Section 7 - Levels of Reiki In Current Practice in America and Japan, Reiki is taught in levels, and through attunement by a Reiki master. There are three levels that are generally used, although in the Usui/Tibetan schools the level of IIIa has been added. Level I - Reiki Level I (called Sho Den in Japan) is taught to those that wish to learn to use the Reiki Energy. The class is taught by a Reiki Master trained to pass the attunements and teach Reiki. There are various attunements for conferring the Reiki energy on a student. Traditional Usui Healing Systems use four attunements. Depending on the School of Reiki one takes classes in, a Reiki I class material generally includes the hand positions used when doing Reiki on self and others, the Reiki principles, and the hisory of reiki. You then receive the attunements. Reiki I is taught by some to heal on the physical level. Some schools also add information on the effect of the energy on the organs and indications of illness and how to treat them. Some schools teach that Reiki I heals on the physical level. Some non-traditional schools add information on the chakras. They may also add a speculative history that reiki is from Tibet. Some schools teach the power symbol with level I. Many nontraditional schools only use one attunement for level one. Level II - Reiki Level II (called Oku Den in Japan) teaches the three Reiki Symbols and the student is given another attunement. Some conceptualize Reiki Level II as being a deepening of the Reiki experience and a greater commitment to Reiki. Reiki Level II is thought to heal on the Emotional level, while others believe that Reiki always heals on all levels. The Power Symbol, Mental/Emotional Healing Symbol and the Distant Symbol are taught. Their meanings and applications are taught. Some schools insist on an oral tradition (that is a western Takata based adaptation not practiced in Japan). Different schools have different time length requirements before level II can be taken (usually three months between level I and level II). Level II generally includes the three Reiki Symbols (Focus, Harmony, and Connection), Mental/Emotional Healing, Distant Healing, and another attunement. Non-traditional schools add the techniques scanning and beaming. Some others add spiritual practices to Reiki including new age practices, ascended masters, crystals, Tibetan and other practices. The time between levels varies, and in some schools Level one and two are taught in the same weekend. Level III (Master Level) - Third Level Reiki (called Shinpi Den in Japan) is the Master Level of Reiki. Reiki Level III is taught by some to heal on the spiritual level. The Usui Master Symbol is taught. The Usui Master Symbol completes the other three symbols taught at Level II. Some traditions require a great commitment on the part of the student, and there is a bond forged between student and master. Masters are taught how to initiate others into Reiki using the attunement process. Level III generally includes the Usui Master Symbol (empowerment symbol) and its meaning and application, The attunement process and practice in its application, and how to teach others. Non-Traditional schools add in three additional symbols. These are the Tibetan Master Symbol (i.e., Dumo), the Fire Serpent Symbol and the Raku Symbol. The attunement processes are modified as well with various Tibetan breathing techniques and the chi kung microcosmic orbit. The Usui/Tibetan Schools and other various Independent Practitioners have added a Level IIIa in between Level II and the Master Level. Level IIIa is often called Advanced Reiki Training (ART) although these techniques are not "advanced" and technically neither are they reiki. Some of the techniques that might be included here are: Reiki Meditation using the symbols for problem solving and for manifesting goals, Reiki and crystals, making a Reiki crystal grid, using pendulums with reiki, Reiki meditation to meet you "reiki guide", Reiki Healing Attunement, the Tibetan Antahkarana symbol and a meditation for its use, the Hui Yin position and the Violet Breath. In this dichotomy, Level IIIb teaches the addition of three "Tibetan" symbols, and how to perform the attunements. Level IIIa is an extra level added onto reiki in the Usui/Tibetan schools. Section 8 - How Reiki Works This section is the simplest to write of the whole manual. No one knows. See I told you it was simple. Anything other than, "no one knows", is purely speculation and belief. There are those that speculate that it activates the hara line. Others believe it opens the chakras. Still others believe that it reconnects you to the divine energy. There are many theories. In the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, the manual he gave his students he says, "I've never been given this method by anybody nor studied to get psychic power to heal. I accidentally realized that I have received healing power when I felt the air in mysterious way during fasting. So I have a hard time explaining exactly even I am the founder. Scholars and men of intelligence have been studying this phenomenon but modern science cant solve it. But I believe that day will come naturally." Even the founder seemed to be at a loss of how to describe it. I will share with you, that I suggest that you not waste your time worrying how it works and give you the following suggestion. Reiki cannot be grasped with the mind, it can only be known in the doing and being of it. When you "do" reiki, it is not so much in the "doing" as it is a state of BEing. In doing reiki you are in the moment of oneness that Usui shared. In the movie, "The Matrix", Morpheus tells Neo, "...sooner or later you're going to realize, just as I did, there's a difference in knowing the path and walking the path". Everything you have read to this point in this manual is "knowing the path". In doing reiki, we are walking the path. Reiki Level I is the first step in the Reiki Process. The ability to do Reiki is passed onto a practitioner by