The Main Energy Circuits
by Rev. Jason Storm
For the First Degree of Usui Reiki we will be concerned with two main acupuncture meridians and a special circuit for Reiki. The first circuit is called the Conception Vessel in Chinese Medicine and runs from the perineum, up the spine, over the top of the head, down between the eyes, and terminating at the roof of the mouth. The second circuit is known as the Governor Vessel, and runs from the tongue down through the throat, down the front of the center of the body, through the genitals and terminates at the perineum.
These two circuits are commonly connected in all styles of Chi Gong by placing the tongue to the roof of the mouth and squeezing the pubococcygeus muscles at the perineum (the pubococcygeus muscle, or P.C. muscle, is the same muscle you use to hold urine in your bladder. Women and men have them, and doctors frequently prescribe Kegel exercises to women to strengthen the P.C. muscle). The P.C. muscle is the switch for the bottom half of the circuit and the tongue/palate is the switch at the top half. Closing these two switches in this way is called "Hui Yin" (hway-YIN) and you will be asked later on in the meditations to "Connect Hui Yin". These two circuits, when Hui Yin is connected, are known as The Microcosmic Orbit.
When you allow energy to flow, and when you do Chi Gong and/or any of the Reiki meditations, it is important that you at least connect the top half of this circuit by touching your tongue to the roof of your mouth. In time you will learn to close the bottom half as well, and if you ever wish to pass attunements to others directly, you will have to have mastered this skill in its entirety. It is from these two channels that all of your other meridians are fed, therefore, when there is an imbalance on either of these circuits, there is an imbalance in your entire organism. Chi Gong works primarily with these two circuits to maintain health and vitality. If you advance to Taokan Advanced Reiki™ later on, you will work extensively with these two channels.
The next channel that you need to be aware of is your connection to Reiki energy. The energy enters your body through the Crown chakra, descends to the heart chakra, then fills your entire body, returns to the heart along the meridians, then branches out your arms to your hands, where it is radiated out through the palms. A certain amount of energy is released out of the Root chakra when its switch is not closed, and this process is called grounding. When you consciously allow the excess energy to leave through your feet and the Root and enter deep within the earth, you have consciously grounded your energy. This is a very important skill to master, and not very difficult. In fact you do it all the time without hardly being aware of it.
Important Things to Remember About Your Circuits
When you flow energy, it is important that you not cross your ankles or wrists (as this short-circuits the natural flow). Keep your spine straight, head level and upright with your chin pulled slightly inward. Keep both feet flat on the floor with shoulders relaxed, resting comfortably with your weight centered at your pelvis. Connect your tongue to the roof of your mouth to close the top of the circuit. Eyes open or closed is mostly a matter of personal preference, but most people find it more relaxing and easier to work with eyes closed. If you have learned how to open your root and connect to the Earth, do this at the beginning of your treatment/meditation session to prevent excess energies building up in your head or torso. It is also important for your client not to cross his/her own ankles or wrists when you are sharing energy with them.
