A Reiki Glossary

  C

Chakra Kassei Kokyo-ho	Chakra-activating breathing method
Choku Rei	Name of the first of the four Usui Reiki symbols. Commonly called the ‘Power’ symbol in Takata-lineage Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho). In Japanese lineages the symbol is commonly called the ‘Focus’ symbol’ [some relate it to the earth element]. Takata-Sensei translated Choku Rei as ‘put the [spiritual] power here’, yet it can also translate as something akin to: ‘in the presence of the Spirit(s)’.

  D

Dai Ko Myo

Name of the last of the four Usui Reiki symbol. Commonly called the ‘Master’ symbol in Takata-lineage Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho). The ‘ symbol’ is actually the words Dai, Ko, & Myo written in kanji, and name literally means: ‘Great Shining Light’ - signifying ‘Enlightened Nature’ or ‘the Radiant Light of Wisdom’ - the Radiance of a Deity (Buddha, Bodhisattva, ‘Vidyaraja’, etc) - the manifest expression of the Light of Wisdom: the means by which illumination "dawns on us."

Denju

‘Initiation’ - the ‘Western’ style Reiki attunement process used by Takata-Sensei

  E

Eguchi te-no-hira Ryoji	A hand/palm healing modality developed by Toshihiro Eguchi (- a friend and student of Usui Sensei), said to incorporate elements of Usui-do
Enkaku Chiryo-Ho	‘Distant Healing Method’

  F

  G

Gakkai	A ‘Learning Society’ - such as the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai
Gassho	A ritual gesture formed by placing the hands together in a prayer-like position in front of the mouth - the fingertips at a level just below the nose. ‘Gassho’ implies recognition of the oneness of all beings. This gesture is also used to show reverence to Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Patriarchs & Teachers
Gassho Kokyu-Ho	‘Gassho Breathing Method’ - the practice of ‘breathing’ through the hands while in the Gassho position
Gassho Meiso	Gassho Meditation
Gendai Reiki Ho	‘Modern Reiki Method’ - modern form of Japanese Reiki created by Hiroshi Doi - combines some traditional Usui teachings & techniques with teachings & techniques from other energy-healing arts
Gendoku-Ho	Detox technique - one hand is placed at seika tanden, the other on the lower back at approximately the same level
Gokai	The Five Reiki Principles / Precepts
Gokai Sansho	Recitation of the Five Reiki Principles / Precepts (sansho here refers to ‘three times’)
Gyosei	Poetry penned by the Meiji Emperor, about 125 of which are recited / sung at meetings of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. [These poems are in a style known as waka]
Gyoshi-Ho	‘Gazing Method’ - technique of healing with the eyes

  H

Hado Kokyu-Ho	Breathing technique, said to raise ones vibrational levels
Hado Meiso Ho	Hado-breath meditation
Hanshin Chiryo-Ho	‘Half-body Treatment Method’
Hanshin Koketsu-Ho	‘Half-body Blood-purifying Method’
Hara	‘Belly’ - the extended area between the top of the pubic bone and the base of the sternum
Hatsurei-Ho	Generate[/Invoke] (Hatsu), Spirit (Rei), Method (Ho) - a set of primarily Ki-jutsu techniques which Usui Sensei is said to have taught as an aid to self-development
Heso Chiryo-Ho	Acupressure-type energy-balancing technique applied to the navel with middle finger
Hibiki	‘Reverberation’ - sensation in the hands, the nature of which can indicate the presence and status of a dis-ease
Hikari no Kokyu-Ho	‘Breath of Light’ Method - a variant of Joshin Kokyo-Ho
Hikkei	A handbook or manual
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen	Name of the third of the four Usui Reiki symbol. Commonly called the ‘distant’ symbol in Takata-lineage Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho). This ‘ symbol’ is actually the words: Hon, Sha, Ze, Sho, &Nen, written in kanji (albeit in a stylised form). While some people have sought to translate the phrase ‘Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen’ as: "no past, no present, no future", this mantra phrase actually translates as: ‘Mindfulness is the essence of Being’ (or alternatively - ‘Correct Thought is the root for everything’). [SEE IMAGE]. It does not represent an energy, but a state of mind - a connectedness to all things.

