Date: Tue Dec 15 2015 00:00:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)
Dr. Usui was well steeped in the religious and spiritual practices in Japan. A deeper understanding of Reiki can come from knowing the context within which Reiki was developed.
Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin
A highly practical form of mysticism, Mahayana Buddhism offers precise techniques for attaining wisdom by negating the ego and entering the bliss of divinity. This book gives the background, techniques, purpose, and underlying theory of the Tantric forms of meditation, which have often been successful for those who have failed to make progress with more familiar methods.
This is perhaps the best first book to read for a westerner interested in Tibetan Buddhism.
It's important to realize that Tantra is much more than sex magic.
The Tantric Mysticism of Tibet: A Practical Guide to the Theory, Purpose, and Techniques of Tantric Meditation
Kuan Yin is the embodiment of selfless love, the supreme symbol of radical compassion. For more than a millennium throughout Asia, she has been revered as "The One Who Hearkens to the Cries of the World."
Kuan Yin is both a Buddhist symbol and a beloved deity of Chinese folk religion. This classic study traces the history of this most famous of all the bodhisattvas from her origins in India (as the male figure Avalokiteshvara) to Tibet, China, and beyond, along the way highlighting her close connection to other figures such as Tara and Amitabha. The account is full of charming stories of Blofeld’s encounters with Kuan Yin’s devotees during his journeys in China. The book also contains meditation and visualization techniques associated with the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and translations of poems and yogic texts devoted to her.
The stories of Kuan Yin are well told, diverse and moving. The author, John Blofield, strikes an excellent balance between philosophy, history, story telling, Kuan Yin meditation techniques, and personal devotion.