How to choose a Reiki teacher

It’s kind of a wild west out there for those who want to learn Reiki. Adding the word Reiki to other types of energy healing adds acceptability and legitimacy, which may or may not be deserved. It depends on how much Reiki is actually taught. The ancient form of energy healing known as Reiki has become trendy. And many are jumping on the Reiki bandwagon.
 
What prompted me to write about this were two recent disappointing experiences with Reiki Master teachers. Both left me feeling deceived or mislead on one or more levels. As a Reiki Master teacher myself, I believe any Reiki student has the right to expect a professional quality learning experience, complete and clear student materials, and an environment that is conducive to learning. If you are going to pay someone to teach you the Reiki system and attune you to the Reiki energy, there are certain fundamentals that should be covered in class. Here’s what to look for:
 

1. Definition of Reiki energy: How the Japanese words Rei and ki are translated and the meaning behind them.
2. An updated history of Reiki: Recent research has resulted in a more accurate and detailed history of different types of Reiki and how Mikao Usui developed the style of Reiki in Japan that eventually came to the West. (1) 
3. How Reiki works: How the Reiki energy works with the ki, or life force energy that animates all living things.
4. The Reiki Ideals or Precepts: Five ways of being/living that form the foundation of the practice of Reiki.
5. The attunement process: How the student is connected to the Reiki energy by the Reiki Master teacher.
6. Behavioral/eating guidelines in preparing for a Reiki attunement.
7. Usui Reiki symbols: There are three symbols taught in second degree (Level 2) Reiki and they are empowered by the attunement. You should learn what each symbol is, be able to draw/activate, and use it.
8. Reiki hand positions for self-treatment and treatment of others.
9. Class venue: It should be comfortable, have adequate light for reading/taking notes and have enough room so that students can comfortably practice giving Reiki to each other.  
10. Class materials/manuals: These should be complete, easy to understand and have clearly reproduced graphics. The manual should be available to you to work with during class. If the manual is withheld from you until the end of class, this to me, is a red flag. It precludes you from asking the teacher to clarify the material as you are learning it, a step that is essential to understanding what you are learning.

Based on my background in Reiki, manuals from the International Center for Reiki Training https://www.reiki.org will give the student a comprehensive reference for learning and understanding the system and practice of Reiki, as it was brought to the West from Japan. The International House of Reiki http://www.ihreiki.com/ focuses on what was taught in Japan before Reiki came to the West. Another source for Japanese Reiki is The Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto, Japan https://www.jikiden.org/institute.htm. Under the link “Why Jikiden Reiki,” https://www.jikiden.org/whyjikiden.htm, there is an intelligent and easily understood discussion of what is happening to the practice of Reiki that you may find illuminating.
 
Some Reiki teachers use their own manuals. Ask questions about what their manuals are based on and if they have done their own Reiki research and study, and with whom. Yes, it involves some work, but it’s well worth it if you want to learn Reiki from a credible source and insure that your money is well spent.
 
Most importantly, ask for references from former students. This will give you an idea of the Reiki Master’s teaching style and approach to the material.
 
 Learning Reiki will start you on a journey that can be rewarding, healing and profoundly moving. Doing your due diligence before you choose a Reiki Master teacher is a commitment to yourself and your spiritual path. Many blessings to you in your Reiki journey!
 
 
(1) An Evidence Based History of Reiki, William Lee Rand et al, International Center for Reiki Training, 2015.