Shoden Reiki level one and meditation/mindfulness

Shoden Reiki level one is known as the entrance or the beginning. At this level, students learn how to treat themselves and their family and friends, finding the core of who we are through meditation and practice.

One of the main meditations is Joshin Kokyu Ho, when translated means 'technique for purification of spirit'.

Joshin - focusing the mind.

Kokyu - breath, respiration.

Ho - method.

What we are practising is breathing in the correct manner, taking the breath in through the nose down to the hara and expanding ki out through the body and into your surroundings. This is a great meditation for de-stressing and relaxation.

Another meditation is 'mindfulness' this can be a 'moment' or longer depending on how you are feeling. A lot of people often say they can't meditate as their mind is too busy, but if you really think about this it is very easy. How often do you just 'stare' at something completely engrossed in the moment, it could be watching a bird fly, it could be staring at the clouds and so on. These 'moments' are meditation and mindfulness, we are freeing our minds without thinking about it, we are not lying down and trying to concentrate for an hour, which is very difficult!

Mikao Usui introduced his students to the concept of mindfulness at first-degree level, and emphasised this more at Reiki level two. Being mindful is being aware of your present moment, you are not judging, reflecting or thinking, you are simply observing the moment in which you find yourself, being fully aware.

When the mind is relaxed and calm it is aware of everything around us, mindfulness enables us too live.

Begin by practising mindfulness in your daily life in order to build up concentration, this can be difficult at the beginning, but gradually it will become easier, making you stronger.