In the years since Dr. Usui three people have held the position of steward to the Usui healing system in the world, making certain that the clarity, simplicity and integrity of Reiki remained unchanged. Dr. Chugiro Hayashi willingly took over this responsibility after Dr. Usui's death. As Dr. Hayashi's life came to a close, he charged Hawayo Takata with keeping the essence of his teachings intact.

Mrs. Takata lived, practiced and taught Reiki for over 40 years. She died in 1980 leaving the stewardship of Reiki in the hands and heart of her granddaughter, Phyllis Furumoto. Phyllis' guidance is felt and appreciated by hundreds of Reiki Masters and practitioners in the world. Her life is dedicated to living and teaching Reiki and to guiding and supporting others. Through these people the purity and essence of Reiki have been maintained.

The ancient Reiki Initiations open the door to grace and a deepening connection with both self and spirit. They offer the gift of light. Reiki is like a powerful light that fills each person illuminating and transforming the darkness within. It has the simplicity of greatest truth. It is an energy of magic and mystery--so powerful it inspires awe and so gentle it feels like unconditional love.

The energy of Reiki accepts people where they are and moves them toward their highest good. The ability to be present with every level of life grows with Reiki. It empowers by bolstering our strengths and gives support while moving through pain and fear.

Reiki is an intelligent energy that knows where to go in the body and just how much energy is required. Trusting in Reiki takes away the fear of human error. The energy of Reiki supports the highest good of both individual and situation. Reiki supports both allopathic and holistic treatments.

A Reiki treatment is generally experienced as gentle, relaxing and meditative. People often feel peaceful, secure, loved and warm. Emotions are sometimes touched and released. Since Reiki works where and how it is needed, experiences differ.

During a Reiki treatment the receiver lies or sits in a comfortable position. There is no need to disrobe as this energy moves through clothing and even casts. A complete treatment lasts for an hour to an hour and one half. During this time the Reiki practitioner allows his or her hands to rest gently for three to five minutes or more in each of a number of positions corresponding to the major organs, chakras and endocrine glands of the body. The receiver need only relax and receive.

Reiki is a simple and natural way to offer universal life energy to yourself or another. It is also a powerful way to support plants and animals. Any one can learn Reiki with no prerequisite other than willingness, openness and the desire to learn. The original tradition of Reiki recognizes three degrees--each exponentially more powerful.

1st Degree Reiki is often taught in a weekend class and may also be done individually. The class includes four attunements which empower the natural healing channels within to awaken. Students learn to use Reiki for simple and powerful self-healing and to give complete treatments to others. Many find the Initiation process of connecting to Reiki to be one of the deepest and most moving experiences of their lives. Connecting with Reiki in this way often brings about transformation, increases intuition and accelerates personal growth. The energy moves into a person's life supporting all they are and all they do.

First Degree Reiki creates a changing, a shifting inside an individual, as he or she adjusts to the finer, brighter energy of Reiki. This shift goes to a cellular level. For some the shifting feels dramatic, for others, gentle and natural.

2nd Degree Reiki means going deeper, with Reiki and with yourself. The timing is individual, for some a few months, for others--years. It is important to honor the time necessary to complete the shifting from 1st Degree. The class involves the sharing of ancient symbols for invoking more energy, for deep mental healing and for healing through time and space. This level of Reiki often brings about profound shifts in a person's life and awareness.

Reiki Master is the third level of Reiki. To be a Master involves a life-long commitment to grow and learn--to teach and facilitate healing. The process is very individual and very deep--often taking years in process. A Reiki Master is able to initiate and open up the healing channels in others. Most Masters commit their lives to service.

Not many years ago all Reiki Masters stewarded the Usui System of Natural Healing. A person connecting with any Master would be assured of connecting with the energy through the same powerful ceremonies of Initiation used by Dr. Usui. This particular ritual, passed on painstakingly and exactly, provides the actual connection to the energy. In a Reiki class the simple truths were passed on without embellishment, in the classic oral tradition.

Today there are many expressions of Reiki in the world. Leaders of these different systems have added their own feelings, thoughts, visions and ceremonies much as religious leaders through time have created many denominations. The form and content of both classes and Initiation ceremonies differ greatly as do the price structure and the amount of instruction received. The degree of connection, commitment and integrity of the teaching Masters varies as well. All have in common the use of touch for the purpose of transmitting healing energy.

While this offers more choice, it can be quite confusing. Each person exploring Reiki is encouraged to examine the different systems of Reiki and find the one that is the best fit for them. Meet Masters with different backgrounds. Many Reiki Masters offer free introductions. Any should be willing to talk with you and answer your questions.

Look beyond a convenient date or location and an inexpensive price. Seek to be sure that the Master's level of truth and integrity in their work and life can support you in your own connection, transformation and growth. Ask if that Master offers ongoing support after the class. Honor your own inner sense of rightness and connection and let that be a deciding factor as you choose your teacher. Take your time, be clear and certain of your choice.

The Reiki Alliance is a global organization of Masters of the Usui System of Natural Healing. The purposes of The Reiki Alliance are to honor Reiki, to serve as steward of the Usui System of Natural Healing and to provide support and community for its Masters. Alliance members realize that their training and learning continue after being initiated as Masters. Growth proceeds through: teaching classes, giving treatments, attending workshops and training sessions, private inner work, spiritual disciplines and the willingness to continuously open themselves to life. The prices charged by Alliance Masters for classes are standardized worldwide and have remained the same for nearly 40 years.

© 1992 Sheila King - Reiki Master
Sheila is a teaching Master of The Usui System of Natural Healing and member of the Reiki Alliance. Her practice is in Portland, OR. She travels to teach wherever classes are organized.