Reiki - Master TrainingReiki Plain and Simple Ó A Comprehensive Guide to Usui Shiki Ryoho The Reiki Plain and Simple On-line Book, this site and all its contents are Copyright 1998-2001 Ó by Vincent Amador. The author of said material allows it to be used For Free Use only. It is to be shared freely, without cost. You may print copies of this work for personal use or to be shared with students, provided that it is given in its entirety, and this copyright message remains intact with the work. This material is not to be republished on other webservers, websites, translated, altered or in any other way used without the express written permission of the author. This notice supersedes any previous notices. All rights reserved. Becoming A Master The term "master" comes from a transliteration of the Japanese word "Sensei" meaning honored teacher or master. Many martial arts teachers are called "sensei" to indicate teacher, honored one, or master. Generally, these uses are appropriate as they have had to put in countless hours of practice, self-sacrifice, and demonstrate proficiency in order to use the title. In reiki this often is not the case. To me, it seems spurious to use the term "master" when you have received, at best, a few days training. The only mastery that is real, is self mastery. Real mastery comes from dedication to the principles, in doing them daily. It comes from doing self healings, and healings on others. The real intent of the principles was to bring about spiritual enlightenment, peaceful living, kindness toward all, calm in your mind, and in your life. They embody compassionate living. They embody the Buddhist principles of Karuna (compassion toward all beings) and Metta (loving kindness to all). Humility, gratitude, not-anger, not worry, and kindness. In healing ourself, living the principles, we find true mastery. In ego, in control, in monetary gain and in business, and in the endless adding of symbols and techniques we do not. Historically, for reasons outlayed elsewhere on this site, up until 1980, very few undertook the Reiki Master training. In her lifetime Takata made 22 masters, most between 1975 and 1980. This training cost $10,000 dollars American. This high fee ensured that only the most dedicated (or personally wealthy) could receive the master level. From an economic standpoint, the high fee limited competition so that very few could also offer training. After Takata's death, In late 1982 (early 1983) The Reiki Alliance formed with Phyllis Furumoto as its head. Not only did they maintain the $10,000 fee they codified the practice as dogmatic and it is listed on Phyllis's website as one of the nine essentials of Takata's teachings/Reiki essentials. Indeed, it would appear from that site that to even be considered for any "master workshops" that are taught by Phyllis Furumoto and Paul Mitchell that you have to had made the $10,000 master commitment. Paying $10,000 does not make you a master any more than paying nothing. Ironically, nor does it insure that the teachings will remain free of change as the vast majority of changes to the system, post-Takata, were from people that paid the $10,000. Perhaps teacher would have been a better translation in usage. In common usage a person who has the knowledge of the Reiki system and can teach it and pass the attunements is called a Reiki "Master". The reality is that despite the efforts to make Reiki complicated, it is very, very simple. It works best when our egos work least. On the one hand, there are indeed some very dedicated people who have worked at mastery, who embody the principles and are good teachers. On the other hand, there are others who bolster their ego with the title "master". Technically anyone with level III is considered a "master". People seem to have some very strong views on what constitute a Reiki "Master". In common usage in the Usui Shiki Ryoho and Usui/Tibetan Systems in the West, Reiki "Mastery" does not connotate advanced spiritual development, enlightenment, superior moral character or virtue. It means that you have received the level III attunements, know the system, and can pass the attunements to others. Nothing more or less than that. It is important to note that in America and the West, that despite the best efforts of some, being a reiki master does not imply spiritual mastery. There are spiritual masters who are Reiki Masters, but they are the exception and not the rule. Reiki is a beautiful spiritual experience. That being said it is important to look at the original design and intent of the system compared to what has evolved in the west. It would seem that in the west being a Master is different from what it is in Japan. In Japan, it is said that you have to demonstrate proficiency before being asked to take additional levels. In America, it is the opposite. You take the level and then hopefully learn and grow. Attunements do not confer "mastery" on anyone. Recently, I have seen some "Masters" refer to their students as "disciples". It would