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Article by Kathleen Johnson as published on Reiki Rays, June 28, 2020

The Role of Byosen Scanning in the Reiki Session

Generally speaking, the treatment phase of the professional Reiki session begins with the energetic, or byosen scan, and is conducted when the client is comfortably situated on the Reiki table, and after the Pre-Session Intake and Discussion. Many Reiki practitioners recognize Byosen (“sick accumulation” or “place of sickness”) as a Japanese Reiki technique that identifies the areas most in need of healing and provides a baseline of energetic information for the practitioner as the treatment begins. Also, it creates a field of healing energy in the energetic body, enhancing the flow of Reiki throughout the treatment. The value of an intentionally conducted byosen scan cannot be underestimated; it provides a wealth of information about the recipient’s energy frequency in both the physical and subtle bodies. A thorough scan at the beginning, conducted at intervals throughout the treatment, informs the practitioner of the recipient’s response to Reiki’s healing energy as the treatment progresses, and is an indispensable tool.

I first learned of byosen, and its importance in a Reiki treatment, during my (first) Level 1 class many years ago. Our Reiki teacher emphasized the value of this technique, and strongly encouraged its use in all Reiki sessions. I took the advice to heart, and have incorporated byosen in all my Reiki sessions since then. Over the years, Reiki has guided me in using byosen, helping to refine it for optimal benefits. Its guidance is ever-evolving, and thus far, Reiki has helped me to develop a keenly focused intention for the scan, resulting in an increased perception of the individual’s energy field, and the areas most in need.

Learning the mechanics of the byosen scan is relatively easy and straightforward. However, it is a technique that requires practice and patience; these allow the practitioner to become increasingly perceptive over time to the energy emitted by the individual. With practice and patience, the practitioner becomes adept at identifying byosen in the physical and subtle bodies, as well as recognizing the response of these bodies to Reiki. As a result, learning and practicing byosen scanning truly becomes a necessary component of a complete Reiki session.

The Byosen Scan

To conduct a byosen scan, the practitioner assumes the Gassho position and silently sets an intention for the recipient’s deep healing and blessing. One may also activate Reiki symbols and invite the assistance of Beings in the highest heavens, if so guided. While standing at the person’s side as they lie comfortably on the Reiki table, and maintaining a relaxed yet focused intention, the practitioner places their non-dominant hand several inches above the recipient’s crown chakra. As Reiki flows, the hand moves slowly over the face, neck, shoulders, and down the body. Throughout the scan, the practitioner’s hand is held several inches above the physical form and moved slowly and intentionally down the center and from side to side. The practitioner continues this to the feet, while remaining focused and aware of those areas that emit a difference, change, or alteration in frequency. These changes may be felt as warmth, cold, tingling, throbbing, or a magnetic sensation, to name the most common. However, the purpose of the byosen scan is to locate the areas in which the practitioner notes a “change.” Maintaining the focused intention during the scan is critical, especially if the practitioner is new to byosen scanning. Remaining focused sharpens the practitioner’s perception and allows energetic information to come through more efficiently.

When the areas of byosen have been noted, the practitioner can check the recipient’s subtle body (aura) in the affected places by conducting another scan about twelve inches or higher above the physical body. For this, the practitioner slowly raises and lowers the non-dominant hand to determine the location of the issue within the subtle body, again remaining focused on a change or difference in the energy emitted.

Once the places of byosen are determined, the practitioner channels Reiki to the affected areas until a shift in energy is detected, indicating the presence of healing. Typically, the practitioner will encounter no more than two or three areas in need; however, there can be many more in some extreme cases. So, it is incumbent upon the practitioner to remain open to whatever energetic information comes through and take care to avoid complacency during the byosen scan.

In my practice, after the initial byosen scan is complete, I continue to scan at intervals throughout the Reiki treatment, which provides excellent energetic feedback about the recipient’s healing response to the energy. Reiki’s guidance led me to conduct multiple scans several years ago, and they have been an enormous benefit for my clients. And at the treatment’s conclusion, I perform a final scan to discern if any areas in need of healing still linger. In my experience, a thorough and intentional Reiki treatment will have addressed most, if not all, of the healing needed at that time. However, it is always best to be sure, and a final byosen scan will reveal any locations that require additional Reiki.

 

Levels of Byosen

A lesser-known facet of byosen is that it presents itself to the practitioner as detectable levels; these levels are indicators of the extent of byosen present in the physical and subtle bodies. Recognizing these levels during a Reiki treatment is a beneficial source of information.

In This is Reiki, Frank Arjava Petter wrote extensively about byosen, and defined it as the “Core of Reiki” (p. 190). In this book, Petter also identified and described in detail the five levels of byosen, as experienced by the practitioner. They are presented here in order of increasing intensity. Most practitioners are likely familiar with the sensations but may be unaware of their significance during the treatment.

The ability to detect, recognize, and identify byosen and its levels is a great benefit to the practitioner, and the individuals served. There is much to learn about the value of byosen in a Reiki session; its magnitude far exceeds the scope of this article. However, Petter’s book is a valuable resource for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of this subject and is highly recommended.

In conclusion, the byosen scan occupies an integral role in the Reiki session, and it behooves every Reiki practitioner to become experienced and familiar with this remarkable tool. Its ability to transmit energetic information throughout the treatment is truly a gift. And, although we know that, in its infinite wisdom, Reiki provides the healing most needed by the individual, the presence of a perceptive and knowledgeable practitioner creates a harmonious concert of healing for the recipient’s optimal benefit.

Source:
Petter, Frank A. This is Reiki – Transformation of Body, Mind, and Soul. Twin Lakes, WI:
Lotus Press, 2012.

4 Responses

  1. It was interesting to read the interpretation that s given to the different sensations of the byosen scan. It concurs with my observations. Thank you for giving it words. Elizabeth