Category: Learning Reiki - San Diego Reiki 858-333-5988

I Which Master Should I Learn Reiki From?

5/1/2019

"When the student is ready, the master appears," this quote attributed to Lao Tsu is carries great wisdom to us all the way from ancient Asia.

So the answer to this question is simple. When you are ready to learn Reiki, the right teacher will find you.

You will come across the master who is right for you and just at the right time.

If you struggling with not finding a Reiki style that resonates with you or if you can't seem to find a class that fits your schedule, or if you can't afford the training - whatever it may be that's preventing you from learning Reiki right now, don't let it worry it. It may simply be that it is not the right time.

Once you let go, and flow with what is relaxed and natural, you will be shown the way, you will be given the path, and the Reiki master will come before you without any effort.

You may find yourself overwhelmed by the multitudes of Reiki courses. How should you pick the one that's right for You?

Go with the Reiki teacher whose ways are resonating with you most. Don't force something that doesn't feel natural. If you are not connecting with a teacher or if something doesn't feel right, then you have your answer.

Approach this decision from a state of peace and love.

Also you've taken a Reiki class and feel that something is missing or that you are not certain of your Reiki ability after the training, then what is stopping you from learning more? If you feel that Reiki is (or can become) an important part of your life, then don't stop after just one class, keep learning, keep exploring.

In a practical sense, ideally you want to find a teacher who

has been teaching for a while and who is actively practicing Reiki
has a very short and clear lineage to Mikao Usui sensei, the founder of Reiki
it is very important to do the training in person (you can learn a lot through reading and in an online course, but you will not be able to fully gain Reiki ability or reach your maximum potential as a Reiki practitioner).
ideally your teacher should offer ongoing practice meetings so that you can continue learning from him or her beyond the basics taught during a Reiki seminar
learn from someone who is dedicated and passionate about Reiki
learn from someone who is continuously learning and not staying stagnant under the burden of the "Reiki Master" ego
learn from someone who wants you to succeed

If you can't find a Reiki Master near you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. I can do my best to find or recommend a Reiki teacher close to where you live.

With love and gratitude,

Dr. Maria Danilychev, MD

How can I start practicing Reiki?

3/1/2019

The first step is to learn Reiki.

Although you can learn about Reiki online and by reading books about it, there is no way to actually truly learn how to do it unless someone teaches you directly.

There is a wide range of Reiki styles available today, and a wide range of Reiki classes of varying durations and prices, some closely connected and others less connected to the original form of this healing art.

It is important to pick the style of Reiki that resonates with you.

Keep in mind, that Reiki is a hands-on healing practice from Japan, so it is a very much a Japanese healing art. It was developed by Mikao Usui in the 1920s. He created a very specific Reiki treatment method for body and mind, as well as a very specific way of teaching Reiki which included Reiju (often mistranslated as “attunement”) and hands-on training.

So if you’d like to learn Reiki similar to the way Reiki was originally taught and practiced by its founder your class should have the following elements:

It should be clearly connected to Japan
It should be simple and everything should make sense
It should include Reiju
It should be in-person (there is no way to have a distance Reiju)
It should include hands-on practice
It should have at least one other student for group practice
It should be taught by a person who has at least some experience as a Reiki practitioner (not someone who just learned Reiki)
It should be taught by a person who has a clear Reiki lineage connecting them to Mikao Usui (they should know who was the teacher of their teacher, and all the teachers before them, all the way to Mikao Usui)
It should be followed by regular practice meetings offered by your teacher to enhance your Reiki ability and to improve your Reiki technique
It should not be outrageously expensive (should not cost thousands of dollars)

This type of Reiki training may be difficult to find, but it is worth it if this is what you are drawn to. Jikiden Reiki is one of such styles, and you are always welcome to learn with me at the Jikiden Reiki Training Center at San Diego Reiki.

Of course, you may also be drawn to other styles of Reiki. There are literally hundreds of Reiki styles that have been either modified from the original or have been created from scratch in recent years. Some of those styles may include additional elements, such as Chakra clearing, crystals, guides, attunements, but may be missing some of the original teachings, or may be taught online.

