May We Understand the Reasons for Symbols and Mantras
One aspect that sets Usui Reiki apart from other methods of energy healing is that they have symbols and mantras that makes it faster and easier to connect with the reiki energy. It is definitely Mikao Usui’s crowning achievement, making energy healing so easy and accessible for anyone at any age.
I’m not going to detail what the symbols look like or what the mantras mean, partly because they are meant to be learned in the second level, and also because you can google them if you really wanted to know. They can also be slightly different depending on the school you learn them from. The message that I really want to convey in this post is not the “what” but the “why”.
So Why Shoud you Learn the Symbols and Mantras?
Hearing the words “symbols and mantras” might conjure up an image of a witch casting a spell, but in reality, it’s more like a multiplication table we all receive when we start learning to multiply. It’s something to aid you until using reiki becomes second nature. You don’t HAVE to have it in order to understand the concept, but it makes it a whole lot easier.
Each time we say the mantras, we remind ourselves what we are capable of. The symbols compact the idea into a visual aid that we can understand in an instant. Some people even picture the first symbol inside their heads and “stamp” people in a crowd.
Eventually, we’ll get so used to incorporating reiki in our everyday lives that we won’t need them anymore. After all, you most likely don’t need a multiplication table to calculate simple numbers anymore, right? All you need are two numbers, like a 7 and a 9, and you can come up with the answer almost instantaneously.
The Most Important Thing isn’t Accuracy
As a non-Japanese speaker, you might worry about the accuracy of your symbols and mantras, especially the third one. But the energy of the intention you hold while using reiki is far more important than anything else. Same with the differences in the symbols and mantras among different schools. When I learned multiplication in Japan, the chart only went up to 9X9 and the recitation focused on speed. In the US, I’ve seen both 10X10 and 12X12 versions, and there’s less emphasis on reciting them quickly. The method used might be slightly different, but the goal is the same.
Multiplication tables are not magical. They don’t make you memorize all the answers in an instant. The mastery of the subject still depends on how often you practice. It is also nonessential, as long as you understand that you are trying to add the same number multiple times. You’ll eventually get to the right answer, even if it takes you longer. It’s the same with reiki symbols and mantras.
Again, I write this not because I want to dismiss the importance of the symbols. I just don’t want you to give up on the idea of learning reiki simply because you don’t have a teacher nearby. You can still master reiki without the symbols if you’re willing to put in the effort. But if you do have access to a teacher, then by all means, learn them and use them! They are there to help you!!