receiving an attunement or initiation from a Reiki master. This attunement is all you need to use Reiki healing energy in your own life and for those around you. Reiki can be used on Adults, Children, Animals, and Plants. People generally like receiving Reiki and report that it is a relaxing and stress relieving process. A normal treatment takes about 45 minutes to an hour to do. With children and animals it generally goes much faster (they are also much less likely to sit still for an hour). Section 9 - Ethics in Reiki The Reiki Ethics Reiki is a unique healing method. It requires that you touch another person. Not just with your hands but also with energy. You share in the loving energy of the source that God has made available to all. It is a unique and special gift. Many people coming for healing are vulnerable. They may be vulnerable emotionally or physically. It is imperative that you do not violate that trust that they place in you. If a person is experiencing emotional release, as a result of the treatment it is essential that you maintain their confidentiality and respect their lives. What follows are some ethical considerations to help you be aware of some of the issues that you might face as a result of practicing Reiki. This will be addressed again in Level II when you learn distance healing with reiki. 1. Ask permission prior to treating anyone. Some people actually do not wish to be healed. Respect their wishes. 2. Consider all information given to you by people you treat with confidentiality. Any information that is discussed in the Reiki session should be confidential between the you and the person. 3. Before doing reiki on someone, give people a brief description of what happens during a session and where you will be touching them. Have them sign a hold harmless agreement also indicating any areas that should not be touched. 4. Do not ever promise healing. Do not ever diagnose. Explain to people that Reiki sessions do not guarantee a cure, and are not a substitute for appropriate medical care, and never suggest that the client change prescribed treatment or medication or interfere with treatment of a licensed health care provider. 5. Suggest referrals to licensed medical or psychological professionals when appropriate. Do not attempt to diagnose or do therapy with people if that is not your specialty that you are authorized or licensed to do. 6. Respect touch and boundary issues for people. Having clients disrobe is never necessary for a Reiki treatment. Do not touch private areas. 7. When working with children make sure you have the permission of the parent. Section 10 - Touch Issues Touch Issues Reiki I consists of the History of Reiki, Information about Reiki, the Hand Positions, and Receiving and attunement. One of the major issues, often not discussed, is Touch and the meaning of Touch. This is an important part of Reiki and of life. Touch is an essential part of wholeness and love. From studies done on monkeys we know that without touch babies cannot thrive. We know from other studies that a mother's touch can relieve pain in children. Touch can be a sign of affection and a non-verbal communication to another. In Sports games, athletes often touch each other as a sign of support and respect. Football players from opposing teams often pat each other on the back after a play as a sign of respect and support for one another. Reiki is a "hands on" healing art. In practicing healing we touch others, or we touch ourselves. Let's explore both type of touch. Self touch is a particularly important issue. Many people are decidedly uncomfortable touching themselves. There are issues of self worth, body image, and sexuality involved. Some people feel touching themselves lovingly (not sexually) is narcissistic. It is important when doing Reiki on yourself to allow yourself to touch your body lovingly. The issues you might have about self touch will be apparent when you do reiki on others, and so it is important to deal with any discomfort you might have. Touching others as a Reiki Healer is a loving act. It is reaching out to someone, to share a gift of healing. Many people are uncomfortable in touching others. Most of the practice of the hand positions in Reiki I classes are to allow people to not only learn Reiki and the Hand positions, but to deal with touch issues. Some practitioners may occasionally find that the recipient may experience sexual arousal. This will happen from time to time particularly with a female practitioner and a male recipient. (Some have speculated that this is a result of the Kundalini rising..something rising in any case!) Understand that many people touch very little in daily life. Many people only really touch others in the context of intimate relations. Because of this, they may experience arousal with the physical act of being touched. As previously stated, this is not all that common, but to know in advance it might occur is important. Pay attention to the pressure you use as you place on yourself as it is the best guide to how much hand pressure to place on others. Be sensitive to others bodies. People who have abuse experiences may be very sensitive to being touched. Treating people who may have a difficult problem being touched is not a problem. Just as Reiki will pass though clothes, it will pass through the space above them. Simply raise your hands above the areas that might be difficult or that people do not want touched, and do Reiki. It will work just as well. You can alternatively place your hands to the side of the area and intend that it heal that area. The subject of nudity and reiki needs to be addressed. There is never any reason to have anyone disrobe in order to use Reiki. If the energy can be sent distantly to heal (as taught in Level II) then it should have no problem passing through some simple fabric. I have heard that one school teaches that attunements have to be performed nude. This practice is never necessary and places the student in an awkward position that is grossly inappropriate.