Mikao Usui - The Founder of Reiki

I keep getting asked to talk about Mikao Usui and his role in the evolution of Reiki and how he fits into the lineage of Reiki Jin Kei Do. So here is a potted biography of the most important figure in the development of the Reiki system.

On the 15th August 1865 in the village of Tanai Mura in the Gifu Prefecture of the old Japanese capital of Kyoto, Mikao Usui was born. Although the son of a wealthy Tendai Buddhist family that was descended from one of the most famous Samurai clans in all of Japan; the Chiba clan, the birth of the baby Mikao was to prove to be far more auspicious and of greater significance than anyone could have at that time realised. The name of Usui was in under a century to be known and applauded around the globe. It was Mikao Usui that was to eventually develop and teach the system of spiritual development and healing that we now know as ‘Reiki’ - the world’s fastest growing therapeutic method.

In the beginning the system was known by Usui’s students as ‘Usui Do’ (the way of Usui) and it was born into the world at a time in Japanese history when major sociological changes were taking place in the country’s political and cultural life. After two centuries of self-imposed isolation, a massive programme of industrialization under the Meiji Emperor (Prince Mutsuhito) was transforming feudal Japan into a major player on the world stage. Mutsuhito was determined to give his country a modern outward-looking and dynamic new focus. This was to be a new beginning for Japan.

Mikao Usui was one of four children born to the Samurai rank of Hatamoto just three years prior to the social-quake that Mutsuhito was about to unleash. The Hatamoto Samurai had been the Shogun’s personal guard and as such the bearer of this rank was entitled to have servants, hold land and station in life and to carry two swords. This highly privileged position would not however do the young Usui much good on his journey through life. As a part of the nations modernization programme the Samurai came under attack from Mutsuhito and his Meiji government. Six years after Usui’s birth the Samurai were banned from carrying swords and then in 1877, the last Samurai uprising was quelled.

At the age of four Usui entered a Tendai Buddhist monastery near Mt Kurama (Horse Saddle Mountain) to begin a period of several years of intensive training in this school of Mikkyo Buddhism. Usui’s commitment to Tendai led him for a short time in later life to become a Tendai monk or priest and it was at this time that he took on his Buddhist name of Gyoho (or Gyohan or Gyotse).

Much of Usui’s life was characterized by a strong pull towards all things Western. Mutsuhito was encouraging his subjects to travel and learn the Western ways and Usui was only too glad to oblige. Over the span of his life Usui travelled extensively, visiting the US and Europe several times as well as China to study and learn the Western ways. He was always a hard working student and during his life he accumulated a vast knowledge of medicine, psychology, fortune telling and the theology of world religions. He also studied Chinese Traditional Medicine, numerology, astrology and psychic and clairvoyant development amongst other things.

It appears that Usui was something of an eccentric and as a young man had faced many adversities. He had no regular employment or security and frequently suffered from a lack of money. This however seems to have been a conscious decision as Usui did not place any real value on material possessions. Over the years however he followed a number of professions: industrialist, missionary, reporter, office worker, public servant and supervisor of convicts. He also at one time worked as the personal bodyguard for Goto Shimpei who was the Head of the Department for Health and Welfare.

Shortly after the turn of the 20th Century Usui got married to Sadako Suzuki and in 1908 their son Fuji was born, followed in 1913 by a daughter; Toshiko. It was around this time it is believed, that Usui began to teach his new spiritual system which he simply referred to as ‘My method’.

In developing the system that we have come to know as Reiki, Usui drew on many sources. Some of these are known and we can speculate with some degree of accuracy in regards to others. Some sources we may never know. Of course it must be that Usui’s commitment to Tendai provided a strong philosophic background to the system and this is perhaps why he developed a method to lead the practitioner to an experience of enlightenment through working with spiritually guided energy rather than simply another energy-healing therapy. It has been suggested that Usui also possibly drew on an esoteric practice called ‘Shugendo’. Shugendo is a practice that itself draws on other disciplines such as Tantric Buddhism, Chinese Yin-Yang magic, Taoism and an assortment of pre-Buddhist folk traditions and was practised by itinerant mountain priests (the ‘Yamabushi’). Shugendo incorporates meditation practices along with incantations and mudra-like techniques to bring about direct spiritual empowerment via the state of ‘kantoku’ (an illuminating mystical visionary state of mind).

