The system of Reiki consists of three levels of training, each level building upon the earlier. But before we discuss the levels of training in Reiki, let’s look at what is Reiki.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing technique that promotes balance and harmony within the body and mind. The word ‘Reiki’ is derived from two Japanese words: ‘rei’ meaning Spirit, Divine, Source, Soul, Sacred or Pure and ‘ki’ meaning Universal Energy, Invisible life-force, Mind or simply Energy . Reiki can therefor be translated as “Divinely guided Energy”. During a Reiki treatment the Reiki healing energy is transmitted through the hands of the practitioner to the recipient, stimulating the recipient’s own innate healing abilities and clearing energy channels of blockages.
Level 1: Self-Healing and Intuition Development
The first level of Reiki training (Shoden in Japanese) focuses on self-healing and developing intuition. Students learn the basic hand positions to treat themselves and others. They are introduced to the concept of energy centers in the body (chakras and tan dantians) and how to balance them using Reiki. By the end of this level, students have a solid foundation in Reiki and be able to perform self-healing sessions.
Level 2: Practitioner Certification and Distance Healing
In the second level of Reiki (Okuden in Japanese), students become certified practitioners and gain the ability to offer Reiki sessions to others for a fee. They learn the sacred symbols of Reiki and how to use them to focus the healing Reiki energy for specific purposes. One of the most significant benefits of reaching level 2 is the ability to provide distance healing. This means that practitioners can “send” Reiki energy to individuals who are not physically present, allowing them to help people no matter their location.
Another exciting aspect of level 2 is the opportunity to start recouping the cost of the Reiki course. As a Reiki practitioners you can offer energy healing sessions for a fee and can begin to generate income while helping others. I think being a Reiki practitioner is the best job in the world. You get paid for facilitating healing in others! Reiki also compliments many other healing modalities and can be combined with, for instance, massage, sound baths, crystal healing, and life coaching (which is what I do as one of my counselling services).
Level 3: The Master Sharing the Gift of Reiki
The highest level of Reiki training is the Master Teacher level (Shinpiden in Japanese). At this stage, students become masters of Reiki and can also choose to learn how to teach others. Some Master level courses are divided into a part A (Master Practitioner) and part B (Master Teacher), and other Master courses combine part A and B into one course. During a Master Teacher course students are taught how to attune others to Reiki and to guide them in their own healing journeys. I teach Master Practitioner and Master Teacher in one course so my students all have the skills to teach Reiki to others.
By sharing their knowledge and skills, Reiki Master teachers can empower others to become healers themselves and make a positive impact in the world. Being a Reiki Master is extremely rewarding and humbling at the same time – I touch on this in my blog post of Five things I learned from teaching Reiki courses.
The Benefits of Learning Reiki
There are numerous benefits to learning Reiki at any level. First and foremost, Reiki promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Reiki also supports physical healing by accelerating the body’s natural healing processes. It can be used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness. Additionally, Reiki can have positive effects on mental and emotional well-being, helping to reduce anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. When you have completed a Reiki Level 1 course you can give yourself Reiki treatments, thereby reaping all the benefits of Reiki yourself.
Learning Reiki is also a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. After just one Reiki course, you will notice an increase in intuition, a stronger spiritual connection, and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
But don’t just take my word for it. In a study of over 1000 people conducted by my Reiki Master, Torsten A. Lange, it was shown that learning Reiki can change your life in the most profound way. My life is a testament to the positive changes that can happen when you learn Reiki, but now it has been shown that it happens to almost everyone! The statistics are just staggering! Nine out of 10 people who have learned Reiki would recommend learning Reiki to others and said that since learning Reiki their life has changed in a positive direction!
After attending a Reiki course (like the the courses I teach in the Garden Route and in Pretoria) you will not only experience the numerous benefits of Reiki yourself, but immediately be able to share the benefits of Reiki with your friends, family and even animals, when you give them treatments.
Conclusion
Learning Reiki offers a multitude of benefits for both personal and professional growth starting at self-healing and intuition development in level 1. At Level 2 you go gain additional skills and have the ability to set up a Reiki practice and recoup the cost of the course in level 2, and if you choose to become a Master Teacher, you can also earn money by teaching others and spreading the joy of Reiki even further. Reiki provides a pathway to lifelong holistic healing of yourself, facilitating healing in others, and a fulfilling career.
