A Beginners Guide to Reiki & Seichem.

Includes the History of Usui Reiki Ryoho, Dr Hayashi & Hawayo Takata.
Written and Presented by:

Reiki Ray Sensei

01942 207302
www.reikiraysensei.co.uk reikicentre@blueyonder.co.uk

Reiki & Seichem Master Healer/Teacher Co-ordinator for the Reiki Healers North West Group

Copyright Ray C.N.G. Goldy, 2007 Updated 2012

Welcome to this, my first ebook. I hope you find it informative and enjoyable to read, I would love to hear from you and perhaps exchange Reiki stories and experiences. Here is the Table of Contents:
1. A message from Ray Sensei. 2. Student Testimonials 3. Reiki, what is it? 4. How does Reiki Heal? 5. What is a Reiki treatment like? 6. The History of Usui Reiki Ryoho. 7. What is Seichem? 8. Reiki & Seichem Training with Reiki Ray Sensei. 9. Reiki Stories of students and clients.

The Reiki & Relaxology Centre

The Reiki & Relaxology Centre was set up by Ray C.N.G. Goldy in 1998, and he was one of the first to practice professionally in the Leigh area, working originally in Pennington nr. Manchester. After a spell in Leigh town centre, Ray and his wife Liza are now home based for the moment whilst they look for The Centre of Healing, a property that hasnt presented itself to them yet! Liza is a qualified Crystal Healer and is passionate about her Stones, Angels and Reiki.
In the East, they GO REGULARLY to a practitioner to STAY WELL, In the West, we dont go UNTIL WERE ILL! Then its too late!!!

Which is the better way??? Ray teaches Reiki & Seichem courses, Oriental Face Massage and Hopi Ear Candling, both here in Leigh, Lancashire, and around the North West. He also runs several other types of workshops.

A Message from Reiki Ray Sensei

Ray C.N.G. Goldy

Reiki and Seichem Master Healer/ Teacher

Mikao Usui

Ray C.N.G. Goldy

Although I was creating Pranic Energy during the practise of Yoga, and when I was qualifying as a Yoga teacher in 1977, we were never informed that it could be used for healing! Amazingly I didnt realise the potential of Energy Healing until I was introduced to Reiki Healing in 1998! I became a Traditional Western Reiki Master in 1999 when my Reiki Master Brenda Isaac, attuned me in the centre circle of Stonehenge where she herself had been initiated by William Lee Rand. However, I felt that something was missing and I didnt feel drawn to teach the method of Reiki which we now refer to as Traditional Western Reiki, erroneously thought of as actual Usui Reiki. (Refer to The History of Reiki page.) What was missing I discovered later, was several Energy Symbols known as Seichem. (Refer to Seichem ) The Five Elements. Reiki attunes you to the healing element of Earth and I came to feel the need to be attuned also to the energies of Water, Wind, Fire and Spirit. Its rather like expanding the spectrum of vibrations that you can channel without using up your own energy. I tend to describe myself to my clients as a funnel, channeling Chi energy to them, mainly through my hands. To add Seichem to Reiki is rather like becoming a bigger funnel! Hieroglyphics had appeared during my own original attunements which made me curious about Seichem. Seichem is the Egyptian side of Energy Healing, providing us with Sakara, Sophi-el and Angeliclight energies. So, I re-trained as a Reiki and Seichem Master with Angela Withers, who is a healer with lovely Angelic energies. The Usui Techniques I now practice and also teach the Original Usui Japanese Techniques, of giving active Reiki treatments which includes massage and acupressure, as well as the Western passive method of hand positions. During my original Western Reiki training, I came away from the 1st Degree workshop with this funny feeling. It was, that I must uphold the Usui Spirit of Reiki, and I that was to bring Reikis together. It was strange really as Id only just been told who he (Mikao Usui) was! Shortly after completing my Masters training at Stonehenge, I participated in 2 new workshops entitled The Original Techniques of Mikao Usui, where I then discovered that I had really been taught the PASSIVE hand positions of Mrs Takata, and that the Usui technique of giving a treatment was active and allowed me to move on from the fixed and rigid rules of Mrs Takata, the Reiki Alliance and the Reiki Association. Yes, I could use my intuition!

I spent the next two years teaching the Usuis techniques and upholding the Spirit of Reiki, to those who had already trained in Western Reiki, before finally beginning to initiate my own students into what I call Reiki Rays & Seichem. I began to train and attune others only when I felt that I could continue with and indeed expand my healing work, as without doubt during the 2/3 days tuition, students experience great healing, self development, expanded intuition and spiritual guidance. This is why I dont believe that Reiki, and the Spirit of Reiki can be taught properly and with real inner meaning in colleges, books, on the internet, television or by phone, or on short non-intensive training days. I teach the Usui Techniques to Reiki 2nd & 3rd Degree students of all lineage. Why Im known as Reiki Ray? When I was training at 1st Degree, and again at 2nd Degree, Brenda my Reiki Master kept calling me John! To get her to remember my name, I kept saying, think of Ray-ki, Reiki Ray. By the time I took Reiki Master level with her, she had finally mastered my name! Also I found that when I would ring someone up, they would say, Ray who? Then I would say, You know, Reiki - Ray. Oh yes, youre that chap that does Reiki!!!! So, in order for other people to remember who I am, and because its a play on words, I adopted the nickname, Reiki Ray, especially after seeing the Reiki rays mentioned in our Reiki & Seichem Masters manual! Certificates I feel strongly about giving out certificates just because a person has attended a course. A certificate is to tell the public and to confirm to the student that they are properly trained and competent. Also, I find that I have far too much information to pass on, in just the traditional 2 days as the training is to a professional level, and approved by various governing bodies and the FHT. On the 1st day of training, students are clearly taught about Reiki, what it is, where it comes from and of how the attunement is given. At the end of the morning the 1st Degree Reiki attunement is given, during which we may ask for our Reiki guides, helpers and angels if we so wish. Self Healing is taught and practised in the afternoon, along with chakra balancing. On the 2nd day, we cover many aspects of Reiki, including Code of Conduct, Contraindications and Protection and Disconnection procedures. This is followed by a look at the Silver Violet Fire, to which the student is attuned to just before dinner. In the afternoon, students are taught to give Reiki to each other using a chair, and finally a couch treatment. Advice is also given regarding the choice of suitable treatment tables. There is a Beginners Guide to 1st Degree Reiki & Seichem booklet available which I have specifically written to cover everything we do during these first two days, and also Ive recorded a DVD to show a Reiki treatment: The Beginners Guide to 1st Degree Reiki Hand Positions.

