Within the system of Reiki we have primary practices and secondary practices. It is important to know what these practices are as this will help us to get a clearer understanding of what we are practicing and how to progress.
Primary Reiki Practices
Primary practices are there to lead us to the main aim of the practice, but what is the main aim of the system of Reiki? It is the rediscovering our true self or, in other words, remembering our Reiki – spiritual energy. This was pointed out by Mikao Usui in the precepts where we learn that we need to let go of the “I” – it is only then that we have no “I” who is attached to anger and worry, no “I” who gets in the way of not being humble, honest and compassionate. Once we have let go of the “I”, we have remembered out true self, and we are at the centre of Reiki.
You could say that the primary practices are all the elements within the system of Reiki; meditating on the precepts, meditating on the symbols and mantras, practicing meditations like Joshin Kokyu Ho, performing hands on healing on ourselves and others, receiving and performing the reiju/attunement/initiation. If we jumble it all up, however, we become confused and all tangled up and the path is no longer clear.
A teacher needs to help the student to understand what the student’s primary practice is. For example, if you want to become the earth energy (as symbolised by the first Okuden Level II symbol and mantra) then you need to make this your primary practice. If, on the other hand, you practice all the symbols and mantras jumbled up together then it will be very hard to become the earth energy. To be able to become the symbol/mantra you will need to meditate on it daily for many weeks and months, only then can you begin to embody it. If I want to become the earth energy and each day I do a bit of meditation on that and then also some heavenly energy and some other things then my energy will be pulled here, there, and everywhere, which means it will be very difficult for me to become that energy. It would be much more effective to just spend time with the one tool, getting directly to the point.
I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times. Bruce Lee
Secondary Reiki Practices
A secondary practice is a practice we use for temporary issues or experiences. For example: you practice your daily primary practice such as meditating on the CKR symbol/mantra, and then one day you hurt your knee. Now you add hands on healing on your knee to your daily practice until the issue is resolved. The hands-on healing aspect in this situation is your secondary practice.
The deeper understanding we have of of what our primary practice and secondary practices are, the clearer our spiritual journey becomes.
Based in Holland, Frans Stiene teaches in North America, Europe, UK, Australia and Asia.
Frans is also the author of Reiki Insights, it is the continuation of his previous book The Inner Heart of Reiki, taking your personal practice and understanding of the system of Reiki yet another step deeper.
Comments 9
Wise advice, Frans! And that Bruce Lee quote is priceless as well as germane.
Hi Elly,
I think this is a very important issue, especially if we want to practice the system of Reiki as a spiritual practice. We can see these kind of teachings in all dedicated spiritual practices. This was traditionally also pointed out in Yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Buddhism, etc.
I love Bruce Lee’s quotes 🙂 He was and is still a great teacher.
You know, Frans, there’s an ancient Greek saying: “The fox knows many tricks, the hedgehog only one. One good one.” Perhaps this is ultimately the meaning of that saying, the one practice, the one kick among the 10,000!
Hi Elly,
Like the fox quote 🙂
I think all the ancient people knew what it was all about.
Hi Frans,
Wonderful article!
A good foundation is so important. I spent 14 months meditating on and working with Earth Energy before going on to the others. (I originally “planned” on focusing on each for four months). I felt I was a bit slower than your other students, but I am so glad I spent the time the way I did. The practice has supported me in so many ways since then.
Thank you.
Kris
Thank you Frans for the wise advice in simple words yet so effective, love the bruce lee quote 🙂
Hi Kris,
For some people it takes 6 months for others 2 years but in the end it doesn’t mater how long it takes, as long as we create the right foundation. I have seen how beneficial it is in so many students and teachers, plus this foundation creates a base for the deeper teachings to rest upon.
What a journey!
It is fun to read older comments :-).
Kris, if you will compare yourself with me than you are not slow at all :-).
Slow, fast etc…it doesn’t matter , it all comes together whatever we need seems.
Thank you Frans for reposting this article .perfecting the one kick !
Thank you so much for posting this on Facebook today. I really needed a reminder of this. Coincidentally I have a sore knee that needs my attention too.