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Reiki Masters

Ok...guess I'll be the first to start a discussion. I am a Reiki Master, and I teach Reiki to Massage Therapists and anyone else who wants to learn. However, I do not feel that I should teach just anyone how to be a Reiki Master, just because they pay me. I make the choice of who is allowed to come to the Reiki Master Course. What do you do? Am I being too cautious? I just feel that some people may only be taking the class to make money.....and Reiki is about healing, not making money. Don't get me wrong, I charge for the classes and my Reiki sessions, as Usui said we should, I just don't feel that some people are cut out to be Reiki Masters. What do you think?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB on July 18, 2009 at 12:12pm

Dear Terri - Thanks so much for your post. It poses an interesting question regarding whether or not someone should be excluded from participating in a Reiki Master class. To date, I haven't found it necessary to refuse admission to any applicants for a Reiki Master Level class. I've taught Reiki eleven years. It is a question well worth considering. It seems that there might be circumstances where carefully selecting the participants would be advantageous for the entire class. This selection process may involve excluding someone who the instructor feels is not quite ready for one reason or another. I'm looking forward to reading the responses from the group. Warmly, Ariana Vincent, Reiki Master, Ariana Institute, www.arianainstitute.com

Permalink Reply by Maria Troia on July 18, 2009 at 12:30pm

Terri,

I agree with you. I require an essay from students interested in being attuned to Reiki Master to help me discern what their goals are. I don't think you are being too cautious. I think you are discerning and conscious.

Maria

Permalink Reply by Terri Sloan, PhD, DD, NCMT, LMT on July 18, 2009 at 1:17pm

Thanks. I definitely won't accept anyone who is not ready. I, too, have been teaching Reiki for 11 yrs. Some are "naturals" at it, others seem to be confused, or disinterested in learning it properly.

Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, NCTMB said:

Dear Terri - Thanks so much for your post. It poses an interesting question regarding whether or not someone should be excluded from participating in a Reiki Master class. To date, I haven't found it necessary to refuse admission to any applicants for a Reiki Master Level class. I've taught Reiki eleven years. It is a question well worth considering. It seems that there might be circumstances where carefully selecting the participants would be advantageous for the entire class. This selection process may involve excluding someone who the instructor feels is not quite ready for one reason or another. I'm looking forward to reading the responses from the group. Warmly, Ariana Vincent, Reiki Master, Ariana Institute, www.arianainstitute.com

Permalink Reply by Terri Sloan, PhD, DD, NCMT, LMT on July 18, 2009 at 1:21pm

Thanks Maria,

That idea about an essay is one I may take into consideration. I rely alot on my intuition when it comes to selecting participants in the Master Program. So far I have not had anyone ask me that I have had to turn away, and I hope I never have to. However, I believe that being a Reiki Master is a serious matter, and if they are not ready or not ethical enough to be one, then I don't want them to carry on my lineage. It is a matter of what is best for the universe and for Reiki as far as I am concerned.

Maria Troia said:

Terri,

I agree with you. I require an essay from students interested in being attuned to Reiki Master to help me discern what their goals are. I don't think you are being too cautious. I think you are discerning and conscious.

Maria

Permalink Reply by Sandra Kay Farnham on July 18, 2009 at 1:38pm

That is a great question. I have not had to refuse to teach it to anyone but if I didn't feel good about someone wanting the class I would not hesitate to refuse. As far as it being a big money maker that is going to decrease as it is spread. It is spreading very fast. I am a member of Reiki Energy International. We are a not for profit 501 (C) (3) organization. Our purpose is to provide leadership and growth for the advancement of Reiki. Check out our web sight.

Permalink Reply by Al Flemming, LMT, NCTMB, ACMT on July 18, 2009 at 3:31pm

It is my opinion that yes, you can chose who will be in your master course. The exercise of caution, though, is wise so that the assumption of whatever reason that may have for not attuning an individual to Reiki Master, is not bases in the thought that they are not to be a Reiki Master. It is for the Universe to decide who attunes whom and how they are attuned. We don't know all that is in the Universal Mind. So, we can only go by what we have/know now, and let the Universe handle the rest.

The Universe calls Reiki Masters. Through training we learn basics and fundamentals. It is that calling, whether attuned by another individual or not, that determines whether or not a person is a "true" Reiki Master. Again, the Universe will take care of the Universe, and all that is within. An individual may pursue the path of Reiki Master, and even become attuned, but if that is not their true calling, the Universe will direct them to where they are supposed to be.

Permalink Reply by Faith Bell on July 18, 2009 at 6:58pm

Hello everybody! I've been a Usui Reiki Master for 12 years and have been teaching for 4 years. Since I teach intuitively, I find that those I've trained in each level of Reiki seem to inately know whether they're ready to move to the next level. Often I have students who use their gifts frequently & others who use them occasionally. Generally the folks I've taken thru Reiki Master have had approximately 1 yr. between Reiki I and Master, all the while participating in development groups. I require those considering mastership to read specific material as well. Once they become Master certified, they are welcome to come back and assist me in the various levels of training as a part of their ongoing training to become teachers of Reiki, if they desire. I'm considering writing an Advanced Reiki Training course for those interested in teaching. I have recently written a curriculum for children and taught my first kid's class in April '09. I require at least one parent or grandparent, at minimum complete Reiki I, prior to attuning the child. This gives the child someone to work with and creates a beautiful bonding process. I also have gatherings for the children & parent/grandparent once every few months. I believe the more credible we make our work, the more we'll be seen as credible. Thank you for all of your sharing!
Faith Bell, M.S., LMT, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher

