Recommendations for Finding a Reiki Teacher

Thanks to Pamela Miles, NYC, for her thoughts on this topic.

Public interest in Reiki treatment and practice is rising rapidly, leading many to wonder, what’s the best way to learn to practice Reiki?

The best scenario for learning to practice Reiki is an in-person class with a qualified, responsive Reiki master who is also a skilled teacher, and who offers students on-going support. A group class is a richer experience than going solo. Interacting directly with people in the same room, both the teacher and other students, enlivens the learning experience in ways even the most sophisticated technology cannot replace.

Here are some points to consider when choosing a Reiki class and Reiki master:

The teacher’s Reiki competence– Does she practice daily self-treatment? What was her Reiki training? What is her Reiki lineage? Was she a Reiki professional offering treatment to the public before becoming a Reiki master? What teaching experience does she have? What avenues has she created to offer students continuing support? It takes time to become a skilled Reiki master/teacher–and I mean years.
The quality of the teacher’s presence– Is she welcoming, non-judgmental, even-tempered, professional, and anything else you feel is important in a teacher? Does she have clear boundaries? Does she communicate clearly?
Your rapport with the teacher– This is an important relationship, so contemplate your values. If you are choosing between a teacher you like vs. one with more experience or a bigger reputation, I’d go with the one you like, especially if she will continue to be accessible to you, as long as she is qualified and committed to her students.
First degree-only class– Give yourself the benefit of taking a class that is devoted to basic hands-on practice, with a focus on daily Reiki self-treatment. The class should include the four First degree initiations; protocols for self-treatment and informally offering Reiki to others (this is not professional training); an accurate overview of the history of the practice, starting with Mikao Usui; and ample in-class practice time. The goal is for you to feel comfortable continuing your daily self-treatment at home by the time the class ends.
Time– Ten hours or so is a reasonable amount of time for a small group class. It’s preferable for the class to be spread out over two or more days, so you have the opportunity to practice at home and bring your questions to the next session.
Accessibility of the location– Is it necessary for the class to be easily accessible, or is it possible for you to travel to study with a Reiki master you feel drawn to?
Fee– Did your mom ever tell you (as mine did), “You get what you pay for?” Low fees may indicate low confidence, little experience, or lack of grounding. You want a teacher who appreciates Reiki’s value in the world. After all, you live in the world, don’t you? This is a one-time investment that brings dividends for life; it makes sense to be generous to yourself.
What if you don’t find any appealing Reiki masters in your area, and you are unable to travel? There are still options. Is it feasible for you to organize a class and invite a Reiki master to travel to your area?

At what point might you choose to learn from a qualified, attentive Reiki master who is accessible only through technology? Each prospective student has to ask herself, what is the best learning opportunity for me?

Keep in mind that, should you leave your First degree class feeling unsatisfied for any reason, you can still practice daily self-treatment, and consider the possibility of taking another First degree class at some point. I know many people who have taken more than one First degree class and found it enriching.

Your First degree class will give you everything you need to practice daily hands-on self-treatment, and to share treatment informally with others for the rest of your life, and that’s all most people need. So don’t feel pressured in any way to take Second degree (distant treatment). But if you want to learn distant treatment, give yourself the benefit of practicing daily hands-on self-treatment for a minimum of 3-6 months before signing up for a Second degree class.

The Human Energy System?

What does it mean to be “exhausted” after sitting 8 hours in a cubicle at work? How can someone be exhausted and feel drained after a difficult negotiation? Exactly what is being drained?  We are all familiar with this feeling of being drained or tired or worn out, but English has no words to accurately describe the thing we feel we are missing.

Have you ever gone to the beach or mountains to feel rejuvenated and refreshed? Do you remember how soothing your mother’s touch was as a child?  How can a place or a simple touch make us feel better?  We have all had these type of experiences, but English does not have the words to accurately describe exactly what “it” is that makes us feel better.

Have you ever met someone you immediately didn’t like, without even knowing them? Have you ever met someone that you just “clicked” with immediately, and now are friends for life? Do you know anyone who makes you feel drained being around them, or who you don’t trust but aren’t sure why?  What are we really experiencing about these individuals?