You may also choose to learn more than one style of Reiki. You are the only person who knows what is right for you.

Once you complete your Reiki training, you should be able to start your own practice immediately. I would also recommend continuing utilizing your teacher for ongoing guidance and support even if you start practicing independently.

At San Diego Reiki I offer classes and workshops that help my students with information on how to start their own Reiki practice. You are always welcome to take advantage of those seminars as well.

What are some best Reiki books to begin with?

5/1/2018

I am sure that there are as many opinions about this subject as there are Reiki practitioners, but I hope that among the recommendations you will find the books that resonate with you the most.

1. Consider starting your Reiki journey with Frank Arjava Petter’s “This is Reiki”. This book will not only give you the historical background of Reiki (which is essential for true understanding of this healing art), but it will also give you practical information about how to use Reiki as a holistic mind-body healing art:

2. After that, I would suggest taking a Reiki seminar, so that you can learn Reiki firsthand and not just through reading. Trust me, Reiki is amazing, and in-person Reiki training is an unforgettable experience.

3. If you wish to read a little more before signing up for your Reiki training, then consider reading the “Light on the Origins of Reiki” by Tadao Yamaguchi. It will parallel some of what you’ve learned in the first book, and will also offer additional insights into how Reiki was (and still is) maintained in Japan in its original tradition:

4. After learning Reiki, you may find “The Hayashi Reiki Manual” very helpful. I would not suggest reading this book before your Reiki training, since it is important to first understand why we are doing what we are doing as Reiki practitioners, and only then to learn some extra details of the “how”. This book is a great practical guide:

5. Finally, look into reading “Reiki and Japan” by Masaki Nishina. This book was just recently published, and it offers an authentic perspective on the development of Reiki in Japan. It will also help your understanding of whether the Reiki style you’ve learned is more westernized or more traditional Japanese. The only reason I am suggesting to wait until after your training to read it, is because there are many references to concepts that might not makes sense to you until you complete your Reiki training. This is a great book that offers insights that will help you make sense of many cultural aspects that have influenced the practice of Reiki:

What's the best course to learn Reiki?

3/1/2018

Reiki is a mind-body healing method developed by Mikao Usui sensei in the 1920s in Japan.

In spite of various historical events and obstacles, the traditional Japanese way of Reiki practice and teaching has been preserved in Japan in the Yamaguchi family, through the Hayashi-sensei lineage (Mikao Usui -> Chujiro Hayashi -> Chiyoko Yamaguchi -> Tadao Yamaguchi). Reiki in this lineage has been directly passed on from teacher to student, and it is known as Jikiden Reiki (“directly taught”), with the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto, Japan, carefully maintaining the tradition.

The origins of the other Reiki styles also stem from the Hayashi-sensei lineage, which was brought to Hawaii (Mikao Usui -> Chujiro Hayashi -> Hawayo Takata -> her students), eventually giving rise to various ‘westernized’ styles of Reiki.

If you are interested in learning Reiki, I would highly recommend going to the source and learning Reiki the way it was originally practiced. The only place that exists in the world today that teaches Reiki in its traditional form, is the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto, Japan. I would highly recommend learning directly from Tadao Yamaguchi sensei, the president of the Institute. Tadao sensei not only teaches Reiki in Kyoto, but he also travels around the world, sharing his unique knowledge of Reiki in its original form. If you are not able to join Tadao sensei's Reiki seminar, consider taking a class from a Jikiden Reiki Certified Teacher.

There are numerous Reiki styles that exist today, and of course, you can learn any style of Reiki from any teacher, but please keep in mind, that all of the Reiki styles (other than Jikiden Reiki) have been passed on outside Japan, changing overtime, with new forms created through various modifications, by adding concepts from other healing modalities, and by simply being invented by different Reiki practitioners.

In part, this has happened simply because a lot has been literally lost in translation, as Reiki was first popularized in the United States, from where it eventually spread to the world. Overtime, more and more bits and pieces of this traditional Japanese healing art have become naturally ‘watered down’ to adjust to the western mindset, making it perhaps more comprehensible to westerners, but unfortunately less authentic.