It is highly likely that Usui’s commitment and practice within various martial systems also provided methods and philosophic material to draw on. At the age of 12 Usui began training in the martial art of ‘Yagyu Shinkage Ryu’, which included Samurai swordsmanship and methods of unarmed combat as well as, anomalously, a technique called ‘katsu’ that was used for infusing life energy into a person. During his 20’s Usui achieved his teacher’s licence in Yagyu Shinkage Ryu that marked his proficiency in the system at the highest level. Usui also studied at about the same another martial art called ‘Aiki Jutsu’ and was at various points in his life to achieve high levels of proficiency within a number of ancient Japanese methods that it is said included the practice of ‘Ki Ko’. Ki Ko is the Japanese equivalent of Chinese ‘Qi Gong’ (energy cultivation) and includes a method for projecting accumulated ki or chi for the purposes of healing. Usui was a contemporary and personal friend of a number of martial arts luminaries during his life. These included Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of ‘Aikido’, Jigoro Kano, the founder of ‘Judo’ and Gichin Kuakoshi, the founder of ‘Karate’.

How much any of the spiritual, martial and energetic systems that Usui worked with contributed to the development of Usui Do we shall perhaps never fully know, but Usui was certainly a man with a mission. He had a strong and overriding desire to pursue the ultimate meaning of life and so find the way to escape from suffering. Usui seemed more than willing to explore whatever method might lead him to it.

From the evidence of the teachings contained within Reiki Jin Kei Do it seems highly likely that Usui also drew on the spiritual practice that is now known as ‘Buddho-EnerSense’ because the origins and the deeper meanings of the Reiki symbols are contained within this method as is the meditation practice of the ‘Buddho’ (from which the system gets its name) which Usui undertook at a critical juncture in the evolution of his system.

It was Usui’s experience of satori or an absorptive ‘dhyanic’ state on Mt Kurama that is the most often talked about moment in the development of Usui’s system. In his search for the Truth, Usui decided to fast and meditate for 21 days. During this period on Kurama, Usui performed the first three cycles of the Buddho meditation. Buddho means ‘energy’ or ‘seed’ of enlightenment. This meditation was the spark that would later send a Zen monk by the name of Seiji Takamori in search of the roots of the Reiki system. The Buddho meditation is known to have been passed on by Usui who had received it from a monk who had advised him to practice the meditation in order to receive the energy empowerments that he sought. This cyclic meditation involved a direct connection to and visualisation of Buddhist deities and symbols that are the root of one of the widely known Reiki symbols.

Usui’s hopes of having the ultimate Truth of the way to escape from suffering revealed to him were realized on the 21st day of his retreat whilst practicing the Buddho meditation. Usui experienced a moment of satori. It was at this moment that he received his empowerment to the Universal Life Force Energy as Reiki entered through his crown chakra.

It is not entirely clear as to when Usui first started to teach his system to others, but the general consensus is that it was around 1914/15 though it could have been as early as 1912. The system that he taught metamorphosed a number of times however under the influence of various students and colleagues as the years passed. Most notable of these influential students was Chujiro Hayashi, one of the last people to study with Usui’s before he died.

It was in1925 that Usui came across a group of Imperial Officers who were to become his students. These included Rear Admirals Jusaburo Ushida, Kan’ichi Taketomi and Naval Captain Chujiro Hayashi. Usui’s system had come to the attention of the Japanese Navy who were keen to find a method that could be used as a form of emergency treatment as their ships were equipped with only limited equipment and personnel. Usui Do was what they wanted.

