Thaak wrote:
I'm assuming that all Yoga has a familiar or common ancestry?

If that is true, then Yoga is similar to Reiki. All styles of Yoga can be traced back to a similar origin/originator. But Yoga is thousands of years old, so the most popular styles survived and are very unique and invidualized from one another.

Reiki is not even a century old, and barely half that time in the Western World. We've had the conversation already about the proliferation of thousands of different styles of Reiki. How many will survive in a thousand years? Ten thousand?

Yes, all modern yoga does derive from a common ancestry as codified by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. Yoga, in its traditional state, is less about asanas (poses) as it is about a system of practices for living that brings you to a state of enlightenment. The emphasis in the West is on the asanas, but meditation and breathwork is more important to the yoga path than whether or not you can bend yourself into a pretzel. There are new styles of yoga being created all the time, just like Reiki. Teachers come up with their own system of asanas, breathwork, meditation and self-study and brand it. Iyengar is one of the most well-known types, but Bikram (hot yoga), Ashtanga, Kripalu and other styles are also popular.

Over time, I think we'll continue to see more types evolve and others fall away, in Reiki as in yoga. I think so long as we understand the basics and do those well, the rest of the packaging is optional based on preference.

What a busy topic! Shame i have missed most of it because I have been away!

I would just like to respond to a few points:

Andy wrote:
As far as teaching Reiki goes? If I teach a Reiki class, I will start with a basic level 1 class, which introduces them to who Usui was, his discovery story, who Hyashi was, who Takata was, and all their importance. I will teach the hand positions and how they coincide with both the endocrine glands and the chakras, and give a brief spiel about energy as I see it. I'll also discuss the ethics of energy work, especially as it pertains to work in the US.

That's about all that's necessary for a level 1 class.

Wot! No Gokai!?! Er..Reiki Precepts
Which actually brings me to another point about terminology used in other cultures.

Andy wrote:
I just don't personally feel that a specific cultural terminology is necessary over another. It is wholly dependent on which one speaks to the individual.

I don't know for sure about how karate, aikido etc. are taught but I did learn a bit of Judo when I was a youngster (many years ago!) and one of the things I remember is having to learn various Japanese phrases such as obi (belt), hajime (begin), ippon (victory, you win or something like that!), tatami (mat) and a whole host of japanese names for various throws and holds etc. We also learned the importance of respect for our teacher and discipline and etiquette in the dojo. All of this seemed quite natural considering Judo is a Japanese art - so once I discovered the Japanese terms for various Reiki techniques and concepts I don't see any problem with using them even though I am not Japanese.

Chris wrote:
When Usui said "honour your teachers" he wasn't saying "honour MY teachers": I have to honour my teachers of which Usui is one.

Where did Usui say "honour your teachers"? Not on the memorial stone!

Dragonfly wrote:
Yoga, in its traditional state, is less about asanas (poses) as it is about a system of practices for living that brings you to a state of enlightenment.

Now why does that sound familiar?

Ai to Hikari
Colin

Colin wrote:
What a busy topic! Shame i have missed most of it because I have been away!

I would just like to respond to a few points:

Andy wrote:
As far as teaching Reiki goes? If I teach a Reiki class, I will start with a basic level 1 class, which introduces them to who Usui was, his discovery story, who Hyashi was, who Takata was, and all their importance. I will teach the hand positions and how they coincide with both the endocrine glands and the chakras, and give a brief spiel about energy as I see it. I'll also discuss the ethics of energy work, especially as it pertains to work in the US.

That's about all that's necessary for a level 1 class.

Wot! No Gokai!?! Er..Reiki Precepts
Which actually brings me to another point about terminology used in other cultures.

Yes, forgot those, I was just typing out as I was sitting there last night before I went to bed. But then again, the Reiki Precepts are quite spiritual in nature aren't they?

Colin wrote:

Andy wrote:
I just don't personally feel that a specific cultural terminology is necessary over another. It is wholly dependent on which one speaks to the individual.

I don't know for sure about how karate, aikido etc. are taught but I did learn a bit of Judo when I was a youngster (many years ago!) and one of the things I remember is having to learn various Japanese phrases such as obi (belt), hajime (begin), ippon (victory, you win or something like that!), tatami (mat) and a whole host of japanese names for various throws and holds etc. We also learned the importance of respect for our teacher and discipline and etiquette in the dojo. All of this seemed quite natural considering Judo is a Japanese art - so once I discovered the Japanese terms for various Reiki techniques and concepts I don't see any problem with using them even though I am not Japanese.

