Reiki Glossary

-a-

antakharana:

A symbol originating from Tibetan Reiki and some other branches used as a tool for healing and meditation.

attunement: (Reiki attunement)

Ceremonial process of enhancing and heightening Reiki when master initiates student.

aura: (aka auric field)

Also referenced as the electromagnetic field. It’s the energy of a human being, including thoughts, experiences, and feelings that surrounds the physical form.

-b-

byosen: (pronounced: be-oh-sen)

The term given to the Japanese technique of scanning the body with the non-dominant hand to determine any areas in need of Reiki.

-c-

chakra::

A Sanskrit word relating to energy centers of the body. There are many chakras in and around the body, but seven (listed below from top to bottom) are major areas where energy is concentrated.

• · Crown chakra

• · Third-Eye chakra

• · Throat chakra

• · Heart chakra

• · Solar Plexus chakra

• · Sacral chakra

• · Root chakra

channel:

A conduit or medium that receives and delivers.

chi:

Chinese word for energy.

cho ku rei: (pronounced: cho-koo-ray)

The first traditional symbol used in Usui Reiki, known as the “Power” symbol, is taught in the Second Degree—Advanced Practitioner level.

Chujiro Hayashi: A close student of Mikao Usui who became the second “Master” of the Usui lineage,

-d-

dai ko myo: (pronounced: da-ee-ko-me-oh)

The “Master” symbol passed on in Usui Reiki Master Teacher Third Degree.

dan tian:

Please see Tanden at the letter t.

-g-

gassho: (pronounced: gaw-show)

Japanese term for “two hands coming together” is a hand posture used in prayer, meditation, and Reiju Ho (see reiju ho below).

Gokai:

The five spiritual precepts of Reiki.

gyosei:

Verses of poetry used to clear the mind and help with healing.

Gyoshi Ho:

The method of beaming Reiki through the Advanced Practitioner’s eyes

-h-

hara:

Japanese word for abdomen. It can also refer to Tanden (see Tanden below).

harth:

A symbol used (not in Usui Reiki), by some branches of Reiki.

hatsurei ho:

A traditional Japanese technique to connect to Reiki that combines the Kenyoku Ho, Joshin Kokyu Ho, and Seishin Toitsu.

Hawayo Takata:

Regarded as the third “Master” in the Usui lineage, Madam Takata studied directly under Dr. Chujiro Hayashi.

hikari:

Light.

ho:

Manner, means, method, step, or technique.

hon sha ze sho nen: (pronounced: hon-shaw-zay-show-nen)

The third traditional Reiki symbol taught in Usui Reiki Second Degree—Advanced Practitioner level, is used to make distant connections to perform distant Reiki healing.

hui yin:

Means the perineum, considered to be the lowest most point on the human torso. A term also used to describe a technique of contracting Hui Yin while placing tongue at roof of the mouth to create a clear and direct circuit.

-j-

jakikiri joka ho:

Japanese technique used to cleanse objects.

joshin kokyu ho:

A Japanese meditation used to purify the Soul with breath bringing in life and light to open the central channel.

-k-

Kanji:

A script used in the Japanese language. Chinese characters used in Japanese language.

kenyoku:

The term given to the Japanese technique of dry bathing used to purify the Reiki Practitioner’s energy prior to and after channeling Reiki.

ki:

Japanese word meaning energy.

koki Ho:

A breathing technique used to send Reiki through the breath.

-l-

lineage:

Line of descent originating of one individual ancestor.

-m-

mantra:

Repetitive chanting out loud or in silence of words or sounds to help clear or focus the mind.

meridian:

The channels in which energy travels throughout the physical body.

Mikao Usui:

The name of the modern-day founder of Reiki.

mokunen:

Japanese word meaning silent or quiet thought.

mudra:

Symbolic hand and finger gestures used to focus and in meditation.

-n-

Nentatsu Ho:

Japanese Reiki technique used for empowering affirmations and deprogramming to help facilitate change.

-o-

okuden:

Japanese word used to describe Reiki’s Second Degree—Advanced Reiki Practitioner or level II.

Om:

A Sanskrit word meaning “sound of the universe” that is chanted, and is sometimes used by some branches of Reiki.

-p-

precepts:

Rules, unlike principles, that cannot be altered.

-r-

raku:

A symbol used in Reiki attunements by some branches of Reiki.

reiju:

Master’s gift (sensei’s dori).

Reiju Ho:

Technique used to pass on the spiritual gift from the Master to the student in Reiki attunement ceremonies.

Reiki: (pronounced: ray-kee)

The word means energy (ki) of the universe/spirit/soul (rei). Now, a term used to describe an ancient Japanese art of natural energy healing.

Reiki share:

When two or more Reiki practitioners join to exchange Reiki.

Reiki Ryoho Gakkai:

One of the original branches from the teachings of Mikao Usui still being practiced and taught in Japan.

ryoho: (pronounced: row-ho)

Spiritual healing.

-s-

scanning:

As it relates to Reiki is called “byosen” to describe scanning the body with the non-dominant hand. Reiki Practitioners can also scan with their other senses as well.

Sei Hei Ki: (pronounced: say-hay-key)

The second traditional symbol taught in Usui Reiki Second Degree—Advancedi Practitioner level is used for mental and emotional balance.

Seishin Toitsu

Mindfulness meditation to unify the mind.

seiza:

Japanese word meaning “proper sitting.” The Seiza posture involves sitting on the floor by first kneeling, then lowering the body to sit on top of folded leg with the bottom resting on the ankles.

seishin toitsu:

Japanese term meaning concentration.

sensei: (pronounced: sen-say)

Japanese word for a master or teacher.

shiki:

Japanese word meaning style, system, form.

shinpiden:

Japanese word used to describe Reiki’s Third Degree—Reiki Master Teacher or level III.

shoden:

Japanese word used to describe Reiki’s First Degree—Reiki Practitioner or level I.

symbol:

A type of drawing related to a particular point, theme, or word that transcends language barriers. (The traditional symbols used in Usui Reiki today were given to Mikao Usui during his famous 21-day fasting meditation.)

-t-

tanden:

Japanese word meaning “center of the body,” called dan tian in Chinese.

Tenohira:

Palm of the hand.

-u-

Usui:

The last name of the modern-day founder of Reiki.

Usui Reiki Ryoho:

Usui Spiritual Energy Healing.

Usui Reiki Shiki Ryoho:

Usui’s energy healing system developed to heal the physical, the emotional, mental, and spiritual levels of a person.

Thanks for checking out our Reiki Glossary!