seem to me, that taking a few days training at Level I, a few more at Level II, and a few more at Level III is hardly sufficient to claim mastery. It is even more spurious to call those you train disciples, since this "mastery is nothing that entitles one to disciples. In its original form, Reiki was a path to enlightenment. The principles were to help you maintain a spiritual focus. Practicing Hatsurei ho (an empowering meditation technique) was a way for you to develop your connection to the Reiki source and to still the mind and develop your reiki channel. The practice helped eliminate anger, worry, and promote spiritual work and develop compassion. Weekly meetings were held to practice Shuyo-ho as a group and to receive reiju (reiju was the precursor to the western "attunements"). It was not a religion but a way to awaken to your life and soul's purpose and to promote healing. As a spiritual practice, it blended into whatever spiritual or religious practice you did and complimented it nicely. For whatever reason in the west these practices were dropped leaving just the system of attunements, the symbols, hand positions and the five principles. The spiritual aspect of Reiki is very powerful and this most likely explains people trying to add in their favorite new age practice to fill in the gaps. In the West, there is also no agreement on what the appropriate length of training is for a master. Some feel that a year long course with apprenticeship is the minimum they feel necessary for a new master. Some feel that a new master should not teach until they have had "significant experience" with Reiki. Others do master training in a weekend, while still others do Singular Empowerments to the master level. So the question beckons, which is correct? Answer: all of them. Everyone receives the Reiki Training that is right for them. (See how simple and diplomatic that is?) If you receive the master attunement, then you are by definition in common usage a Master. The reality is that once you receive the Master attunement, you could begin attuning others immediately. Personally I wouldn't suggest it because you need time to learn the energy and practice the attunement process, but you could do it, Reiki is that simple, and so is the attunement process. (I can hear the shrieks and gasps of those who feel that you must not make any masters for three years after receiving your master attunement reading this now!) I also wouldn't suggest that you teach anyone reiki until you feel comfortable with the energy, have integrated into yourself and your life, know the symbols and the information sufficient enough for you to teach others. For yourself, it is important to examine some thoughts and beliefs that accompany the decision to undertake mater training. The answer to these questions is not as important as your being aware of the issues and your beliefs. First, understand why it is you wish to be a Reiki master. This is not a lightly asked question, and one that should be accompanied by careful consideration. For me, from the moment I took my first Reiki class I knew that I wanted to be a master. I loved the feeling of reiki, the experience of it and I wanted as much as I could experience with the Reiki energy and system. I worked with it many times daily on myself and others. I was almost never without my hands on some part of my body doing Reiki. At the same time, I freely acknowledge ego-wise I liked being called "master", something I now shun. I was master of nothing, least of all myself, and was a Reiki "Teacher" at best. Some people want to do the master level for themselves, while others want to do it to help others. Both are fine motivations. In some sense, you can never truly help others until you heal yourself so in doing so you become more able to assist others. Some people see this as a step along a spiritual path. While Reiki is Holy, and a gift from God, always remember it is a "thing". Reiki will not do your inner work for you, it will not magickally undo a lifetime of bad karma, and it will not remove the necessity of dealing with yourself. That is why the Japanese practices of Hatsurei ho is so beneficial for the reiki practitioner. What are you going to do once you are a Reiki Master? Some learn to help themselves and their families, others as part of their desire to be healers and bring healing to others. Do you plan to teach others, or offer Reiki healing sessions to clients? Are you going to charge for your services or give reiki away free? There is a controversy regarding this centering on the value place in reiki, but also between people who do not earn their living from reiki and those that do. I have heard some masters tell students that they should not do the Master level unless they are committed to healing the world and willing to earn their living from Reiki. Personally I have never bought that arguement, and while it is admirable to work and earn ones living as a healer, it is not necessary to do that. | AngelReiki Main Site | Reiki |