Finding True Practice in Usui Reiki Ryoho
Having practiced Usui Reiki Ryoho for four years now, including the meditations, mantras and symbols (Jumon and Shirushi), Reiju and the precepts and waka, I can say from my own perspective that I feel hand healing without the rest of the Usui system is a small pool to practice in as are the precepts and mantras/symbols.
But when I was practicing Usui Shiki Ryoho the aim was to heal myself and heal others. This is quite different to the aim of Usui Reiki Ryoho which is to understand my own nature and thus cultivate greater peace.
There is so much depth in the Usui system, in every aspect of the system when taught skilfully by teachers who are grounded in themselves and in a deep understanding of the practice backed up by voracious research and integrous connection back to Japanese teachers grounded in Japanese spirituality and worldview and with teachings from the Gakkai.
The thing I would say is that without the steadfastness and grit and flow that comes from cultivating the hara, the earth, Reiki practice was far too ephemeral for me and uncertain in application. It would show up sometimes and at other times, who knew? Where did Reiki come from, who knew?
The more you release the irrepressible nature of being from the gut-centre-of-all-life the more the practice becomes a wellspring that brings blessings and shifts the very landscape of life, in my own experience.
How could I ever begin to come into better relationship with the land, with myself, with people I care about, without this, I do not know.
I am forever grateful for all my Reiki teachers, because they have each taught me the presence and focus of a compassion that is greater than myself. I have heard some long term practitioners of Usui Shiki Ryoho speak and I can see that it is their way and way that brings a lot of beauty and change, and I will never know more than a glimpse of the path or depths of anyone else’s way.
But for me Shiki Reiki Ryoho in the way it was passed to me is not enough without the Hatsurei Ho, without an uncovering of what the precepts and mantras and symbols are really pointing to.
Usui Reiki Ryoho, wiped free of as much of the Western paraphernalia and usage as possible is nourishment, unwavering presence and the kind of surprising possibility that emerges regardless of what the ego-self thinks is a good idea.
It is presence and compassion without doing.
It is freeing up the feet and body to step more fully in time with creation, to breathe with all life, and anchor the mind in what is here.
It’s through this system I’ve been able to drop away the very desire to bring healing to anyone else but me.
Thank you to all of my teachers.
Thank you for this door and way
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22/2/2026 I am currently journeying deeping in this practice in a 6 month long program called Shinpiden+ with one of my favourite teachers Bronwen Logan and in June I will be journeying to Japan to join a week long retreat with Hyakuten Inamoto Sensei of the Komyo Reiki-Do practice, outside of Kyoto. Following that I will be spending a week of my own in meditation, writing, finding poetry, being-with-place and hopefully having some conversations with waterfalls and mountains and other beings who would like to connect.