  I

In-Yo	Equivalent of the Chinese Yin-Yang

  J

Jaki Kiri Joka Ho	Technique for ‘energetic cleansing’ of inanimate objects. NOT to be used on living things: people, plants or animals [This technique seems to be derived from a more involved practice called the ‘Ki Barai’]
Jikiden Reiki	‘Original Teaching’ or ‘Directly Taught’ Reiki - Japanese Reiki as taught by Chiyoko Yamaguchi - a student of Chujiro Hayashi
Joshin Kokyo-Ho	Cleansing Breathing technique used to stimulate, strengthen and purify the flow of Reiki - a component of Hatsurei-Ho
Jumon	A Mantra or Sacred Invocation

  K

Kaicho	A president / chairman - title of the Leader of The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai
Kanji	Chinese characters used for writing Japanese
Kanboku	A term used to indicate the Reiki symbols by Yuji Onuki - a student of Toshihiro Eguchi [see also shirushi]
Kantoku	Illuminating visionary mystical state - brought about by practice of strict ascetic mystical disciplines including fasting, isolation, meditation & the use of incantation and mudra-like techniques
Kenyoku-Ho	‘Dry Brushing Method’ - essentially an aura-cleansing technique - a component of Hatsurei-Ho
Ketsueki Kokan-Ho	The Reiki ‘Finishing’ or ‘Smoothing’ technique
Ki-jutsu	‘Energetic Arts’ - Collective term for Japanese disciplines concerned with the development, strengthening and refinement of ‘Ki’
Ki Ko	Japanese name for the Chinese Art of Chi Gung (Qi Gong)
Kiriku	Pronounced: k’rik - the ‘spiritual emblem’ of Amida Butsu, and probable origin of the second of the four Usui Reiki symbols - Sei Heiki
Koketsu-Ho	‘Blood-purifying Method’
Koki-Ho	‘Exhalation (Koki) Method’ - technique of healing with the breath
Kokoro	Heart, Spirit, Will or Mind
Kokyo-Ho	Breathing Techniques for Development, Strengthening and Purification of Ki
Koshin-do Mawashi	The ‘Reiki Circle’ method. [also called Reiki Mawashi]
Kotodama	‘Word-Spirit’ - Shinto practice involving the intonation of individual syllables and vowel-sounds
Kouki	With Zenki, one of the two inner levels comprising Okuden, the second level of Reiki training.
Kurama Yama	Horse-saddle (Kurama) Mountain (Yama) - the Sacred Mountain where Usui-Sensei is believed to have first experienced Reiki [though some have suggested Mount Koya as the original site]

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  M

  N

Nade-Te Chiryo-Ho	Stimulating the flow of ki in the body by stroking with the hand
Nentatsu-Ho	Form of ‘thought-transmission’ via the hands

  O

Okuden	Level II in some versions of the Reiki Grading system
Oshite Chiryo-Ho	‘Pressing Hand’ - actually, an acupressure-type technique applied with the fingertips

  P

  Q

  R

Rei	To Bow - as in: Kamiza ni Rei [bow to the Altar], Otagai ni Rei [bow to fellow students], Sensei (Gata) ni Rei [bow to ones teacher(s)], Shinzen ni Rei [bow to a shrine.], Ritsu (or Tachi) Rei [standing bow], Za Rei [kneeling bow]. By bowing, you are expressing respect, courtesy, and gratitude to your art, your sensei, dojo (training establishment), other students, and yourself [This ‘rei’ is not written in the same kanji as the ‘rei’ in ‘Reiki’]
Reiho	Etiquette; a method of bowing
Reiho	‘Spiritual Method’ -as in: Usui Reiho: Usui Spiritual Method Some people claim that ‘Reiho’ is a contraction of: ‘Reiki Ryoho’ (Reiki Healing Method) This ‘Reiho’ is not written in the same kanji as the ‘Reiho’ meaning Etiquette]
Reiji	‘Indication of the Spirit’ - Spiritual guidance in the placing of your hands to give treatment
Reiju	Spiritual (Rei) Gift (Ju) - term for the original form of Reiki Attunement-Empowerment
Reiki	The term commonly used to indicate the therapeutic and self-development system created by Mikao Usui, and more specifically, the wonderful therapeutic energy radiance, or phenomenon, which lies at the heart of this natural healing system. (However, the word ‘Reiki’ has, it seems, achieved generic status, being used to refer to numerous hands-on healing practices of unrelated origin.) Reiki can translate as: ‘Spiritual Energy’, ‘Spiritual Feeling’, and in some instances can be used as a term for an Ancestral Spirit.
Reikika	A Reiki Practitioner
‘Reiki Ryoho No Shion’	‘Kind Teacher’s Reiki Method of Healing’ - the title of a Reiki manual said to be given to all members of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai
Reiki Un-do	A method of Reiki treatment received through spontaneous movement - albeit intentionally initiated
Renzoku	A ‘Reiki marathon’
Ryoho	‘Healing Method; Medical Treatment’ -as in:Usui Reiki Ryoho: Usui Reiki Healing Method

