Teaching Reiki
In most systems, teaching reiki is a responsibility reserved for those who have completed all levels of training and have been practicing for some time. In this chapter, we’ll look at basic requirements for standard reiki instruction, which you can adapt as needed to suit your own teaching style and the needs of your students.
Due to the many variations of reiki systems that exist today, requirements for and methods of teaching are equally varied, but there are basic considerations that need to be addressed:
• Will the instruction be divided into different levels, and if so, how many?
• Which topics will be taught in each level?
• How long will each course be?
• Is there a minimum amount of time required before students can progress to the next level?
• Are there certain proficiencies students must demonstrate before they are permitted to progress to the next level?
• What is the cost of each course?
• Where will the course be taught?
• What materials and supplies are needed (e.g., treatment table[s] for practice sessions, manuals, etc.)?
• What is the class size limit?
• Will support be provided to students after the course, and if so, via what means (email, private Facebook group, in-person community meetings, etc.)?
Once you’ve nailed down the basics, it’s time to flesh out the course material—what will you be teaching, exactly? You might work from an existing text, or you can create your own course manual, which you might offer in combination with one of the texts in the recommended resources section to add your own thoughts about reiki, student exercises, and space for in-class note taking.
Here’s an overview of material typically covered in each level according to the standard three-level system, but know that a great deal of variation exists, depending on the teacher.
Level One
Students receive their first attunement at this level (some teachers give as many as four level-one attunements) and learn the basics of working with energy, both for self-healing and working with family and friends. A brief history of reiki is given, and time is spent discussing how reiki is used. In Gendai Reiki, the system created by Hiroshi Doi, the following topics are covered:
• Summary of reiki, including its history and philosophy (e.g., the Five Precepts)
• Hands-on healing basics (e.g., hand positions, aura cleansing)
• Administering self-healing and healing for others
• Basics of a reiki session
• Plant and animal applications
• Purifying spaces and objects with reiki
• Basic healing techniques (e.g., reiki mawashi)
• Self-growth and purification techniques (e.g., kenyoku hô, gasshô breathing)
• How to practice reiki after finishing the level one course
Level Two
Some teachers (myself included) require students to spend at least a month giving reiki to themselves and, optionally, family and friends before progressing to level two, but there are many courses available now that combine levels one and two into a single day or weekend seminar. In level two, students receive another attunement (or multiple attunements) and learn how to work with the symbols and mantras. Many teachers cover only the first three traditional symbols, leaving Symbol Four for level three. In addition, more time is spent learning how to administer reiki treatments for others, in contrast to level one, which usually has more of a focus on self-healing. This is also the level during which distance healing is typically taught, in conjunction with studying Symbol Three. In Gendai Reiki, the following topics are covered:
• Healing with the first three symbols and kotodama (mantras)
• Healing distantly, healing the past and future
• Additional reiki techniques (e.g., grounding yourself, charging objects)
• Traditional Japanese techniques for self-growth and purification (giho)
• How to practice reiki after finishing the level two course
Level Three
Students typically receive one attunement at this level, and some courses teach Symbol Four and its mantra, along with methods for performing attunements on others. Some teachers will provide instruction on how to teach reiki and business considerations for opening a reiki practice. Still others divide this level into two parts: the first for those interested in practicing reiki at the master level, and the second for those who also wish to teach. In Gendai Reiki, this level is divided into two levels, and the topics covered in each are as follows:
Level Three
• Usage of Symbol Four and its mantra
• Connecting to higher dimensions, including one’s higher self
• Deepening your meditation and self-growth practices
• Furthering your understanding of Usui’s philosophy
• Using reiki in daily life
• Additional techniques for self-growth and purification
Level Four
• Theory and practice of performing attunements for each level
• Living as a reiki master
• Deeper understanding of all four symbols and mantras
• What to teach in each level
When I’m teaching, I like to mix hands-on practice with lecture, both to keep things interesting and because reiki is meant to be experienced; it’s not solely an intellectual exercise. Using the guidelines above or books listed in the recommended resources, map out the topics and skills you wish to cover in each level, then brainstorm ways to convey this information in a manner that will keep the energy in the room up and engagement high, while providing multiple avenues for students to grasp the content. For example, when teaching core topics that students need to remember, you might present it multiple ways: visually, including giving students text or diagrams that they can refer back to later, and asking them to draw or write the information in their own notes; aurally, through spoken lecture and through having students repeat information back to you or to each other, perhaps in breakout groups where they practice teaching each other the content; and kinesthetically, through hands-on practice sessions. If attention starts to wane, take breaks and get people up and moving, perhaps using this time to practice techniques like kenyoku hô or reiki undô. Be sure to leave plenty of time for questions and discussion. It’s also great to offer a means (anonymous, if possible) for students to provide feedback on the course, helping you continually improve your teaching methods.
If you feel called to teach, it can be a very gratifying way to help others on the path of healing and self-discovery. Remember, you don’t have to (nor can you) know everything about reiki before you start teaching, so while it is advisable to give yourself plenty of time to practice and study before embarking on the teaching path, don’t hold yourself back by waiting until you feel like you’ve mastered everything. There’s always something more to learn, and by adopting a beginner’s mind, even while teaching, you open the dialogue to learn from and with your students.