Structure of Shoden Training and Content

Shoden (初伝, “First Transmission”) was the introductory level of Usui’s Reiki system – the first of three degrees (followed by Okuden and Shinpiden). Usui taught Shoden in a relatively short timeframe (just “a few days” in many cases) and opened it to anyone with common sense and good character. According to Usui’s own statements, he personally trained over a thousand students at Shoden with universal success: “Up to now I have given the transmission to over a thousand people and not one has failed to get results. All of them, with only Shoden, have fully acquired the spiritual ability to heal illness”. (Usui’s memorial inscription later recorded the total number of Shoden pupils at over 2,000 by 1926.)

Class format: Shoden training was hands-on and experiential. Usui would perform Reiju (spiritual empowerments) on the students to “open” their channel to Reiki. In traditional accounts, multiple Reiju were given to each student, often repeated over several class sessions, to strengthen their connection. “Reiju” (also called denju or attunement) was a ritual through which the student’s energy pathway was opened; immediately afterward the student “could heal themselves and others” using Reiki. Contemporary documents from Usui’s Reiki society (the Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai) encouraged beginners to receive Reiju as frequently as possible to deepen their ability. Shoden classes usually included demonstrations and practice of healing: students were shown how to place their hands on the body and use Reiki, and they practiced on themselves and fellow students under Usui’s guidance. Usui also provided a small handbook (Reiki Ryōhō Hikkei, 霊気療法必携) containing instructions, Q&A, and a list of treatment guidelines for various ailments, which Shoden students could use as a reference. In summary, the Shoden curriculum gave students the basic tools to channel Reiki energy for healing, focusing first on self-treatment and the foundational techniques, with more advanced methods reserved for higher levels.

Reiju (Empowerment) in Shoden

Reiju (霊授) was central to Shoden. This empowerment ritual – performed personally by Usui – attuned the student to Reiki. Usui did not explicitly publish the details of Reiju (it was kept esoteric), but its purpose and effects are recorded in early sources. The Japanese tradition holds that by receiving Reiju, “from that moment one is able to heal oneself and others”. Usui’s own Q&A confirms how easily and quickly this ability was conferred: even in “a short time” students obtained “the most difficult spiritual ability (to heal illness)”, which was considered a unique feature of his method. During Shoden training, Usui gave multiple Reiju to each student (often a series of 3–4 empowerments is mentioned in later accounts) to progressively refine their channel. The Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai later stressed that Shoden practitioners should continue receiving Reiju regularly (for example, at weekly or monthly meetings) as a form of spiritual maintenance and deepening of their ability. This ongoing empowerment practice was a hallmark of Usui’s teaching style – rather than a one-time initiation, Reiju was an ongoing practice at Shoden, continually boosting the student’s energetic connection. In short, Reiju was the mechanism by which Usui transmitted Reiki: through repeated simple empowerments (involving breath and intention, performed in person), he “opened the channel” in the student, allowing them to access the Reiki energy. This practice was considered sacred and was conducted with great care, but from the student’s perspective it was simple and non-intellectual – no special belief or effort was required. “Whether one doubts or rejects it does not matter; even infants or the unconscious receive full benefit”, Usui noted, since Reiki is activated by the Reiju itself, not by suggestion or belief.

Meditation and Spiritual Discipline (Gasshō, etc.)

Usui’s Shoden teachings placed strong emphasis on spiritual cultivation alongside healing techniques. In his own words, “our Reiki Ryōhō’s mission is to first heal the heart, then make the body healthy, so that one walks on the right path as a human being”. To that end, Shoden students were taught a daily meditative practice known as gasshō meiso (合掌瞑想, “meditation with hands in prayer position). Every morning and evening, students were instructed to sit quietly, put their hands together (gasshō), and recite the Five Precepts in their heart and out loud. Usui’s manual explicitly says: “Morning and evening, join your hands in gasshō, and chant these words in your heart”. This refers to the Five Reiki Precepts (explained below), which functioned as a form of contemplative prayer or affirmation. By performing this gasshō ritual twice daily, the student cultivates a calm mind and a compassionate heart.