On the 3rd day which is usually a month or so later to give time to learn the hand positions and assimilate the Reiki energies, we begin with self healing followed by a brief look at anatomy and physiology. The Seichem Initiation is given just before lunch. In the afternoon we look at the Emotional Causes of Dis-ease followed by advanced and more active hand positions, including Emotional Healing. A brief look too at the Hayashi Healing methods is followed by a final exchange of treatments. A manual which includes the Hayashi Healing Manual, and the 1st Degree Certificate is given on the day. 2nd Degree is taken over 2 days. This is regarded as the Practitioner Level, whereby a student can get insurance and set up a Reiki practise. There is also a YOD attunement on the 2nd day to help strengthen ones Rainbow Bridge to improve ones intuition and an optional Cartouche card reading. To complete 2nd Degree, students are required to record various case studies and be able to give a competent treatment. I need to see that the Reiki & Seichem symbols have been learnt properly and that the student knows how, when and where to use them. Distant Healing is also part of 2nd Degree tuition. See the Students Stories to read about some of the more unusual uses of Reiki and the Universal Life Force. 3rd Degree Master Healer is a one day workshop and Master Teacher is 2 to 3 days according to whats needed. When you achieve that status, you will be an excellent teacher of Reiki & Seichem. Visit the Training pages for more information. My beautiful certificates have to be earned they cannot be bought! At the end of the day, you will value and treasure your certificate as a written confirmation of the change you have made to your life, and will no doubt help to make for others too. Its very important to be comfortable with your Teacher, so pick your Reiki Teacher carefully and choose one that will give you help and support, both now and in the future. It is preferable, though not essential that you have a Reiki treatment from myself, prior to starting on your Reiki path, so that you can experience the energies and techniques of myself and of Reiki & Seichem. You are welcome to come to my treatment centre to meet me, and to decide if you really are ready to become a Lightworker, and a Reiki and Seichem Healer.

I am just a phone call away! 01942 207302

Students Comments:
To Ray, just to say a Big Thank You for your kindness and support regarding my Reiki re-training! You are such a passionate and enthusiastic teacher/sensei. I feel very privileged and honoured to have you as my teacher! With Love, Petra xoxo Namaste. Learning Reiki at Reiki Rays was a most pleasant experience. It was nice to be in home surroundings and have lunch in his lovely, interesting garden, and be able to communicate with him on a friendship level. Also to ask all those questions that you may think are silly but want to ask. I had previously studied Reiki at a college and found it not to be the right environment, and once the course was over there was no communication allowed with the tutor! So I decided to go to Reiki Rays to be re-taught Reiki and I have felt the benefit of this. He also offers other courses, does MBS shows and is also available for treatments as well as tutoring. Patsy OReilly, xoxo 'WOW' and a big heart felt thank you to the lovely Ray. Since Ray attuned me, which in itself was an amazing experience, so relaxed and calm, my life has improved in so many ways. My health has improved using self healing. Ive helped to improve my friends headaches. Ive use silver violet flame to create a calmer house. My teenage son communicates in human sounds now and not teenage grunts anymore. Reiki has changed my life for the better and that is priceless. Love and light Sue x Ray Goldy is an excellent teacher, making what are very intense training sessions easy to understand and learn. I have changed a lot spiritually since I started learning Reiki and it is now a huge part of my life. I would recommend him to anyone wanting to learn or receive Reiki. In love and light, Kate xxx I was very sceptical about Reiki and was unsure what difference it would have on my life. Somehow my search led me to Ray and he is very special. My training was wonderful and Reiki is now a very big part of my life. Reiki is very spiritual and all encompassing; it is part of who I now am. Many thanks, Tricia The training was not only instructive but very revealing and relaxing. Reiki is in fact a beautiful way of life and the practice gives you an incredible insight into life, It shows how to understand and overcome (or maybe, not be overcome ) by events. My days start out as great and proceed to get better. Ive only just scratched the surface, and theres so much more. Tom. I have now completed my Reiki Master Healing training and would like you to know that I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of your course. You are a truly remarkable man whose enthusiasm and knowledge of Reiki is in abundance. The sessions over the training days were carried out in a relaxed yet professional atmosphere and the meditations were amazing. I look forward to passing on this wonderful gift of Love Light and Reiki Rays. Love, Sharon x ~~~}~~~

