The Touch of Love

[Reyn Yorio Tsuru, a good friend and teacher who is a Shingon priest of the Shingon Shu Hawaii, and I, Frans Stiene, have been talking about healing, kaji, reiju, empowerment and more. He wrote this beautiful answer to one of my questions.]

As I am sure you are aware, there are so many, many books written about the power of kaji, and of course the ones on mikkyo mention the very elaborate and lengthy rituals. On the other hand, there are a few theses written on the matter of healing that write about the priest using their rosary to touch parts of the body to effect some kind of response from the person receiving the kaji.

While I of course believe in the power of such healing. I would like to put forth to you this: is there any difference between one of us applying our hands after praying and meditating upon a person, and that of a mother tending their child? When we hold the hand of a friend, are we not affecting some kind of spiritual connection that is very much like kaji? Haven’t we all been touched by a new love interest and felt that electric jolt of excitement? Of course, haven’t we all felt that energy dissipate over time? I think to truly understand the power of kaji, or even reiki for that matter, one needs to understand themselves fully. Where does our power come from? Are there ulterior motives behind our wanting to apply touch or prayer for another? As a Buddhist, those questions never cease.

As a Shingon practitioner, I can tell you that I have experienced many different forms of kaji, ranging from one on one experiences to very large ceremonies complete with bonfires, dozens of priests chanting with the force of their voices filling you with positive energy…but I still miss my mom’s holding my hand, because I knew there was no strings attached…I felt healed because someone cared about me and I cared about them. I would not trade that feeling for any psychic phenomena, priests in flowing silk brocade robes, and lineages that stretch back generations. I know that my mom’s kaji was for real.

I think if we have the capacity to share that feeling with people, the power to perform kaji would come naturally…and frankly make it pale in comparison.