As summertime entrenches itself ever more deeply into reality, seasonal thoughts increasingly come to mind. You see, here in Japan, the people take the seasons very seriously, as evidenced by the wonderful Waka penned by the Meiji Emperor which Dr. Usui found so profoundly delightful, as well as Basho’s Haiku, which, by the formal rules of Haiku, must each contain a seasonal reference.

Its hard to imagine that Dr. Usui didn’t share the same love of nature and the seasons that all Japanese of his time derived endless pleasure and inspiration from. Its also hard to imagine that seasonal thoughts didn’t permeate Dr. Usui’s Reiki teachings and practices. Its actually rather enjoyable to imagine what kind of seasonal modifications, additions or references he may have included.

In Japan, each month has its own representative flower, which sets the mood for the month, so to speak. Each flower has its own personality, essence and gift. It is quite the common practice to use these as seasonal reminders, with their unique meditations and spiritual connections in many Japanese practices. The energies of the lotus blossom are quite distinct from those of the sunflower and besides the connection to the seasons there is also the connection to nature itself, or Mother Earth, in general which would not have gone unnoticed by Dr. Usui.

Seasonal clothing, seasonal food, seasonal festivals & religious events are all part of the Japanese landscape and culture as surely as tea ceremonies, Ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arrangement) & Sumo, each resplendent with unique seasonal variations, which is part of what makes them so very Japanese.

In Japan, people honor, respect and even worship nature (as that is the domain of the Shinto Gods and Spirits). So I have no doubt that it would have been a central part of the day to day Reiki landscape painted by Dr. Usui… and even though that part of the original Reiki teachings has been lost in the ages, it is not so difficult to image what it might have consisted of, the importance placed upon it and the love that Dr. Usui and the other original Reiki adherents would have had for the majestic splendor and pageantry of the seasons and the seasonal harbingers of all things good that nature so unselfishly bestows upon us.

Now, if I could only manage to remember where I stored the spare ice-cube trays… 😆

For further explanation or discussion, your thoughts are most welcome and highly encouraged, please feel free to comment below!!!