Reiki is pronounced Ray-key, however since there is no “R” sound in Japanese it may actually be spoken as Lay-key or Day-key. The meaning of the word Reiki is usually taught as Universal Life Force Energy or Spiritually-Guided Energy. The two parts of the word are broken down as: Rei, meaning Universal (the less religious way of saying God or Divine) and Ki, meaning Life Force Energy. Ki is the same thing as Ti in Hawaiian, Chi in Chinese, Light in Christianity and some even related it to the Super Strings in new physics. No matter what you wish to call it, Ki is the energy that runs through everything, all the time. Reiki is fundamentally the term used to refer to a system of healing and self-development re-discovered (some say discovered, some say created) in Japan in the early 20th century by Dr. Mikao Usui (Usui- Sensei). This system is commonly referred as simply “Reiki” or “Reiki Therapy” and the formal name is “Usui Reiki Ryoho” which is “Usui Reiki Healing Method”.
Reiki has no religious affiliation, although it has been heavy influenced by spiritual and therapeutic discipline, practice and ideals found in Shinto and Buddhism. Many people of many different backgrounds and religions have taken the basics of Reiki and incorporated it into their own styles. Resulting in many variations of the original Reiki, some of which are still called Usui Reiki and some of which are “new” styles with their own names.
Even though Reiki has no affiliation with any specific religion, I must add that this is in many ways the same type of healing that Jesus, and many other great leaders of other faiths, used and taught.
Reiki Levels
Reiki is usually broken into and taught at three levels. There is some debate about which levels Usui-Sensei used and what he called them. Actually some claim that there are four levels and some claim that there are five levels. I teach that there are three levels, with attunement at each of the three levels.
Level 1, Shoden, allows for the student to become aware of the energy, letting go and letting the energy do its work. At this level students are taught what Reiki is, and what it isn’t. Attunement at this level allows the student to work with Reiki for self-healing and for helping others. Level 1 is for those that wish to use this hands-on-method of healing for themselves and others that are present with them.
Level 2, Okuden, allows for the student to learn the greater quality of the flow of Reiki, through the use of symbols. There are three symbols that are taught at this level which will help in setting the intent, enhancing the effectiveness, doing distance work, and performing treatment at deeper psycho-emotional levels.
Level Master/Teacher, Shinpiden, allows for the student to gain knowledge of the ability to pass on attunements to others. It is at this level that the student is attuned to the fourth and final symbol and instructed in its use. Students at this level will also develop a deeper understanding and connection to the Reiki experience.
If you are interested in learning Reiki or knowing more about it check out our Reiki Level 1 Course for free.
If you are interested in Learning Reiki beyond Level I please check out our Usui Reiki Master Training Course
If you don’t want to learn Reiki yourself but would like to receive the benefits schedule a Reiki Distance Healing Session and let us send you loving, calming energy!