A good example of that is the different levels of training that exist in various Reiki styles. In most westernized Reiki forms, you will see the levels of training numbered (such as Level 1, Level 2, etc.). This is not the Japanese way. Traditionally, each of the levels of Reiki training had a name with a specific meaning, not just a basic number. This is just an example, but there many other parts of the actual Reiki training that have also been simplified and adjusted, pushing many Reiki styles further and further away from the traditional healing art created by Mikao Usui sensei.

Some Reiki teachers even offer online Reiki courses. You can certainly learn history of Reiki and certain Reiki concepts online, but there is absolutely no way to learn Reiki without being a part of a class.

Regardless of which Reiki style you choose, Reiki is Reiki. You will be able to know that it is something very special as soon as you start applying what you’ve learned.

Jikiden Reiki happens to be the purest, most traditional form that you can find, since it was literally preserved unmodified in Japan, without any external influences, and without any concepts being lost or dropped because of the language barrier. Other styles of Reiki that haven’t ventured too far from the original, may also be great to learn.

If you are curious about the differences between Jikiden Reiki vs. Western Reiki, consider reading “Reiki and Japan”, a great book by Masaki Nishina, who is both a Western and a Jikiden Reiki Master. (The book may make more sense after you learn Reiki, since there are some references that may not be clear to a non-practitioner.)

What's the difference between Usui and Jikiden Reiki? Should I learn Jikiden Reiki if I am already an Usui Reiki Master?

2/1/2018

Since Mikao Usui created his Reiki method, all styles of Reiki ultimately have Usui-sensei as a part of their lineage. That however, does not mean that all Reiki styles are the same.

What makes Jikiden Reiki different is that Jikiden Reiki has remained preserved in Japan in its original tradition for all these years. It was passed on directly and unmodified from Dr. Hayashi, one of Usui-sensei's students, to Chiyoko Yamaguchi, who later on, established the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Japan, which is dedicated to preserving the original Reiki tradition. Dr. Hayashi also taught Reiki to Mrs. Takata in Hawaii, and it was Mrs. Takata's students and their students, who decades later developed new Reiki styles, including Usui Reiki.

Naturally, because of language and cultural differences, Reiki has changed quite a bit outside of Japan. Many concepts have been added and removed overtime. So the main difference between Usui Reiki and Jikiden Reiki is essentially that Usui Reiki is more westernized and Jikiden Reiki is more traditional and more Japanese. There are lots of other differences, such as the symbols used in each style, the actual Reiki techniques, and so on.

When comparing Jikiden and Usui Reiki styles, it is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way, but the two are just different.

I am often asked by Usui Reiki Masters about Jikiden Reiki. Many of them are wondering about why would someone, who is already a Reiki Master of Usui Reiki would want to take a Reiki class in a different style. Well, there are two ways of looking at it. Of course there is no need to take a class if you have no interest in it. On the other hand, if you are curious about the Japanese Reiki tradition, preserved virtually unmodified from the original way Usui sensei used to practice it, then you may find Jikiden Reiki very informative and interesting. If you are interested in learning techniques that have disappeared in all westernized schools of Reiki, then Jikiden Reiki training may be of interest to you.

In general, I think that learning something new is never a bad thing :) (only if you are drawn to it, of course). So if learning Jikiden Reiki sounds like a waste to you, then I would not recommend investing you energy, time, and money into it. If learning Jikiden Reiki sounds exciting, then I would certainly recommend taking the class and learning Reiki in its original tradition.