In addition to reciting the precepts, Shoden students practiced breath awareness and mindfulness. Later documents indicate that seiza gasshō (sitting in seiza posture while meditating on the hands in prayer) was formally encouraged by the Gakkai as a spiritual training method. The goal of these practices was to achieve a state of inner peace and one-pointed concentration often referred to as “Anshin Ritsumei” (安心立命) – a deep tranquility of mind. Usui understood that true healing ability flowed from an enlightened, peaceful state of being, so he incorporated Zen-like disciplines at the Shoden level. The Hatsu-rei-hō (発霊法, “generating spirit method”), a daily energy exercise that includes breathing, meditation, and visualization, was taught in Usui’s school (it is mentioned as part of Okuden in the Q&A) and may have been introduced in a basic form to Shoden students as well. In summary, meditation was a core component of Shoden: by praying with gasshō, chanting the precepts, and doing breathing exercises, students cleansed their spirit and sharpened their Reiki ability. Usui repeatedly emphasized that cultivating a “pure and healthy mind” was essential – “When the mind is on the right path and healthy, the body will naturally be robust. Thus body and spirit become one”. This spiritual equilibrium was both a means and an end in Reiki: it improved healing efficacy and was itself the ultimate goal (a happy, peaceful life).

The Five Precepts (Gokai) and Their Application

At the heart of Shoden training were Usui’s Five Precepts (Gokai, 五戒), which are ethical/spiritual principles for daily life. These were directly authored by Mikao Usui – he included them in the Reiki Ryōhō Hikkei and on the memorial stone. Usui introduced them with the heading: “For improving body and mind – the secret method to invite happiness, the miraculous medicine for all diseases”. The five precepts themselves (originating from Emperor Meiji’s virtuous teachings) are:

1. “Just for today, do not anger.”

2. “Do not worry.”

3. “Be grateful.”

4. “Work diligently (on yourself).”

5. “Be kind to others.”

In Japanese: 「今日丈けは怒るな、心配すな、感謝して、業をはげめ、人に親切に」. Usui taught students to contemplate and live by these precepts each day. As noted, he instructed that they be chanted each morning and evening in gasshō, so that the ideals would permeate the student’s mind. The application of the Gokai was very practical: students were to check their emotions (anger, worry) and cultivate gratitude, earnest effort, and kindness in all aspects of life. By doing so, they purified their character and mindset, which in turn made them better healers. Usui makes it clear that Reiki is not just a therapy but a path of personal growth: “It can cure not only physical diseases but also correct the heart – cleansing one of vices such as worry, weak will, cowardice, indecision, nervousness… so that one’s mind becomes like a god or Buddha”. In other words, following the precepts was a form of moral training for the Reiki student.

Usui explicitly stated that adhering to the precepts is the “secret art” for happiness and health. In the Reiki handbook and the memorial, he stresses that these principles echo the universal ethics of wise sages and are the foundation of Reiki practice. Students were expected to embody these principles in daily life – for example, remaining calm instead of angering, trusting instead of worrying, etc. This lifestyle was seen as integral to healing: negative emotions disturb the Ki flow, whereas a virtuous life enhances it. The precepts also served as a spiritual prescription for patients; Usui would sometimes teach them to those he treated, believing that living by the Gokai would help maintain wellness. In summary, the Five Precepts were a cornerstone of Shoden: they were memorized, chanted, and used as daily self-reminders. By practicing the Gokai, Shoden students cultivated the mental clarity, compassion, and groundedness that Reiki requires. This reflects Usui’s conviction that “healing the mind” and walking in “the correct path of humanity” must come first, so that one can truly heal others and “share happiness together”.

Healing Techniques Taught at Shoden (Teate, Byōsen, etc.)

