Poetry has always been a part of the Reiki tradition. Sensei Mikao Usui, the founder of modern Reiki, included in his original handbook, 125 poems for the purpose of teaching the essentials of the enlightened path. These poems were originally composed by the Meiji emperor who ruled Japan from 1868-1912. This emperor was known for using these poems, also called Gyosei, to send out messages and teachings to all of his subjects. Japan experienced one of its most prosperous periods during the Meiji reign. An example of the Gyosei which appears in The Usui Handbook is:

“Understand by

Seeing how the stone has been

Hollowed out by rain

Do not cling to the illusion

That nothing changes”

In the course of teaching Reiki classes, I began to write poetry immediately after giving attunements. It is at this time that I would have those who had just received the attunement take time to savor the experience, either by journaling, taking a walk, or drawing a mandala. I wanted to encourage the same tradition that Usui began by calling upon the creative within us to express that which we are experiencing through Reiki. After the attunements I would find words of poetry just streaming from me, begging for expression. I have always enjoyed writing poetry and now Reiki was enhancing that enjoyment for me.

In keeping with the tradition of Reiki and poetry, I would like to share my Reiki poetry with you. I hope that you will be moved to allow Reiki to enhance your creativity in as many ways as you find enjoyable. Reiki blesses us on many levels and increases our ability to express ourselves and our truth. Poetry is one of the ways Reiki has been used to express what is essential for us as we travel the path of enlightenment.

Dr.maryanne horne