Expressions of energies

Many systems of thought describe different qualities of energy and experience. The following is a summary of some of these and this post is intended as a point of discussion – it's my personal belief but I would love to hear your views on the subject. This article also includes information taken from the International House of Reiki manuals.


Stage 1

The first qualities that we experience in our lives is that of physicality. Our needs as infants are simple – we breathe, eat, eliminate, etc. Our interactions are primarily based in the physical and our own bodies are an expression of this quality.

Certain Eastern philosophies name this as Yin (Chinese) or In (Japanese). Within the taijin symbol (known colloquially as the YinYang symbol), this is represented as the black section. The aspects of Yin energy include: Earth, feminine, receptive, stillness, Moon, growing, shade.

Japanese Reiki practices attribute this energy to the Choku Rei symbol, which is based on Tendai Buddhist interpretations of the kanji for “earth”, and to the characteristic of “focus”.
It is connected to the DaiSeishi Bosatu (Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva), who uses his great vigour of wisdom to awaken the Buddha nature and Buddha wisdom that are in everyone and allow them to proceed to enlightenment. DaiSeishi Bosatu can be invoked with the mantra “Om sam jam jam sah svaha”.


Stage 2

Our next experience is that of the emotional realm. We begin to understand what we like, dislike, crave, etc. We react in an emotional way to the stimulus around us. Think of a child that is hungry – it feels the pang of emptiness in its stomach but has no real knowledge of how to achieve that; it only knows that it dislikes the feeling and wants it to be resolved. By crying, it alerts its guardian and attention is brought to this matter. Within the wider context of a lifetime, as we grow into adolescence these emotions may become turbulent as our hormonal responses grow. Over time we learn to control these and settle into our interactions.

The Eastern equivalent is Yang (Yo), the white section of the taijin symbol. Aspects include: Heaven, masculine, active, moving, Sun, sowing, light.

Reiki connects this to the symbol of Sei Heki (with the characteristic of “harmony”) which is based on a seed syllable called “kiriku”, invoking the deity known as Amida Nyorai (Amitabha) who is called the “Buddha of Infinite Light”. Amitabha provides compassion and peace of mind in every direction and can be invoked using the mantra “Om amrta-teje hara hum”.


Stage 3

The next experiences we have are those of the mental realm – we begin to think logically and to apply reason to our interaction with the world around us. Returning to the example of hunger, while this initially starts as a more instinctive process, as we grow we bring more and more mental clarity to the process: I need food so I go the fridge where that food is stored. If it needs cooking, I apply my faculties to this.

The Eastern representation is that of the concept of “oneness”, a realisation of the connection to all things (as mentioned in some of the work studied in the Initiate's Programme here at TOTJO). The symbol is the kanji Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, which roughly translates as “I am correct consciousness” or “right consciousness is the origin of everything”. In this way, it is a reminder to work towards returning to our state of Original Nature, that of realising the connection that we have with the Force and with all expressions within this. When working with this concept we start to realise the non-existence of “I”. When the self disappears, the notion of “others” will disappear too and without this separation there arises the desire to protect and help others as oneself.

The deity invoked by these energies is Kannon (Avalokitesvara), the “Bodhisattva Who Perceives the Sounds of the World” and who made a vow to hear the voices of the people and the sounds of the conditions of the world, immediately granting salvation to the suffering and the afflicted and dispelling the evil and calamities that surround us. His mantra is “Om arolik svaha”.


Stage 4

The “final” stage of energetic exploration is that of the spiritual. With the grounding, emotional expression and mental reasoning that we have already attained, we are free to explore the world beyond our immediate understanding. Ideas such as faith arise at this moment and our consciousness is explored as a multi-dimensional, limitless concept.

Within Japanese Reiki, this is portrayed using the kanji Dai KoMyo which roughly translates as “great enlightenment”. The term can be found in the Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion where it is said to be a “Zen expression for one's own true nature or Buddha-nature of which one becomes cognizant in the experience of enlightenment”. The characteristic is that of “empowerment” - as we move beyond our understanding of the connection to the Force we realise that we ARE the Force, the Universe, and everything in it and as such an expression of the totality of existence.

The deity invoked is Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana), known as the “Great Shining Buddha” because he is the life force of the buddhas that illuminate everything and is responsible for maintaining the powerful creation and operation of the universe. Shingon Buddhism teaches that we all have the buddha nature and life force of Mahavairocana. His mantra is “Om a-vi-ra-hum-kham vajradhatu vam”.


The link to Jediism as expressed by TOTJO

So what does all this have to do with the journeys undertaken here at TOTJO? Every one of us has explored each stage of this energetic journey within our own lives and the studies within these online walls are a reflection of this commitment to understanding. As with everything else, these energies can be expressed on the micro-and macro-scopic level. Every assignment that you undertake will contain these energies: the facts or theories are presented, we decide how they make us feel, we then reason with the details and work out what they mean, then a deeper understanding of the subject is reached. This process is also expressed with the Tenets of Focus, Knowledge and Wisdom.

If you want, you can also represent the energies in a wider context using the ranks system here. With the Initiate's Programme, one can begin to realise the fundamental truths and practices that provide a bedrock of foundation learning that can then be built upon. Apprenticeships offer a more personally-tailored exploration of our reactions to information and experiences. Knighthood allows us to apply our reasoning and understanding as we commit to walking the Jedi path according to our doctrine and creed. Taking on apprentices and guiding initiates (as Senior Knights and Masters) requires us to think about what's best for this process and also guides us into a spiritual connection to the subject matter. Senior members of the Order also accept the responsibility of protecting the spiritual energies of the community on behalf of everyone.

Each and every moment and experience offers a different perspective of the expression of these 4 energies. With a firm grounding we can open our hearts to the moment, which leads to an expansion into other perspectives and to a final realisation that it is all an aspect of the Whole. But like I said at the start of this article, this is just my opinion. It might be shared by many but it is also certainly disputed by many too. So what is your reaction to this? Please share your thoughts below!

May The Force Be With You All.