Hands-on healing (手当て療法, teate) was the fundamental technique taught at Shoden. Usui’s method was very simple and natural. He taught that Reiki energy exists in the universe and “radiates from the healer’s body from anywhere, especially the eyes, mouth, and hands”. Thus, the healer can channel this energy to the recipient through various means: light touch with the hands, gentle stroking, focused gaze, and breath. In his Q&A, Usui describes how to treat an afflicted area: “If you concentrate your gaze on the affected part for 2–3 minutes, or blow your breath on it, or lightly stroke it with your hand, or place your hand on it (palmar touch), then pain from ailments like toothache, colic, gastric pain, neuralgia, bruises, cuts, burns, swelling, etc., will vanish on the spot and the swelling will recede”. This succinctly outlines the techniques Shoden students learned: Anshin-etsu (gaze healing), Koki (breath healing), Nade-te (stroking with the hand), and Oshite/Annonce (pressing or laying on of hands). All of these are non-invasive, gentle methods of applying Reiki to the body. Usui emphasized that no medicines or instruments are needed – “we never use medicines or devices; by simply concentrating the gaze, applying breath, stroking and touching lightly, complete healing is achieved”.

Shoden students were taught to treat both others and themselves using these hand-healing techniques. Notably, Usui was asked if one can heal one’s own illnesses and he replied: “If one cannot heal oneself, how can one heal others?” – affirming that self-treatment was indeed taught from Shoden. Students likely learned hand positions on their own bodies and practiced feeling the energy flow. For treating others, Usui did not rely on rigid “hand position routines” as in some modern styles; instead, he encouraged treating the area of complaint or imbalance. “If the stomach is ill, treat the stomach; if eyes are ill, treat the eyes; if the brain is ill, treat the head”, he wrote, explaining that simply covering or lightly massaging the affected part with Reiki was sufficient. This intuitive approach was often guided by Byōsen (病膳) – a term meaning “sick line/sensation,” referring to sensing energetic disturbance. Byōsen scanning (Byōsen Reikan-hō) was a technique whereby the practitioner would move the hands over the body to detect areas of imbalance (experienced as heat, tingling, or pulsing – called hibiki, “feedback”) and then focus treatment there. While Usui’s handbook does not explicitly name “byōsen,” this practice was implicitly encouraged by his instruction to treat where needed, and later direct students testified that Byōsen scanning was a key practice for finding the best spots to place hands. In essence, Shoden healers learned to “listen” with their hands, trusting the sensations to guide them to problem areas, rather than relying solely on verbal diagnosis. This fostered a highly intuitive healing style.

To support students, Usui’s manual provided a detailed guide to treating ailments. In the “Treatment Guidelines” (療法指針) section of the Hikkei, there are lists of common diseases and the recommended hand placements for each. For example, for stomach illnesses it advises treating “the forehead, pit of the stomach, stomach area, intestines, and liver”; for asthma, “the entire head, chest, solar plexus, throat, nose, heart”; for a broken bone, “apply Reiki right over the cast on the injured area”; etc. These lists show that Shoden students were taught to treat a wide range of conditions, including internal diseases, nervous disorders, injuries, skin conditions, and even contagions. The approach is typically to treat the head and neck (for systemic balance), the affected organ, and the abdominal tanden area (lower belly, seen as an energy center), as well as any local painful points. This holistic yet targeted method reflects Usui’s integration of traditional Japanese medicine concepts (like tanden energy) with intuitive hand healing.

Another technique introduced at Shoden was Gyōshi-hō, the practice of healing with the eyes (as mentioned above, by gazing at the area). Usui noted that “the practitioner’s body emits Ki and light from every part, especially the eyes, mouth, and hands”, so students learned they could send Reiki with a look or even a breath. They also learned Bushin (psychic tapping or patting), implied by Usui’s term “軽打” (lightly “tapping” or patting the body). All these methods – palm healing, eye beaming, breath, stroking, and light tapping – were part of Usui’s original toolkit at Shoden. Importantly, no elaborate rituals or incantations were needed for these techniques; Usui emphasized Reiki as a natural ability that had been awakened in the student. He reassured that medical knowledge was not required either: “Our therapy transcends modern science and does not base itself on medicine. You don’t need to know anatomy; just treat the part that hurts or is diseased with concentration, and the objective is achieved without drugs or needles”. This made Reiki accessible to all Shoden students, regardless of background – as long as they followed the method, “even serious illnesses show effect from a single treatment”, and chronic cases improve with repeated sessions.

