Reiki: How to Do the Hatsurei-Ho

"Hatsu" means to generate something. "rei" means spirit and soul, and "ho" means method. So in essence, "Hatsurei-Ho" is a method for generating something spiritual. But in simpler terms, Hatsurei-Ho is a Japanese meditation practice used before Reiki treatments and attunements.

However, even if you're not attuned to Reiki, you can still benefit from performing the Hatsurei-Ho. It can calm the mind, promote physical and mental relaxation, and bring you new insight into your life.

When practiced daily, you'll notice your energy shifting. You'll be calm in previously stressful situations, and dealing with everyday stress and relationships with others will get easier. You'll feel grounded, centered, and generally well.

The steps for performing this simple meditation practice are listed below.

1. The first step is called Kihon Shisei in Japanese and means standard meditation posture. Sit on the floor with your legs crossed, or on a chair with your feet on the floor. Make sure you're comfortable. Then relax, close your eyes and focus on your hara line. This is about two inches below your belly button. Put your hands on your lap with the palms up.

2. Mokunen means focusing. The second step is to state your intention to begin the Hatsurei-Ho. You can either do this silently or aloud.

3. Kenyoku. This means dry bathing or brushing off and refers to removing negative energy. You can either brush in the aura an inch or two from the body, or on the body itself.

3A. Place the fingertips of your right hand where the collar bone meets your left shoulder. Keep your whole hand flat, so that the palm of your hand is on your chest.

3B. Inhale. Then, move your hand diagonally across your chest, and then in a straight line over the sternum. Stop at your right hip. Exhale afterward.

3C. Do the same thing on the right side, using your left hand.

3D. Repeat again on the left side (steps 3A and 3B).

3E. Place your right hand on the edge of your left shoulder, keeping your hand flat. (This appears as if you're putting a comforting hand on your own shoulder, except that your hand is closer to the top of your arm.)

3F. Keeping your left arm by your side, inhale. Then, move your right hand down the arm to your fingertips. Exhale afterward.

3G. Do the same on the right side, using your left hand.

3H. Repeat again on the left side (steps 3E and 3F.)

4. Connect to Reiki. If you're not attuned to Reiki, do this step visualizing a white light as vividly as you can. In either case, raise your hands in the air with the palms upward. Visualize the light of Reiki, or a bright white light, coming through your hands and into your body. When you're aware of the flowing energy, bring your hands back down.

5. Joshin Koku ho. This step involves cleansing breathing. Sit as you did in step 1 and focus on your hara line. Breathe naturally through your nose. When you inhale visualize the white light coming in through your crown Chakra at the top of your head and on to your hara line, then expanding to your entire body. When you exhale see the light expanding outside your body in all directions.

6. Repeat step 3 several times if you want to, or go on to step 7.

7. Gassho. This means to hold your hands in prayer position slightly higher than your heart. Stay in this position for meditation.

8. Seichin Toitsu. This means concentration. If you're going to receive a Reiki attunement, this is when you should intend to do so. (Attunements usually last around 10 minutes.) If you're not receiving an attunement, continue to step 9.

9. Imagine you're breathing through your hands as they're still in Gassho position. When you inhale visualize the light of Reiki flowing through your hands onto your hara line. When you exhale see the light radiating out through your hands. Do this as long as you like.

10. Gokai Sansho. Say the five principles aloud three times:

Just for today I will give thanks for my many blessings.
Just for today I will not worry.
Just for today I will not anger.
Just for today I will do my work honestly.
Just for today I will love and respect every living thing.

11. Mokunen. Place your hands on your lap, palms down this time. State to yourself, either silently or aloud, that you've finished the Hatsurei-Ho.

12. Open your eyes, shake your hands, and ground yourself by slowly sipping a glass of water.

Practicing Hatsurei-Ho and saying the Reiki precepts are a great way to relax, meditate, and keep yourself centered, grounded and balanced. Whether you're attuned to Reiki or not, the benefits of both are physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, and they last a lifetime!

For the benefits of saying the Reiki principles, read "Today's Reiki Precepts: How Usui's Principles can Help You" at:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/301826/todays_reiki_precepts_how_usuis_principles.html

For the meaning of the Reiki precepts, read "What do the Reiki Precepts Mean?" at:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/302113/what_do_the_reiki_precepts_mean.html