Reiki practitioners use the Joshin Kokyu Ho Reiki meditation technique to expand, clear, and strengthen their energy. You can use it too, even if you’re not a Reiki or energy healing practitioner. See how.

What is Joshin Kokyu Ho

Joshin Kokyu Ho means focused breathing technique (Bronwen and Frans Stiene, 2005). In Japanese ‘joshin’ means focusing the mind or attention, ‘kokyu‘ means breaking, and ‘ho’ means technique. A Traditional Usui Reiki fundamental practice, this Reiki meditation is described a bit differently in the relevant literature. Here, I’ve expanded the meditation further as is explained below.

Its use is to quiet, clear, and purify the mind. Plus, ground, open, and expand intuition and deepen the connection with Reiki energy. 

Joshin Kokyu Ho is For Everyone

Borrowing the structure and steps of this Reiki meditation, a practitioner can channel other forms of healing energy or other frequencies of life-force energy. Only in this case, the type of energy and healing would obviously be something other than Reiki. And, the practice would lie outside Reiki traditions. Nevertheless, the practitioner could reap similar benefits.

Finally, non-energy healers can use this technique as well. They can simply channel, encourage the flow, and move their own life force – that which gives them life. And, every living thing channels life-force energy. That means you too.

When any form of life-force energy is clear, free-flowing, and vibrant, it promotes balance, healing, good health, and well-being. This is why Joshin Kokyu Ho is or everyone

The Power of a Clear ‘Hallow Bone’

As an energy healer and Reiki practitioner and instructor, I’ve noticed how my energy and that of my students can influence a healing session. For example, if one of us is depleted or ill the energy channel created will often be less proficient and productive. This is because Reiki passes through us as we act as open channels (or what some refer to as hollow bones), and some of that energy will be diverted to recharge and address our imbalances. This can detract from our clients’ healing, which we do not want.

As healers, practicing Joshin Kokyu Ho before offering a healing session to another person can dramatically cleanse, strengthen and expand our energy as well as our ability to support our client’s healing. Again and again, students and participants at my Reiki Shares have noted a significant positive transformation doing this Reiki meditation.

While clear and strong energy facilitates healing, it also supports clarity of mind, thinking, decision-making, and other ordinary tasks.

In addition, regularly practicing Joshin Kokyu Ho strengthens and sharpens your intuitive capacities and can help you remain clear and less permeable to other unwanted energies.

Joshin Kokyu Ho Reiki Meditation Steps:

This meditation can be practiced anywhere at any time. However, noise, clutter, and distractions can detract from the experience and outcome. That’s because you’re more inclined to be focused and more deeply engaged in a quiet, uncluttered, and comfortable space. Use your best judgment.

The duration of the meditation depends on you and your preferences. Make it as short as five minutes and as long as an hour or more.

The original and standard version of Joshin Kokyu Ho is short. That can be a particular intention or a part of the physical body or any energy body. To practice this short version start at the beginning. Continue through the steps within the physical body. Then, jump to “Ending the Meditation.”

In my version of the Reiki meditation, I’ve increased the steps to stress greater expansion and connection with the energy of all that there is, which is referred to as the universe, source, the divine, or God. Specifically, the breath work starts at the core – the tanden. Then it moves through the body and outward through the energy bodies, and beyond to the universe and all that is.

But, before starting, note the meanings of two terms used in the meditation.

• The tanden (dantian, dan tian or hara, depending on the country or culture) refers to the seat of life-force energy within the body and is located just inches below the navel.
• The central light column (CLC) is an energetic column, channel, or space that runs from the base of the spine through the top of the head where the seven major chakras can be found. Also referred to as the Sushumna.

Preparation Steps:

As with most spiritual and meditative practices, it’s a good idea, to begin with a grounding practice. Use whatever practice you like, or see my blog post on how to ground and anchor for ideas.

1. Start in a comfortable standing or sitting position.
2. Close your eyes or maintain a soft gaze.
3. Breathe slowly through your nose, letting go of any tension.
4. Raise your shoulder to your ears. Then roll them back and down your back. Feel your chest, spine, and the nadis (energy channels running down your spine) opening as you do this.

Begin Joshin Kokyu Ho (Both short and long versions):

1. Place the hands in the angela mudra (prayer position or Gassho) in front of your heart to calm the mind and free the breath.
2. Take two or three long deep cleansing breaths.
3. Hold your hands up as high as comfortably possible with your palms opens skyward, and sense the light of Reiki (or life force) showering into your whole body.
4. Slowly move your hands downwards to your lap. Keep your palms facing upward and your hands relaxed as if you were something delicate.
5. Bring your mind to your tanden located about two inches below the navel.
6. Listen and connect to your breath.
7. Breathe in and visualize a bright white light (Reiki energy), filling your head/crown chakra, and traveling down your Central Light Column (CLC) into your tanden.
8. Breathe out, and simultaneously visualize bright light filling the cells of your body.
9. Again, breathe in and visualize the bright light filling your head/crown, traveling down your CLC to the tanden.
10. Breathe out, and as you do, send the light to every cell, capillary, and throughout all the space and all of the matter that comprises your physical body.

Going Beyond the Physical Body (Extended version only. The short version ends and jump to “Ending the Meditation”):

1. Inhale and visualize the bright light filling the head/crown, traveling down your CLC to the tanden once again
2. Exhale, and as you do, send the light to every cell, capillary, and all the space and all of the matter this comprises your physical body and on out throughout your light bodies and layers of your aura.
3. Breathe in again and visualize the bright light filling your head/crown, traveling down your CLC to the tanden.
4. Breathe out, and as you do, send the light, the energy, the breath throughout your body, out through your aura, and to the Earth and all that inhabits the Earth.
5. Inhale again and visualize the bright light filling the head/crown, traveling down the CLC to the tanden.
6. Breathe out. And as you do, send the breath throughout your body, out throughout your aura, to Earth and all that inhabits the Earth, and out to the galaxy.
7. Breathe in once again and visualize the bright light filling the head/crown, traveling down your CLC to the tanden.
8. Breathe out again and send the energy throughout your body, out throughout your aura, to the Earth and all that inhabits the Earth, out to the galaxy and out to the universe and all that there is
9. Continue this last iteration of the breath work and visualization.

Ending the Meditation (Short or extended version):

1. When you feel complete, draw the breath back into the body. To do this breathe in and up from the Earth, moving the breath through your entire body. Then breathe out and down from above. Move the breath through your body and down into the Earth. Repeat this cycle at least three times to ground and center. Continue for several extra cycles if needed.
2. Then place your hands in Gassho and offer an expression of gratitude.

As mentioned in the beginning, anyone can do this and benefit. The amount of time you dedicate to this Reiki meditation is totally up to you. Do whatever works best for you, your circumstances, and your intentions.

For More On Reiki and Energy Clearing Practices, See:

• My Reiki and other Energy Healing webpages
• My Energy Clearing With Smudging ebook
• Read my Mind Body Spirit Blog