The Nonduality of Reiki

“In an absolute sense, compassion is the awakened nature of the mind.” —Dilgo Khyentse

The essence of the system of Reiki is all about nonduality. Mikao Usui pointed this out again and again within his system, within the precepts, the symbols and mantras, within the meditation practices, the reiju, and also within hands on/off healing.

“The purpose of renunciation mind, compassion, the recitation of mantras, and contemplation on the breath is to dig out dualism. These practices will dismantle the puzzle of dualism.” – Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

When we tap into the deeper layers of the system of Reiki we slowly start to experience aspects of this nondual state of mind. This is the ultimate truth.

Therefore, as practitioners and teachers we have to focus on this nonduality, because it is in this state of nonduality that we truly can start to heal ourselves.

This nondual state is also described within the precepts:

Do not anger
Do not worry
Be grateful
Be true to your way and your being
Show compassion to yourself and others

However, often we find this very difficult, and we start to say or teach that one kind of Reiki has a higher vibration than the other. Or we teach that there are different kinds of Reiki, like human Reiki or tree Reiki and that they are different from each other.

But by doing this we keep focusing on duality, and this duality triggers anger, worry, fear, and keeps us from feeling true compassion. In other words, duality keeps us from embodying the precepts. And when we teach these dual elements to our students, we are guiding our students towards anger, worry and fear and not towards compassion at all. Without meaning to or without even realizing it, we are guiding our students away from the precepts that we are trying to teach them.

This is why it is so important to sit on our butt and practice the meditation practices Mikao Usui put into his system so that we can start to have insight into this nondual nature. This in turn will help us to guide our students into the direction of nonduality, true healing.

Through doing this we also start to walk a path towards compassion, as is pointed out within the precepts.

Because when we focus on duality in our practice and/or our teachings (this is better/higher than that, this is different than that), then we carry this through into our daily life. And we might start to say or think things like, “I am going to be kind and supportive of this group but not of that group”, “I only like these kinds of people and not those”, I am a better practitioner than you because I use a higher vibration”, “I am better than you because I work with humans, animals or trees.”

So as you can see, duality triggers division; division triggers anger, worry, and fear and not compassion. Nonduality triggers compassion.

“If we are missing nonduality, our every act will lead to disappointment” – Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

Mikao Usui also based his teachings on nonduality and therefore it is of utmost importance that we are not straying into dualism in our practice and teachings. Because in essence we all want a peaceful, compassionate world and this peaceful compassion can only manifest when we lay bare our nondual nature.

Frans Stiene

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.

ihreiki.com/about/reiki_teachers/frans_stiene/