Shinpiden/Reiki Mastery: Pure light
The title ‘Reiki Master’ is really a contradiction in terms. Mastering universal energy? Me? Well, it says so on my business card. But I am not a master of Reiki. When I think of someone that term would apply to, the only person who comes to mind is Jesus. He could heal any condition, even resurrect people from the dead, and his self-awareness was entirely based on the understanding that he was a child of God. He identified with truth rather than illusion. The universe was at his disposal. I am sure there are other figures of world history this applies to as well. But this state is not (normally) reached on a Reiki Master training course. And Mikao Usui would never have taken the title. Our knowledge about his life and teaching suggests that he knew he was still on a learning path.
The title ‘Reiki Master’ was actually only invented for a Western audience. When Dr Hayashi put together a graduation certificate for Hawayo Takata in 1938, he did it in English – and he was searching for a title that would be associated with completing the highest level of training in a discipline. That’s why he chose ‘Master’.
And this is indeed what this level is all about – in technical terms: providing all the tools and theory available in the system of Reiki so that the person can teach others.
There are several formats for Reiki Master training, from online and one-day courses (neither of which I feel are terribly profound) to three-day and week-long options. And the classic of Western Reiki training, a year-long apprenticeship (traditionally charged at US$10,000 and therefore increasingly less popular). Personally, I like the format of a residential course. Being plucked out my usual environment and fully concentrating on learning Reiki certainly worked best for me.
It may well happen, though, that we’re not really ready for a course, or what we learn isn’t as profound as we’d hoped. If this is the case, it’s fine to take another Master course a while later. I took three, and every time I learned something new.
The Master Symbol represents enlightenment – the realization of our true self.
This symbol, made of a number of kanji, is found in several esoteric Buddhist traditions in Japan and can be seen in many temples (one of them being the current Buddhist temple at the foot of Mount Kurama). It’s not certain whether Mikao Usui used it, but it represents the essence of Reiki perfectly.
The Master Symbol
DAI KO MYO (pronounced ‘Dye Koh Mee Oh’)
The mantra is usually translated as: ‘The Great Bright Light.’
A-I-KO-YO (pronounced ‘Ahh eee koh eee-ohh’)
To sense our connection to the source of the universe, to feel the light within. It can be used in meditation, together with Joshin Kokyu-Ho, and forms part of most attunement methods.
Learning the tools and technicalities and being able to attune to Reiki is only one aspect of the Master training. The other – and main one – is to use these tools on ourselves. Becoming a Reiki Master means embarking on a journey of self-mastery. Or, rather, self-discovery – discovering our true self.
Becoming a Reiki Master is a lifelong task. A wonderful one! An absolutely incredible one! But a task nonetheless. The Japanese name for this level best describes what it is all about: Shinpiden – ‘the mystery teachings’. It’s about the mystery of Reiki. The mystery of the universe. The mystery of life. Where do we come from? Why are we here? What does Reiki connect us to? What is the universe all about? Is there something beyond it?
There are no simple answers – otherwise we wouldn’t need to go through this incarnation! – but Reiki gives us a hint. There is something beyond. Beyond the veils of darkness and difficulty, there is … light. Any problem, any fear, any separation we may encounter in life is only a temporary experience.
And, as always in Reiki, this is not just theory – or wishful thinking. The deeper we go in our use of Reiki, the more we can feel our light within. Even others can sense it! Often in attunements, students notice light approaching when the Reiki teacher comes closer to them.
Of course, the Master training enables us to teach and attune others, which is a wonderfully rewarding thing to do. But most Reiki Masters never will, and that is okay too. Becoming a Reiki Master is mainly about ourselves – about our dedication and our journey. If we change ourselves, we can change the world.
This core realization isn’t restricted to Reiki Mastery – it can be felt at every level. When we can sense the light within, we can share it. And brighten up the world.