As there is little factual written information from Mikao Usui himself, and because Mrs Takata added story telling, mystics and ceremony in order to present a Japanese form of healing to the Americans not long after the 2nd World War, you will read many different versions of what is in essence, the same story. This is the history of Usui Reiki, as I believe it to be. Mikao Usui was born on the 15th of August 1865 in the village of Yago, in the Gifu Prefecture where his family had lived for several generations. His family, which was reasonably wealthy, belonged to the Tendai sect of Buddhism. When he was four, he was sent to a Tendai Monastery to receive his primary education and where he learned the martial art of Kiko, a discipline designed to improve health, focusing on the use of Chi and may have included methods for healing with the hands. This is a martial art not too dis-similar to Qi Gong, and he practised the meditations and breathing techniques to strengthen his ability to build up his personal Chi. He put this knowledge to good use later in his career. Usui was a very bright student and when he pursued higher education it is thought that he may have graduated with a Doctorate in Literature. He spoke many languages, and its thought that he travelled to America and Europe and became well-versed in medicine, theology and philosophy. He was not a doctor of medicine as some early stories had said. In his early adulthood, Mikao Usui married his wife Sadako Suzuki and lived in Kyoto with their two children, a boy named Fuji, born 1908 and a girl named Toshiko, born 1913. Usui appears to have studied various Buddhist methods of healing, and psychic practices such as Shugendo and Shintoism. One of his students and good friend, Toshihiro Eguchi, a practitioner of Shinto greatly influenced Mikao Usui, and after the passing of Usui, Toshihiro Eguchi and students of the Reiki Gakkia, erected a memorial stone to honour their teacher and friend Mikao Usui. Mikao Usui developed a compassionate wish that he should learn and pass on methods of healing that would benefit all mankind. He became a devout student and spent much time and money studying Buddhist healing techniques and symbols. He was however, unable to understand the meanings and use, of some of the information and he could get little help from other Buddhist monks. In order to interpret this information and possibly to find the meaning of life he was guided to go on a 21 day fast at on Kurama Yama. There is confusion as to exactly when Mikao Usui had his enlightening and attunement experience. According to Frank Petter it was in March 1922, and Usui formed the Reiki Gakkia a month later in April.

This is Usui Sensei with some of his early students.

The Birth of Usui Reiki Ryoho

Because of his enhanced psychic abilities, he was able to belong to a metaphysical group called the Rei Jyutsu Kai. This group had a centre at the base of the holy mountain, Kurama Yama. It seems that one of the rituals they practised was what we would call distant healing At one of the meetings, a student asked Usui why it was that the treatments and healings that he, and they, were giving werent very effective or long lasting. Hands on healing, was quite commonplace in Japan at that time and the word Reiki was used to describe the treatment, i.e. Reiki Ryoho, the Reiki method. However, like most forms of hands on healing, the healers were GIVING their chi energy to the healee, and this could make the students unwell. Usui somehow knew that there was another way and so he returned to the Temple on Mount Kurama to work towards achieving Satori (spiritual enlightenment), and to see if the monks could explain the meanings of certain symbols, but they could not. So he decided to fast on the mountain for 21 days, to meditate and to ask for divine guidance.

The Miracles (according to Mrs Takata)

And so in March 1922, Usui went about fasting and meditating, placing 21 stones before him on the ground. The Temple and the mountain itself is the Spiritual symbol of Kurama Temple. Steps lead down to a base where one can sit and meditate, and nearby there is a man made waterfall. One of the meditations involved sitting under the waterfall, allowing the stream to fall on his head. This is still practised today, the purpose is to open and purify the Crown Chakra. I personally believe he was under the water fall when he received enlightenment.

At the end of each day, he would remove one stone in order to count the days. As he removed the last stone, he became aware of a bright light approaching at great speed. As it hit him, he lost consciousness and was filled with the light of knowledge, with the gift of his own attunement, and understanding of Reiki healing. He then knew of the meanings and use of the symbols which we now call the Reiki Symbols. It is my belief that this was downloaded directly from Buddha, possibly Dainichi Nyori. Overjoyed, but weak from fasting, he rushed down the mountain and stubbed his toes and cut his foot badly. He stopped and held his foot to give healing to it and like a miracle, it stopped bleeding and the pain left him. He carried on down the mountain, taking more care this time and arrived at an eating house. Mikao went inside and ordered a large meal. The owner told him to have a small meal as he was used to monks fasting. He knew Usui would be ill if he had too much to eat. But no, Mikao had a large meal, probably giving Reiki to the food and to his stomach, and lo and behold another miracle, he was fine! The owner was amazed at this healing power and asked if Usui would help his granddaughter with the toothache she was suffering from. He agreed and gave Reiki to the girls teeth and lo and behold, yet another miracle, the tooth healed and the pain went away! These are of course the stories that Mrs Takata told to impress the Americans! (Storytelling developed into a real art
form and was an essential part of the Hawaiian culture - and telling people what they would like to hear is a big part of the Japanese culture too)

The Dogo/Clinics and the Usui Reiki Gakkai There then followed a period when Usui developed Usui Reiki Ryoho (the Usui Reiki Method), where he was practising on friends and family, just as we do at 1st Degree Level. Usui Reiki at first was very much in a Buddhist form, many of his original students were followers of Buddhism. It was a spiritual practice and he was the only teacher (Shihan). Usuis standing as a healer grew quite rapidly as he opened a dojo/clinic of healing and training. It is thought he founded the Reiki Gakkai Society in April 1922. At the weekly meetings, Usui would lead the Hatsurei-ho and Gassho meditations and give Rei-ju healing empowerments to his students. These were known as The Masters Five Blessings. This would eventually attune them to Reiki itself, although for a few who were not very intuitive, he had to give them the Reiki symbols. It is believed that Usui Sensei initiated his followers in different ways, according to their backgrounds and abilities. He also produced for his Gakkai students a manual, a set of instructions that he called the Usui Reiki Hikkei. It wasnt until the turn of this century that we got to know about its existence through the diligent research of Frank Arjava Petter. Some suggest that the Reiki Gakkai was founded by his students after he passed away, however it is written on his memorial stone that he was the first president of the Gakkai in 1922 and I go along with that. In 1923 an earthquake shattered Tokyo and many hundreds of thousands died. Many more were injured and traumatised. There was a great need of healers and this is when Mikao Usui was guided to realise that Reiki may be used for healing too, and should be available to everyone, not just to Buddhists. He began to teach Shihan level in order that others too would teach and initiate students into Reiki. He and his followers went out into the streets and gave healing to all those who needed help, and it was then that he realised that the Usui Reiki Ryoho was to help ones body, as well as the spirit and mind. This is probably where

