What is Reiki? Reiki = True Self
We are often asked what the word Reiki stands for within the system of Reiki. Reiki literally translates as Spiritual Energy.
External – Dual
Reiki, spiritual energy, is often seen and taught as something external from ourselves, something we need to channel, something we need to access from a different source rather then ourselves, something that a Reiki Teacher gives you.
Internal – Non-Dual
But if we talk about spiritual then it means it is already within us, we are spiritual energy, we have never been separated from it, we are spiritual energy from the beginningless time. This kind of spiritual is non-dual, it is our birthright. Or in other words spiritual energy – Reiki is none other then our True Self.
True Self
Thus we can simply say that Reiki = True Self and that the system of Reiki helps us to re-discover our True Self. Mikao Usui used the word Reiki/True Self to indicate that his teachings were a spiritual practice for Anshin Ritsumei (enlightenment).
Hawayo Takata
Even Hawayo Takata taught that Reiki means True Self, however this was lost in translation when she passed away.
Hawayo Takata’s diary, dated December 10th, 1935 says:
“the “meaning of ‘Reiki’ Energy within oneself, when concentrated and applied to patient, will cure all ailments – it is nature’s greatest cure, which requires no drugs. It helps in all respects, human and animal life. In order to concentrate, one must purify one’s thoughts in words and to meditate to let the true “energy” come out from within. It lies in the bottom of the stomach about 2 inches below the navel. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, concentrate on your thoughts and relax.”
She writes, let the True energy come out from within, so here she is saying that Reiki is True Self.
Hawayo Takata is also stating that we need to meditate to let this True energy come from within, and that it lies at the hara/tanden!
Roots
So, let’s go back to the roots of Mikao Usui’s teachings and start to teach again that Reiki = True Self. By teachings this we really start to empower our students because the deepest healing we can offer our students is helping them to re-discover their True Self/Reiki.
For more info: What is the System of Reiki?
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 1
Hi All,
One important element to remember is that if we want to see that external and internal are the same we need to break down the wall we have build.
However this wall is not build externally by someone else, but build internally by ourselves, thus we need to go internal to break down that wall so to speak, to rediscover that non-duality.