In summary, Shoden imparted a comprehensive yet straightforward healing method: students learned to channel Reiki through hands and eyes, to sense where treatment is needed (byosen/hibiki), and to apply Reiki until relief was felt. They were equipped with reference charts for treating everything from headaches to systemic illnesses, and they were taught to treat themselves daily as well. Usui’s emphasis was on simplicity and efficacy – he famously said even a kindergartener could do it, since Reiki is guided by spiritual laws rather than the practitioner’s intellect. This aligns with his view that Reiki is a “gift from the divine” meant to be shared openly for the good of all, rather than a secret art kept for the elite.

Daily Life and Conduct of a Shoden Practitioner

Usui’s teaching at the Shoden level went beyond techniques – it set expectations for the student’s lifestyle and conduct. In the Reiki Ryōhō Hikkei and other records, Usui consistently stresses personal virtue, diligent practice, and service. For one, as discussed, students were expected to practice Reiki (and the precepts) every day – Reiki was viewed not just as a healing art but as a way of life. The Gakkai’s guidelines encouraged “spiritual training, receiving Reiju as often as possible, and performing the morning-evening gasshō meditation without fail”. This indicates that a Shoden practitioner’s daily routine ideally included meditation, self-healing, and continual refinement of character.

Ethically, Usui looked for integrity and enthusiasm in his students. He made it clear that only those who demonstrated “notable results, upright conduct, and zeal for the Way” would be allowed to advance to Okuden (second level). This implies that Shoden students were expected to uphold the precepts (cultivating a calm, grateful, diligent, kind demeanor) and to actually use Reiki earnestly so that results could be seen. If a Shoden practitioner showed laziness, poor character, or misuse of Reiki, they would likely not progress further. In effect, there was a moral expectation set upon Shoden healers: to live by high standards of behavior and to treat Reiki with sincerity.

Usui also instilled a sense of responsibility and humility. He himself was described as a gentle, unpretentious man who nevertheless had a firm will when facing difficulties. He likely encouraged students to emulate these qualities: to be compassionate healers but also disciplined in their practice. The Five Precepts served as daily reminders of humility (do not anger or worry), gratitude, hard work, and kindness – which are lifestyle guidelines. Moreover, Usui viewed Reiki as a path to “the improvement of mind and body”, so Shoden students were guided to take care of their own health (through self-treatment and ethical living) as much as healing others. He taught that Reiki should permeate one’s whole life: for example, by maintaining “a pure and calm mind” and “enjoying a joyful, peaceful existence”, one naturally creates the conditions for health and can share that peace with others. This reflects in advice such as “after making your own heart like that of a god or Buddha, the main aim is to heal others”, so that “self and others both attain happiness”.

In practical terms, a Shoden practitioner in Usui’s time would likely begin the day with meditation and recitation of the precepts, go about their daily work while embodying Reiki principles (e.g. remaining calm, kind, thankful), use Reiki on themselves or family for any minor ailments or stress, and periodically attend Reiki gatherings to receive Reiju and practice with fellow members. The Gakkai held regular meet-ups (霊気交流会) where even Shoden members could come to exchange treatments and get “recharges” of Reiju from senior teachers – indicating a sense of community and ongoing learning for Shoden practitioners. They were not required to follow any ascetic lifestyle beyond these practices; Reiki was explicitly non-sectarian and not tied to any religion. Usui in fact made a point that Reiki “has no connection to any particular religious sect”, making it open to people of all walks of life. Thus, the lifestyle expectation was practical spirituality: integrate Reiki into ordinary life to improve one’s character and wellbeing, without the need to withdraw from society.

