by Frans Stiene
One of the most important teachings Mikao Usui gives us is to forget the “self” and to discard all thoughts. This is also pointed out by a student of Mikao Usui in the student’s 1933 book:
“Its essence is seeking the harmony of body and mind. When engaged in self-cultivation by doing seiza, forgetting the “self” is of utmost importance. When it comes to self-cultivation, one must discard all thoughts.” – Reiki and the Benevolent Art of Healing by Tomita Kaij, 1933.
Mrs Takata also pointed this out in her diary in 1935: “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 in thoughts and to meditate to let the “energy” come out from within. It lies in the bottom of your stomach about 2 inches below the navel. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, concentrate on your thoughts and relax…”
To purify our thoughts means not to get caught up in our thinking, to discard all thoughts.
This is also pointed out in the symbol/mantra hon sha ze sho nen 本者是正念 which translates as: my original nature is no-mind. No-mind or Right Mind is a traditional teaching within Japanese spiritual practices like Zen, to name but one. Of course we also can see the teaching about forgetting the “self” and discarding all thoughts within the precepts. No self, no problem. No I, me, mine means no anger and worry and what is left is just being grateful, true to our way and our being and compassionate.
“Since everything is the reality of life, there is no “I.” Although this precept is commonly understood as not becoming angry, it really means that there is no ego [self] that becomes angry.” – Master Dogen’s Zazen Meditation Handbook with a commentary by Zen master Kosho Uchiyama Roshi
Within the Reiki precepts we also see the phrase shinshin kaizen which means the improvement of our body and mind.. In Zen this is called dropping of body and mind.
“’Dropping of body and mind’ means letting go of thought.” – Master Dogen’s Zazen Meditation Handbook with a commentary by Zen master Kosho Uchiyama Roshi
Thus the inner meaning of shinshin kaizen is letting go of thought. Then there is also the meditation joshin kokyu ho, which translates as: pure mind with each in and out breath. This pure mind is also not getting caught up in our thoughts and realizing that there is no “self.” Again and again Mikao Usui points out that through practicing his teachings we forget the “self” and we do not get caught up in our thoughts. But how does all of this relate to our practice?
When we realize there is no “self” then that automatically means there is no “other.” Then there is nothing to give during a hands on healing session; neither is there something to receive. All we are “doing” then is just Being Reiki. This is the same for the attunement/reiju/initiation: nothing to give or to receive because in essence there is no “self.” All we can do during this ritual is just to Be Reiki. Then there is no negative energy to take away from the “self” or positive energy to put into the “self” – because we have realized that there is no “self” in the first place.
Again all we are then is just Being Reiki. When we label things negative and positive in our practice, these are just thought patterns, and Mikao Usui points out to us to let go of our thoughts! Therefore just Be Reiki
“When there is nothing in your mind, your chi is in harmony and tranquil. When your chi is in harmony and tranquil, it will be active and flowing, but it has no fixed form; and without using strength, it will be naturally strong.” – The Demon’s Sermon on the Martial Arts by Issai Chozanshi
Often people start to label what we feel as heat, cold, or tingling and create a story around those sensations, but these are all based on the “self” and on our specific personal thought patterns. So again, this is not in line with Mikao Usui’s teachings and instructions he left within the system of Reiki.
“This is because the source of reiki, the agent of this therapy, must be sought in the proper heart and mind.” – Reiki and the Benevolent Art of Healing by Tomita Kaij, 1933
Therefore it is important to understand that when we sit in our meditation practice or perform hands-on/off healing on ourselves or on others, not to get caught up in our thoughts, labeling that this is good or bad, this is positive or negative, this means this or that…
And we must also remember when we do these practices that they are all there to forget the “self.” So ultimately we realize that “today” there is no “self” in the first place to be found.
We all know the story that one of Mikao Usui’s teachers told him to go into the mountains and experience the great death. The great death is also about forgetting the self. And it was only through this that Mikao Usui rediscovered that he was Reiki.
“In Zen we often use the phrases, “to die the Great Death” and “to be reborn to the True Self.” I think these words truly express the character of Zen. “To die the Great Death” is to root out ideas and beliefs we commonly accept, such as having a “self,” and to negate the small self or the ego. “To be reborn to the True Self” is to affirm the Whole and our true selves without ego.” – Introduction to Zen Training A Physical Approach to Meditation and Mind-Body Training by Omori Sogen 1904–1994
This great death is not just what Mikao Usui was practicing himself in the mountains but it is also what he taught within the system of Reiki.
“Ultimately aiming to reach a state where we resonate automatically with reiki without even being aware we are doing so. When every part of our daily life resonates with reiki, we truly achieve a healthy and peaceful life.” – Hiroshi Doi
Hiroshi Doi states this very beautifully: “…we resonate automatically with reiki without even being aware we are doing so.” Why? Because there is no “self” to be aware that we are doing Reiki. We do not get caught up in the thoughts of doing Reiki or channeling Reiki. Then we are just Being Reiki.
