Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki lineage, wanted Reiki practice to be widely accessible. During the few short years that he taught, he trained over 2000 of his countrymen to practice Reiki.
But he only trained 16 Reiki masters. Usui envisioned Reiki masters as teachers who were able to initiate and guide their students in their developing Reiki practice.
Chujiro Hayashi was one of the 16 Reiki masters trained by Mikao Usui. Hayashi practiced for 15 years, and like his Reiki master, Hayashi also trained 16 Reiki masters.
One of those Reiki masters was Hawayo Takata, a firstborn Japanese American who was visiting Japan.
Mrs. Takata met Hayashi in 1936 and practiced until she died in December 1980. In the last seven years of her life, she trained 22 Reiki masters.
To all the Reiki masters above, becoming a Reiki master meant becoming a teacher. First degree Reiki practice is hands-on, Second degree Reiki practice is distant healing, and teaching/initiating is the particular form of practice that Reiki masters, and only Reiki masters, are trained in.
Are you wondering why I share this history?
It’s because today, the term “Reiki master” has been stretched beyond credibility. The range of offerings to become a Reiki master runs the gamut from websites where you can click and imagine you’ve suddenly been transformed into a Reiki master, to old-fashioned in-depth, customized, relationship-based trainings based on daily self practice for life — which is what I offer.
Practice takes time, mastery takes longer
Reiki training is best taken slowly and thoroughly, with ample time to practice between First and Second degree classes, and a much longer interval before beginning Reiki master training. Rushing through training seems at best ill advised, a bit like taking a toddler for too long a walk.
Giving yourself adequate time to develop as a Reiki home practitioner, and then gradually becoming a Reiki professional, is particularly important before embarking on Reiki master training, which is best offered in an apprentice/internship format.
There is no shortcut to mastery. Isn’t that self-evident?
Even a simple practice such as Reiki reveals nuances over time. A Reiki master needs considerable experience in many areas — self practice, practice on others, and teaching — as a foundation for guiding others to develop their own practice.
Additionally, Reiki masters are small business owners. Our businesses are the portals through which we bring Reiki practice to the public, and therefore ethical business becomes part of our practice. It takes time and experience for many people who are spiritually inclined to mature through levels of misunderstanding and become grounded enough to recognize what ethical business practice is in any given moment.
Please read the chapter on Reiki master training in my book REIKI: A Comprehensive Guide and contemplate whether the perspective expressed in that chapter complements your vision of becoming a Reiki master.
If you are interested to be trained as a Reiki master with me, the first step in that direction is to register for one of my First degree classes.
Your class experience will deepen your Reiki practice and give us an opportunity to get to know each other. Just because you are a dedicated Reiki practitioner and I am a long-standing Reiki master doesn’t mean I’m the right person to train and support you as a Reiki master.
To me, the relationship between Reiki master and Reiki master candidate involves a lifelong commitment. It is one of the most important choices you will make and I encourage you to make it carefully. If you would like mentoring in this area, or any area of Reiki practice, let’s schedule a one-to-one mentoring session.