The Reiki Path We Are Meant to Follow

Over the years I have never doubted that the students I have been blessed with teaching Reiki to and thereby being a small part of their Reiki path were meant to take a Reiki course with me.  That is not ego or arrogance... but a simple truth...we had something to share/exchange...a connection to make in order to learn something from each other.  I have never taught a Reiki course where I did not walk away learning something from my Reiki student/s.  I am always learning and expanding and growing...each Reiki student helps me with this process...whether it is through their questions or knowledge base/life experiences that they already have...it is always a sharing/exchange of knowledge and ideas and wisdom.  Now having said all that I also know within my heart that they also are meant to be taught Reiki in 4 levels as I was taught...not because it is better but because that is just the way it is meant to be.  I teach Reiki in 4 Levels...Reiki I, Reiki II, Advanced Reiki, and the Reiki Master Level.  I love doing it this way because it allows me to take the student beyond the second level of Reiki to explore working with energy at a deeper level of understanding and introduce such beautiful/wondrous topics as Crystals... and making healing crystal grids and understanding those 7 amazing energy centers in our bodies called Chakras and how to tap into Auras and their colors to aid in helping a person on their healing journey...how to address clearing ones energy field and removing blocks to help the energy to flow easier and more efficiently which aids the bodies ability to heal. There have been so many Reiki students who want to understand so much about the workings of Universal Life Force Energy at such a deeper level without taking on the responsibility of Reiki Master...which is a very big life choice and a path that not all choose to walk...and that is ok.  We are all meant to walk the Reiki path that is just for us...some it is learning Reiki just for themselves...others it is for themselves and family & friends and pets...and still others it is to expand their awareness to connect to the world ...and then there are the teachers...the ones destined to walk the path of Reiki Master/Teacher.  No matter what path you choose or if you learn Reiki in 3 or 4 levels it will be the path meant for you.

I have recently been made aware that those of us who teach Reiki in 4 levels are coming under scrutiny because it is believed we are not staying true to the traditional Usui style of Reiki that is taught in 3 levels.  I was very saddened by this thought process as it will cause confusion and doubt for new students wanting to follow the Reiki path but are unsure what constitutes traditional Reiki.  I teach Usui Shiki Ryoho which is the traditional style of Reiki...the only difference in my teachings is I have taken the 3rd level and split it into two separate courses...giving my students the option of going beyond Reiki II without having to commit to the Reiki Master/Teacher level...I have also split the cost between the two courses...so there is no extra cost to do it in 4 levels as opposed to doing it in 3 levels. 

I am always trying to stay aware of what is going on in the world of Reiki and shifts and changes to information coming out of Japan about Mikao Usui and his teachings.  From everything I have learned over the years it is very different how we here in the Western world teach Reiki compared to how Usui taught it...he did not do formal teachings but had students working on clients/patients in a healing center for months at a time and when he felt they had truly learned the healing art of Reiki they then had completed their training...so my thinking is who says 3 levels or 4 levels are the only way to learn Reiki...the student finds the teacher that is right for them and that teacher will teach in a way that is right for them and the student ...and as long as we remain respectful and honor the Reiki path we are meant to follow...let us not stand in judgement on someone who may do it a little different.  I believe having guidelines and a lineage are very important when teaching Reiki to others...otherwise you would have the fly-by-nights who will do an attunement without the imparting of knowledge and understanding... leaving a student with more questions and no guidance...which is not what Reiki is about.  There is a rich history with wisdom and sacred knowledge that needs to be learned and savored that is all part of walking the Reiki path. 

So I guess what I am really trying to say is feel good about the Reiki path you are on and Blessed may you always be where ever it may take you...because that is the Reiki path you are meant to follow.

Reiki Blessings, Val