The Reiki Cafe 

Namaste...

It's been awhile since I've visited... seems a bit quiet.

Any old friends lurking about?

I have a question perhaps someone could answer for me, it would be most appreciated.

Where did the jesture of raising one's hands in the air prior to a treatment originate? Any ideas?

I've not read anything that indicates any student of Usui's did this... then I haven't read everything either.

:-)))))))))))

Just a curious "cat" here.

In "bear" form...

:-))))))))))

Peace to you,
Mammabear

So good to see your voice, sweet MamaBear. Hope you enjoyed the giving of the thanks. I look forward to learning from your asking of this question. Take care.

My dearest MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- so glad to see you at The Cafe

- in any number of traditions the 'master' or 'mistress' of ceremonies will raise arms and hands up and\or out wide as a greeting to the universe and\or the Cardinal Directions and\or various spiritual entities, etc

- if Usui Sensei had some grounding from the Shinto tradition then he might well have made such a gesture of acknowledgment and welcome (as Shinto blessings may include acknowledgment of the Cardinal Directions, Elements, and associated 'spirits')

- though I too do not know that this was the case when Usui Sensei taught or did Reiki for clients\patients

- hope this helps

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Dearest Firekeeper,

Namaste...

That is very interesting... I did not know that.

:-)))))

I've seen some Reiki practitioners do this prior to a session, and know some teach this, but hadn't had it in any training I've taken so was curious.

I'm eager to hear from others as well, if there is a particular "line" that has consistently used it here in the states perhaps coming from Takata students?

Anyone?

Much obliged...once again, good friend.

:-)))))))))))

Peace to you,
Mammabear

I never new the meaning behind this either, though, I always thought it was an acknowledgment of the sacredness, and an asking with respect to the higer good and divine presence.

Interesting.

I think of it metaphorically -- imitating a tree, which is grounded in the Earth and receives from the Sky. Honoring these leafy bodhisattvas is a great way to open up and quiet the ego before starting a session.

As far as origins go, I don't know, it just seemed like common practice.

Yes, it does seem quiet. My theory is that Facebook sucked all the cyber time away from online forums -- the other forums I've signed up for are quiet also.

But you see, all it takes is to make a post, and we jump out of the woodwork!

Blessings,
Aronaya

Like that song? Jump around, jump around, jump up jump up and jump down! lol.

Aronaya,

Namaste...

The practice is not so common in these parts, though I have seen it. Seems like a particular group west of me is taught this.

When we have a public Reiki share at our local hospital, we try to present Reiki in a very practical way, so when we get practitioners who come and do this jesture, it typically needs some additional explaining to those new to Reiki.

:-)

Gassho is a jesture that most affiliate with the Japanese, so it is more acceptable, but raising hands in the air, can be misconstrued as a religious gesture i.e. prayer jesture, (who are you praying to????) and again, we try not to get into the spiritual aspects.

Funny, that the gassho position does not typically raise concern... :-) (Which is also a great way to center.)

This has just been our experience at the shares.

I also wondered about the whole Facebook thing myself... is the cafe headed there next?

Thanks for jumping in!

Peace to you,
Mammabear

Yes, it's very natural to move from the tree position to gassho -- in fact, you can do it all in the same movement of bringing hands together, still honoring the tree but keeping the hands below shoulder level.

I like the Cafe right here. The way of posting messages and displaying threads is easier to use, more intuitive, and allows for more thoughtful conversation. Facebook tends to fracture stories into bite-sized pieces, and encourages attention-skipping.

Blessings,
Aronaya

I have received REiki 1 and 2 attunements from a defined lineage but raising the hands as described was never suggested as a practice.

I find that when I begin a Reiki session that my hands naturally move into a sweeping opening position moving
towards the third eye going slightly above the forehead and coming back to the third eye. I always use the tree roots as a grounding for Reiki, Visualizations, & meditations.

I think you're just fine without that suggestion. The important thing before a session is to pause and do whatever thought, ritual or movement that will set your mind and heart as open to the inspiration that is Reiki, unbound by ego.

Blessings,
Aronaya