Viewing Reiki from A Personal Growth Perspective

In helping our understanding of Reiki, I write a series of articles viewing Reiki from differing perspectives, in this article we look at  Reiki from a personal growth perspective. Firstly I wish to explore Reiki from its original intentions in relation to personal growth and then explore the applications of Reiki to support personal growth in today's modern world.

Reiki can be thought of as an expression of Love and compassion in action, as a way of being. There is a strong focus on personal development and growth, but more as a ‘part of the course’ or ‘requirement’ to evolve to a point of living as an expression of Reiki. Primarily mental/ emotional healing, bringing physical restoration. As stated by Usui Sensei himself who described Reiki is a practice of improvement of body and mind. who named the Reiki system: 'Shin Shin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryoho', which translated means: Usui Reiki treatment method to improve body and mind.

Although Usui sensei observed great healing events with people who received treatments in the Reiki system of healing he formed, he also observed that with some people after receiving some healing treatments,  some problems might manifest, or ill health might reappear at a later date in a differing form. Usui sensei realized that where the root cause of the imbalance or build-up of tension within a person’s body was the result of a lifetime of habitual poor thinking, internal conflict, or holding onto feelings, such as anger, worry, resentment, guilt, or ill will towards anyone else, then something more than passively receiving a therapy treatment was needed. For example, for someone to receive Reiki treatments without making positive adjustments to their own thinking and actions would result in limitations to the long-term results of any Reiki treatments and so reduce the likelihood of a permanent correction of the challenge that person was suffering with. In other words, that person would still be actively contributing to their reality of pain and ill health every day via their own thoughts and actions.

In such an example, resolving the concern would require a combination of Reiki treatments to disperse the accumulated load, supported by a change in attitude, thinking, and behavior of the recipient to facilitate the healing, which could be the recipient taking responsibility for their own thoughts and actions and making them more supportive to their health and well-being. The point is that, in this example, the recipient might be required to take personal responsibility for their own thoughts and behaviors in conjunction with receiving Reiki treatments to expect a favorable long-term improvement to their current reality. This point is as relevant to any therapy, or approach as it is to Reiki.

 To address this issue as well as provide a framework for the system Usui sensei complimented the original Usui Reiki system with guiding principles to live by on a daily basis, which is infused with emotions of love, compassion, selflessness, cooperation, and respect. These are called the 'Gokai'.  

Kyo dake wa (Just for today):

Ikaru-na (Do not be angry)

Shinpai suna (Do not worry)

Kansha shite (Be grateful)

Gyo-o hage me (Do your duties fully)

Hito ni shinsetsu ni (Be kind to others)

So there is more to Reiki than the actual Reiki treatments themselves. The ‘Gokai’ are learned and discussed in-depth in terms of interpretation and application within a Jikiden Reiki training course/seminar, but from seeing them in print you can get the idea. In addition, in a Reiki training course a person will receive ‘Reiju’ (the event of clearing our connection to our true state). This is a powerful event in terms of a person’s own personal growth, beyond anything you can read in a book or technical skill you could learn. This event can be the catalyst for personal growth, (personal growth in the fast lane for many).

 So it is no wonder that this aspect of Reiki, like a path of personal growth, is commonly seen strongest in those who seriously study and practice Reiki, as both the Gokai and Reiju are specific to Reiki training. However, just considering the spirit of the above principles as a filter for your thoughts and actions and incorporating the approach into your everyday life can be a very positive step in itself.  

The Reiki-trained group of a population tends to be those who have progressed someway along a path of personal growth already, although there is much variation in the distances traveled between individuals. The further a person develops with their study and practice of Reiki, the more a person is likely to be ‘living Reiki’ so to speak. Reiki teachers, for example, tend to be in this group. However, technical ability and participation in courses to be qualified to teach Reiki is not a determinant of the degree of progress a person may have made on their path of personal growth, or development. Nor is the progression to teaching levels of study a requirement to have a life filled with Reiki, or experience profound personal growth. Many of my own Reiki students have experienced some pretty strong personal development and evolution in their lives! (they read this article with a smile at this point).

The expression of the personal growth side of Reiki commonly translates to a person living in a more selfless way, which may be actively helping others or contributing to society, living a more peaceful and accepting life towards others, orientation to living in cooperation, and working through personal challenges, life lessons, developing as a person. 

For those not wishing to study and learn Reiki, much personal growth can still be experienced. Many find the biggest influence on personal growth is your inner voice, gut instincts, or intuition, with your own intuition having a louder voice after receiving Reiki treatments (we all have such a voice - in some, it’s too faint to hear, in others, it is just ignored). Reiki can act, almost like clearing away the clutter, creating some stillness, and allowing you to think with clarity. Many find Reiki also seems to help give people the courage to do whatever they need to do to move forward in their life or realign to the right path for them at that time.

The applications of Reiki to personal growth in the modern world are many. For a start, it can provide some 'breathing space' to think. Reiki can help you release feelings of anger, fear, guilt, hurt, regret, or pain, for example. It can encourage feelings of kindness (to both yourself and others), and encourage compassion, cooperation, love, forgiveness, and peace. It can serve to support you in your life, as a compass to your intentions, actions, and direction in life as well as fortify your resolve. There are many other ways Reiki can promote personal growth, but hopefully, you can see its value and potentially positive effects from this perspective of personal growth.

All this said, still think of this as steps towards a way of being and helping others, rather than the personal development as an endpoint itself, maybe more as a prerequisite. Again we have the Japanese cultural view (with influences of Buddhism) of self and ‘I’ itself- the ego, the soul (tamashi), being in a perfect state to consider. I hope this has been of interest and given you some things to consider with your practice of Reiki. Find out more about Reiki training courses

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I am mainly known nowadays for my work with Reiki, as a specialist in authentic Japanese Reiki. I am an experienced, Reiki teacher and practitioner with a proven track record of results. I offer Jikiden Reiki training courses, promoting authentic Japanese Reiki teachings. I am based in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, in the UK. I have a background in coaching and training in the areas of exercise coaching, holistic lifestyle, fitness, and performance coaching. I also have a BSc.(Hons) degree in Sport and Exercise Science, for more information visit: www.shaunmckeown.com

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The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. Shaun Mckeown, disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.