Mantras

Mantras

A mantra consists of words or sounds which are repeated as a form of meditation and are particularly associated with Eastern spiritual practices.

One of the best known mantras is the principal mantra of Tibetan Buddhists, "Om mane padme hum".

Chanting a mantra is also the foundation of Transcendental Meditation, which is a very popular practice worldwide. It is the combination of the power of the word, the focus on the chant and the effect on the breathing that makes the mantra produce powerful transformations in the practitioner. With regular practice, it gives them spiritual insights and a sense of connection to the universe.

Reiki has its own mantras which are taught as the four symbols introduced at second and third degree levels. In Japanese they are known as Jumon, which translates as 'sound which invokes a very specific cosmic vibration'. These are also called Kotodama, which means 'words carrying spirit'.

If you prefer to chant the mantras then you may try the following exercise:

Find a space where you won't be disturbed. Work with one mantra at a time for a period of 3-6 months so you become familiar with its unique vibration and effect, but be aware that it takes patience to build up a practice of chanting and feel the inner vibration.

The use of sound meditation is most effective when your body is upright.

- Sit in the Seiza posture or upright on a chair.

- Place the palms of your hands on your knees to keep you relaxed. Place hands in Gassho if preferred.

- Breathe in through the nose, drawing the breath down into the Hara. On the out breath, speak the mantra clearly and correctly.

Attunements

Reiki Attunements
In Japanese Reiki, Dr Usui used a spiritual blessing, known as Reiju, when teaching his students.

In recent times, a ritual is used, which we call an attunement or spititual empowerment that passes through the teacher to the student, and activates the student's ability to draw in more energy and in this way become an effective channel for the universal life force or Reiki energy.

This process is different for all students but in all cases, it is the moment between life without Reiki and a spiritual rebirth. There is no doubt that an initiation into Reiki marks an awakening of the soul towards a more spiritual way of life and a prospective student is moved by intuition through his/her higher self to evolve spiritually. When the student is ready, the Master appears in his life.

An initiation is a powerful moment for the student and the teacher. As a student, if you feel nervous about the process, ask the teacher to explain before hand.

Space Clearing with Reiki

Space Clearing with Reiki

This ritual is best used with the Reiki symbols mainly the power symbol and mental symbol and these must be placed in every corner of the room as well as the centre of the room while sweeping each room in turn.

You may use incense sticks as well and draw the symbols with the smoke of the incense.

When using coarse salt to clea a room, first energize the salt with Reiki symbols and state your intent clearly. The salt must be used after cleaning the house and must be removed the following day.

Reiki and Medical Conditions

Reiki and Medical Conditions

Reiki may be used with any medical condition however, although one of the benefits of Reiki is that the energy acts only for the good of the recipient, there are times when caution is advised.

- Don't treat the site of a broken bone before it is setas there is a chance that the energy will start to knit the bone at an incorrect angle. Send healing for shock but keep your hands away from the break itself. Once it has been set and plastered then give as much Reiki healing as possible to the area to speed up healing.

- Any accident where a part of the body has been severed also requires caution as the tissues and nerve endings need to be reconnected surgically. Again, treat the person for shock and pain focusing your attention on the heart chakra.

- When treating a client with a fitted pacemaker, use caution in that area too as the surge of energy may interfere with the function of that device.

- When treating a client with diabetes, advise the client to check the insulin levels before and after treatment and regularly afterwards as Reiki may alter them and therefore medication has to be monitored in accordance with insulin levels.

Creating a relaxing Atmosphere Conducive to Healing
When working from home, choose the area of the house which you feel has the best relaxing vibration for treatments. Ideally, this would be a room used solely for healing, but if this is not your case, then
choose a room that can easily be converted from its everyday function, to healing practice. The most important point to remember is that the room must be quiet, clean, comfortable and warm.

Air the room well before treatment and burn some incense before the treatment rather than during it as it may affect your client if he/she has bronchial problems.

As an alternative, you may scent the room with an oil burner prior to the treatment, using a light oil such as Lavender, which also promotes relaxation.

Switch off all phones or place them on silent mode, use meditation music as a background sound, but don't allow it to play in a way which will detract from relaxation.

Preparing your Space to Treat with Reiki

First Steps
You need to prepare yourself energetically before treating others.

You also need to prepare your work area.

Ideally you should use a massage table for giving treatments. Using a quilt on the floor can work if you work informally but it can give you backache and you should also think of yourself and your comfort, when giving treatments.Cover the table with a sheet, or the appropriate towelling cover, which can easily be removed after the treatment and washed.You will also need a light blanket to cover the client, as the body becomes cold when relaxed and the body temperatures tend to fluctuate during the treatment with the movement of energies.

A Reiki treatment can also be an emotional experience, so keep some tissues handy in case your client feels a need to use them.

Reiki Sessions

A Reiki session takes approximately 45 minutes, however, the practitioner should allow for an extra 30 to 45 minutes for discussion before treatment and advice after the treatment. The client may also have questions for the practitioner, so allowance must be made for this period of time as well as record keeping.

A client who is having a Reiki treatment for the first time, should be advised that follow-up sessions should be kept in order to see a marked improvement on the energy levels. This could be organised to be spread over a period of a month to a month and a half. Cognizance must also be taken of the client's financial commitments as this could prove to be an unplanned expense to him, so approach the subject with diplomacy and due respect.