  S

Saibo Kassei Ka	A cell-activating technique
Seiheki Chiryo-Ho	A variant form of Nentatsu-Ho
Sei Heiki	The second of the four Usui Reiki symbols: commonly called the ‘mental/emotional’ symbol in Takata-lineage Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho). In Japanese lineages the symbol is commonly called the ‘Harmony’ symbol’ [some relate it to the water element]. Depending on the kanji used to write ‘Sei Heiki’, the name can mean ‘emotional calmness’ or ‘spiritual composure’
Seiza	Traditional Japanese kneeling posture, sitting back on (or between) the heels
Sekizui Joka Ibuki-Ho	Spinal Cord (Sekizui) Purification (Joka) Breath (Ibuki) Method (Ho) - a technique of ‘insufflation’ or blowing of energy-breath to release negativity from the spine
Shiki	‘Style’ - as in Usui Shiki Ryoho: Usui Style Healing Method
Shinpiden	Level III (Master Level) in some versions of the Reiki Grading system
Shirushi	‘Symbol’
Shoden	Level III in some versions of the Reiki Grading system
Shu Chu Reiki	Reiki Treatment given to a single individual by a group

  T

Tanden Chiryo-Ho	A body detoxification technique
Te-Ate	‘Hand-Treatment’ - generic term for Japanese hands-on healing modalities

  U

Uchite Chiryo-Ho	A Shiatsu-like patting or palpating technique
Usui	A term used by many Japanese shamanic practitioners to describe ‘power spots’ - places where the ‘veil’ between this world and the World of the Spirit is thin. (Usui = Thin). However, in this instance, ‘usui’ -although having the same sound - is written in different kanji than the surname Usui
Usui Do	‘Usui's Way’. Term used to refer to Usui-sensei’s original system of Spiritual Development.
Usui Reiki Ryoho	‘Usui Reiki Healing Method.’ Term used to refer to Reiki as it evolved in Japan. Said to be closer to Usui-Sensei’s original format. Utilises Reiju rather than the symbol-centred attunements familiar in ‘western’ style Reiki.
Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai	(Usui Reiki Healing Method Learning Society). While some say the society was founded by Usui-Sensei himself in 1922, it is generally accepted that the Gakkai was actually founded by Rear Admiral Juusaburo Gyuda (Ushida) and other students around 1926/7.
Usui Shiki Ryoho	‘Usui Style Healing Method’. ‘Western’ Reiki as taught by Takata-Sensei -a system divided into 3 levels, using attunements involving the four Reiki symbols..
Usui Teate	‘Usui Hand Treatment’. Term used by some of Usui-Sensei’s surviving students to refer to his Healing Method.

  V

  W

Waka	‘Japanese Song’ - short poems with lines containing fixed numbers of syllables. [The familiar Zen haikyu are a form of waka]

  X

  Y

Yagyu Ryu	Usui Sensei is believed to have achieved the high ranking of ‘Menkyo Kaiden’ in Yagyu Ryu, a Bujutsu (Martial Arts) School focussing on the arts of Kenjutsu (Swordfighting) & Ju-jutsu (Un-armed Combat) - founded by Yagyu Muneyoshi Tajima no Kami (1527-1606).

  Z

Zenki	With Kouki, one of the two inner levels comprising Okuden, the second level of Reiki training.
Zenshin Koketsu-Ho	Full-body Treatment Method

Special thanks to James Deacon at www.aetw.org