Mrs Takatas Beggars story came from, perhaps in order to justify the high costs of her training. If you dont value Reiki and healing, then it doesnt work as well. This we know to be true, for if a client feels, hey, that was a good treatment, then the results will be better and last for longer. Usuis fame spread rapidly and he was in great demand both as a healer and as a teacher, becoming known as Usui Sensei. In 1924, Usui Sensei opened a new larger clinic/dojo training centre on the outskirts of Toyko in Nakano, and began to train many students into the practice of Usui Reiki Ryoho. In 1925 Dr Chujiro Hayashi became a student and later a Reiki Teacher. Sadly, Usui Sensei died from a stroke in Fukuyama, making the transition home on the 9th of March 1926, aged 62, having taught approximately 20 Teachers, (Shihan,ie. Those who could perform Reiju), including Dr Chujiro Hayashi and over two thousand students. In February 1927 his students erected a monument to his honour at the Saihoji temple in the

Toyotama region of Tokyo. The inscription says the words were composed by Masayuki Okada and the calligraphy was done by Naval Rear Admiral Juzaburo Ushida, Reihou Chouso Usui Sensei Kudoko No Hi
Memorial of Reiki Founder Usui Senseis Benevolence

Dr Usuis resting place in the Siehoji Temple graveyard in Toykyo Mrs Takata

Usui Sensei

Dr Hayashi Pictures of

Usui Sensei left us with his teachings of the 3 Pillars of Reiki and the 5 Reiki Principles.

The Reiki Principles as Translated From the Memorial Stone of Usui Sensei The Gokai Just for Today, I let go Anger I let go Worry I am Grateful I Work hard I am Kind to Others Kyo dake wa Okoru-na Sinpai suna Kansha shite Gyo o hage me Hito ni shinsetsu ni

Repeat three times whilst in the Gassho (prayer) position By saying Just for Today, it makes IT not such a big thing, the target becomes more attainable and easier to do, rather than saying forever more, or as of today I will ALWAYS do., etc. Letting go of anger doesnt mean I wont let IT make me angry, rather it means that IT simply doesnt cause anger. There is no control or conflict, it just doesnt happen! Letting go of worry again means that Reiki helps you to relax and prioritise the important things, letting go of the non-important things that probably wont happen anyway! Remember too that we are given the ability to anger and worry for good reasons! Just dont let them get out of hand. Sometimes, the emotion of anger can be a sign of passion, a sign that you do care and it may spur you on to achieve a goal that requires extra adrenalin! I sometimes Let Go Anger Loudly, then its gone. I let it go and waste no more energy on the subject. Worry, can help you to get off your butt and get on and do something NOW, not when its too late! Being Grateful can help you to be satisfied and HAPPY with what you have, no matter how little or how much. Being ungrateful can cause you to be forever in need and wanting more, causing and re-enforcing the negative emotions of jealousy, greed, resentment and unhappiness. Working Hard doesnt just mean earning your living. It means that you work on yourself. By following the 3 pillars of Reiki, and practising Reiki and the 5 Reiki Principles, you will become a better, more considerate and happy person. This will benefit those around you, as well as yourself. Thats important. Being kind to Others. By applying the previous principles, you are likely to be kinder to others. Remember too, that what you give is what you will receive. Give out negative

vibrations and that is what will come back. Give out good, positive vibrations, and that too, is what comes back in all sorts of ways. But, be kind to all living things because you wish too, not for the rewards you hope for!!! (That would be, being un-grateful!!!)

The 3 Pillars of Usui Reiki.

Usui Sensei instructed his students that there are 3 pillars of Reiki, 1. You must firstly treat your Temple of the Spirit, your body, with respect and look after it. He practised Kiko to keep supple and strong and to replenish his own personal Ki. We too, should practise disciplines such as Yoga, Tai-chi etc., or at least take exercise on a regular basis. It is equally important to receive Reiki yourself from others on a regular basis. 2. Then you must look after your mind, this he did by meditating every day, practising the Hatsurei-ho and Gassho meditation in the morning and evening. So, we too should make meditating part of our life style, particularly as we live in such a stressful and demanding era. 3. Then, you may give treatments to others. Remember too, that as the Reiki flows in and through you, you benefit also, so the more you do, the more you benefit. Some important observations about ones ego. When referring to the Three Pillars of Reiki, Usui Sensei was quoted as saying - so Chiryo (treatment) builds upon Reiji (devotion) and Gassho (meditation). ONLY WHEN WE DEVOTE OURSELVES WITHOUT BEING PREDJUDICED BY OUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS, WILL WE BECOME AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE UNIVERSAL LIFE ENERGY, I have seen so called Reikis? puffing and blowing, even grimacing as they experience their clients pain, sweating, going dizzy, working at it etc. Thats not doing Reiki. Thats them over-engaging in their ego and instead of just allowing their client to connect to their own bit of the Life Force, they are using up their own Chi, by trying to heal the client instead of just letting it flow. And guess what? Even after all their hard work, the healing is no better than if they had just let the client draw Reiki in the proper way. And because theyre on an ego trip for themselves, they may also suffer disappointments if the client doesnt heal in the way, or time that was hoped for. I have known poorly trained Reiki students, give up Reiki because in their words it doesnt work! Of course its okay and even desirable to meld and tune in to a client in order to be guided as to where to place your hands, or perhaps to give after care advice, but its wrong to waste your own Life Energy. In a channeling from the Ascended Master, Saint Germain - June 5th 1999, Carolyn Shearer was told One of the most important reasons for transmuting the human ego is the learning process that is required for you to step aside with all of the human creation, and allow for your God Presence to manifest where you are. You are not giving yourself over to another lifestream. You are not giving yourself over to another Ascended Master. You are not winning your Victory through a vicarious atonement. It is, beloved hearts, your own Real God Presence. This is what Dr Usui was getting at, and is also the message of my Spirit Guide Sai Chen, who told me a long time ago, Dont Do Reiki, Be Reiki. To expand upon this meaning

consider the following: Dont do Reiki thinking that YOU can Fix a problem, Become Reiki itself and through the use and practise of Reiki, you may eventually reach Nirvana, Satori, Enlightenment. (As well as helping some living thing to heal itself) Dianna Cooper writes that there are two types of Reikis. There are Reiki Technicians and Reiki Healers. Reiki Technicians might give treatments in a purely clinical way. Reiki Healers give treatments in a spiritual way, healing the soul as well as the body. Both ways work for the receiver, it is they who choose which method/therapist suits them best. A good friend of mine calls his Reiki Practice Reiki, Pure and Simple, and thats just what it should be.

