Reiki is a simple profound energy healing practice that is both a spiritual and healing path. Anyone can learn Reiki (it is our innate capacity as humans to channel and utilise the life-giving and sustaining energy that Reiki. With a flurry of Westernised versions of Reiki emerging and the expansion of online learning modalities such as Reiki now being available, it might be enticing, for those wanting to learn Reiki, to go the easier, fastest and possibly cheapest route, which may involve learning Reiki without a Master (or Shihan/Teacher in original terminology of Japanese Reiki).
In my personal view, learning Reiki absolutely requires proper guidance from an experienced Teacher and continued mentorship and here's why:
Proper Attunements
Reiki involves students receiving Reiju (or Attunements), which are energetic empowerments that open the student's energy channels and enables them to begin channeling Reiki. This is a vital and mandatory aspect of Reiki. It is the main aspect. And only a qualified Reiki Master (Shihan) can perform these attunements, as they involve a precise process that connects you to the universal life force energy and this is traditionally done in-person only. Without these attunements, you won’t be able to channel Reiki energy effectively. You can read more about Reiju here. You can also read more about the problems with online Reiki Courses here.
Deep Understanding and Experience
A Reiki Master (Shihan) has undergone extensive training and practice, providing them with a deep understanding of the nuances and subtleties of Reiki. They have lived, breathed and experienced Reiki over many years and experienced their own healing and spiritual growth as well as experiences the impacts and shifts from Reiki on others. A good Reiki Master will have taken their time to reach Master/Teacher Level (avoid those who have fast-tracked it) and there is a depth and wealth of experience that will serve you on your own path. They have the experience to guide you through the intricate process of energy healing, ensuring you grasp the essence and principles of Reiki properly and also, to explore and understand your own experiences as they arise.
Authentic Lineage
Learning from a Reiki Master (Shihan) ensures you are connected to an authentic lineage, preserving the integrity of the practice. A Master’s lineage traces back to the original teachings of Mikao Usui, maintaining the purity and effectiveness of Reiki. Even within current systems of Reiki, the practices that are taught have changed over time. Some of the essential spiritual practices have been lost in the Western Reiki lineages which may impact the quality and effectiveness not only of the Reiki being channeled but of the practitioner's personal healing and spiritual path. Japanese Reiki has preserved all the practices. Even within the current systems of Reiki, it may be desirable to find a Master (Shihan) who teaches all the original traditional spiritual and healing practices.
Personalized Guidance
A Reiki Master offers personalized guidance and support, tailoring their teaching to your individual needs. As Reiki is both a spiritual and healing path, ever practitioner/student of Reiki will have their own journey with it, their own questions, struggles, challenges and triumphs. My Reiki Master once said to me, as you continue to heal and open your heart, Reiki continues to reveal itself. I found that the deeper my healing and spiritual growth, the more questions I had and having constant dialogue with and guidance with my Reiki Mater was essential to my continued healing and growth.
At times of struggles, my Master. at many different times asked questions of me and my approach to my practice, to help me discover impediments to my practice and to help course-correct. This is a 'practice' which means it can take years, if ever, to truly Master. Without experienced guidance from a Reiki Master, we could potentially spend the rest of our years of practice without course-correcting something that is an impediment to our spiritual and healing growth because we can't know what we don't know and don't have the guidance of an experienced Master to help us on our path.
Think of your journey with Reiki as sailing across a vast ocean. Each student sets sail in their own boat, navigating the currents of healing and spirituality. Just as every voyage is unique, so too is every student's experience with Reiki.
Your Reiki Master is like an experienced captain who has sailed these waters for many years. They understand the nuances of the vessel and equally of the ocean—the shifting winds, the hidden reefs, and the calm waters and the way the boat is used to move through the terrain.
Without the captain's expertise, you might find yourself adrift, unsure of which direction to steer or how to navigate the challenges that arise. The presence of a knowledgeable guide ensures that your journey is not only smoother but also more purposeful, allowing you to explore the depths of Reiki and spiritual growth with confidence and clarity.
A committed and experienced Reiki Master (Shihan) can answer your questions as they arise, provide feedback, and help you overcome challenges as you develop your skills and deepen your path. This personalized mentorship is crucial for your growth as a Reiki practitioner and indeed, any spiritual and healing practice.
Spiritual Growth
As stated above, Reiki is not just about healing; it’s also a journey of personal and spiritual growth. A Reiki Master (Shihan) will support you on your journey, helping you deepen your self-awareness and spiritual practice. Their wisdom and insights are invaluable as you navigate your path.
Safety and Ethics
A Master (Shihan) will also ensures you learn the ethical considerations and safety protocols of Reiki as well as legal obligations should you want to practice Reiki on others as well as yourself. This includes understanding how to respect the energy, the importance of consent, and how to maintain a safe and sacred space for healing, amongst many other factors and considerations and legal obligations.
Final Thoughts: Can You Learn Reiki Without a Reiki Master
First thing's first, without Attunements or Reiju, you cannot channel Reiki. This requires a Reiki Master. Secondly, learning Reiki without a Reiki Master (Shihan) is like trying to navigate a complex landscape without a map. A qualified and experienced Reiki Master (Shihan) provides the essential attunements, guidance, and wisdom needed to truly understand and practice Reiki effectively. And more than that, a relationship between a student and Reiki Master *Shihan) can be an incredibly deep, profound and incredibly enriching relationship. It is important to really take your time and find a Teacher that you resonate with, after also ensuring that they have the necessary background, experience and spiritual depth to guide you on this extraordinarily important journey.
If you have any questions, or want to chat to more about Reiki please contact me and we can arrange a time to chat. If you would like to book a Reiki session in Melbourne (or distance Reiki worldwide), you can book an appointment here or if you would like to learn Reiki yourself, sign up for Melbourne Reiki courses here. I look forward to connecting with you for Reiki!
Warmest wishes,
Fiona x
Fiona Phillips
Certified Reiki Shihan (Teacher) and Practitioner
Komyo ReikiDo in Melbourne
Within The Space
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