by William Lee Rand
Because of the nature of the master level and the energies that become available to us, being a Reiki master can be an ongoing process involving continuous personal growth. With the master attunement and the use of the master symbol, we receive the opportunity to open more and more completely to the limitless potential of Reiki and to develop in ourselves the qualities that are contained in the Reiki energy. Consider all the aspects of Reiki energy - besides the potential to heal virtually all illness, it also contains unlimited love, joy, peace, compassion, wisdom, abundance and even more. We know these are the qualities of Reiki because people experience them when giving or receiving Reiki treatments. They are especially apparent when we meditate on the source of Reiki. When doing so, many are lifted up into a safe place where they feel completely cared for and become aware of the wonderful possibilities that can come from within.
When we contemplate these things it is easy to become overwhelmed with optimism and the confident understanding that all challenges in life can be met and that our lives can be a glorious experience. The Japanese name for the master level of Reiki is Shinpiden which means "Mystery Teaching." The mystery which is spoken of is the mystery of God's love, wisdom and power. It is a mystery because God has no boundaries; all the attributes of God including wonder, beauty and grace extend far beyond our ability to comprehend. No matter how developed we become, in this life or in any future level of existence, we will never fully understand it. This is why it is and will always remain a wonderful mystery.
When we receive the Usui master symbol and the attunement that empowers it, it creates the possibility for us to become aware of the Ultimate Reality. This is expressed in the definition of the Usui master symbol which indicates that it represents that part of the self that is already completely enlightened! When we use the master symbol, we are actually connecting with our own enlightened selves. This in fact, is the true source of Reiki energy - it actually comes from the deepest and most important part of our own nature, our own enlightened self!. While it may appear to some to come from outside ourselves appearing to come down through the crown chakra, this is actually an illusion and only appears this way because of our limited awareness.
Reiki comes to us by the Grace of God and it is this same Grace that heals us and fosters our personal growth. Yet development does not take place automatically. Reiki respects our free will and does not force development on us, but if we seek it and intend it, and use Reiki for this purpose, then certainly, we will be guided into a greater healing experience. Try this experiment. Begin doing Reiki on yourself using the master symbol with your hands in any position that is comfortable. (If you are not a Reiki master but have level I or II, try it anyway without the master symbol.) Then meditate on this affirmation. "I surrender completely to the Reiki energy and the source from which it comes." Repeat this affirmation over and over, then as the Reiki energy continues to flow, with your inner eye, look for the source of Reiki, either within yourself or above.
By doing this, you will have many important experiences. These are likely to include becoming more aware of how Reiki is working within you and feeling it's amazing qualities. New possibilities for personal growth will be presented and you will be invited to participate in life in a more meaningful way. As your awareness moves closer and closer to the source, you will become aware of amazing insights and have ever increasing experiences of joy, security and peace. This is a wonderful exercise and well worth the time. I suggest you do this everyday and as you do so, these experiences will become stronger. Then, if you choose to accept the healing changes that are presented, deep healing will begin taking place and you will also begin receiving guidance about how to improve your life. While this meditation is simple, it is also very powerful and can lead you into a very happy and healthy state of mind, creating lasting changes that will form the foundation of a more worthwhile life.
Reiki can guide you in ways to make it's healing power more beneficial and to heal more deeply. And at the same time, it is possible that Reiki will guide you to other healing techniques that are exactly right for you to use in addition to Reiki. You may also receive guidance about changes you need to make that require you to take action. Your ability to make decisions can improve, making it very easy to decide exactly what you need, who to associate with, where to work, etc. and this could result in an entirely new direction for your life!
When you are involved in the healing process, a good way to determine your progress is to use your outer world as an indication of your inner development. This works because we manifest our entire experience through our thoughts and intentions - both conscious and unconscious. When we experience something in our lives, it is because some part of our being has created it. When we accept this idea, and take complete responsibility for what takes place in our lives we enter a very powerful place. We can then change the things that are not healthy and improve every aspect of our lives.
If your outer world contains positive experiences, and you are enjoying your life, this means that your inner world is in a similar state. The reverse is also true, so when we experience painful things or are disappointed or experience things that foster fear, worry or doubt, this is also because some part of our inner being is out of balance and needs healing. If something unpleasant or unwanted takes place in your life, rather than blaming other people or circumstances outside yourself, direct your attention inward and look for the part of yourself that has created this unpleasant event. Then use your Reiki healing skills to nurture and heal this part. When you do this, the unpleasant experiences will stop and be replaced by healthy positive experiences.
As we continue on our healing path, we will become aware of a level of consciousness that resides deep within each of us that can bring a wonderful new way of living. It creates a new attitude that is entirely positive and brings with it the ability to solve many problems and create positive results that previously we did not think possible. This higher consciousness is what Jesus was experiencing when he performed miracles and when he had a profoundly positive effect on those around him.
This new consciousness is coming to many people now and in a short time will become the normal state for most of the people on earth. You might say that it is a higher aspect of Reiki consciousness, but it has gone by many names and it is becoming more and more available to all of us. Jesus spoke of it as the second coming of Christ and I believe that he did not mean that Jesus would return to earth as he did 2000 years ago, but that the spirit of the Christ would become available to all of us.
This Christ consciousness is not limited to those of the Christian religion, but is available to members of all religions and spiritual paths. In fact, this higher way of manifesting our lives has been part of all religious practices and has gone by many names depending on which religious or spiritual group named it. A breakthrough like this is possible with Reiki, so I encourage you to accept this possibility and work with it. Let us release all desire to hold onto negative ways that limit our happiness, but instead, embrace the inner light of Reiki. Within the source of Reiki resides the love of the universe. Those who focus on this love, and surrender to it's healing power are opening to wonderful changes that will lead not only to peace within, but to peace on earth.
