I didn’t fully understood the background and origin of techniques the first time I practiced Tantric meditation and Yoga Nidra, but it immediately resonated. I was surprised and delighted to find that many of the practices strongly resembled patterns of breath and visualization that had emerged naturally from reiki practice. Probably most seekers will say this is a most thrilling form of affirmation: when you read about a technique that you “found” in your own meditation— proof that you dropped into something universal and were not the first to do so. After all, this is the legend behind Mikao Usui’s encounter with Reiki. And he was keen to point out that he did not believe he created the Reiki system, so much as remembered something that had been forgotten.
But like any meditation, to practice Reiki with the rigor and devotion required to be a student of the energy is a long-term commitment. And sometimes we’re looking for relief on a shorter timescale, or just don’t want to focus so exclusively on one practice. Reiki doesn’t require you to be focused in order to receive, and it’s not necessary to enter a meditative state for the energy to work with you. Yet for many this is a desired outcome and so the mind can present an obstacle to this desire for peace.
The tantric meditation techniques often offered as foundational practices are incredible tools for steadying the mind and consciously cultivating energy (Prana) in the body. And they work beautifully alongside a Reiki practice, gently deepening the process that is unfolding through attention and awareness. Some examples include gently shaping the breath until it is smooth, even, relaxed, and quiet; using awareness to move breath in and out of one nostril at a time (alternate nostril breathing or Nadi Shodhana); and directing the breath to specific areas of the body to build energy, then moving that accumulation of energy to other points in the body.
The nervous system is intimately connected with the breath, a bidirectional relationship where we increase awareness and have the choice to gently influence the body and mind. I prefer the word “tuning” to regulating, because I don’t believe that there is one ideal state of a regulated nervous system. Every body, personality, lived experience, and environment is different. Tantra speaks to this with reference to the Gunas, which clarify that there are several states of sense awareness, and depending on the circumstances you might not want to be exactly in balance, so much as balanced to meet the environment.
I also think of the body as an environment, a vehicle, and perhaps an instrument of action. Tuning is a subtle act, bringing the full range of expression into harmony. Which sometimes means balance within movement.
Reiki is said to have its own consciousness, it knows where to go and what to do. It is healing and life-affirming in nature, seeking balance, and yet this includes the reality that we cannot always be healthy and no one lives forever. This is equilibrium that is the mind, body, and spirit in a state of dynamic resonance.
Tantra is a nondual perspective that acknowledges layers of energy, the distinction of the self (personality, experiences, single lifetime, the agent of action) and the Self (timeless, eternal, part of a greater whole and the divine, in a state of being rather than doing, the witness). The internal experience is a reflection of external, and vice versa. Cultivating that awareness allows for a deeper connection to the Self which ultimately leads to oneness and flow. (I’m paraphrasing!)
As I gained more familiarity with Tantric meditation practices I slowly began to allow this to inform my Reiki practice and vice versa. They work so beautifully together, and can incredibly soothing (or invigorating, depending on how you approach). The visualizations and breathing techniques give the mind a place to focus, and bring full awareness to the movement of energy. As energy builds, one learns to release the “practice” and allow the energetic sensing of Shakti to lead the practice. Using a gentle flow of Reiki assists us in building or grounding the energy, and carries us as we shift from technique to intuition.
And I’m incredibly excited to incorporate these techniques into the upcoming Reiki & the Nervous System series. We’ll begin with gentle pranayama and energy cultivating techniques, and then flow towards a supine Reiki practice accompanied by therapeutic sound. Our intention is to build a set of skills that can be applied when we need to collaborate with our nervous system.
If you’d like a preview, a practice that can fit into a short break, you can download this 7 minute meditation.
Inward Vision 