HIKARI NO KOKYU HO
The 'Breath of Light' Method
Copyright © 2004 James Deacon

 

[As with most of the Reiki Practices, there are several different versions of hikari no kokyu ho ]

Essentially, hikari no kokyu ho  is a combination of the 'connection' and 'spirit cleansing breath' (joshin kokyo ho) elements of hatsurei ho


Hikari no kokyu ho can be practiced either seated on a chair, stool or bench, or in a cross-legged posture, or in the seiza posture.

As with all the developmental practices, choose a time and place where you are unlikely to be disturbed.

And wherever you are doing this exercise - indoors or out, make sure (if seated on the floor) the floor/ground is both comfortable and warm. Do not practice this on cold floors/ground, do not practice in the cold, generally.

Sit up straight (comfortably so - no need for rigid military-style posture - this will only impede the technique).

Bring your hands together in gassho.

Close your eyes and 'hara-centre' yourself: focus your awareness on your seika tanden

For a few moments, simply 'be' - silently and restfully 'watching the breath': loosely focussing on the natural rhythms of your breathing. There is no interference with the natural process - no seeking to consciously breathe - merely to be aware that you are breathing effortlessly.

Connect with the Reiki phenomenon, raise your hands up above your head, keeping them in line with your shoulders. Your palms face upwards, fingers pointing out to the sides. (In some versions, fingertips point upwards, palms face forward)

In your mind's-eye see and feel the Reiki light flowing down from above, pouring into your uplifted open hands as a stream of crystal clear light.

It flows down your arms and through your body, down into your seika tanden. 

Feel that your whole body is surrounded by light, and the light within you is merging with the light of the universe.

When you can feel the flow of Reiki, gently lower your hands to your lap, with palms facing up.

Again, for a moment or so, simply 'be' - silently and restfully 'watching the breath': loosely focussing on the natural rhythms of your breathing. There is no interference with the natural process - no seeking to consciously breathe - merely to be aware that you are breathing effortlessly...

Bring the focus of your awareness gently to your seika tanden once more, and as you breathe in - naturally, effortlessly - in your mind's-eye see and feel the energy flowing down from above, as a stream of crystal clear light.

The light floods into your crown, and flows down throughout your body into your seika tanden.

In the moment before your body - naturally, effortlessly - begins to exhale, be aware of the light: feel it growing stronger and brighter, radiating throughout your entire body, dissolving and dissipating all trace of stress and negative tension, and supporting the positive energetic integrity of your entire being.

As your body exhales, be aware that you are emanating the light from every single pore - from the entire surface of your being - and the light radiates out in all directions to infinity.

Continue in this 'awareness of the light' for as long as you feel comfortable.

Allow your body to maintain its own natural breathing rhythm. There is no interference with the natural process - no seeking to consciously breathe - merely to be aware that you are breathing effortlessly.

When you are ready, perform gassho and bow to the light.