Glossary Of Terms
Aromatherapy- A term coined from a study of the therapeutic properties of essential oils by a French cosmetic chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, in the 1920's. Once burning himself badly, and coincidently miraculously healing with the immediate application of lavender oil, Rene dedicated the rest of his life to researching the remarkable healing properties of nature's essential oils.
Buddha – “The Awakened One” formerly known as Siddhartha Gautama. From his teachings came Buddhism. He was born in what is today southern Nepal (on the border with India). He lived and taught in the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent, and most likely died around 400.
Buddhism – is a family of beliefs and practices considered by most to be a religion. It is based on the teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as "The Buddha." Buddhists recognize him as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering by understanding the true nature of its phenomena, thereby escaping the cycle of suffering and rebirth (Samsara), that is, achieving Nirvana (a heaven-like existence).
Chakras - 88,000 energy centers in our body which assimilate, process and express our ki (chi). Chakra comes from a sandskrit word meaning, “wheel” as the energy is thought to spin as a vortex through the body within the centers. Each chakra governs specific mental, physical and emotional elements of ourselves. We feel differently about ourselves and often life when our charkas are balanced, too wide-open or closed too tightly. Reiki helps to balance the charkas, producing the most positive effects.
Channeling - A term used in reference to the process of receiving and sharing energy, messages, or inspiration from the unseen. When a person channels positive life force energy they are acting as a vessel for the healing energy to pass through into the recipient.
Christianity - Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus. Adherents of Christianity, believe that Jesus is the Son of God. The majority of orthodox Christian theology claims that Jesus suffered, died, and was resurrected to make heaven available to humans. They further maintain that Jesus ascended into heaven, and most denominations teach that Jesus will return to judge all humans, living and dead, and grant immortality to his followers. Jesus is considered the model of a virtuous life.
Crown Chakra – The energy center at the top of the head where the Reiki energy enters into the practitioner. The Crown Chakra governs your spiritual connection: where a human being connects and recognizes its place in the universe. It is our link to healing with positive life force energy. When out of balance, it is difficult to let go of anxiety and fear; We can become depressed and unsatisfied. When in balance, we open ourselves to the knowledge and experience of unity, unconditional love and the acceptance of the divinity within all human beings. Physically, the Crown Chakra controls the right brain hemisphere, cerebellum, cerebrum, cranium, skull, pineal gland and central nervous system.
Crystal healing - A method of healing using the energy and vibrations of cyrstals to stimulate the different chakras.
Experiential Learning Cycle – Experiential Learning Cycle models emphasize that the nature of experience as of fundamental importance in education and training. All experiences are understood to be continuous, as each experience influences each future experience. The four stages of the Experiential Learning Cycle are as follows: Concrete Experience, followed by personal Reflection on that experience. This is then followed by the derivation of general rules describing the experience, or the application of known theories to it (Abstract Conceptualization), and hence to the construction of ways to modify the next occurrence of the cycle (Active Experimentation), leading in turn to the next Concrete Experience.
Foot Reflexology – A healing method involving the practice of massaging, squeezing, or pushing on parts of the feet to stimulate the recipient’s Ki (energy). Each point on the foot corresponds to different parts of the body, and therefore, the goal of foot reflexology is to heal the whole body, or to improve one’s general health.
Gassho - Literally meaning, "two hands coming together,' it is a meditation that is traditionally practiced at the beginning of each Reiki treatment. During the Gassho Meditation, your focus is on the point where your middle fingers meet.
Healing art – A healing method without the use of drugs that primarily relies on the transference and/or manipulation of energy for beneficial effects on one’s body, mind and spirit.
Heart Chakra - The energy center at your chest, through which the Reiki energy travels trough the practitioner before entering into the recipient. The Heart Chakra holds the energy of love (which is the main intention behind sharing Reiki). It governs our ability for selflessness, devotion, sincerity, generosity, compassion, understanding and forgiveness. It is here that our negative feelings are neutralized with the acceptance that both suffering and joy are an integral part of life. When the energy in our Heart Chakra is out of balance we tend to look for rewards from the love we give, and we find it difficult to accept love from others. When our heart energy is in balance, we are kind, supportive, caring and understanding. In balance we accept and love others for who they really are. Physically, the Heart Chakra controls the heart, upper back, chest, rib cage, blood, skin, lower lungs, hands, arms and thymus gland.
