Hatsurei Ho - Reiki Meditation Technique

In Reiki Level II Hatsurei Ho is taught. It is one of the most important Reiki meditations. One of the fundamentals of Reiki is to connect with oneself spiritually or to one's soul. Dr. Usui taught his students Hatsurei Ho: Hatsu, meaning to bring forth. Rei means spirit, and Ho means method. Hatsurei method plays an essential part in the Reiki practice. It's a meditation technique, but it stands out as different from other techniques through gestures and words spoken.

There are steps to this meditation method. You can practice alone or with a group. When you practice this meditation in a group, it's called Shuyo ho. Hatsurei Ho consists of nine stages, and each stage helps clear and open the energy levels in the process.

STAGE ONE: Seat yourself in a Sieza position or sit up straight in a still yet comfortable position and place your hands palm down on your thighs or in your lap. Close your eyes and concentrate on your core or center of your body (between your abdomen and pubic bone).

STAGE TWO: Mokunen  Mokunen means “focusing”, which requires the individuals complete focused state and declaration in low voice that “I will now begin Hatsurei Ho.”

STAGE THREE: Kenyoku

Kenyoku means “Dry bathing”. In this process, the negative aura is brushed off either by an actual physical touch or just superficially. In this procedure, you basically attempt to “disconnect” yourself from every being, emotion, thoughts, and energy – preparing to enter the meditation state.

  1. Start by relaxing your breathing by inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
  2. Place your right hand on your left shoulder, your finger touching the joint between the end of your collar bone and shoulder. With palm faced towards the body; while exhaling, smooth your hand down diagonally across your chest to your right hip.
  3. Repeat this procedure with your left hand placed on your right shoulder; fingers touching the joint between the end of the collar bone and shoulder. Palm facing your body, exhale while brushing down diagonally across your chest to your left hip.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 two more times.
  5. Stretch the left hand forward. Place the right hand on the left shoulder and with the palm, stroke down the left arm until reaching the hand.
  6. Repeat step 5 with the right hand.
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 two more times.
  8. Place hands on thighs with palms facing down.

Now stretch your left hand forward in front of you and place your right-hand fingertips on the edge of your left shoulder. With the palm flattened, move your right hand down along the side of your left arm while exhaling. Repeat this process with your right arm, completing the cycle three times.

STAGE FOUR: Connect to Reiki

Move your hands up above your head, aligned with your shoulders with your palms facing upwards and fingers pointing towards each other. With your mind clear, now feel the Reiki energy or white aura flowing down from above through your arms and into your body. Once you sense the Reiki energy, slowly lower your hands.

STAGE FIVE: Joshin Kokkyu Ho

Joshin Kokkyu Ho is a procedure of purifying the soul by breathing Reiki energy into the body. This is the most important part of Hatsurei Ho. Proper breathing induces relaxation which opens the body to receive Reiki energy.

  • Place your hands, palm up on your lap and in a relaxed manner, breath slowly through your nose while focusing on your “seika tanden” or core.
  • On the inhale, draw Reiki energy down from the top of your head down to the tanden. With natural breathing, feel the white lighted Reiki energy flow from your mind into your center. Slowly feel the energy spread in your entire body, dissolving all negativity and unlimitedly expanding around you.
  • On the exhale, spread the Reiki energy out to your entire body and out to the universe.
  • Repeat this breathing exercise for as long as you feel comfortable.

STAGE SIX: Gassho

Gassho, meaning joined hands requires you to hold your hands together as if you were praying in front of your chest. Concentrate on connection of your middle fingers and hold yourself in this position.

STAGE SEVEN: Seishin Toitsu

Still in the Gassho position with mind and soul gathered, breath in white Reiki energy passing through your hands to your tanden. When you breathe out, imagine the energy flow out from your core and through your hands. (This is the stage where the Reiju is given to students by teachers).

STAGE EIGHT: Gokai Sansho

Gokai Sansho consists of five fundamentals for the day that are spoken out loud and repeated three times. The Fundamentals are:

Kyo dake wa – Just for today
Okoru na – Avoid anger
Shinpai suna – Stop worrying
Kansha shite – Be thankful
Gyo o hage me – work with effort and sincerity
Hito ni shinsetsu ni – Be friendly and kind hearted to all

STAGE NINE: Mokunen

Bring your hands back to your lap, palm faced down and say, “I conclude Hatsurei Ho.”

Perform Hatsurei Ho everyday and you'll begin to feel connected to the Reiki energy and spirit.

Namaste!