Learn Reiki Healing

In the article below, the history of Reiki is reviewed. In this article Eric Hartwell shows why we say that Reiki has ancient roots but modern applications. Hartwell outlines the origins of Reiki and the influence of Mrs. Hawayo Takata. Mrs. Takata is properly credited and praised for bringing Reiki to the West. But, along the way, she introduced some Reiki mythology that continues to be taught as fact by some Reiki masters.

The teachings of Reiki Ryoho (Spiritual Healing) began with Mikao Usui becoming enlightened on the holy mountain of Kurama in the spring of 1922. Usui-Sensei was a spiritual man, constantly working to understand the meaning of one's life and how to achieve contentment. He had many students who followed his teachings before his breakthrough 21 days of fasting and meditation on top of the mountain. His students referred to Usui's system of spiritual teachings as 'Usui Do' (Usui hand-application) and the man himself named his system a 'Method to Achieve Personal Perfection'. Usui taught his system as a method of self-discovery and development as well as a method for healing.

He healed many people throughout Japan and taught a handful of people his teachings, including three naval officers, one of who was named Dr. Chujiro Hayashi who is credited with bringing the Reiki teachings to the West together with another student of Reiki, Mrs. Hawayo Takata. Mrs. Takata was Hawaiian and traveled to Japan to learn spiritual teachings under the tutelage of Dr. Hayashi. After Usui's death in 1926, Hayashi continued with the teachings of Usui and renamed his teaching center 'Hayashi Reiki Kenyu-kai, (Hayashi Reiki Research Centre). He added hand positions for healing that are well integrated into the now traditional Western Reiki Ryoho. Mrs. Takata brought these teachings back to Hawaii in 1937.

Mrs. Takata is said to be the last of Hayashi's Reiki Master students before Hayashi took his own life in 1940. The history of Western Reiki teachings can all be traced back to Mrs. Takata. There is some controversy regarding Mrs. Takata's storytelling on the part of communicating the history of Reiki to her students. At the time of her initial teachings of this Japanese healing technique, after World War II, the anti-Japanese sentiment in the West was high. She modified the history of Reiki to suit the times, transforming Usui's history to be palatable to her Western students. This is where the false information of Mikao Usui's being a Christian Monk began. She concocted a story about Usui's worldwide quest for spiritual enlightenment and magical healing techniques based on his desire to understand how Jesus healed and performed miracles. Today, there still exists a great deal of incorrect reference in many Reiki resources to Dr. Mikao Usui, Christian Doctor, who studied theology.

In any case, Mrs. Takata had many students and called herself a 'Grand Master'. This type of delineation or hierarchy is incongruent with the original teachings of Usui, who was not concerned with any type of dogma or guru-worship with Reiki. Between 1970 and 1980, when Mrs. Takata died, she taught 22 'Reiki Masters' the teachings of Dr. Hayashi, who in turn was teaching his modified Usui Reiki Ryoho. From these 'Masters' the Western World has been indoctrinated with Reiki and it is now a spiritual practice and healing method studied by millions of people. In the 1990's many Westeren Reiki teachers wanted to travel to Japan to uncover the 'original' Japanese Reiki techniques and clarify the beginnings of Reiki.

This information continues to be cloudy, as the living Japanese descendents of the 'original' Reiki techniques, in true Japanese fashion, did not want to offend their guests by offering conflicting information about Reiki's history. Much of what is practiced and taught in Japan today actually comes from the more Western Style of Reiki Ryoho.

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on health and visit our associated sitearticles for free
Source ezinearticles

Reiki is a non-invasive form of energy healing that has gained great popularity in the last few years. Practitioners believe that it can be applied usefully to a wide range of physical and emotional problems. While the practice of Reiki may seem mysterious, the average person can learn it in a matter of days. The keys to learning and practicing Reiki are simple. As a student, you must have a willingness to learn the techniques of Reiki and a sincere intent to develop your healing powers.

According to most experts, there are three levels of Reiki training. The three levels of training build on one another. To learn Reiki fully and achieve the status of Reiki Master, you must complete all three levels of training. Each of the three levels of training is described below.

First Level: Introduction to Reiki

The first level of Reiki training lays the foundation for your practice of Reiki. In the first level of training, a Reiki Master will initiate you through special rituals known as attunements. The attunements connect you to Reiki healing energy. Indeed, it is through attunements that the student is said to gain the ability to channel Reiki healing energy to others. Beyond the initial attunements, the first level of Reiki training typically provides you with an introduction to the basic nature of Reiki. The instructor may spend some time discussing both what Reiki is and what it is not. The instructor will also outline the history of Reiki, beginning with its founder, Mikao Usui. Finally, the instructor will demonstrate the hand positions that are used when carrying out a healing. As part of this training, you will learn Reiki hand positions for self-healing, as well as the hand positions used when treating others.

Second Level: Reiki Practitioner
The second level of Reiki training expands on the first, and is required for anyone who wishes to become a Reiki practitioner. Here you will receive additional information on how to structure and conduct an appropriate Reiki healing session. The focus at the first level of training was on physical healing. The second level expands healing to include emotional and spiritual healings. In addition, for the first time, you will be introduced to the practice of distant healing. Distant healing involves transmitting Reiki energy to someone who is not physically present. In fact, the person might be located anywhere on earth.

A key component of the second level of training involves the use of Reiki symbols. At this level of Reiki training, you will be taught to draw three Reiki symbols. You will be taught how to use these symbols when you channel Reiki. As you learn Reiki and its subtleties, you will come to know which symbols to use, and in what combinations, for various forms of healing.

Third Level: Reiki Master
The final level of training is required if you want to become a Reiki Master. Here you will learn healing techniques not covered in your earlier training. In addition, your instructor will share more information about what it means to be a Reiki Master. You may also learn teaching techniques and tips on how to conduct Reiki classes. In this final level of training, a fourth Reiki symbol will be introduced. You will learn to use this Master Symbol and learn how to pass attunements to create new Reiki Masters. Depending on the background of your teacher, you may be taught additional non-traditional, or new-age, symbols to use in your practice.

If you decide to learn Reiki, be sure to explore your training options carefully. Try to find the best program available at a price you can afford. Keep in mind that not all Reiki Masters provide a quality learning experience. You may have to look beyond your local area to find a suitable Reiki training program. As you explore your options, do not be too quick to dismiss online or home study programs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?Learn-Reiki---Train-to-Become-a-Reiki-Master&id=1225969