FAQ
Is Reiki a Religion?
Reiki is not and never was a religion. While it does have roots in Buddhism and Shintoism and is spiritual in nature in that it comes from the God-source, it does not have a belief system, philosophy or doctrine and requires no level of spiritual development to learn or practice. Reiki is not dependent upon belief and will work whether you “believe” in it or not. It is a natural healing art based on tapping the universal life energy present in all living things.
Can Reiki Cause Harm?
Reiki is guided by spiritual consciousness and can never do harm.[1] It is a very effective technique for addressing a variety of ailments from stress to physical injuries and everything in-between. In the many years I have practiced and taught Reiki, I have had many conversations with Reiki Masters and practitioners alike who are under the impression that Reiki can be harmful and should not be used under certain circumstances. Kathie Lipinski, a Reiki Master and registered nurse writes, “These ‘should not’s’ are invariably based on inaccurate information. What seems to happen is that Reiki practitioners and teachers hear a Reiki ‘should not’ and simply pass it on without checking to see if it was true. At times, these misconceptions have prevented people from receiving Reiki who really need it.”[2]
One misconception that I have experienced several times is the client reporting that they felt worse after the treatment than before I started. This is called a “healing reaction” and may be one factor contributing to why so many believe that Reiki can cause harm. In actuality, the worsening of the condition is a result of the body releasing toxins and usually dissipates within a few hours or overnight. This releasing of toxins will help to promote healing and is a good thing. We welcome and encourage healing reactions because they are an indication that the body has begun the process of releasing toxins. Reiki can be used for any circumstance and for any health condition. It adjusts to the needs of the recipient without any conscious effort of the practitioner.
Why is My Reiki Lineage Important?
Your Reiki lineage is important because it is a roadmap comparable to a family tree which traces the Reiki teachings and traditions as they were handed down from teacher to teacher all the way back Usui Sensei himself. Different lineages will have different techniques and understandings. They will be similar, but they will be different to some degree.
Is One Lineage Better Than Another?
No. Reiki energy is Reiki energy regardless of which school (or lineage) you may be drawn to. There is only one energy.
How Many Levels of Reiki are There?
One of the most common questions asked is how many levels of Reiki there are. The answer is dependent upon which school (or lineage) you are learning from. For example, in one of my schools there are four levels of Reiki. Other lineages of Reiki can have as few as three to as many as seven or more. Traditionally speaking however, Usui Sensei only taught three: Shoden (Level 1), Okuden (Level 2), and Shinpiden (Master Teacher).
Level 1 Practitioner: Level 1 is an introduction to Reiki and lays the foundation for the practitioner. Level 1 is the starting point of every Reiki practitioner. The Reiki energy is administered using the laying on of hands method and the student is taught the process of performing a treatment on themselves and on others It will always be used in treatments, even by a Reiki Master. No experience, prerequisite training, or preparation is needed and it can be learned in one to two days depending on the lineage.
Level 2 Practitioner: A Level 2 practitioner learns three energy symbols that enhance the Reiki energy. Each symbol has a specific function and application. The student is required to have completed Level 1 before proceeding to this level. Level 2 can be completed in one to two days depending on the lineage.
Advanced Reiki Training: In ART, the practitioner learns another energy symbol and several additional techniques to strengthen their Reiki energy. ART is a prerequisite for Master Teacher and can be completed by itself in one day or combined with Master Teacher for a three-day intensive workshop.
Master Teacher: The student who chooses to become a Reiki Master Teacher will receive the initiation and learn how to open others to the Reiki energy. The responsibilities of a Master Teacher require a degree of dedication and should not be taken lightly. Should the student decide to follow this path, they are required to have completed Level 1 and Level 2 (some lineages may have an additional level as well). This class requires at least two days to complete.
It is important to note that some teachers require the student to be actively practicing Reiki for a period of time before being permitted to complete this level (they may be required to submit documentation of treatments for verification).
