To begin with an understanding of the hara system is integral to any breathing or meditation techniques of Japanese origin. There is an old version of a technique that is commonly practiced in traditional Japanese branches - hatsurei ho described. Usui Mikao is known to have taught hand positions that worked solely with the head. These have been included here and similar versions can be found in manuals used by the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and the Ryoho Shishin passed on by Hayashi Chujiro. The 5 precepts appear to have been a part of Usui Mikao's early spiritual teachings. These are not just meant to be read, chanted or memorized but to be used as principles in a practitioner's daily routine.
The Hara System The word hara literally means stomach, abdomen or belly in Japanese. Energy is stored in this point of the body from where it expands throughout the whole body. It is an area on the body which bis said to be approximately 3 inches (8cms) below the naval.
This system became lost in the West even though from Hawayo Takata's diary notes it can be seen that she too was taught to practice in this manner. For a copy of her handwritten notes relating to the hara click here and click here for her daughter's typed copy fo the notes.
The hara is linked to other elements of the Japanese energetic system which can be called the three diamonds.
For a more detailed explanation of these three energetic centres and how they relate to the system of Reiki please read The Japanese Art of Reiki.
FIf you would like to try view a beautiful video showing how to work with these three energetic centres visit Interactive Reiki Techniques.
If you are looking for a technqiue that works solely with the hara for Grounding then visit The Grounding Room.
Kenyoku Ho Kenyoku Hô is a Japanese Shinto practise that purifies the body, heart and spirit. It is generally used before and after the practice of any energy work. On each out breath the hands sweep across the body, as if you are washing yourself clean.
1. Sweep with your right hand from your left shoulder down and across to your right hip. 2. Sweep with your left hand from your right shoulder down and across to your left hip. 3. Sweep with your right hand from your left shoulder down and across to your right hip. 4. With your left elbow against your side and your left forearm horizontal to the ground, sweep with your right hand from your left shoulder down the arm and out along the upturned palm to the fingertips. 5. With your right elbow against your side and your right forearm horizontal to the ground, sweep with your left hand from your right shoulder down the arm and out along the upturned palm to the fingertips. 6. With your left elbow against your side and your left forearm horizontal to the ground, sweep with your right hand from your left shoulder down the arm and out along the upturned palm to the fingertips.
Click on the image or link below to be guided in the practise of the technique Kenyoku Ho - this image may take time to download and is the result of a collaboration between the International House of Reiki and the DVD game Wisdom Quest from Journey to Wild Divine.
Hatsurei Ho A method for generating greater amounts of spiritual energy.
Techniques of one kind or another have always been used in conjunction with the system of Reiki. Hatsurei-ho is one of the early techniques. We know this for certain as it exists in a 1933 book by Kaiji Tomita, a student of Usui Mikao. Below is a translation of this technique from that book which is much simpler than what is practised in Japan and the West today. The chanting of waka, poetry written by the Meiji Emperor, is not generally practised in the West.
hatsu - to generate rei - spirit ho - method
First sit down and try to concentrate (unify) the mind and body. Choose a quiet place or somewhere comfortable where you can relax. Included in the text are 2 different readings of the word seiza. One means to sit still and is the first part of the technique the other relates to the physical action of sitting in seiza.
1. Seiza (lit. Japanese) [to sit still] Sit in the seiza position and gassho with the objective to gather/concentrate the energy from the heart into the palms of the hands. Hold the hands together without using force from the arms or the shoulders. Drop the shoulders and clasp the hands, joining the fingers lightly and feel the alignment of the posture. Close your eyes.
2. Joshin ho (Mind purification method) The aim of Joshin-ho is to unify and purify the mind. Once the sitting upright is achieved, recite (in your head) some waka poetry and feel at One with its meaning.
Here is an example of the Meiji Emperor's waka used by Usui Mikao that can be used for joshin ho.
Asamidori sumiwataritaru ohzorano hiroki onoga kokoro to mogana
As a great sky in clear light green I wish my heart would be as vast.
(waka translation is copyright Hyakuten Inamoto)
Click here to listen to this waka in Japanese
3. Hatsurei Ho If you have followed the previous steps and stayed focused on the palms of your hands they start to become warm. This is what Tomita ryu calls reiha (wave of rei). It describes the tingling sensation that is comparable to an electrical current. The heat created and the wave of rei are what constitute spiritual energy. Even if the sensations are weak at first, they should become stronger as you keep concentrating.
4. 5 Day plan Repeat the above steps for 5 consecutive days, and concentrate for at least 30 minutes (progressively increasing eventually reaching an hour).
To support students in traditional practices the International House of Reiki offers the Reiki Ho CD to guide practitioners on a 30 minute practise of Hatsurei Ho plus a fifteen minute explanation abotut its use in the system of Reiki. You can buy it here.
If you've been directed to look for a pass word on this website - you've found it - the pass word is "ninja".
Zento-bu - Forehead top (between the eyebrow and the line where hair starts to grow)
Sokuto-bu - Both sides of your head (temples)
Koutou-bu - Middle back of your head and brow
Enzui-bu - Both sides of the neck
Toucho-bu - Top of the head (crown)
The client is seated in a chair and the hand positions are held as long as you feel the energy flow, this will maybe even take up to 25 minutes. The hands can be placed on or off the body. After this you can feel for an imbalance (Hibiki) somewhere else in the body and place your hands accordingly. During position 3 you can do the technique Nentatsu-ho if required.
These teachings are passed on by an old Tendai nun who lives in Japan. She studied Reiki with Usui Mikao who was also her cousin. She says that there were 12 students of Usui Mikao alive in 2001 aged between 93 and 117 (In 2005 just 5 are left). Frans Stiene studied with a student of this nun in Florence last year and both Frans and Bronwen Stiene continue these studies under the guidance of Chris Marsh.
Below you will find two videos. One that takes you through the hand positions on yourself and on others.
The Book of Five (Part I)
The Book of Five (Part II)
To support students in traditional practices the International House of Reiki offers the Reiki Ho CD to guide practitioners on a 30 minute hands-on practise plus a fifteen minute explanation about its use in the system of Reiki. You can buy it from our Online Reiki Shop.
The 5 Reiki Precepts or Affirmations The 5 precepts, or gokai as they are called in Japan, are guidelines to aid students in their journey toward spiritual development. The actual precepts are written below in italics. The other surrounding text explains what the system of Reiki is 'The Spiritual Medicine for All Illness'. Below the precepts there are instructions on how to use them in daily life as well as who the founder of this system is. This Japanese kanji for this text is displayed underneath the English translation (translation is copyright Chris Marsh).
The Secret of Inviting Happiness through Many Blessings The Spiritual Medicine for All Illness
For Today Only: Do not Anger Do not worry Be Humble Be Honest in your Work Be Compassionate to Yourself and Others
Do gasshô every Morning and Evening Keep in your Mind and Recite
Usui Reiki Ryôhô Improve your Mind and Body The Founder Usui Mikao
Click here to listen to this Precepts in Japanese
Shoufuku no hihoo Manbyo no ley-yaku
Kyo dake wa Okolu-na Shinpai suna Kansha shite Goo hage me Hito ni shinsetsu ni
Asa yuu gassho shite kokoro ni neji kuchi ni tonaeyo
To support students in tradtional practices the International House of Reiki offers both Japanese and Western versions of these precepts at the Online Reiki Shop.
Zento-bu - Forehead top (between the eyebrow and the line where hair starts to grow) 
Sokuto-bu - Both sides of your head (temples) 
Koutou-bu - Middle back of your head and brow 
Enzui-bu - Both sides of the neck 
Toucho-bu - Top of the head (crown) 
