Levels of Usui Reiki
Ever heard someone saying or introducing himself or herself as Reiki level 'so and so'? Ever heard the term 'Reiki channel'? Did those words or conversation ever make you intrigued, confused, or simply curious?
Reiki is taught and practiced at different 'levels'. Each level has its specific capabilities and benefits. A brief summary below may differ from one Reiki style, school, or lineage to another but it should still provide a good general overview of different levels, skills, and capabilities of a Reiki practitioner. It should also serve as a background to respect and honor a Reiki practitioner's hard work, commitment, and dedication to the Reiki treatment and healing as both practice and profession. It may also serve as a rough guide for the support and services you may come to expect from a typical Reiki practitioner based on his/her specific level.
To begin with, ALL Reiki level practitioners are called a 'Reiki Channel' since they are all supposed to be merely a 'channel' to flow the universal life force energy through them and especially since none of them personally creates Reiki energy of his/her own in any way, shape, form, extent, or effect.
Also, it is very important to note that in some styles, schools, or lineages, levels 3A and 3B below are combined in one general level 3 (almost invariably called Reiki Master Teacher or RMT) and the Grand Master level teaching may be included in it.
Level 1, called “Shoden” in Japanese, is simply called a 'Reiki Practitioner'.
At this level, one is taught to lay his/her hands on (or slightly over) the recipient's body to provide a 'hands on' and in-person healing on self and the others. These practitioners are limited to healing someone in a physical proximity.
Level 2, called “Okuden” in Japanese, is called a 'Reiki Advanced Practitioner' since this is a considerably advanced level of learning, skills, and capabilities compared to level 1.
At this level, one is 'attuned to' and trained on using three 'symbols' including the one that allows 'distance healing' of anyone, anywhere, anytime i. e. regardless of space and time. So, these practitioners are not at all limited to healing someone or something that is only in the physical proximity. For example, these practitioners can treat and heal a person located across the globe from them, or, a past event (in this life or past lives), or a future event (e. g. an interview, an important meeting, etc.).
Level 3A, called “Shinpiden” in Japanese, is called a 'Reiki Master Healer' or RMH. This is indeed a significantly advanced level compared to level 2 and a practitioner is attuned to a new and very powerful 4th symbol known as the Master symbol.
At this level, advanced tools, techniques, processes, and procedures (e. g. deep aura cleansing, psychic attack removal, telepathic surgery, distant aura surgery, etc.), various and specific meditations, etc. are taught. The span and scope of the treating and healing options, skills, and ability of a 'Shinpiden' is truly amazing and almost unlimited.
Typically, those Reiki Master Healers who are not interested in formally 'teaching' Reiki and initiating/attuning others choose to stay at this level instead of advancing to the next level 3B or Reiki Master Teacher.
Level 3B, called “Shihan” in Japanese, is called a 'Reiki Master Teacher' or RMT. Since a Reiki Grand Master (GM) level is not taught or formalized globally, a Reiki Master Teacher is generally considered to be the most complete level of Reiki learning and the highest level of achievement.
At this level, the Initiation and attunement processes and ceremonies are taught. These practitioners can initiate ant attune a new person on to the path of Reiki healing at any of the above levels using special (spiritual and meditational) processes and ceremonies.
Practitioners at level 3 (A and B) strive to live and practice an exemplary personal and professional life that the level 1 and 2 practitioners would like/need to emulate as their role models.
Level 4 (optional) called “Dai-Shihan” in Japanese, is called a Reiki Grand Master or RGM. This is an optional and informal level that is largely limited to and taught in certain Reiki styles, schools, and lineages, especially in South Asian countries.
At this level, the teaching includes Mass and global healing, the science of symbology, RMT attunements, customization of Reiki symbols and attunements for specific needs.
As can be seen, regardless of where and from whom one may learn Reiki, it is a profession whose sincere practice requires a great deal of time, efforts, commitment, dedication, patience, and some amount of money. Additionally, it allows one to develop and grow some universally admired values, traits, and attributes such as compassion, care, love, service, gratitude, integrity, etc.
Contact us today if you are interested in learning Reiki at any of the above levels, whether in-person in the comfort and convenience of your home, OR, in our dedicated healing space that is specially prepared and energetically cleansed to offer a wonderful learning experience. Also, feel free to visit our Usui Reiki Training page to learn more about the topics we cover in our Reiki training.