As a consequence of the interest of the naval officers Usui’s method started to shift from being a spiritual system of personal enquiry and liberation to a simple method of hands-on healing. The focus was now on treating others and it was this system that was the forerunner of modern day Reiki as most of the world now knows it.

‘Reiki’ as a term for Usui’s system seems to have first been used by Chujiro Hayashi. Hayashi was clearly not a run of the mill student in spite of having trained with Usui for a period of only 9 months or so. It was to Hayashi that the task of spreading Reiki beyond the shores of Japan and to the passing on of the Buddho meditation was to fall. The latter was to be a pivotal event in the emergence of Reiki Jin Kei Do as a separate and distinct style of Reiki that harks back to the philosophic aims of the system as originally developed by Usui.

Mikao Usui eventually died from a stroke – his third – whilst on a visit to Fukuyama, Hiroshima on the 9th March 1926. His impact on the world, which continues to grow, has been immense.

Many blessings,

Steve

The Path

First Published on 'The Voice of the Humanity Healing Network' 7th October 2007.

When we walk the path of spirit, we learn from all the experiences that we have and the books that we read and from our fellow travellers who walk the same path that we do and all the workshops that we take, that what we are engaged in is a walk of Truth. We have found something profound and wonderful and a resonance with something deep in our heart; within our being. We have found the way to the Truth. And yet, we see so many others walking on their own path and we feel sad that they have not found the Truth. That they have chosen a path that can only lead to suffering and pain and will be littered with misguided souls, floundering because they sadly have not found our path which leads irrevocably to the only Truth and certain union with the Light and with God. How sad. Those poor souls, if only they would walk our path. See it's beauty, it's perfection. It's profound wisdom and certain liberation into the glories of the Light that Abounds in all beings.

When we walk this path we find a light within, a glow, a certainty that we have been guided to The Way and we resolutely and steadfastly put one foot in front of the other. Although we might cast a glance at those going along an altogether different path, we pay no real attention to the path itself. Instead we feel sorry or angry for their foolishness and lack of correct discernment and we hold to the task of making sure that we at least do not step badly or go astray on an entirely erroneous and different way - one that will certainly end in calamity. Eventually we forbid ourselves from even glancing over to see how others are fairing on their journeys. Temptation knows no bounds and if we even look at what they are doing or listen to what they might have to say we could be tempted to follow their way. And thus we could be held to account. We could be judged for our outrageous sins against The Truth. We must not let anything sway our resolution that only THIS way is the correct way. We could be destroyed.

So we reach into our pockets and pull out our blinkers and put them on and utter a sigh of relief that now there will be no temptation. Whatever they are doing and where ever they are going we shall not look for it is surely wrong. It is surely the route to damnation.

But when the The Buddha and The Christ and the Prophet Mohammed and the Avatars and Angels and all the Bodhisattva's of countless generations walk side by side across the boundless and limitless light-fields of eternity they simply speak of love as they tread the same path together. Each one's heart a radiating cone of love. Each certain that for the sake of suffering humanity they pointed the way to the Truth. To the only Truth. And when asked in which direction this might be, they all in unison point in the same direction - to the Godhead - to the state of union with all that is. To the place of immersion and dissolution into a perfect state of being and non-being.

And when we ask through which gate we should go to follow in their footsteps, to begin our own walk along that path, they each smile and point to a different gate and we can simply choose which is right for us. But the admonition etched into each of these gates is the same: 'Begin with Love' and so whatever else we may find along the path, Love must be our companion. We must open our hearts and find the love that was placed there before we were born so many eons ago by the Mind of God. Without love we can never attain the goal. Without Love we can never find our way back to who we really are. Without love we reach into our pockets for our blinkers and put them on and pour scorn on those fools walking a different path. The path of judgment. The path of destruction. This path is in reality only to be found in the hearts of those who don the blinkers of ignorance. For none of the Great Teachers ever conceived that their path would be seen in this way by the closed hearts and minds of those foolish enough to believe that only their Teacher held the keys to the Great Truth.

