Some Reiki Master Teacher Questions

A version of these questions came through via email. I thought other people might be interested in the very thorough answers, too, so I’m posting an anonymous version of the questions with my replies:

I was wondering what was required of you by your Reiki Master Teacher in order for you to be attuned to that level?

Thanks for your message. I took Reiki Level 3 Master and then Reiki Level 3 Master Teacher in early 2002. These levels feature the same attunement and very similar material, but Reiki Level 3 Master Teacher focuses on how to teach the course, as well as how to give Initiation Attunements. Reiki Level 3 Master only teaches the Reiki Healing Attunement, not initiation ones. I was certified after taking both classes, but I ended up apprentice teaching for a year with my teacher, who was also my partner, and then husband.

We had both practiced other healing modalities, but I’ve found Reiki the most powerful when used regularly. My then husband had three different Reiki Master Teachers for his Level 3 training and extrapolated what he felt was most important and consistent from each of them. He had also studied with Buddhist monks, and so incorporated some of that material as background to Usui’s Buddhist heritage. When he got Lyme disease, I began teaching Reiki on my own and studied numerous Reiki books, kundalini yoga, and other healing and energy modalities.

In terms of what I require of my own Level 3 students, it depends on if it’s an in-person or private correspondence class for Reiki Level 3 Master Teacher. I stopped teaching just the plain Reiki Master Class, because I found so many students took that class not thinking they would ever teach, only to find that they now feel called to teach. They have the correct Attunement, but not the training or knowledge of Initiation Attunements. I teach Reiki Level 3 Master Teacher with the idea of “if you really want to know something, teach it.” Exploring this level through the lens of “if you were to teach Reiki 1, 2, or 3, how would you do so?” helps students to learn the material in a deeper way.

Students are certified after they complete the course, but I encourage ongoing practice, auditing of any classes I teach, and I am in process of creating some guided practice journals for both Levels 2 and 3. In-person Level 3 is usually a 1-day in person course from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a lunch break; however, I give handouts ahead of time, as well as exercises and future auditing opportunities. For private correspondence training, I offer six 1-hour long phone sessions, plus handouts, homework and practice requirements. About half my Level 3 students already received Level 3 training from a different Reiki Master Teacher, but take the training from me so that they feel much better prepared to train others.

I’ve trained many dozens of Reiki Master Teachers over the years, many who had other teachers before me, so I know that this level varies widely, both in cost and scope. I have had some students who did a year-long apprenticeship with different teachers for thousands of dollars, but in the end, they did not begin teaching on their own until training with me. I teach the Usui lineage with the Tibetan symbols, since that’s how I learned, and I find value in the Tibetan symbols. I try to strike a balance between thoroughness, some self-direction, and lower cost than a formal apprenticeship would require. Hopefully that answers your question.

Thank you for this valuable information. I guess my main question is based on what my current Reiki Master Teacher is implying and that is that I have to go thru some kind of crisis in my life in order to be attuned to Master Teacher. Is this normal with all Usui practices?

No, I wouldn’t say it’s a normal requirement. The Initiation Attunements are like telling the Universe, “I’m ready for the next level. I’m committed to this next level.” If you don’t have resistance, then things just open up in a natural way. Sometimes people have resistance, or old things come up that make the need for change obvious. It can occur before or after initiation, and many times initiation to Level 3 is more of a confirmation of being on path. I do not require anyone to have a crisis in order to be initiated. Embracing ones path usually helps to avoid crises, or at least make the most of them if they arrive anyway. 🙂

Applying to take Reiki Master Teacher training through me requires at least Reiki Level 2 Certification, plus some back and forth emailing to make sure I feel you’re ready and that we’re a good student-teacher fit.