Internalising the Reiki Symbols: a journey within.

There's a common misconception in energy work that we need to somehow make universal energy stronger or gather more of it. But here's the thing: universal energy is already infinite and perfect. It's not something we can add to or amplify. What we can do, however, is clear away the mental and energetic clutter that blocks us from experiencing our true connection to it.

This is where internalising the reiki symbols becomes such a beautiful and transformative practice. When we work with symbols like CKR (known as the power symbol) or SHK (known as the harmony symbol), we're not actually making energy more powerful or creating harmony externally. We're doing something far more profound, we're purifying our own inner landscape so that our authentic self can shine through more clearly.

The Real Work Happens Within. Think of it this way: universal energy is like sunlight. The sun doesn't need us to make it brighter. But if our windows are covered in dust and grime, we won't experience its full radiance. The reiki symbols are tools for cleaning those windows, for clearing the conditioning, blocks, and distortions that keep us from recognising what's already there.

When we use the power symbol, we're not injecting power into a situation. We're releasing the internal obstacles that prevent us from being in our power. When we use the harmony symbol, we're not forcing the world into balance. We're harmonising our own inner discord so that we can perceive and participate in the natural harmony that already exists.

This shift in understanding changes everything. It means our practice becomes less about controlling outcomes and more about inner transformation. And here's the beautiful paradox: when we focus on purifying our own mind and energy, our external reality naturally begins to shift and reflect that inner clarity.

One of the most powerful ways to internalise the reiki symbols is through the practice of Joshin Kokyu Ho, which translates roughly as "the breathing method for cleansing the spirit." This technique combines breathwork with visualisation to help the symbols become part of your energetic makeup rather than just something you draw or think about.

Here's how you can practice it with the reiki symbols:

Find a comfortable seated position and take a few moments to settle into your breath. Once you feel centred, visualise the symbol of your choice, perhaps starting with CKR, hovering just in front of you at heart level, glowing with light.

As you inhale, imagine drawing the symbol into your body through your crown, letting it travel down into your hara (the area about two inches below your navel). Feel the symbol fill this sacred space with its energy and intention. Hold your breath gently for a moment, letting the symbol settle and integrate.

Then, as you exhale, imagine the symbol expanding outward from your hara, filling your entire body, moving through your torso, down your legs, along your arms, up into your head. Some practitioners like to imagine the symbol's energy radiating out beyond the body as well, though the focus should remain on the internal experience.

Continue this practice for several minutes, letting each breath deepen your connection with the symbol. You might feel sensations of warmth, tingling, or simply a sense of peace. What you're doing is allowing the symbol's quality to become part of your energetic signature.

Beyond Joshin Kokyu Ho, there are several other beautiful ways to internalise the reiki symbols:

You can use them in your morning meditation practice: Start your day by placing each symbol in your energy centres (chakras), beginning at your root and moving up to your crown. This sets an intention for your whole being to align with these qualities throughout the day.

You may like to try symbol bathing: Imagine yourself sitting inside a large version of a symbol, letting its energy wash over and through you like a waterfall. This can be particularly soothing when working with SHK for emotional clearing.

You could also do a variation of walking meditation: As you walk, visualise a symbol at your hara or heart with each step, coordinating your steps with your breath. This grounds the symbol's energy into your everyday movement and presence.

When you commit to this internal work with the symbols, something kind of cool happens. Your external reality begins to mirror your inner state. It's not magic in the sense of manipulating external forces, it's the natural result of showing up in the world from a clearer, more authentic place.

When you're internally aligned with power, you naturally make more empowered choices. When you're internally harmonious, you find yourself in more harmonious situations, or better able to navigate discord when it arises. The world hasn't necessarily changed; you have, and therefore your experience of the world transforms.

This is the true gift of internalising the Reiki symbols. They become trusted companions on your journey of self-realisation, gentle reminders that the energy you seek is already within you, waiting to be uncovered. Your practice isn't about becoming something you're not, it's about clearing away everything that keeps you from recognising what you've always been.

So take a breath, invite in a symbol, and let the journey within unfold.