And as our friends and companions in life that walk any one of the multitudinous paths that have sprung from the minds of men, sing of their Truth for all to hear, listen and learn that all have a journey to make back to the Divine. For each and everyone of us on this journey through life is a blessed gift of Spiritual Transcendence and an expression of the most perfect state of Love which has as it's home the vessel that we call the hearts of all men and women. We are all of the One and are merely a temporary but sublime shimmer within the energy of Existence. Whatever our path, it is the right path. Whatever your friend's path it is the right path. Whatever your enemie's path it is the right path. God waits at the gates at the end of all these paths and etched on each is the admonition 'End also with Love'.

Many blessings and much metta,

Steve

Talk to Me About Reiki on Skype!

Following the success of my recent online Reiki workshop and in taking on board the wishes of those who for whatever reason, could not be there, I have decided to make things much simpler for everyone! There may well be other workshops of course, but given the different time zones around the world that people are working from, I thought it would be a great idea to offer a direct one-to-one service as an adjunct to my book and workshops. So, if you missed the last workshop or can't wait for the next one, then maybe this is the solution for you!

If you have Skype (and more and more people are using this wonderful internet phone technology these days), then you can simply click the button below and this will take you straight through to me - assuming that I am online of course!

The button does appear permanently in the side-bar of this blog so you can just go there at any time you like and call me from there.

Calls on this service cost 00.30 Euros per minute (which at today's exchange rate is about 00.43 US dollars).

Reiki & Reiki Jin Kei Do

Everything you ever wanted to know about Reiki and Reiki Jin Kei Do from the author of 'Reiki Jin Kei Do: The Way of Compassion & Wisdom'.

Call now

00.30 Euros per minute

I hope to speak with some of you soon!

Many blessings and much metta,

Steve

The Way of the Spirit: A Definition of Spiritualilty

‘Spirituality’ and ‘spiritual’ are words that are bandied about a lot in the Reiki world. ‘Reiki is a spiritual system’, ‘Spirituality is at the core of the Reiki system’, ‘Reiki is spiritually guided life force energy’ etc…the word keeps coming up over and over again in the context of Reiki.

There is a sort of tacit assumption in this that when we refer to spirituality everyone knows what we are talking about but is it really that simple? Does everyone know, or does everyone just work on the same assumption that everyone knows when in fact no one is really that clear at all? If you get my drift… The problem with defining spirituality is that it is as individual as the clouds in the sky. It is also just as prone to shift and metamorphose as time goes by. It is not a fixed and immutable thing, but does have some properties that we can assume are pretty much universal from one definition to another, again in a rather cloud like way.

I found this definition of spirituality on the Internet in the free online encyclopaedia; Wikipedia:

The central defining characteristic of spirituality is a sense of connection to a much greater whole which includes an emotional experience of religious awe and reverence. Equally so, spirituality is concerned with sanity and psychological health. As with some forms of religion, the emphasis of spirituality is often on personal experience.

If we drop the unnecessary reference to religious awe and perhaps describe this as an experience of the ineffable instead, we have a definition that sounds pretty close to the experience of Reiki. Reiki is not something separate from Spirituality after all. ‘Spirituality is at the core of the Reiki experience’ really does sum up the mutually supportive relationship between the words. We find that with the essence of Reiki and the concept of spirituality; the two are embedded within each other. Reiki IS spirituality just as spirituality IS Reiki (though those outside of Reiki’s ambit may not necessarily use this terminology). If you don’t agree with this, then try this: Re-read the above quote with the word ‘Reiki’ replacing the word ‘spirituality’.

There is one other aspect of this definition that is worth emphasizing and that is the personal, private nature of the spiritual experience. It is not something that can be shared at all, though there is a commonality of understanding about the personal nature of the spiritual experience. It is an intuitive knowing that what is experienced on the personal level is also very much defined by the fact that it is common to all.