12 Common Misconceptions About Reiki

12/1/2017

Reiki does not involve physical touch. Although in some Reiki styles (as well as due to legal regulations in different states), some Reiki practitioners may hold their hands just above the receiver’s body, the original practice of Reiki has always involved direct contact and physical touch.
Reiki is a massage. This misconception may arise from the fact that many massage therapists also practice Reiki, and the clients may be unaware when massage ends and Reiki begins. Although Reiki does generally involve light touch, and, in some Reiki styles, it may even involve light patting and brushing over the back and the legs of the receiver, most definitely, Reiki is not a massage. There is no pressure or tissue manipulation during Reiki. The benefits from Reiki arise from energy shift in the body, with the body naturally readjusting itself to the most comfortable position, without manual manipulation.
Reiki is not real. Those people, who claim that Reiki is not real, approach the subject from the perspective of "if you can't see it, it is not real". If you use this kind of argument, then radio waves, electrons, and microorganisms that cannot be seen with a naked eye are also not real. We can't be this narrow minded in the 21st century. If we think this way, we are putting ourselves in the same category with some of our predecessors, who thought that Earth was flat, did not believe that matter was made of particles, and that many diseases were caused by germs. At the time they could not see it, and therefore it did not appear real to them. Fortunately, we have an advantage over them, since we know about many scientific discoveries that revealed what was previously hidden from our view, proving that it is indeed there, and it is real. This allows us to look at the world with an open mind. There are things that do not have an explanation (yet), but let's not ignore them by default, let's give them a chance. The truth about Reiki, is that although the actual Reiki energy itself has not been measured or quantified by science, this does not mean that Reiki does exist. Truth is stranger than fiction, and you really have to experience Reiki for yourself and see the benefits, which can be remarkable for many people. So let's not wait until the science is able to explain the Reiki phenomenon, let's enjoy it now.
Reiki is the same thing as Healing Touch. While both can be considered ‘energy therapies’, and both may have similar helpful effects that promote relaxation and natural self-healing, the origins and the actual practice of these two holistic modalities are quite different. Reiki was founded by Mikao Usui in Japan, and it is heavily rooted in the Japanese culture. Healing Touch was founded in 1989 by an American nurse Janet Mentgen, and it is based on her own experience with Energy work. Reiki (in its original form) involves direct hands-on touch; while Healing Touch practitioners generally have their hands hovering or gliding over the receiver’s body. There are many other hands-on healing techniques that exist around the world, and although there are many parallels between them, they are not all the same.
Reiki is the same thing as Chakra Clearing. Many people associate Reiki with working on the Chakra energy centers of the body. While Reiki may be beneficial for Chakra clearing, in reality, the Indian concept of Chakras was never a part of the original Reiki teaching, but was rather added onto the Japanese healing art of Reiki sometime after the 1970s. Any Chakra balancing and clearing techniques taught as a part of Reiki training, is extra information that was not a part of the technique developed by the Usui sensei.
Reiki is a Religious healing art. Reiki is not a Religious healing art neither in theory, nor in practice. The founder of Reiki, Mikao Usui sensei himself, had clearly stated that Reiki is not a religious healing method.
Reiki is just a placebo effect. Currently, there is no clear scientific explanation for how Reiki works; however, this does not mean that it either does not work or that it is a ‘placebo’ effect. As a medical doctor, I have over ten years of direct observational evidence of the effectiveness of Reiki at inpatient hospice unit, where it was utilized as a complementary therapy. In addition, I have several years of experience of using Reiki personally, and its effectiveness, by far exceeds what one would expect from a placebo effect.
Only few select people can learn Reiki and be good at it. Although some people may have a natural inclination towards holistic healing arts, anyone can learn Reiki. The beauty of Reiki is in its simplicity, and anyone can learn how to do it in just a few days. As with any healing art, practice makes perfect, and ongoing practice is encouraged after the training has been completed, to maintain and improve the Reiki ability.
I can learn Reiki online. Reiki is a hands-on healing art and the process of teaching Reiki involves certain elements that simply cannot be demonstrated or done online. You can certainly learn history of Reiki or various Reiki concepts online, but you may soon discover that when you try using Reiki, it will likely be only marginally effective. (After an online course you may get the “It felt relaxing”, type of a reaction from your clients, as opposed to, “Wow, this was amazing!” that you can expect after learning Reiki from a credentialed teacher at an in-person Reiki seminar.)
Reiki practitioners can absorb their client’s negative energy. Reiki energy flows through the practitioner, and out of the practitioners hands, promoting the flow of natural Ki within the person. The practitioner himself or herself is neither giving his or her energy, nor absorbing the client’s energy. So no “negative” energy can be absorbed by the practitioner.
Reiki can be sent to place, object, or a situation. Reiki can be done on living things, but not on objects or situations. When Mikao Usui developed Reiki, he developed it to help human beings on a mind-body level, and healing of objects or situations was not a part of the original Reiki. So if a Reiki practitioner is using techniques to send Reiki to an object or a situation, then those techniques are actually separate from Reiki as were developed taught by Usui sensei (even if the practitioner has learned them in a Reiki class.)
Reiki does not require regular appointments. Being completely different from something like a massage, Reiki should be done daily (or almost daily) until the problem is resolved. Think of it the way you would think of physical therapy, one session might help, but in order to get the full benefit, you must complete the whole course, and not just one session. With that said, in many cases, people experience immediate improvements of their symptoms with Reiki, and for many Reiki clients just a few sessions are needed to achieve great results.