Usui’s focus on lifestyle can also be seen in his decision to freely share Reiki with the public rather than keeping it a family secret. In the “Public Demonstration and Explanation” preface of the Hikkei, he wrote that old practices of concealing secret methods in one’s clan were outdated, and that in the modern age one must “not selfishly hoard it, but open it for the public benefit, allowing anyone to receive this gift of Heaven”. This ethos likely trickled down to Shoden students – they were encouraged to share Reiki informally and help others in need. Indeed, Usui’s memorial notes that after the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, many of his students volunteered alongside him treating the injured with Reiki. Even at Shoden level, students had enough ability to be of service in such crises, since “everyone who has received only the first transmission is fully endowed with the healing power”. This indicates an expectation that Shoden practitioners use their gift altruistically when possible.

Finally, no symbols or mantras were taught at Shoden. Usui’s original Shoden did not include the esoteric symbols (shirushi 印) or sacred chants (jumon 呪文); those were introduced only at the higher degrees. Historical sources confirm that the first three symbol-mantra pairs were given in Okuden (Second Degree) and the fourth (Master) symbol at Shinpiden. “Generally, there are four sets: three are conferred at Second Degree, and one at Third (Master) Degree”, and in traditional lineages these symbols were closely guarded. This means a Shoden student under Usui did not learn any symbols or special mantras – those advanced techniques were considered Okuden teachings, taught as tools to further augment energy or enable distant healing once the student was ready. Instead, Shoden relied on the direct, simple practices described above (hand placements, meditations, precepts). Usui himself downplayed any need for complex ritual: he said Reiki works “without any supplication (sui服) or agreement from the patient” and even with skepticism present. The power was in the Reiju and the earnest practice, not in symbols at the beginner stage. (Notably, in Usui’s time, even knowledge of the symbols was likely kept until a student proved their dedication – reflecting again the importance of character and experience.)

In conclusion, Mikao Usui’s Shoden level was a complete foundation in itself: students received the Reiki ability through Reiju, practiced healing themselves and others using straightforward hand-techniques, followed a daily regimen of spiritual/meditative practice (gasshō and the Precepts), and were expected to uphold principles of good living and compassion. All of these elements come directly from Usui’s own writings and the verified records of the Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai. Shoden was designed to improve the student’s mind and body and to empower them to help others – true to Usui’s summary of his art as “the secret method to invite happiness, the spiritual medicine for all diseases”. Even without symbols or elaborate rituals, Shoden trainees “in just a short time” gained a profound capability to heal, supported by a philosophy of daily mindfulness and altruism. This integration of healing practice and spiritual discipline is what Mikao Usui himself taught at the First Transmission level, laying the groundwork for all further developments in Reiki.

Sources: All information above is drawn from Mikao Usui’s own handbook and writings (e.g. the Reiki Ryōhō Hikkei and his memorial inscription), as well as early documents of the Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai and testimonies of direct students. Citations refer to the original Japanese texts and reliable translations of those documents.

• Usui Reiki Ryōhō Hikkei (1920s), Q&A and Guidelines

• Usui Memorial inscription (1927) by J. Ushida & M. Okada, inscribed teachings

• Reiki Ryōhō Hikkei, Five Precepts section

• Usui Q&A excerpts (Taishō era) – e.g. “anyone can receive in a few days…”, “all with Shoden obtained healing power”, “Okuden is only for those of upright conduct,” etc.

• Gakkai teachings (early Shoden/Chūden notes) – e.g. encouragement of Reiju and gasshō practice

• Japanese Reiki histories (e.g. Jikiden/Traditional Reiki notes) on symbols and attunements

Tagami K. & Doi H., Reiki Gakkai records – on Shoden practices (as referenced by modern traditional Reiki authors).