We do need to broaden the above Wikipedia definition however. What I think is important to come to understand is that spirituality is essentially about humanity’s search for the great Truth. It is about our aspiration to understand our place in the cosmic scheme of things and to get to grips with and know in a profound way that inner core experience that defines our nature as being as some have described it; ‘a spark of light within the mind of God’. It is through the practice of Reiki, particularly within this tradition of Reiki Jin Kei Do that we endeavour to come to realise this immutable Truth.

There is something else in Wikipedia that is worth bringing to your attention in regard to this aspect of the concept of Spirituality in relationship to the practice of Reiki:

One aspect of ‘being spiritual’ is goal-directed, with aims such as: simultaneously improve one’s wisdom and… achieve a closer connection to Deity/the Universe, and remove illusions of false ideas at the sensory, feeling and thinking aspects of a person.

And that spirituality is

the active and vital connection to a force, spirit, or sense of the deep self.

In exploring our spirituality we can see that one of its central attributes is a desire to improve or develop one’s wisdom. In coming to achieve a closer connection to the Universe – which surely is the consequence of the inner exploration (through Reiki) that has been described, we remove the illusions that arise due to the sensory, feeling and thinking aspects of our earthly existences and this naturally gives rise to wisdom. With the arising of wisdom there is a spontaneous desire to manifest compassion in the world and in following this inclination we are then lead to an even greater understanding of our true nature and our existence as spiritual beings and thus the realization and manifestation of greater wisdom.

Spirituality, in terms of Reiki then is the deep and sublime exploration of what it is to be human and to express the realizations of that search for Truth as wisdom and compassion in the world as an active and dynamic process (often and ultimately as an expression of healing). This then creates from the clay of the Universal Energy Field (God) an even greater understanding of the true nature of our core experience as human beings. Spirituality becomes cyclic; creating an outward flowing spiral of energy that impacts on and blesses everyone and everything within its field of influence.

Many blessings and much metta,

Steve

Reiki Jin Kei Do & Buddho-EnerSense

The question often arises: ‘What is the difference between Reiki Jin Kei Do and Buddho-EnerSense’? So let’s have a go at nailing it down.

I am going to assume that you are already familiar in some broad and globally accepted sense with what Reiki is. I am also going to assume that you have a pretty good notion that Buddhism has quite a strong focus on meditation of one sort or another.

The philosophy of Buddhism of course is one that the founder of Reiki – Mikao Usui – subscribed to and thus it is almost certain that his commitment to his own practice as a Tendai Buddhist influenced the development of his secular Usui Do or Reiki system. It would be rather odd if it did not, given the strong metaphysical or mystical leanings inherent within this particular (Tendai) branch of Buddhist thought.

No-one is entirely certain just how much of any particular tradition influenced Usui in his development of Reiki. What we do know is that amongst the various methods that he was familiar with he had access to a system of Buddhist practice that does have a strong philosophic resonance with what is understood to be his early presentation of the secular Reiki system. We can see, at least from what seems to be suggested from the historical evidence so far gathered that Reiki or Usui Do seems to have been developed and taught primarily as a method for the student to engage in for their own benefit. In fact the hands-on-healing aspects of the practice at that stage in its history were largely subordinated to the much more important aspects that would lead the practitioner on the road to enlightenment. This was and is the primary focus of the Buddho or Buddho-EnerSense method also.

This Buddhist system (now often known as Buddho-EnerSense) contains the Buddho meditation that Usui performed on his legendary 21 day fast on Mt Kurama and which led him to experience a moment of satori or a flash of enlightenment. The system also contains the origins of the Reiki symbols.

The Buddho-EnerSense system, contained within the Reiki Jin Kei Do lineage and passed on to us by the previous lineage head, Seiji Takamori, is fundamentally a Buddhist practice with both esoteric and exoteric elements from the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. Whilst the methods within Buddho-EnerSense do not require a commitment to or belief in any particular aspect of Buddhist philosophy, it does require an open minded desire to explore methods that are designed to facilitate the ultimate in healing; the achieving of enlightenment or reunification with source (and thus the permanent elimination of suffering). This is its primary focus. It also has in large part practices that are designed for the healing of others on all levels, but again this material is prefaced with an engagement with philosophical ideas derived from Buddhism. So Buddho-EnerSense has a definite origin within specific aspects of Buddhist thought that can be traced back to the historical Buddha. It is a method that engages the practitioner on a journey of self-exploration that leads to the alleviating of suffering on a personal level and then for all beings.

