Reiki
Spiritually guided universal life force energy; a Japanese healing system founded by Mikao Usui in the 1920s.
Japanese: Rei (universal/spiritual) + Ki (life force energy)
Shoden
First Degree of Reiki training; entrance teachings focusing on self-healing and hands-on treatment of others.
Japanese: Shoden (初伝) = first teachings / entrance
Okuden
Second Degree of Reiki training; inner teachings introducing symbols, distance healing, and mental/emotional healing.
Japanese: Okuden (奥伝) = inner teachings
Shinpiden
Third Degree of Reiki training; mystery teachings for Master/Teacher level including the master symbol and attunement process.
Japanese: Shinpiden (神秘伝) = mystery teachings
Gokai
The Five Reiki Principles or Precepts written by Mikao Usui as the ethical foundation of Reiki practice.
Japanese: Gokai (五戒) = five precepts
Ki
Universal life force energy; the vital energy channeled in Reiki practice. Known as Chi in Chinese, Prana in Sanskrit.
Japanese: Ki (気) = life force energy
Rei
Universal or spiritual; the higher wisdom that guides Ki energy in Reiki practice.
Japanese: Rei (霊) = spirit / universal / sacred
Byosen
Sick accumulation; the frequency emitted by an injured or ill body part; the basis for scanning techniques.
Japanese: Byosen (病尖) = sick accumulation / illness focus
Byosen Reikan-ho
Method for sensing sacred impressions of illness; a scanning technique to find areas needing treatment.
Japanese: Byosen Reikan-ho (病尖霊感法) = illness focus sacred impression method
Hibiki
Echo or reverberation; the energy sensations (warmth, tingling, etc.) felt during Byosen scanning indicating areas of imbalance.
Japanese: Hibiki (響き) = echo / reverberation
Hatsurei-ho
Method to generate spirit; a set of energy development techniques including Kenyoku, Joshin Kokyu-ho, and Gassho meditation.
Japanese: Hatsurei-ho (発霊法) = generate spirit method
Gassho
Two hands coming together in prayer position; a meditation practice and gesture of reverence.
Japanese: Gassho (合掌) = two hands coming together
Kenyoku-ho
Dry bathing or dry brushing; an aura-cleansing technique to disconnect from energies after treatment.
Japanese: Kenyoku-ho (嫌浴法) = dry bathing method
Joshin Kokyu-ho
Spirit cleansing breath; a breathing technique to purify and strengthen ki by breathing energy into and out of the tanden.
Japanese: Joshin Kokyu-ho (净心呼吸法) = spirit cleansing breath
Reiju
Spiritual gift or blessing; the traditional Japanese empowerment process by which a teacher opens a student's energy channels to Reiki.
Japanese: Reiju (霊授) = confer/receive spiritual gift
Attunement
The Western structured ritual process of opening a student's energy channels to Reiki; corresponds to reiju in Japanese tradition.
Japanese: N/A (Western term)
Cho Ku Rei
The power/activation symbol; 'place the power of the universe here'. Amplifies and focuses Reiki energy.
Japanese: Choku Rei (直霊) = direct spirit / place power here
Sei He Ki
The mental/emotional healing symbol; 'harmony' or 'natural disposition'. Balances emotions and clears mental blockages.
Japanese: Seiheki (性癖) = natural disposition / habit
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen
The distance healing symbol; 'my original nature is right mind'. Enables healing across time and space.
Japanese: Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (本是正念) = my original nature is right mind
Dai Ko Myo
The Usui master symbol; 'great shining light'. Used in attunements and for deep spiritual healing.
Japanese: Dai Ko Myo (大明神) = great bright light
Dumo
The Tibetan master symbol representing Kundalini fire; used for cleansing and in attunements with the Violet Breath.
Japanese: Dumo (Tummo/gTummo) = Tibetan Kundalini fire
Raku
The completion/grounding symbol; 'diamond thunderbolt' or 'lightning bolt'. Used to seal and ground attunements.
Japanese: Raku (雷) = thunderbolt / lightning
Kotodama
Spirit of words; the belief that spoken sounds carry spiritual power. The Gokai and symbol mantras are kotodama.
Japanese: Kotodama (言霊) = spirit of words
Tanden
The body's energy center located below the navel; the focus for breathing and energy practices.
Japanese: Tanden (丹田) = energy center / hara
Reiji-ho
Method of the indication of the Reiki power; allowing Reiki to intuitively guide hand placement.
Japanese: Reiji-ho (霊示法) = spirit indication method
Gyoshi-ho
Healing by sight; a technique of sending Reiki through the eyes by gazing at the recipient (beaming).
Japanese: Gyoshi-ho (凝視法) = gazing method
Koki-ho
Healing by breathing; a technique of sending Reiki through the breath onto the affected area.
Japanese: Koki-ho (息法) = breath method
Enkaku Chiryo-ho
Distance treatment method; sending Reiki to a person not physically present using the distance symbol.
Japanese: Enkaku Chiryo-ho (遠隔治療法) = distance treatment method
Shashin Chiryo-ho
Distance healing using a photograph of the recipient as a focal point.
Japanese: Shashin Chiryo-ho (写真治療法) = photograph treatment method
Seiheki Chiryo-ho
Habit treatment; a technique using the Sei He Ki symbol to change habits and emotional patterns.
Japanese: Seiheki Chiryo-ho (性癖治療法) = habit treatment method
Nentatsu-ho
Suggestion therapy; a technique for implanting positive affirmations in the subconscious mind.
Japanese: Nentatsu-ho (念達法) = thought-reaching method
Jakikiri Joka-ho
Purging of negative energies; a technique to clear negative energy from objects or spaces.
Japanese: Jakikiri Joka-ho (邪気切り浄化法) = negative energy cutting purification method
Ketsueki Kokan-ho
Blood exchange or nerve stroke; a finishing technique using two fingers to stroke down the spine.
Japanese: Ketsueki Kokan-ho (血液交換法) = blood exchange method
Shihan
Venerable teacher; the highest teacher level in the Shinpiden degree of the Gakkai system.
Japanese: Shihan (師範) = venerable teacher / master teacher
Shihan-Kaku
Assistant teacher; the first level of Shinpiden in the Gakkai system.
Japanese: Shihan-Kaku (師範格) = assistant teacher
Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai
The original Reiki organization founded by Mikao Usui in 1922; continues to exist in Japan preserving traditional practices.
Japanese: Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (臼井霊気療法学会) = Usui Reiki Healing Method Learning Society
Usui Shiki Ryoho
Usui System of Natural Healing; the Western form of Reiki brought to the West by Hawayo Takata.
Japanese: Usui Shiki Ryoho (臼井式療法) = Usui style healing method
Usui Reiki Ryoho
Usui Reiki Healing Method; the original Japanese form of Reiki as practiced by the Gakkai.
Japanese: Usui Reiki Ryoho (臼井霊気療法) = Usui Reiki healing method
Kyo dake wa
Just for today; the opening phrase of each of the Five Reiki Principles (Gokai).
Japanese: Kyo dake wa (今日だけは) = just for today