Reiki is not and never was a religion. While it does have roots in Buddhism and Shintoism and is spiritual in nature in that it comes from the God-source, it does not have a belief system, philosophy or doctrine and requires no level of spiritual development to learn or practice. Reiki is not dependent upon belief and will work whether you “believe” in it or not. It is a natural healing art based on tapping the universal life energy present in all living things.
Can Reiki Cause Harm?
Reiki is guided by spiritual consciousness and can never do harm.[1] It is a very effective technique for addressing a variety of ailments from stress to physical injuries and everything in-between. In the many years I have practiced and taught Reiki, I have had many conversations with Reiki Masters and practitioners alike who are under the impression that Reiki can be harmful and should not be used under certain circumstances. Kathie Lipinski, a Reiki Master and registered nurse writes, “These ‘should not’s’ are invariably based on inaccurate information. What seems to happen is that Reiki practitioners and teachers hear a Reiki ‘should not’ and simply pass it on without checking to see if it was true. At times, these misconceptions have prevented people from receiving Reiki who really need it.”[2]
One misconception that I have experienced several times is the client reporting that they felt worse after the treatment than before I started. This is called a “healing reaction” and may be one factor contributing to why so many believe that Reiki can cause harm. In actuality, the worsening of the condition is a result of the body releasing toxins and usually dissipates within a few hours or overnight. This releasing of toxins will help to promote healing and is a good thing. We welcome and encourage healing reactions because they are an indication that the body has begun the process of releasing toxins. Reiki can be used for any circumstance and for any health condition. It adjusts to the needs of the recipient without any conscious effort of the practitioner.
Why is My Reiki Lineage Important?
Your Reiki lineage is important because it is a roadmap comparable to a family tree which traces the Reiki teachings and traditions as they were handed down from teacher to teacher all the way back Usui Sensei himself. Different lineages will have different techniques and understandings. They will be similar, but they will be different to some degree.
Is One Lineage Better Than Another?
No. Reiki energy is Reiki energy regardless of which school (or lineage) you may be drawn to. There is only one energy.
How Many Levels of Reiki are There?
One of the most common questions asked is how many levels of Reiki there are. The answer is dependent upon which school (or lineage) you are learning from. For example, in one of my schools there are four levels of Reiki. Other lineages of Reiki can have as few as three to as many as seven or more. Traditionally speaking however, Usui Sensei only taught three: Shoden (Level 1), Okuden (Level 2), and Shinpiden (Master Teacher).
Level 1 Practitioner: Level 1 is an introduction to Reiki and lays the foundation for the practitioner. Level 1 is the starting point of every Reiki practitioner. The Reiki energy is administered using the laying on of hands method and the student is taught the process of performing a treatment on themselves and on others It will always be used in treatments, even by a Reiki Master. No experience, prerequisite training, or preparation is needed and it can be learned in one to two days depending on the lineage.
Level 2 Practitioner: A Level 2 practitioner learns three energy symbols that enhance the Reiki energy. Each symbol has a specific function and application. The student is required to have completed Level 1 before proceeding to this level. Level 2 can be completed in one to two days depending on the lineage.
Advanced Reiki Training: In ART, the practitioner learns another energy symbol and several additional techniques to strengthen their Reiki energy. ART is a prerequisite for Master Teacher and can be completed by itself in one day or combined with Master Teacher for a three-day intensive workshop.
Master Teacher: The student who chooses to become a Reiki Master Teacher will receive the initiation and learn how to open others to the Reiki energy. The responsibilities of a Master Teacher require a degree of dedication and should not be taken lightly. Should the student decide to follow this path, they are required to have completed Level 1 and Level 2 (some lineages may have an additional level as well). This class requires at least two days to complete.
It is important to note that some teachers require the student to be actively practicing Reiki for a period of time before being permitted to complete this level (they may be required to submit documentation of treatments for verification).
[1] Rand, William Lee, Reiki: The Healing Touch First and Second Degree Manual, 6.
[2] Lipinski, Kathie, Reiki Myths and Misconceptions, Reiki News Magazine, 51.
[2] Lipinski, Kathie, Reiki Myths and Misconceptions, Reiki News Magazine, 51.
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