P.S.: I am using the word "Reiki" referring to both Reiki energy (靈氣 - REI-KI) as well as the Reiki technique developed by Mikao Usui (心身改善臼井靈氣療法 - SHIN SHIN KAIZEN USUI REIKI RYOHO ) You can easily understand which "Reiki" I refer to based on the context.

Who Has Benefited From Learning Reiki?

8/1/2017

Since I am not certain if your question refers to immaterial vs. material benefits, I will attempt to respond to both options.

I have been observing Reiki in action for about a decade during my work at an inpatient hospice unit as a medical doctor. The observational evidence of the positive effects of Reiki and other “alternative” modalities have left a lasting impression on me, to the point that I have learned Reiki myself and have been actively practicing it since 2013, in addition to my medical practice. I do not have a scientific explanation of how Reiki works, but I continue seeing impressive results with Reiki on a daily basis.

So to answer the immaterial side of you question, I can tell you that those people, who have learned Reiki and are practicing it, are benefiting others by helping them on a mind-body level with this impressive healing art.

In addition, learning and practicing Reiki has a profound positive impact not only on the receiver of Reiki, but also on the practitioner himself or herself. For example, since I’ve learned Reiki, I am a better, kinder person. I am more relaxed and able to deal with stress a lot better. I worry less and I’ve become a lot more open-minded. Reiki has allowed me to let go of the ego-fueled directions in life, and has helped me focus on what’s really important instead. Learning Reiki has allowed me to take a path less travelled, but also the path, where I can be more true to who I am and to who I want to be, the best version of myself.

As far as the financial benefits, as with anything in life, I am sure that there are people, who may be using Reiki for financial gain. For example, I’ve seen online Reiki courses that offer Reiki mastership after a few-hours-long training. This can only be viewed as either a misunderstanding on the part of the person who is offering this type of online class (hopefully), or as a money-making operation, since Reiki is a hands-on healing art, and Reiki training includes a process that cannot be performed virtually.

With that said, we don’t have to let a few ‘bad apples’ spoil the whole batch. The vast majority of people who learn Reiki, offer it relatively cheaply and often for free. Reiki is a calling, and although many Reiki practitioners can make a living doing Reiki, overall, the majority are certainly not doing it just to make money, but rather to help others.

How Useful is the Course of Reiki?

7/1/2017

There are several ways to understand this question, and I will provide the answers to all of the following potential meanings:

How useful is the course of reiki (is it worth learning)?
How useful is the course of reiki (do I need to take a formal course, or can I learn on my own, without taking a class)?
How useful is the course of reiki (as in getting a ‘treatment course’ of several Reiki sessions in a row)?

To answer the first version of this question, I’d like to say that learning Reiki can be most definitely useful, whether you wish to pursue a career as a Reiki practitioner, or if you simply wish to learn it for household use. In particular, in my experience (as well as in the experience of other Reiki practitioners), it can be very helpful for minor illnesses (colds, upset stomach, headaches, insomnia), minor injuries (cuts, bruises, minor burns), stress, anger, frustration, anxiety, and more. It can be very helpful for symptoms such as pain, nausea, etc., as well as with emotional and/or spiritual suffering. In addition, not only can it be used in a home environment, but Reiki can also be helpful if you don’t have access to medical care (traveling in remote areas, in case of being in a natural disaster zone, or when assisting someone after an accident while waiting for an ambulance, and so on). To summarize, learning Reiki can be very useful.