What happened next another Miracle?

Dr Chujiro Hayashi is number two in the Reiki trilogy. Chujiro was born in 1879 and in 1925 received his Shinpiden (masters) training with Usui Sensei. He was a reserve surgeon in the Japanese navy and was conversant in Oriental and Orthodox Medicine. After the passing of Usui Sensei, Dr Hayashi opened his own clinic in Tokyo (some say he took it over from Mikao Usui), and had great success. He was one of only a few that Usui Sensei had given the Reiki Symbols to, and he discovered that he could align his students somewhat more quickly than the earlier method that might take months or even years. Dr Hayashis clinic became very well known and even though he had left the Reiki Gakkai and changed some of his masters techniques, he was still very well respected. Dr Hayashi gave a healing manual to his students and you may want to buy the book version written by Frank Arjava Petter, Tadao Yamaguchi and Chujiro Hayashi. Its called The Hayashi Reiki Manual. Dr Hayashi taught his students a series of hand positions to treat specific complaints. His treatments were given mainly to Glands and Organs. These can be found in the book The Hayashi Reiki Manual and also in my 1st Degree Certification Day manual. This was a different method to the way in which Usui Sensei gave treatment to his patients.

Part Three of the Trilogy

The 3rd part in the trilogy is Mrs Hawayo Takata from Hawaii. It was this dear lady who was mainly responsible for spreading Reiki all around the world. Around about 1934/5, Mrs Takata was found to be suffering from a life threatening tumour, and so she traveled to Tokyo for an operation to remove it. While she was waiting for her operation, she felt that something was not right, so she asked her doctor if there was any other way to heal the problem. He suggested Dr Hayashis clinic as he had heard good reports about it. And so she went to see Dr Hayashi to begin a daily course of treatments, and lo and behold, another miracle, the Reiki cured her. (She healed herself of course) Mrs Takata tells an amusing story about her first experience at the clinic. She was amazed at the heat coming from the hands of the young man treating her. She was sure he was heating up his hands with something, so on her next visit, as he went to place his hands on her, she shot her hand up his sleeve! He screamed, and Dr Hayashi rushed in to see what was wrong. She said whats he got up his sleeve, its so hot. Dr Hayashi smiled and said

thats Reiki, look he has nothing up his sleeve! clothing contained no heating mechanism.

Where-upon they showed her that his

The beginning of Traditional Western Reiki

Mrs Takata was so taken by this Reiki that in 1936 she begged Dr Hayashi to teach her so that she could go back to Hawaii and help her friends and relatives. In the Eastern part of the world, it wasnt the done thing for a woman to be taught this sort of thing. However, for some reason, (perhaps it was spiritual guidance?), Dr Hayashi granted her wish and taught her Shoden (1st Degree) and Okuden (2nd Degree) Reiki. After she went home Mrs Takata implored him to teach her Shinpiden (Master level) and Shi-han (Teacher level). At first he wouldnt agree to it, however women have a way of going on and on about things and when she asked how much do you want for it? In desperation he said $10,000 dollars! ( this may of course be one of Mrs Takatas stories to impress the Americans, as it is known that Usui Sensei trained several Buddhist nuns to Shinpiden level ) Now that was a lot of money in those times, so what did she do? Well, she wanted very much to learn and to teach this Reiki, so she sold her house! This set a precedent in our practise of Reiki, which is, that for Reiki to work, you must place an honest value on it. By giving out the positive energies of spiritual value in this way, Mrs Takata ended up with several houses, and visited many countries to spread the word. In 1938, Dr Hayashi and his wife visited Mrs Takata and according to Mrs Takata, on the 21st of February conferred the title of Reiki Master to her, subsequently introducing Reiki to Hawaii by teaching her what became known as Usui Reiki Ryoho. On her certificates however, she wrote Usui Shiki Ryoho, (The Usui System of Natural Healing.) Strictly speaking, the method had more to do with Dr Hayashi and the tweaks that Mrs Takata added to make a Japanese thing acceptable to America at that time in history. I guess it gave the discipline an air of credibility to name the discipline after the founder Mikao Usui. Furthermore, although Usui Sensei and Dr Hayashi gave written information to their students, Mrs Takata added ritual ceremony and secrecy to the discipline by mainly only giving verbal information, and things like the Reiki symbols were kept secret, her students were not allowed to write down and take home the sacred Reiki symbols. This perhaps explains the variations that have developed. In 1976, Mrs Takata was charging $125 US for 1st Degree, $400 US for 2nd Degree, and $10,000 US dollars for Teaching Masters . During 1941, Dr Hayashi decided it best to return to his spiritual home and to make the honourable transition, doing so in a traditional ceremony. It is said, to have been in the presence of his friends, students and family. This was because he was a reserve naval officer and the 2nd world war was looming. Dr Hayashi was a healer, not a murderer and he was unable to take anothers life. It is thought that he trained at least 14 Reiki Masters. Thank you, Dr Hayashi for your love & sacrifice. Later in 1941 after the passing of Chujiro, Mrs Takata was self declared as Dr Hayashis successor, and took on the title of The Grand Master, as it was thought that the Usui Reiki Gakkai had dis-banded, for to remain, the Japanese Emperor would have regarded them as

peace activists, and would have had them removed. It was only a few years ago that we discovered the Usui Reiki Gakkai does still exist!

A co-incidence or was it a Miracle?

