Reiki Glossary
- a -
antakharana:
A symbol originating from Tibetan Reiki and some other branches used as a tool for healing and meditation.
attunement: (Reiki attunement)
Ceremonial process of enhancing and heightening Reiki when master initiates student.
aura: (aka auric field)
Also referenced as the electromagnetic field. It’s the energy of our being, including our thoughts, experiences and feelings that surrounds our physical form.
- b -
byosen: (pronounced: be-oh-sen)
The term given to the Japanese technique of scanning the body with the hands to determine any areas in need of Reiki.
- c -
chakra:
A Sanskrit word relating to energy centers in the body. There are many chakras in and around the body, but seven (listed below) are major areas where energy is concentrated.
· Crown Chakra
· Third-Eye Chakra
· Throat Chakra
· Heart Chakra
· Solar Plexus Chakra
· Sacral Chakra
· Root Chakra
channel:
A conduit or medium that receives and delivers.
chi:
Chinese word for energy.
cho ku rei: (pronounced: cho-koo-ray)
The first traditional symbol used in Usui Reiki, known as the “Power” symbol, is taught in the Second Degree—Advanced Practitioner level.
Chujiro Hayashi: A close student of Dr. Usui who became the second “Master” of the Usui lineage, is known for having developed the hand positions we use in Reiki today.
- d -
dai ko myo: (pronounced: day-ko-me-oh)
The “Master” symbol passed on in Usui Reiki Master Teacher Third Degree that can then be used in all healing.
- g -
gassho: (pronounced: gaw-show)
Japanese term for “two hands coming together” is a hand-posture used in prayer, meditation and Reiju Ho (see reiju ho below).
gyosei:
Verses of poetry used to clear the mind and help with healing.
- h -
hara:
Japanese word for abdomen. It can also refer to tanden (see tanden below).
harth:
A symbol used (not in Usui Reiki), by some branches of Reiki.
hatsurei ho:
A traditional Japanese way to connect to Reiki.
Hawayo Takata:
Regarded as the third “Master” in the Usui lineage, Madam Takata studied directly under Dr. Chujiro Hayashi. Of Hawaiian descent, she is credited with bringing Reiki to the West.
hikari:
Light.
ho:
Manner, means, method, step, or technique.
hon sha ze sho nen: (pronounced: hon-shaw-zay-show-nen)
The third traditional Reiki symbol taught in Usui Second Degree—Advanced Practitioner level, is used to make distant connections while performing distant Reiki healing.
hui yin:
Means the perineum, considered to be the lowest most point on the human torso. (A term also used to describe a technique of contracting Hui Yin while placing tongue at roof of mouth to create a clear and direct circuit and retain some of energy flow for self during channeling Reiki.)
- j -
jakikiri joka ho:
Japanese technique used to cleanse objects.
joshin kokyu ho:
A Japanese meditation technique used to purify the Soul with breath bringing in life and light to open the central channel.
- k -
kenyoku ho:
The term given to a Japanese technique of dry bathing used to purify one’s energy prior to and after channeling Reiki.
ki:
Japanese word meaning energy.
koki ho:
A breathing technique used in Japanese healing.
Kokoro:
Heart/Soul.
- l -
lineage:
Line of descent from one particular ancestor.
- m -
mantra:
Repetitive chanting out loud or with the mind in silence of words or sounds to help clear the mind.
meridian:
The channels in which energy travels throughout the physical body.
Mikao Usui: The name of the modern-day founder of Reiki.
mokunen:
Japanese word meaning silent or quiet thought.
mudra:
Symbolic hand and finger gestures used to focus and in meditation.
- n -
nentatsu ho:
Japanese Reiki technique used for empowering affirmations and deprogramming to help facilitate change.
- o -
okuden:
Japanese word used to describe Reiki’s Second Degree—Advanced Practitioner or level II.
om:
A Sanskrit word meaning “sound of the universe” that is chanted, and is sometimes used by some branches of Reiki.
- p -
precepts:
Rules, unlike principles, precepts cannot be altered.
- r -
raku:
A symbol used in Reiki attunements by some branches of Reiki.
reiju: Master’s gift (sensei dori).
reiju ho:
Technique used to pass on the spiritual gift of the Master to the student in attunement ceremonies.
Reiki: (pronounced: ray-kee)
The word means energy (ki) of the universe/spirit/soul (rei). Now a term used to describe an ancient Japanese art of natural energy healing.
Reiki share:
When more than two people join to exchange Reiki.
Reiki Ryoho Gakkai:
One of the original branches from the teachings of Mikao Usui still being practiced and taught in Japan.
ryoho: (pronounced: row-ho)
Spiritual method of healing.
- s -
scanning:
As it relates to Reiki is called “byosen” when using the hands to scan the body. Practitioners can also scan with their other senses as well.
sei hei ki: (pronounced: say-hay-key)
The second traditional symbol taught in Usui Reiki Second Degree—Advanced Practitioner level is used for mental and emotional balance.
seiza:
Japanese word meaning “proper sitting.” The Seiza posture involves sitting on the floor by first kneeling, then sitting on top of your folded legs underneath you and your bottom resting on your ankles.
seishin toitsu:
Japanese term meaning concentration.
sensei: (pronounced: sen-say)
Japanese word for a teacher or master.
shiki:
Japanese word meaning style, system, form.
shinpiden:
Japanese word used to describe Reiki’s Third Degree—Master Teacher or level III.
shoden:
Japanese word used to describe Reiki’s First Degree--Practitioner or level I.
symbol:
A type of drawing related to a particular point, theme, word, etc. that transcends language barriers. (The traditional symbols we use in Usui Reiki today were given to Dr. Usui during his famous 21-day fasting meditation.)
- t -
tanden:
Japanese word meaning “center of the body,” is also known as dentians to the Chinese.
- u -
Usui:
The last name of the modern-day founder of Reiki.
Usui Reiki Ryoho:
Usui Spiritual Energy Healing.
Usui Reiki Shiki Ryoho:
Dr. Usui’s energy healing system developed to heal the physical, the emotional, mental, and spiritual levels of a person.