As far as how to learn Reiki, I would most definitely recommend taking an in-person course, as Reiki cannot be learned in any other way. You can certainly find a lot of information about the history of Reiki online or by reading Reiki books, which may give you a good starting point; however, because of the nature of this Japanese healing art and because of how it is taught, it is impossible to learn it online or from reading a book. There are several inherent processes to learning Reiki that must be done in person and cannot be skipped. If those essential elements are dropped, you may find that the technique you learn is not very effective, and truthfully, it cannot be called Reiki at that point, as it will no longer be the true authentic Reiki in the way it was originally taught and practiced, but a different healing art (similar to Reiki, but different). So, taking an in-person Reiki course is the best way to learn Reiki.

Finally, if you are inquiring about getting a course of Reiki sessions, then it is definitely a great idea if you have any chronic conditions or serious concerns (as opposed to new, and/or minor symptoms). Your Reiki practitioner will be able to recommend the duration of the Reiki course. Think of it the way you would think of a course of antibiotics or of a course of physical therapy. One pill or one session can help, but it may not be enough. Ideally Reiki should be done daily or nearly daily, until the problem is resolved. In my experience, however, it may often take just one session or only a few sessions to address various wellness concerns, often to my disbelief as a medical doctor (we do not understand how Reiki works from the medical perspective, and in all honesty, the effectiveness of Reiki is often shocking to me, since medically-speaking, it should not work, but it does). Getting a course of Reiki sessions can be very useful, especially when trying to address long-standing, serious concerns.

What to Do If You Are Not Sure About Performing Reiki Correctly

6/1/2017

There could be a couple of reasons why you feel that you might not be able to do Reiki correctly:

You may simply need more supervised Reiki practice. If this is the case, do your best to attend the Reiki practice meetings (sometimes referred to as Reiki shares) hosted by your Reiki teacher. Repeating the training is also a great idea. (I personally, take a refresher course at least once a year, and in spite of the fact that I am already a Reiki teacher, I derive tremendous benefit from it.)
You may have learned Reiki in a style that has been modified from the original to the point of being purhaps less effective*, especially if you’ve learned Reiki online or through a quick course without enough hands-on practice. In that case, I would encourage you to find another Reiki class.
You may be overthinking it. Giving Reiki is a very simple and natural process, and sometimes all we have to do is let go of the idea that we are ‘healing’ someone, and allow Reiki to work on its own, so to speak. When we come from a deeper place, and let go of our regular ‘conscious, ego-based mind’ approach, Reiki often works much better. So sometimes all we have to do is ‘let it happen’. (When you experience it, you will know exactly what I mean.)

* Reiki was originally developed in Japan, and spread in the West by Mrs. Takata. For a long time it was believed that there was no one left in Japan who knew and practiced Reiki, and most of the Reiki classes today come from Mrs. Takata’s lineage. Unfortunately, since there was no communication between the Japanese Reiki practitioners and their Western counterparts, some of the newer Reiki styles have been progressively modified to fit the Western mindset, and a lot of information and important aspects of Reiki teaching and practice have been either skipped, lost in translation, mixed with other healing modalities, or diluted, in some cases to a significant degree. Reiki is Reiki, so it doesn’t mean that if you learn a Westernized version of Reiki that it is not going to work, but if you are noticing that you are not feeling 100% about your Reiki ability, then going to the source and learning traditional Reiki the way it was originally taught and practiced, may be the answer. As it turns out, Reiki was actually preserved in Japan in its original tradition all along, with the authentic Japanese style Reiki currently taught by the Jikiden Reiki Institute. I did an extensive research in different Reiki styles, and based on that extensive research, it appears that Jikiden Reiki is the closest to the original tradition out of all the Reiki styles that are available for us to learn today. I would highly recommend Jikiden Reiki (it is incredible that it is now so easily accessible to us!) if you are looking for an effective Reiki technique in its original form for your own wellness as well as to help others.