There is a difference though. One is the superficial terminology, discipline and etiquette. I am a black belt in Americanized Karate (Tae Kwon Do), so I am quite familiar with all of those things (although we use Korean rather than Japanese terminology).

With Reiki, I was never taught the Japanese terminology and spirituality. Even when you go train with William Rand, you gotta take a separate course to learn the Japanese stuff. So for me to teach the Japanese terminology and spirituality, I would have to grab up a book (which wouldn't be hard to do) and train myself. Probably not a bad idea. However right now I have a perfectly good spiritual centerpoint of which Reiki synergizes with well.

I guess its all about whether you feel the need to learn the original system of Reiki, or are content with the westernized Reiki. I personally don't feel the need to go learn the Japanese original system, because what I have now works perfectly well.

Thaak wrote:... But then again, the Reiki Precepts are quite spiritual in nature aren't they?

The Precepts are also a set of very practical instructions on a simple therapeutic level

Don't get angry
(anger can harm the liver and gall-bladder)
Don't worry
(worry can impact negatively on the immune system)
Be Grateful
(the emotion of true gratitude has therapeutic benefits)
Work hard
(bringing mindful focus to the task at hand is a primary key to inhibiting worry)
Be Kind to others
(a key to counteracting anger)


.
.

Thaak wrote:

Milarepa wrote:
so, you're cool if you went ot a dojo to learn Aikido, but where taught Muay Thai?

depends. I got my black belt at a dojo. Its company name is National Karate. Yet the style it teaches is an Americanized version of Tae Kwon Do. Furthermore, it is more of a sport version than a traditional version.

That's a bit of an oxymoron. A company whose name aligns itself with a Japanese style of martial arts, that actually teaches a Korean one.

Can you appreciate that when folks decide to take up Karate, they probably want to learn Karate? Or, do you feel that most people couldn't care less, as long as it is a martial art?

Carrying on from my question. Lets say you decided to go to Aikido. Any idea why you would pick Aikido?

Thaak wrote:[
By the way, I believe that my signature indicates what level Reiki I am.

Ahh yes. I never took much notice of it before, .

take care
Wayne

Pandora wrote:lol... I just had a vision of Ramsbottom Reiki! Oh dear... it does't quite have the same ring to it as Usui Reiki!



On a serious point, if what I teach is not Usui Reiki, then what is it? Is it Reiki at all? Not even if I do the Reiki attunements and teach the hand positions and the Reiki history and symbols?

It can't be Usui sensei's system if it's not his system you are teaching, . It's uncomfortable for us to accept that, i know it was for me. that's the bottom line though.

This is only my opinon, but if one was lucky enough to be taught what Takata sensei taught, then it's Usui sensei's system. This isn't the same as learning from the Reiki Alliance either neccessarily.

If a person has the connection to Reiki, and the principles, we know that was a part of Usui sensei's system. And yeah, the symbols are an integral part. When one starts to teach things liek chakras, angels, etc, although there's nothing wrong with that, the system is changed, so it's not longer Usui sensei's, . It's at this point that usually, what is being taught is renamed. Or, at least, should be, .

Take care
Wayne

Milarepa wrote:

Pandora wrote:lol... I just had a vision of Ramsbottom Reiki! Oh dear... it does't quite have the same ring to it as Usui Reiki!



On a serious point, if what I teach is not Usui Reiki, then what is it? Is it Reiki at all? Not even if I do the Reiki attunements and teach the hand positions and the Reiki history and symbols?

It can't be Usui sensei's system if it's not his system you are teaching, . It's uncomfortable for us to accept that, i know it was for me. that's the bottom line though.

This is only my opinon, but if one was lucky enough to be taught what Takata sensei taught, then it's Usui sensei's system. This isn't the same as learning from the Reiki Alliance either neccessarily.

If a person has the connection to Reiki, and the principles, we know that was a part of Usui sensei's system. And yeah, the symbols are an integral part. When one starts to teach things liek chakras, angels, etc, although there's nothing wrong with that, the system is changed, so it's not longer Usui sensei's, . It's at this point that usually, what is being taught is renamed. Or, at least, should be, .

Take care
Wayne

Thanks for that clarification, Wayne. I can teach my Reiki Level 1 course next week now knowing it is Reiki that I teach! Doesn't sound like it's Reiki that I practice, though!

