Enso

May16

In Zen Buddhism, ensō is a circle that is hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.
It is rather like the brushstrokes of Japanese calligraphy or the Reiki symbols.
The ensō symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe, and mu (the void).

The circle may be open or closed. If the circle is incomplete, this allows for movement and development as well as the perfection of all things. Zen practitioners relate the idea to wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection. When the circle is closed, it represents perfection.
The act of drawing ensō is a spiritual one, much like the sacred act of drawing the Reiki 2 symbols.

When drawn according to the sōsho style of Japanese calligraphy, the brushstroke is especially swift. Once the ensō is drawn, one does not change it.

The act of drawing a Reiki symbol focuses the energies represented by the symbol and its purpose is to change the energy surrounding it. In contrast, drawing ensō captures the character of its creator and the context of its creation in a brief, continuous period of time.

For me, it represents the circle of life, perfectly imperfect, just as it is.

Reiki Symbols: Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

Mar31

Madame Takata’s Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

The symbol of connection. Madame Takata has written ‘absent healing’ under the jumon (sacred phrase or mantra) The illustration above is written in her own hand.

When you use Reiki symbols, they can be drawn with a finger or a hand in the sword mudra. They can be drawn in the air or on the body. However they are used, they must be drawn correctly, each line in a particular order. Which is why each stroke of the pen has a number in the above drawing.

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen can be abbreviated as HSZSN. It’s a long name and an intricate symbol to draw. HSZSN is used to send energy (Reiki) across a distance. A distance of time as well as space. Distant healing can be sent in real time across the world. Healing can also be sent to a time in the past or the future. For this reason, HSZSN can be used for ancestral healing as well as emotional healing for traumatic events that occurred in the past.

Only the Power Symbol, Cho Ku Rei, can be used alone. All of the symbols can be used together to channel Reiki for a particular purpose. As part of my Reiki II course, one assignment was to send distant healing to more than one person. The feedback from my case studies was positive. It all sounds a bit mysterious until you try it. Past and future events cannot be changed, but we can send healing to help us get through a difficult time as it happens.

The final symbol is Dai Ko Myo or Master Symbol. This will be the subject of my next post.

Reiki Symbols: Sei Hei Ki

Jan28

Madame Takata’s Sei Hei Ki symbol

A symbol is a simplified depiction of an abstract concept, representing spiritual, emotional or physical energies. With Reiki there are four symbols, each with different properties. Together with the mantra repeated three times, Reiki symbols enhance the flow of Reiki and subtly change its quality. Cho Ku Rei can be used on its own, but Sei Hei Ki and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen are used with the power symbol, Cho Ku Rei. All three symbols can be used together.

Sei Hei Ki represents harmony. It is also described as the Emotional/Mental symbol. Sei Hei Ki balances the relationship between the mind and body and can work with the subconscious. It can be used for protection and healing. Sei Hei Ki can improve memory and can also be used to heal painful memories and past issues.

In an earlier post I described how Reiki can be used for working with affirmations. It describes Seiheki Chiryo Ho, a Reiki technique to help let go of unwanted thought or behavior patterns. If your New Year resolutions have fallen by the wayside, this is the one for you!

Drawing large Sei Hei Ki’s in the air can imbue the space with its healing energies. This can be used useful for emotional or stressful situations; funerals, weddings and the like. Sei hei ki also enhances communication skills, so can be used in business meetings or negotiations.

My next post will focus on Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, the symbol that helps connect them all together.

Reiki Symbols: Cho Ku Rei

Oct26

Madame Takata’s Cho Ku Rei symbol.

A symbol is a simplified depiction of an abstract concept. Together with the mantra repeated three times, all of the associations (spiritual, emotional, physical) that are embodied in that symbol are brought together to subtly change the Reiki healing energy.

There are four symbols, each with a different energy. These symbols are handed down from Reiki Master to Student. The student learns to draw the symbols by hand while repeating the sacred sounds or mantras associated with them. Reiki symbols enhance the flow of Reiki and subtly change its quality.

Reiki symbols (or Sirushi in Japanese) were originally kept secret from the uninitiated. Nowadays, it is generally considered that although the symbols have a sacred significance, they need not be kept secret. Every person attuned to Second Degree Reiki will develop their own relationship with the symbols, which will deepen over time.

Cho Ku Rei (CKR) represents power, focus and Earth energy. It is heavy and grounding and also a spiraling energy, reflected in the shape of the symbol.
Experiencing the energy of CKR: If you have been initiated to Reiki Level 2, try drawing the power symbol in the air, saying the mantra three times and then step into the space where you have drawn the symbol. You will notice a change in the energy in that space. It can be quite profound or very subtle.

CKR is described as the ‘power’ symbol. When using the symbols, you are setting an intention. CKR is used to intensify the power of the other symbols and can be used on its own. It is also used at the end of a Reiki treatment with the intention to ‘seal’ or ‘fix’ the healing energy in place. It can be used for protection, for example ‘clearing’ the energy in a room before giving a Reiki treatment.

This is the first in a series about Reiki Symbols. The other symbols are Sei Hei Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen and the Master Symbol.

Working with affirmations: Seiheki Chiryo Ho

Aug29

Affirmations are powerful tools for self-transformation. Used correctly, affirmations can bring about the changes you want to see in your life.

We can use Reiki together with affirmations to let go of unwanted thought or behavior patterns.

As well has help with changing mental attitudes (overthinking, planning, controlling and negative self-talk) support can be given for stopping smoking, for example.

Change happens a step at a time, so the first stage is to decide upon one particular area in your life you want to work on. The next task is to find an appropriate affirmation. Affirmations need to be both achievable and positive.
“I accept my power” is preferable to “I won’t let people walk all over me”
“I will not over-eat” could be replaced by “I have choice over the foods I eat”

While affirmations are powerful in their own right, a Japanese Reiki technique called Seiheki Chiryo Ho can help boost your efforts. With the client seated, the Reiki practitioner places one hand on the client’s forehead and the other on the base of the skull. Reiki symbols are drawn on the back of the client’s head. The practitioner silently repeats the affirmation while Reiki flows. The client can also silently repeat their chosen affirmation.

The effects of Reiki are cumulative, so it is beneficial to repeat this treatment regularly. Seiheki Chiryo Ho could be included with a series of regular whole body treatments, for example.

The client can also work on this themselves at home, using the same hand positions. This will further ‘set the intention’.

A word about Reiki symbols: these are drawn by hand while repeating the sacred sounds (Kotodama) associated with them. They enhance the flow of Reiki and subtly change its quality, according to the symbol used. These are handed down from Reiki Master to Student at Reiki Level 2. If you have Reiki I there is a technique Nentatsu Ho, which does not require Reiki symbols. It follows exactly the same procedure, but without the symbols. I will be writing more about Reiki symbols in another post.

Inspiration for finding affirmations to suit you:

Shakti Gawain

Louise Hay

Helene Lerner