Highest good – Whatever is in your best interest physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This is different for everyone, and extends beyond the relm of judgement.
Jin Shin Jyutsu – The Art of getting to Know (help) Myself. According to ancient written records, it was widely known before the birth of Buddha, moses (recorded in the Christian bible), and before the Kojiki(record of ancient things, Japan, A.D. 712). It is the gentle lying on of finger tips over the 88,000 chakras in one’s body (lighter touch than acupressure).
Ki – Japanese word for “life energy.” This is referred to as Chi in Chinese medicine, and prana in Sandskrit.
Lineage - Reiki Lineage is all about keeping the knowledge pure and true to the original teachings of Mikao Usui, Dr. Hayashi and Mrs. Takata. In any spiritual or mystic practice, it is essential that the teaching at each generation be held true to the original teachings. Each recipient of the Reiki knowledge must make it his or her own, but each time one becomes a teacher, there must be a return to the original teachings of Reiki. If this does not happen, then after only a very few generations the knowledge becomes corrupted and lost. Reiki Lineage is not usually considered to be very important until a practitioner becomes a Master and/or Master-Teacher. However, to become aware of the Lineage and to honor the masters before you, helps to build your relationship and connection with Reiki. It was passed down from the Masters, and continues to flow through them into you.
Mantras - Repetitions of words or phrases to stimulate and vibrate charkas to a higher frequency. A Reiki practitioner recites the names of Reiki symbols for the effects of a mantra.
Mt. Kurama - The mountain near Kyoto, Japan, upon which Mikao Usui once meditated for 21 days, and received this initiation (attunement) to the Reiki energy.
Omniscient – All knowing power usually used to describe Rei.
Practitioner - Traditionally a person who practices a learned profession. However, I use the term to refer to anyone who has participated in a Reiki workshop, whether they share reiki professionally, with friends only or even just themselves.
Positive life force energy - The energy all life is born of and is sustained from.
Qi Gong – Qi Gong (pronounced "chee-gung," also spelled chi kung) is translated from the Chinese to mean "energy cultivation" or "working with life force energy." Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese system of exercises, breathing techniques, meditations and postures designed to improve and enhance the body's qi (Ki).
Rei – Japanese word translated as “spiritual knowledge.” It is what guides the ki through your body to where it needs to go for your highest good.
Reiki Master Symbol - This is the most powerful symbol in the Reiki group, and is only used only by Reiki Masters. It is the symbol used to heal the soul, guiding our spiritual self it heals disease and illness from the original source in the aura/energy fields. The Master Symbol helps to provide enlightenment and peace. It also allows us to become more intuitive and psychic. The practice of this symbol brings profound life changes.
Reiki Master/Teacher - A title used in the west to describe a person who has completed all three levels of Reiki and has gone onto learning the Attunement process, becoming a teacher to share this art with others and carry on the lineage of Reiki.
Reiki symbols – Believed to be derived from ancient Tibetan practices, Reiki symbols are used to help focus the intent of the practitioner. They are sacred healing symbols which enhance the flow of Life Force Energy; similar to keys that open doors to higher levels of awareness and manifestation. When sharing Reiki, symbols are visualized in the mind, hands, or the crown in order to be activated. Chanting the symbol's name three times helps to also summon their powers. With proper training, Reiki practitioners can become proficient in the use of these symbols to heal themselves and others. The first three Usui symbols are taught in Reiki II workshops. The forth Usui Reiki symbol, is not shared with the student until they become a master.
Root Chakra - The energy center at the base of the spine, between the genitals and anus. The Root Chakra governs our existence and immune system. It is our connection to the physical world, and serves as the foundation to build our personality, embracing our self-expression, vitality, ambition and satisfaction. When our Root Chakra is out of balance, we tend to loose our ability to trust in nature as we focus on material possessions and the need to satisfy our personal desires. Out of balance this chakra can also cause us to feel weak, tired and lacking in ambition. When our our Root Chakra is in balance, we feel connected to nature with a deep understanding of its rhythmic cycle. Physically the Root Chakra controls the feet, legs, buttocks, hips, pelvis, spine, lower back and blood circulation.
Ryoho – The Japanese word meaning, "healing method."
