started and your replies help me a lot too.
What you say above about the chakras intrigues me though and I'm wondering why it's included in the teaching I received....maybe it's along the lines of what Paul posted here. My reasoning would be that it's an aid for me to 'open up' and tune in to feel the energy, and certainly that meditation of opening before self-healing seems to help me. But I'm still a baby in all this.... ;)
Keep your posts coming.
Josh :)
Answers:
Hi Paul, it would be incorrect to say that say that the chakras are not used in some forms of reiki as they are, just not in the Usui system (although as you state they are implied which I will attempt to explain below).
Many energy systems do use the chakras to represent points on the body where there are junctions (or vortices) of energy lines (meridians etc) and I think the traditional seven major chakras correspond to the esoteric meaning of the number 7 too (not sure what it represents personally although I have heard it may represent being as one with God).
As for the attunement process, for me it is the connection (or re-connection) to God (the ultimate energy, not beardy bloke), the balancing and cleansing of the bodies energy system. The typical western attunement method is based on the chakra system (probably due to the same teachings that teach the chakras as part of Usui reiki) and this is why the symbols are put into the crown, third eye and palms (to represent the connection to God, the spiritual self and sensitivity in the palms). I have heard that some people perform attunements on each chakra.
As the Japanese reiki is based upon the tandens, it follows that you would balance and connect the three tandens and make the palms and body sensitive to the differing energies linked to these centres. There is no real distinction in making each levels (i.e. level I, II and master level) attunement level 'stronger' but rather a higher awareness of the energy is felt, with a deeper cleansing and connection taking place depending on where the student 'is at' in terms of energy awareness and their state of health and balance.
Hope this helps explain a bit more.
Darren
Answers:
Hi Josh, as mentioned before, there is nothing wrong with the use of chakras or meditations in the healing itself, the main thing is when teachers teach it as being based upon Usui's teachings (which he didn't actually do).
If the meditation helps you before self healing, then do as you feel. It is the results that really matter.
There is a gassho meditation that can be done before commencing any treatment which is simply placing the hands together in the 'prayer' position just in front of and slightly above the heart with the arms slightly away from the body and placing your focus on the palms and specifically the middle fingers. The intention is to clear the mind and connect with the energy and be centered within your being. It is simple and effective and is done for as long as needed to become focussed and connected.
Whatever works for you is best really.
Darren
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