Reiki Jin Kei Do on the other hand is very much the method of hands on Reiki that was developed from Usui’s original system by his student Chujiro Hayashi. This was passed on down the lineage as a healing therapy and ultimately re-flavoured with the teachings, outlook and philosophic orientation of the Buddho-EnerSense system – from which it was in part originally derived. Reiki Jin Kei Do is however, very much more of a secular system than is Buddho-EnerSense. RJKD does not require an engagement with Buddhist thought on any level nor even an acknowledgment of its partial origins within Buddhism. Reiki Jin Kei Do is also very much more open to individual orientation towards the focus of the system. It can for instance be seen and used solely as a method for the healing on various levels of other people – as a straightforward complementary or alternative therapy. It can also be used principally however as a method for self healing. In this the focus is less on the act of applying Reiki in a therapeutic context for the benefit of others and more on the personal practice of meditation, energy cultivation and personal development. Of course with the philosophic aims of the lineage being the development of wisdom and compassion, there is at the end of this personal development journey a need to engage fully with Reiki as a therapeutic method for the benefit of all. The circle completes itself.

The twin strands of Reiki Jin Kei Do and Buddho-EnerSense held within the RJKD lineage are very much entwined and carry within their structure a similar orientation and world-view to specific elements of energy work. The one; Buddho-EnerSense has a strong Buddhist feel to it however, whilst the other; Reiki Jin Kei Do has, as Gordon Bell has noted, much more the quality of clear water that is open to be coloured by the individual practitioner. This quality is the real gift of Usui and a remarkable demonstration of his skill in developing a system that can be used by all.

Reiki Online Workshop - final details

This live workshop/chat will take place in The Healing Hearts Chat Room. I will also be offering live distant healing for those in need. If you are suffering from a problem – whether it be physical or emotional – then this is your chance to feel the power of the Reiki Jin Kei Do distant method for yourself. No cures are guaranteed of course, but miracles DO happen!

The workshop will take place on Sunday 12th August at 10pm GMT. If you are not sure what this time is where you live then please visit The World Clock - Time Zone Converter by clicking HERE

This workshop will be held in our Healing Hearts Chat room. You can visit it ahead of time by clicking HERE

The Chat Rooms use Java and you will need the latest version. If you are not sure whether your computer is running the latest Java Runtime Environment, please click HERE to update your computer before trying to access any of our numerous chat rooms.

Metta,

Steve Gooch

The Voice of the Humanity Healing Network

The Following post is taken from another blog that I am now working on for and on behalf of the Humanity Healing Network which is fast becoming a global phenomenon. Some of the biographical material below will not be new to some of you and I apologise for this in advance, but I wanted to simply post this up as is. If you have yet to come across the Humanity Healing Network, I would strongly advise you to check it out and perhaps support the project. You can find the website by clicking on the link below.

A Reflective Introduction from Steve Gooch

The following post is from 'The Voice of the Humanity Healing Network' which can be found at: www.humanity-healing.blogspot.com This was my first post as Official Ambassador for the Humanity Healing Network. Go and check it out! Lots more to appear on there from me and other members of the HH Network!

A couple of months back I recall Chris Buck, one of the co-founders with Liane Legey of the Humanity Healing Network enthusing about this fantastic new project that the two of them were about to embark on. Sounded like a great idea to me: A little group of like minded people coming together to support each other and offer healing in whatever way was appropriate to those in need. Well, that's Chris for you. An ardent champion of the spirit of compassion and motivated by the selfless desire to improve the lot of others.