In America in the 1970s, there was a Christian church whose parishioners were practising hands on healing. However, after a while, the healers began to become unwell as they were giving of their own life force. The minister and his wife were on the verge of stopping this practise when an airline pilot suggested contacting a woman hed heard about on his flights to Hawaii. Hed been told that she didnt use her own energy when healing. She simply channeled it from the universe! So Mrs Takata was invited to come over to the church and to give a talk and demonstration. Needless to say, she created a good impression and was asked to begin her teaching of students. Over a 10 year period she initiated 22 Masters. They formed the Reiki Alliance which adhered firmly to the strict way in which Mrs Takata taught and practised Reiki. It has been assumed that Mrs Takatas passive head/body flow treatment is based mainly on treating the chakra system and for some illogical reason, the hand positions did not go down to the knees or feet! It is now known that Dr Hayashi was treating the glandular system, the bodys organs, and the Hara. If you refer to the book The Hayashi Reiki Manual, you will see that Hayashi instructed his students to treat glands and organs, not chakras. If the brain, glands and organs are healed, and the Hara is re-energised, then the body and mind should recover also. The Hara and the area around it, is known to be a map of the body, containing many meridian points. In Usui Senseis technique, Hesso Chiry-ho, the naval is known as the healing point for the body. (Not for the head, mind you) Followers of Dr Hayashis system have been instructed by Tadao Yamaguchi, son of Chiyoko Yamaguchi who was one of Dr Hayashis students. It was Mrs Takata and her master students who simplified Reiki treatments by changing from the original intuitive and spiritual (Buddhist) methods of Usui Sensei, followed by Dr Hayashis logical groups of hand positions based on anatomy & physiology knowledge, to just the head and 7 Chakras. That was much easier to learn! Sadly, Mrs Takata passed away in December 1980, aged 80. Thank you Mrs Takata for passing on the Gift of Reiki to us. I believe that goodness will always come out of the bad things that happen. Just think, if Mrs Takata hadnt developed a tumour, we may well not be practising Reiki now. This is the story of Usui Reiki Ryoho as I believe it to be at this moment in time. At the end of the day what matters is how we use it. Thank you Mikao Usui, my Friend and Guide for giving me the Gift of Reiki. Thanks also for the help given freely to me from Colin Powell, Frank Arjava Petter, Bronwen & Frans Stiene, and to all those who have dedicated themselves to the search for information in the quest for true knowledge of the Healing Technique known as Usui Reiki Ryoho

Copyright Ray C.N.G. Goldy, February 2007. Updated August 2012

Hands on Healing is a Natural Form of Healing, probably dating back to Atlantis and beyond. Usui Reiki Ryoho (the Usui Healing Method) was founded by Usui Sensei from Japan in1922.

Reiki,

pronounced Ray Key, is not in itself religious, it holds no creed or doctrine. It is simply a connection to the Universal Life Force for the purpose of healing. It can be given to those of all religions and to those of no religion at all. It is available to all who ask. Rei means Spiritually Guided and Ki means the Life Force Energy, or can be interpreted as the Energy of the Universe. It is believed that Mikao Usui learned how to utilise what is now called Reiki from ancient Buddhist Teachings and an Enlightening experience. However the use of the Universal Energy goes back to times of the Ancient Egyptians, Aztecs and Atlanteans etc., even to the beginning of mankind. The life force energy or vibrations known as Ki, are much the same as Chi in Tai Chi and Prana in Yoga, and is Bio-electricity. The word Reiki is used in a number of ways, for example to describe the discipline, i.e. Reiki. It can be used to describe the session, i.e., a Reiki Treatment, or to describe the person, i.e., a Reiki. It is used to describe energy, i.e., would you like some Reiki, or to explain a treatment, i.e., Reiki healing.

How does Reiki Heal

Hands on Healing is nothing new. It is the oldest form of healing. When a child hurts itself, mother rubs or kisses it better. She heals by giving her personal Ki and Love to the child, and the pain goes away! When you knock or burn yourself, what do you instinctively do? You rub or hold the injury, and the pain subsides. So this Reiki is not anything Hookey Spookey, its a perfectly natural and normal way to Heal. Every cell of your body, and indeed in all living things, vibrate with energies that we may call Chi, Ki, Prana, Bio-electricity, or the Universal Life Force. When a person dies, it is their Ki that leaves the body. I recently learned that we start the ageing process known as growing old at the ripe old age of 26! Up until then, the body is growing, after that the body goes into decline. However, up to the approximate age of 35 years, we humans will naturally replenish our personal Ki from the air we breathe, from good quality live foods, water and sunshine. After 35 or even before that if we subject ourselves to poor quality environments, pollution, junk foods, bad eating habits, and from continued stress, anger and worry, then we find ourselves becoming low in the Universal Life Force, Chi. This manifests itself as poor health, a weak immune system, mental and emotional problems, tiredness, low energy, sleeping disorders, irritability and can even make accidents happen! The ability to cope with stressful situations is reduced and recovery from accidental damage takes the body much longer to repair itself. This is why sports people such as footballers have to start to retire around the age of 35. One way to compensate is to look after the Temple of your Spirit through the practice of Yoga, Tai Chi and similar disciplines that place emphasis on correct breathing and body exercise. Also, to look

carefully at what you put in your mouth, remember You, Are What You Eat! So, to top-up your Chi, you must eat live foods, full of Chi, not dead processed junk, And Drink Lots of Water.

Understanding Chi depletion and how Reiki heals.

To help you to understand Chi depletion, imagine a brand new car. This represents a person when theyre young. So no matter whether it be Summer or dark Winter, the young car will charge up its battery just by running around, enjoying itself! So do you. Then after time the car begins to age, bits start breaking and the battery cant hold its charge as well as it used to do. This also begins to happen to you after reaching the ripe old age of 26. The car runs quite well in the Summer when things arent too bad and not too demanding, but then the dark, rainy, freezing cold Winter comes along and what happens? The car breaks down and the battery goes flat with all the extra use of the heater, lights, and wipers. This is just what happens to us. When we grow up and grow older, we have more responsibilities, family, mortgages, job worries and STRESS. We may go through all sorts of emotional STRESS with break-ups and bereavements etc. So when your cars battery goes flat, what do you do? You charge it up from an EXTERNAL SOURCE.