Permalink Reply by Terri Sloan, PhD, DD, NCMT, LMT on July 19, 2009 at 7:51am

Al,

I understand what you are saying and although I agree with it to some degree, I teach these courses as Continuing Ed for Massage Therapists and have to wonder sometimes if someone wouldn't want to do the course mearly to get the ceu credits and to be able to add a title of Reiki Master to their list of acronyms. I would hate to see someone out there sporting their title and not living up to the responsibilities...it hurts us all.

Al Flemming, LMT, NCTMB, ACMT said:

It is my opinion that yes, you can chose who will be in your master course. The exercise of caution, though, is wise so that the assumption of whatever reason that may have for not attuning an individual to Reiki Master, is not bases in the thought that they are not to be a Reiki Master. It is for the Universe to decide who attunes whom and how they are attuned. We don't know all that is in the Universal Mind. So, we can only go by what we have/know now, and let the Universe handle the rest.

The Universe calls Reiki Masters. Through training we learn basics and fundamentals. It is that calling, whether attuned by another individual or not, that determines whether or not a person is a "true" Reiki Master. Again, the Universe will take care of the Universe, and all that is within. An individual may pursue the path of Reiki Master, and even become attuned, but if that is not their true calling, the Universe will direct them to where they are supposed to be.

Permalink Reply by Al Flemming, LMT, NCTMB, ACMT on July 21, 2009 at 6:56am

There are those who will take any course just to get CEU's. As well there are those who just want to put additional letters behind their names. (To that, I am still of the opinion that the Universe can more than handle those who's intentions may not be the best. And It always does.

Sure, there are those out there in every profession who have a negative impact on whatever it is that they do. But it is the many more who do what they do because they are drawn to it and love to do it that make the difference. In the learning, even just for CEU's, the individuals are still getting something.

Out of curiosity, why is the Master level that much more important to "sift" than Level 1 or 2? There, to me, is where the discussions of whether or not a person is to practice Reiki starts. Being the closeted hopeless optimist that I am, if a person is drawn enough to Reiki (or some other form or energy work) to consider, 'well it is a CEU', they are being drawn for other reasons that they may not realize yet. They may have to figure some things out along the way; even work on an issue or two, but they have the base/foundation, and the courses will serve to help them move past their selves. It is my hope that they will move to the point of letting go and then shift their intentions to begin using Reiki as a tool for serving others.

Permalink Reply by Terri Sloan, PhD, DD, NCMT, LMT on July 23, 2009 at 12:20pm

Well Al, I guess my main thought in "why is it more important to "sift" those looking into Master level, than level 1 & 2", is that the after the Master level, they can teach Reiki to others and I think it is important that they be truly interested in perserving the sacredness and intentions of Reiki, and not just use it to make money.

Al Flemming, LMT, NCTMB, ACMT said:

There are those who will take any course just to get CEU's. As well there are those who just want to put additional letters behind their names. (To that, I am still of the opinion that the Universe can more than handle those who's intentions may not be the best. And It always does.

Sure, there are those out there in every profession who have a negative impact on whatever it is that they do. But it is the many more who do what they do because they are drawn to it and love to do it that make the difference. In the learning, even just for CEU's, the individuals are still getting something.

Out of curiosity, why is the Master level that much more important to "sift" than Level 1 or 2? There, to me, is where the discussions of whether or not a person is to practice Reiki starts. Being the closeted hopeless optimist that I am, if a person is drawn enough to Reiki (or some other form or energy work) to consider, 'well it is a CEU', they are being drawn for other reasons that they may not realize yet. They may have to figure some things out along the way; even work on an issue or two, but they have the base/foundation, and the courses will serve to help them move past their selves. It is my hope that they will move to the point of letting go and then shift their intentions to begin using Reiki as a tool for serving others.

Permalink Reply by William Snyder on July 27, 2009 at 9:45pm

In my opinion, I do not think that you have the right to make that decision. People are drawn to Reiki for reasons that we do not know. If you are questioning their motives or abilities, then maybe require that they have taken at least one class with you or provide adequate documentation that shows that they have had proper training. While I understand what you mean, Reiki is about healing, but you are being paid to provide a service. These people are being guided to you for a reason.

Permalink Reply by Terri Sloan, PhD, DD, NCMT, LMT on July 28, 2009 at 11:32am

Maybe I don't have the right to make that decision....but I do. It is not about being paid for a service. Payment is not the issue. I get paid to do massage, but I determine to whom and when and where I do that "service". I will teach anyone and attune anyone to do Reiki (I & II).....however I will be diligent about who I attune to the Master Level.

William Snyder said:

In my opinion, I do not think that you have the right to make that decision. People are drawn to Reiki for reasons that we do not know. If you are questioning their motives or abilities, then maybe require that they have taken at least one class with you or provide adequate documentation that shows that they have had proper training. While I understand what you mean, Reiki is about healing, but you are being paid to provide a service. These people are being guided to you for a reason.