So, HHN was born on MySpace and started to get a big following almost immediately not only by those who were similarly motivated to spread a bit more love and understanding into the world, but also by those who were in need of help. A little bit of support and prayer and the knowledge that someone out there really did care drew many into the fold. If you haven't visited Humanity Healing's MySpace page, then you can check it out by clicking here.

From the burgeoning success of the Humanity Healing concept on MySpace it wasn't long before it became apparent that there was a real need to network. No good having a whole bunch of members committed to the same ideal or in search of support if they are all effectively gagged by the inability to interact. The Humanity Healing Yahoo Group was born.

I can't say that I have been particularly active in the Yahoo Group, but I have watched it closely since it's inception and I am frankly deeply affected by the love that is being given and expressed by those involved. It may at the moment be only a drop in the ocean, but the members of Humanity Healing are now getting together, helping each other and beginning to extend the hand of love and compassion outwards to others in need. There is no nobler act than the alleviation of suffering in the world.

Humanity Healing Network is still in its gestation period. It IS making huge strides forward and is drawing attention from around the world from many quarters. There is no doubt in my mind that it is going to be a global phenomenon. A lot of work is being done to ensure that this happens in the name of helping those in need by Chris, Liane and the other Ambassadors and members of the Network.

But. And this is an important But. Real healing, healing that has a long lasting effect must always start at home. The more that you perfect and heal your own suffering state, the more that you will have to offer to others. Let's face it, we all suffer pretty much every day due to one thing or another. Sometimes these periods of suffering can extend over years and be appalling in their consequences and the best that can be hoped for is to realign our thinking so that although the body may suffer, we still can obtain peace of mind. When we have this, and this is really the most significant aspect of any form of healing, then everything else is of much less import.

So, I would urge all of you whether in the Humanity Healing Network or not, as you go about your business of helping others, always put yourself first. Heal you. If everyone does this, then there will actually be significantly less suffering in the world that requires the help of others in any case. A large goal perhaps, but only the large goals are really worth striving for in the end.

I guess that at this point I really should introduce myself. My name is Steve Gooch and you can find a lot more about me and my work via the links on the right of this post. I have been involved in spiritual practice of one kind or another for 20 years or so and became a teacher of Reiki about 10 years ago. Since then I have written a book on the subject (Reiki Jin Kei Do: The Way of Compassion & Wisdom) which has become pretty much the standard text for my lineage and tradition and I am contributing material all over the net and in a number of magazines on various aspects of Reiki and the wider pursuit of self perfection.

I am taking over the running of this blog on behalf of the wider Humanity Healing Network. I don't know how often I shall be posting here, but certainly this is not a forum for me to simply push forward my views and agenda. This space is for all in the Network. If you have something that you want to say that is relevant to the work of HHN, then pass it along. I can't of course guarantee that it will be published but it would be nice to see as many HHN members as possible contributing to what should become a huge archive of interesting material. So some basic guidelines for those interested in contributing:

• Your material should be congruent with the wider aims of the Humanity Healing Network and aid in the mission of relieving suffering in the world.
• Please do not send material that merely advertises yours or anyone else's services. By all means let us know if you find something that may help others ( a new, powerful holisitic therapy for instance) and let us all know how to find out more, but frame it in the context of a larger theme.
• Please respect the fact that Humanity Healing is non-denominational. All religious and spiritual persuasions are welcome here and should feel free in expressing their particular spiritual and world view.
• 'Inspirational stories' are fine, but the hard fact is that readers DO over time become very inurred to a steady diet of these. Inspirational examples used to illustrate a wider point are much more valuable and helpful to others.
• Let's also have some great quotes that we can all meditate and reflect on!
• For the time being please send your contributions to me in Word format to: sgooch@omahhum.org

If you have not yet joined the Humanity Healing Network, I would suggest that your first check in point should be the Yahoo Group. You can access the site via the link on the right hand side of this page. Come join us and help in healing humanity - one soul at a time.

Blessings and metta,

Steve