A Pocketful of Wellbeing
~ a Holistic Collective ~
What is Reiki?
​​Literally translated, Reiki, splits into 'Rei' and 'Ki'. Rei means Universal and Ki, vital energy. If you think of Rei (pronounced Ray) as Universal energy and Ki (pronounced key) as similar to the word Chi, is our own vital energy (as it is for plants/animals). It is of course difficult to make literal translations into English, but these are the ways I think it can
make more sense to us. So, the combination of the two words means that Reiki is often described in the
West as Universal Life Energy.
Reiki is a non-invasive, sometimes hands-on and sometimes hands-off complementary healing, even recognised by the NHS with many Reiki Practitioners holding CNHC accreditation (something I’m working towards even though I was first attuned in 1996!). There is a perception that a Reiki practitioner is a healer, in my mind we’re vessels/channels (whichever word sits best for you), a facilitator of healing: giving you ‘permission’ to be, to receive, to look within and to heal yourself.
Reiki is something anyone can learn and use, there is no special ability or prior training required. When asked if anyone can learn the art of Reiki, the founder of Reiki, Mikao Usui replied, "Of course, a man, woman, young or old, people with knowledge or without knowledge, anybody who has a common sense can receive the power accurately in a short time and can heal selves and others."
You, as the person being healed, are an active participant. This means your beliefs and your acceptance of the energy knowing where it needs to flow are also part and parcel of the process: as in many Eastern philosophies and treatments. In fact, as time has passed, this something which is certainly noticeably being 'taken on' by the Western World encompassing the mind, body, spirit way of working and includes other complementary therapies.
”My lineage takes the form of Usui Reiki, though there are now multiple different forms and titles for this. No one modality or style is better than the other and each bring forth aspects decided upon by other Master/Teachers and are therefore designed by them with lineage stemming from there.​
No one way is better than the other: Reiki is Reiki but there’s nothing ‘wrong’ about being drawn to other methods or styles. We’re all unique and so what we are drawn to will vary from person to person."
What are the Levels of Reiki?
Reiki training is structured into levels (or degrees)
Each level of Reiki is a complete system and there is no need to move onto another level unless you wish to do so. Everyone starts at Level 1.
The traditional Western system of Reiki is taught in 3 levels and the traditional Japanese system of Reiki is taught in 5 levels with 2 additional levels within the Gakkai.
In the UK, the standard 3 level system has been changed by some Reiki teachers since the introduction of National Occupational Standards (NOS) to introduce new levels such as Professional Practitioner, Master Practitioner.
Not all Master/Teachers will work towards or around national teaching standards - some do automatically, even without the CNHC accreditation and that’s where I sit: all the same learning just without the CNHC part.