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Reiki offers a whole range of benefits at every level that we need – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Some benefits we are conscious of and some are yet to be revealed.

The day after exploring the Aspects and Elements of the Reiki practice with some Reiki students, I feel as if a framework/structure has been put in place inside me for the essence of Reiki to thrive. The Nine Elements of Usui Shiki Ryoho define the form of the practice. The Four Aspects of Usui Shiki Ryoho help express the philosophy and deepen understanding of the system. Together they define the practice of Reiki, Usui Shiki Ryoho that is practised in the spiritual lineage of Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata, Phyllis Lei Furumoto and Johannes Reindl.

Previous Lineage bearer for Reiki, Usui Shiki Ryoho, Phyllis Lei Furumoto gave us the four aspects and nine elements. She also gave us the phrase balancing form and essence through Reiki Talk Shows. Today I feel that while we focussed on the form, the essence of Reiki has been strengthened in our being.

Serendipity had recently led me to an article written by Reiki Master, Paul Mitchell The Usui System of Reiki: A Return to the Sacred. In Paul’s words – ‘The practice of the Usui System brings us back in contact with mystery. It brings us back to a sense of awe and wonder in the face of that which we know is bigger than and beyond the scope of the human mind.’ Paul is one of the 22 Reiki Masters initiated by Mrs Hawayo Takata. He has also held the role of Head of Discipline with the lineage bearer for the Office of Grand Master (OGM).

Learning about how experiencing awe and wonder can be a doorway to our wellbeing, I remembered a phrase I heard many years ago about Reiki from Rick Bockner, another one of the 22 Reiki Masters initiated by Mrs Hawayo Takata about Reiki – ‘Experience the wonder and wonder about the experience’. Practising Reiki for over 22 years now, I have been experiencing many many benefits. Today I realise that my ability to experience awe and wonder was also being honed over the years. I have been looking for awe and wonder in the external. It is indeed easier to connect with awe and wonder in nature. But awe and wonder is all around us, in simple everyday life, in our body. It is easy to experience and wonder with Reiki, through the simple act of placing Reiki hands on the body.

Learning Reiki helps us experience the benefits of Reiki at a time of one’s own choice and convenience. It is also possible to experience awe and wonder through receiving a Reiki treatment from a Reiki practitioner.

Today I feel inspired to invite you to SOAR – a Space Of Awe and wonder with Reiki. This acronym came to me today. You are welcome to SOAR by learning Reiki or experiencing a Reiki treatment. Please contact me or find a Reiki teacher/practitioner near you.

You can discover more about the four aspects and nine elements for Reiki, Usui Shiki Ryoho on the OGM website. You can also find the Reiki Talk Shows and deepen your connection with the nine elements listening to Phyllis Lei Furumoto discuss them with Reiki students/Masters in the oral tradition. You will need to scroll down the page to September 2009. Phyllis dedicated a month to each element. So you will find all the elements from beginning of September 2009 to end of May 2010.

One of the Usui intensives offered by the OGM for Reiki Masters is Usui 1 to explore the nine elements. If you would like to explore the aspects and elements with me, you are welcome to get in touch. I would love to hear from you.