Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen: The Distance Symbol

The distance symbol is the third and last symbol passed on from a Usui Reiki Master Teacher to each Level II student during the attunement. Its Japanese name is Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, and it's pronounced Hon Shah Zee Show Nen. You can use this symbol to do the following:

Send distance healing. This is the primary function of the third Reiki symbol. By drawing or visualizing it before a Reiki treatment, you can send Reiki to anyone, anywhere in the world, just by intending to do so. Reiki will be sent to the person, even if you don't know exactly who they are, haven't met them personally, and don't have their address. This is one of the reasons why Reiki is known as an intelligent energy.

Beam Reiki to sick people. You can also use this symbol to send Reiki across the room to a sick person. This is often called beaming, and you can send Reiki from your heart, hands, eyes, or any other part of your body. Some people like to hold their hands in front of them, palms outward, to send distance healing, but this isn't necessary. You don't even need to be able to see the person, but seeing them can help focus the energy.

Reduce past trauma. One of the meanings of the distance symbol is "No past, no present, no future." This simply means that you can send Reiki to the past and future, as well as the present. You can use this on yourself and others, whether in person or at a distance. Although it doesn't change the past, Reiki can help the people involved get through traumatic events and give them peace and strength. It can also make trauma easier to bear and reduce its effects on people's emotions. Often, when Reiki is sent to a past traumatic situation or event, people react differently when they think of it again. Whereas before the Reiki was sent they were traumatized and upset by it, after Reiki they are calm and centered. This can take several treatments to achieve, but the distance symbol can aid in this healing journey.

Resolve past life issues. If you believe in karma, you can use the distance symbol to heal karmic issues and past life trauma, just as you can use it to reduce childhood trauma, etc. Using the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen in this way can help bring up and release any karmic problems, debts, and soul struggles from this life, past lives, or parallel lives that may exist. These things can keep you from achieving your higher purpose in this world, but the distance symbol can help you resolve them.

Send repeat healing. If you want to repeatedly send healing to someone, including yourself, you can use the distance symbol. The first time you send, use the distance symbol and your intention to repeat the healing. Decide how often you want it repeated, and how long it should last. I.e. decide to send Reiki to yourself every day from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM for three weeks, while you're working. You should also renew the distance healing once in a while to keep it strong.

Provide future support. Like sending Reiki for past trauma, sending Reiki to the future is also helpful. If you know you or someone else will need support for something in the future, you can send Reiki with the intention that it be there to support the recipient however it is needed.

Many practitioners believe the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen is the most powerful Reiki symbol. Whether you believe this or not, the distance symbol, or just your intention to use it, is extremely beneficial to all Reiki practitioners.