And this is just what happens in a Reiki treatment.

You are plugged in to a battery charger, the Universal Life Force Energy known as Reiki. AND THATS ALL THERE IS TO IT! But without this Life Force Energy We are Lifeless!

How does Reiki work (Heal)?

You heal yourself by making new cells. If a large number of cells are making up a gland for example, and they are low in Ki energy, then that gland will be Out of Balance. As the cells in that gland wear out and need replacement, and if the body is unwell, then the new cells wont be any better than the old ones and will take a long time to form. Healing and recovery cannot take place and the gland will remain unable to function properly. Having a Reiki treatment is like plugging yourself into a battery charger, indeed many Reikis have fixed temperamental electrical appliances with a treatment!!! So, by energizing the cells of that gland, it is empowered to come back into balance, and when it does, then the symptom or complaint it was causing will subside and the body or mind is allowed to recover. For example Reiki may help those suffering from depression by bringing the Pituitary and Pineal glands back into balance, so that they produce correct

levels of serotonin and melatonin, (provided of course that the cause is not ongoing). Even then, Reiki treatments will help the person to cope better and improve the quality of life. See Reiki Stories page. Without doubt, our personal Ki is affected by ones thoughts and feelings. Negative thinking will restrict the flow of energy, where-as positive thinking and speech will help to strengthen ones body and mind. Reiki stimulates ones Self-Healing Process on Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual levels, so for example, it is the ideal antidote to continual stressful situations such as work problems or screaming kids! It can be used to help relieve physical pain, as well as emotional pain such as a heart, broken by loss or bereavement. Unwell and overstressed people are VERY LOW in Life Force energy. Reiki treatments help to replenish the levels of energy needed to repair ones Body, Mind and Spirit. Whats so good about Reiki is, that because it is Spiritually Guided by The Higher Self, the Ki knows exactly where to go, and what vibration to give, as in fact it is the recipient who guides the healing. An experienced Reiki will meld with the client and be intuitively be guided by the clients innerself as to where to place hands, and for how long. Not like the old days of staying put in one position for 3 minutes, no matter what! Reiki TREATments should be taken regularly to keep Ones-Self healthy, as well as to help others. Usui Sensei taught his students the Three Pillars of Reiki: One, you must look after the Temple of the Spirit your body. You may do this through the practice of Yoga, Tai-Chi etc, or just by regular exercise, as well as frequent periods of Self Healing and treatments from other Reikis. Two, you look after your Spirit with Meditation or just regular moments of Quietness. Three, then you may give Reiki healing to others.

Where does Ki come from?

Energy is all around us and in all things. It is in the sunlight, the air we breathe, the live foods we eat and the water we drink. Even a stone has energy, vibrating according to its particular type. Crystals for example, have various and specific vibrations and are used by Crystal Healers. They may be used in Reiki sometimes to filter out negativity and to amplify positive energy. Ones body works at various vibratory levels and sometimes when were not well we feel one degree under? The body and mind function by utilizing Ki energy, and this Ki flows through energy pathways known as meridians, which can be thought of as unseen electricity cables. At strategic points throughout ones body there are energy centres known as chakras and these are like electricity sub stations. For the body and mind to function efficiently it is obvious that a good, uninterrupted energy flow is important. However in times of stress and dis-ease the chakras and meridians become blocked and energy cannot flow properly to where its needed. Acupuncturists, for

example attempt to stimulate this natural energy in order to clear blocked meridians by inserting needles into tsubo points, and subsequently bringing about healing. Reiki treatments help to restore and improve the natural flow of Chi energy. Reiki can only be given by one who has been attuned by a Reiki Master and to try to understand how this works just think of radio waves. You know theyre out there but you cant see or hear them. Even your radio cant do anything with them until you tune it in. All the energy of the Universe is out there, and a Reiki Master is rather like a funnel or satellite dish, channeling Ki, mainly through their hands, down and out to you.

What a Reiki Treatment is Like

Although you may well have had Reiki treatments before reading this information, I am including this description to help you to have a better understanding of a Reiki treatment. This wasnt explained to me when I started and in my early days I had great difficulty in describing to others what a treatment would do. Another thing you will experience is how the vibrations change from one hand position to another. Sometimes the vibrations will feel hot, other times cold or even like a cool breeze, and as the recipient has more and regular sessions, there is an ever increasing feeling of a flowing, peaceful relaxation. You

may even feel like you are becoming so relaxed that you might fall asleep. In fact many of my clients do! I treat that as a compliment. Reiki energy is passed from a practitioner to a receiver usually through the palms of the hands or finger tips being placed on specific points throughout the head and body. In particular, the eight main chakras (energy centres) are treated and balanced so that Ki energy may flow without interruption. The basic head/body flow treatment consists of a Reiki placing their hands on approximately 20 positions in total from head to feet.

Relaxation
An important part of Reiki and healing is Relaxation. Its a bit like meditation and Im sure you know that meditation is beneficial. It is said that Usui Sensei performed Gassho meditation for 20 minutes in the morning and evening. Because Reiki is spiritually guided, that is to say the recipients inner-self draws in and guides the Ki to wherever its needed, the brain/mind can take a rest. Just like a car being placed in neutral, the engine is still running slowly, charging the battery, but the car is at rest. Most ill health and dis-ease is Stress Related, i.e. caused by stress. Therefore, anything one can do to relieve the recipients stress will be beneficial.

A Reiki Session is the Most Stress Relieving Treatment of all Therapies.

Consequently, a prerequisite of a session is quietness without ANY interruptions so that TOTAL relaxation can be achieved. With this in mind, it is important that the recipient feels completely at ease with their Reiki therapist. There is no need to remove any clothing

other than bulky coats and shoes, and be assured that a practitioners hands are never inappropriately placed. I also encourage a companion to sit in, (quietly) on a clients first session if they wish, and they may well also benefit from feeling the Reiki vibrations, which will emanate around the room. Having said that, Reiki works no matter what, so in times of an accident or at exhibitions etc, we just get on with it and place our hands on wherever theyre needed. The healing takes place just the same, and it doesnt matter whether you take 20 minutes or 60 minutes, depending on the circumstances, but the end result is - that a treatment is a whole-istic treatment, no matter what! Its you who watches the clock!