Have you noticed how animals react differently when you are angry than when you are in a good mood, without you saying a word? They know it from across the room. What are they sensing about you, and how are they doing it? Once again, the English language is lacking in both word and concept to explain this experience.

The simplest way to conceptualize these experiences is through the supposition of a human energy system. This is NOT the same type of “energy” as a scientist would define it.  It cannot be seen or measured by Western standards. It is not even a concept in Western cultures. However, it is something real that we all have experienced. The Chinese have a word that describes this thing we are experiencing: “chi.” Chi translates as the “life force” or “vital energy” that is in all living things. From here on, where I use the word energy, I mean the concept of chi.

Because Western cultures, and Western science/medicine, totally lack the concept of chi, we must look to the Orient for models that can help us understand. About 4000 years ago, there were yogis in India who spent their lives in meditation. They perceived concentrated areas of energy within the body. The yogis called them chakras, which means wheel or disc in ancient Eastern Sanskrit. They identified seven primary chakras in the body. They noticed a  relationship between these chakras and their mind, body, and their spirit, and realized that the chakras impacted their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

How could a chakra impact your physical health? We cannot explain how or why it happens using Western concepts. What we do know is that the location of the seven chakras is next to a hormonal gland in the body. The center of each chakra correlates with the nerve ganglia branching from the spinal column.  It makes sense to me that there would be a correlation between the chakra, the associated gland and organs innervated by that part of the spinal column.

What about your mental or emotional health?   The yogis also noticed that each chakra is impact by different emotions. Emotions are normally created by circumstances or our thoughts. Thoughts are very powerful and can be positive or negative. If you hold onto negative thoughts, your chakras become “dirty” with dense energy.  Dirty or closed chakras make you feel sluggish and unbalanced. It’s interesting that the Bible cautions against holding onto anger,  speaking badly of others, and other negative words and thoughts.

How can chakras influence your spiritual health? I can only base this on my personal experience. When I am balanced, and my energy is flowing, I am more peaceful. In this state, it is easy for me to meditate, or to sit quietly.  My mind is quiet, and open, with a lack of chatter, anxiety, lists or worries.  A place opens inside of me that pushes out this world and makes room for the spiritual.  I become aware of the quiet voice of God that I might normally not hear because of the noise in my head.  I can feel His presence inside of me and know that I am loved and not alone.  I can feel my own chakra that is related to the spiritual expanding as I am in this place of prayer and meditation.

The more you meditate, the more you will become aware of the subtle systems of your body. Eventually, you will start sensing something that is not part of the physical body, but still exists. When this happens, you are experiencing your own energy system, and maybe even a chakra.

If you are interested in finding out more about Eastern concepts of the energy system, there are many books with theories and explanations available. Other parts of the energy system commonly include the meridians (used in acupuncture) and nadis (used in Ayurvedic medicine).

Thoughts and Insights from a Christian Reiki Master

Hello Huntsville and surrounding areas! My name is Nadine Wormsbacher, and I am a Christian, licensed massage therapist and Reiki Master, in the Jin Kei Do tradition.  I have created this site to educate people, especially Christians,  about Reiki and how they can benefit from it.

Many people I speak with with have a fundamental misunderstanding of Reiki based on something they read on the internet or exposure to someone who has combined new age, occult, or shamanic concepts into their Reiki practice. There are Reiki masters who have integrated outside information to their teachings in order to create their own “brand” of Reiki. Unfortunately, these masters are not educating their students as to what materials are from Mikao Usui, the originator of Reiki, and which are from new age, the occult, or shamanic teachings. Some of the masters may not even realize that what they are teaching was not included in the Reiki system as taught by Usui.

Although Usui was a Buddhist, Reiki is not a practice based on the Buddhist faith and does not require any belief in the Buddhist faith. We know that Usui was educated as a doctor in both Eastern and Western healing techniques and he was a consistent meditator (meditation is also used by Christians). As a doctor, he also knew about, and most likely practiced qigong, an ancient Chinese healthcare system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention into a type of moving meditation for healing.

Reiki is a spiritual healing practice that includes daily self treatment, meditation, and qigong to balance the body, mind and spirit. Practicing Reiki expands your awareness of the soft voice of God, which is often difficult to hear because it is drowned out by distractions from the world around us. Our Reiki practice trains us to calm and focus our minds, despite distractions or upsetting circumstances.