Sacral Chakra – The energy center at the lower abdomen, slightly above the genital area. The Sacral Chakra is the energy center that governs our passions, sexual needs, sensuality, creativity, enthusiasm, union with nature and openness to others. When our Sacral Chakra is out of balance, our self esteem is low, and we may feel unstable in sexual or emotional matters. When this chakra is in balance, we can feel, "in the flow," happily connected with life, friendly and considerate. Physically, the Sacral Chakra controls the belly, reproductive organs, pelvis, bladder, kidney and all bodily fluids.
Share – is to enjoy jointly with another or others. Reiki treatments are often referred to as Reiki shares because the positive life force energy is flowing through the Reiki practitioner as well as the receiver, and therefore the practitioner is being treated also. I refer to Reiki treatments as a Reiki share because nothing is being given to the receiver and nothing is depleted from the practitioner.
Solar Plexus - The energy center two fingers width above the navel. The Solar Plexus is where you connect with yourself. it is the center of who you are; your "core" spiritual being. This is where your personality is formed; where your feelings and experiences shape your being. From your Solar Plexus, you manifest your personal power, social identity, influence, peace, vitality, widom and self-control. When our Solar Plexus is out of balance, we may feel fearful, feeling the need to dominate, yet allowing others to push us around. When our Solar Plexus is in balance, it is easy to find our sense of self worth; Meeting our own needs and giving to others without giving our personal powers away. Physically, the Solar Plexus controls the lower back, abdominal cavity, digestive track, stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder and autonomic nervous system.
Sound therapy - Sound therapy refers to sound being used to treat physical, mental and emotional conditions. In general, this therapy is based on the theory that all of life vibrates, including people's bodies. When a person's healthy resonant frequency is out of balance, physical, mental and emotional health is affected. Treatment by sound waves is believed to restore a healthy balance to the body. The healing sound may be produced by a voice or an instrument such as electronic equipment, chanting bowls, or tuning forks.
Symbols - Tools to help Reiki practioners connect with the Reiki energy. Each symbol has a name repeated in a mantra while the practitioner either visualizes the symbol or draws it in the air over the receiver. Traditionally there are only four symbols in the teachings of Mikao Usui.
Tai Qi - a Chinese system of slow, meditative and precise physical exercise designed for balance, health, relaxation and self-defense.
Third Eye – The energy center between and just above the eyebrows. The Third-Eye governs the "knowing" of spiritual matters. Once positive life force energy is passed down through this chakra, it influences all other parts of the receiver. We call this chakra our "control panel" for our mind, body and spirit- for it is here that everything is processed before any actions or reactions occur. When our 3rd Eye is out of balance, we reject our spiritual aspects and overly focus on intellect, We can also develop pains such as headaches, sinus and neurological problems. When our 3rd Eye is in balance, we invite intuition and awareness of our spiritual body into our every day life; We function positively on both the emotional and physical levels.
Throat Chakra - The energy center at our neck. The Throat Chakra governs our voice. Though our voice we can speak truth or lies. When we speak in truth, we live in truth. When we speak in lies, we live in lies. Reiki traveling through our Throat Chakra helps us to balance in live in truth with freedom of our expressions. When our Throat Chakra is out of baance, talking or listening to other people an cause irritation and fristration, or we can find it difficult to find our own authentic expression. When our throat energy is in balance, we can find a balance in our expression between speaking and silence. As well we rediscover how to listen and trust our inner voice. Physically, the Throat Chakra controls the neck, jaw, throat, vocal chords, lungs, and thyroid gland.
Unconditional love - A term that means to love someone regardless of their behaviors, habits actions or beliefs.
Usui hand positions – Hand positions are specific placements for the hands over or on the body, correlating to charkas, for the purpose of assisting positive life force energy to flow through the body. There were 79 original Usui hand placements that he taught to his students. Today 26 are most commonly taught in Reiki I, but in the West, they are used mainly as guidelines for new students to use until they become familiar and comfortable sharing Reiki treatments.
Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Method Learning Society )- Dr, Usui created to the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai in April 1922. After his death, the presidency of the association went to his friend, J. Ushida. Currently the association is lead by a Mr. Masayoshi Kondo.
Usui Tradition of Natural Healing – The system of Reiki originated by Dr. Miako Usui in the late 19th century.