Pandora wrote:Thanks for that clarification, Wayne. I can teach my Reiki Level 1 course next week now knowing it is Reiki that I teach! Doesn't sound like it's Reiki that I practice, though!

You're teaching AND practicing Reiki. It's just a somewhat different version of the Reiki that Usui Sensei taught. If we get too rigid in our hierarchies, we can stifle our own growth. There is no one "right" way. My two cents.

Dragonfly wrote:

Pandora wrote:Thanks for that clarification, Wayne. I can teach my Reiki Level 1 course next week now knowing it is Reiki that I teach! Doesn't sound like it's Reiki that I practice, though!

If we get too rigid in our hierarchies, we can stifle our own growth. There is no one "right" way. My two cents.

Yes, it's certianly not about 'hierarchy'. It's about accurately portraying what we're teaching, .

Take care
Wayne

Pandora wrote:

Milarepa wrote:

Pandora wrote:lol... I just had a vision of Ramsbottom Reiki! Oh dear... it does't quite have the same ring to it as Usui Reiki!



On a serious point, if what I teach is not Usui Reiki, then what is it? Is it Reiki at all? Not even if I do the Reiki attunements and teach the hand positions and the Reiki history and symbols?

It can't be Usui sensei's system if it's not his system you are teaching, . It's uncomfortable for us to accept that, i know it was for me. that's the bottom line though.

This is only my opinon, but if one was lucky enough to be taught what Takata sensei taught, then it's Usui sensei's system. This isn't the same as learning from the Reiki Alliance either neccessarily.

If a person has the connection to Reiki, and the principles, we know that was a part of Usui sensei's system. And yeah, the symbols are an integral part. When one starts to teach things liek chakras, angels, etc, although there's nothing wrong with that, the system is changed, so it's not longer Usui sensei's, . It's at this point that usually, what is being taught is renamed. Or, at least, should be, .

Take care
Wayne

Thanks for that clarification, Wayne. I can teach my Reiki Level 1 course next week now knowing it is Reiki that I teach! Doesn't sound like it's Reiki that I practice, though!

It' still 'Reiki' that's being taught, and practised. After all, is Jikden not Reiki? Is Komyo not Reiki? Yet, Jikiden isn't Komyo, . Reiki is a generic term for a collection of styles. When one attributes a founders name to a style, it should mean it's his style.

If on the other hand, one can suggest since Usui sensei is in the lineage, that gives the right to use his name, then that logic would mean all Reiki styles are Usui Reiki.

I think he'd have something to say about that, hehe.

take care
Wayne

Milarepa wrote:If on the other hand, one can suggest since Usui sensei is in the lineage, that gives the right to use his name, then that logic would mean all Reiki styles are Usui Reiki.

I think he'd have something to say about that, hehe.

take care
Wayne

I was taught Reiki using the William Lee Rand manual, but my teacher added in the chakras, which are not emphasized at all in the WLR training. (He may have learned that from his teacher.) I was told it was Usui Reiki, and given what I'm reading here, what I learned basically is, with the exception of the chakra work.

It's my understanding that all forms of Reiki use
the ULFE. Some folks have attached and adapted
Usui's base to meet their own style preference of
presenting Reiki. I find it can get complicated when
teaching a student who has been taught by another
Reiki teacher who's style has had add on's that I do
not teach.I do not feel that the student has been
taught the wrong way just a different way.

chi_solas wrote:I do not feel that the student has been
taught the wrong way just a different way.

I totally agree with you.

I understand the desire to return to an "authentic source" and it can be useful to learn about those origins and practices. But that doesn't mean that what has been adapted since then because of teacher preference or insight is wrong. All spiritual practices and healing work will undergo some changes and transformation as they are used and reinterpreted for their community and times. I think what's most important is to respect the gifts that Usui Sensei, Dr. Hayashi, Mrs. Takata and others have shared and made available to the world.

What I enjoy about going to Reiki circles is the exposure to different techiques or ways of approaching working with Reiki that are not identical to what I've learned.

Thaak wrote:

Dragonfly wrote:Thanks guys! I just wanted to make sure I heard that distinction because I have heard/read many different interpretations about what benefit one would receive from multiple attunements. I very much like the idea of sharing.

For me, receiving another attunement to something I've already been attuned is just another chance to receive a very nice blessing. Certainly something that is fun to share with someone.

I like this idea, especially since it is said that Usui Sensei practice reiju (blessings/reattunement) each time he was with his students.

We can never receive too many blessings!

Rose

This is where I am right now
and
You guys have already covered it beautifully!!

XOXOXO