What to Expect.
Reiki treatments are usually given on a comfortable treatment couch, accompanied with various types of music or guided meditations according to the clients needs. A basic body flow treatment feels like warm sunshine, which flows through you, surrounds you and even comforts you during emotional times. Reiki is a Holistic (whole) Therapy, treating not just the symptom, but all of a persons Body, Mind and Emotions. The Energy goes to the Cause. Most people will experience a feeling of heat and an inner comfort coming from a Reikis hands. This is the Ki energy and healing life force passing through the therapist to the recipient, who without conscious thought will direct the vibrations to wherever they are most wanted. As the energy is totally natural it can do no harm, it only goes to where its needed, and that includes the past, present and even into the future! The recommended treatment programme for long term, chronic conditions is for a session to be given once or twice a week for the first few weeks, and every 2, 3 or 4 weeks thereafter. Everyone, therapists in particular, should have a Reiki TREATment every week or two.

What to expect after a session.

Usually, most clients feel very calm and relaxed after a treatment and this often carries over to the next few days. A typical result I hear from school teachers as an example, is that after 4/5 treatments they say things like the kids dont irritate me any more or I cant believe how co-operative the class has become Similar things happen in stressful house-holds, or that their work and workplace becomes more tolerable As Reiki stimulates the bodys self-healing system the renewed flow of energy flushes out trapped waste products and toxins. This is known as the Healing Process or the Healing Crisis. It is the body and mind de-toxing and it is recommended that the recipient drink lots of water for 4/5 days to dilute and wash away the unwanted rubbish to avoid feeling sluggish. This also includes emotional junk and sometimes a client may experience an emotional release (tears) during the session. Its perhaps where the saying it has to get worse, before it gets better comes from? If on the odd occasion this happens, it should be treated as a good, positive sign, as it shows that healing is taking place. One has to let go of the negative rubbish in order to make room for the healing to take place. Letting Go and Forgiveness is an important part of Reiki Healing, and of Life itself.

A Reiki treatment ALWAYS works.

Due to the very nature of what Reiki actually is, Reiki always benefits the receiver in some way (and the therapist too). Sometimes the results are immediate, such as removing toothache pain. Other times it may not be so apparent, as the healing goes to the cause of the imbalance, and may need several sessions before an improvement is noticed.

The effects of Reiki are accumulative.

The benefits of Reiki given on a regular basis accumulate, that is to say that the healing energy builds up, one on top of the other as it were. This is why chronic illness should be treated at least once a week for several weeks, then reducing the frequency as the symptoms subside. To understand what I mean when I say that Reiki is accumulative, picture this: Imagine two glass tumblers, one is depleted and almost empty (the client), the other one is full (the Universal Life Force). Then siphon one to the other and the full glass whooshes into the other until they reach a level balance. A week later the client has another treatment, this time their glass isnt quite as empty as before, although (depending on circumstances), they will have used up some of the Chi. So this time the energy flows in more gently. A week later, they have another treatment, this time their glass has even more Chi in it and so the Life Force trickles in. Just like a cars flat battery would need a fast charge, where-as if it just needed a top up, thats known as a trickle charge.

Before

Treatment

Result

Before

Treatment

Result

Before

Treatment

Result

And so with subsequent treatments the glass on the right (your battery) is kept topped up on a regular basis Another interesting point is that both the receiver and the therapist will notice that the vibrations change over a period of treatments, usually being quite tingly, twittery and active during the first 2/3 treatments, then subsequently becoming more flowing, gentle and relaxed. Its difficult to describe, again the glass tumbler picture explains why this happens. You really have to experience Reiki to know what it feels like. Its also interesting to be aware that the client only draws in what they can handle in one go, thats why the treatment ends when that one glass of Life Force has balanced the other. It is why Reiki can do no harm, the client only releases whatever emotional rubbish and negative energy that theyre ready and able to do. The body and mind know what to do. For example, say you need to boost your vitamin C intake. What happens? Yes, you take extra vitamin C but the body excretes the excess at first, you will see it in the urine. You have to build it up slowly, Reiki is like that. You have to have regular doses. Although Reiki is a powerful healing force, IT IS GENTLE & CANNOT DO HARM Clients Referrals: Well where do I start.....?? I first started Reiki treatments with Ray about 2 years ago. I was very depressed and had anxiety due to my mind set. Ray was very professional and didnt pry. Straight away I could feel the Reiki working, it was all quite strange really as I felt things leaving my body, the only way I can explain it is like steam coming from a race horse after racing. At first I was very quiet and very private, I would barely talk to Ray but he never pushed. Then I started talking through emails to tell him how he and the Reiki was helping. Again at the Reiki sessions he never talked over what we had said between us on email. After numerous sessions I felt I was more balanced, the analogy of the glass full and trying to part fill the 2 glasses is very true. Before Ray and Reiki, my outlook on life was very bleak but now I have managed to move my life on and I am no longer living the life I didn't want. I have had the confidence to pursue my career and also to bring up my son alone. Thank you Ray xxx I have just received the most amazing treatment from your "full Monty pamper". Wow, how much better do I feel! It was certainly more than overdue. I always enjoy your treatments and this was no exception, you really do have healing hands. I look forward to the next one in a

few weeks. In the meantime I feel ready to tackle anything after being fully relaxed, rejuvenated and recharged!! Thank you Ray (Relaxology Centre) Love, Sharon x Hi Ray, we want to say Thank You for all the Reiki we have received from you, making us both feel very welcome in pleasant and peaceful surroundings, in which we can relax and enjoy the experience. We have found having Reiki makes us feel relaxed, calm, balanced and above all, very Positive! Thanks again Ray, we will be back for more! Love from Joe & Tasha xXx