Published
Since the earliest foundation of the Reiki philosophy nearly a century ago, teachings and training have been an integral part of the attunement process. The early masters of Reiki passed their knowledge down to students who have since then continued the trend. Today, there are thousands of Reiki students and practitioners throughout the globe, each of whom had to engage in a series of Reiki courses to become certified. The prevalence of Reiki today has allowed prospective students from all walks of life to seek certification in many of Reiki’s core philosophies. But what exactly goes on during Reiki training?
Degrees of Reiki
For starters, it’s important to understand the different “degrees” that exist under the Reiki philosophy. There are three basic levels of training that one can attain. These are:
- First-degree
- Second-degree
- Master/Teacher
Most people looking for some certification in Reiki opt for first-degree training. This provides you with the ability to offer self-care and basic advice and treatment to others. This is, of course, the most basic form of Reiki available to students, and it may be all you need to practice Reiki for the rest of your life.
For those who want to have a more well-rounded grasp of Reiki, there are second-degree Reiki courses available. This is one step up from the basic first-degree teachings. With a second-degree certification, you will learn how to practice distance or absentee healing, meaning that you can provide energy to others even when they are not directly in your presence.
The third and final level of Reiki competence is the “Master/Teacher.” This is an intensive and lengthy training regimen reserved for only the most serious of Reiki practitioners. In the old days, it took many years for a Reiki practitioner to attain the level of Master/Teacher. In recent years, however, the amount of Master/Teachers has increased slightly.
Types of Reiki Courses
With the advent of modern technology, people can be connected at great distances with the click of a mouse. Indeed, there are many online Reiki training options that allow you to interact directly with a Reiki Master either through video or text chat.
Even so, most Reiki Masters believe that physical contact must be made in order for the energy to passed down to the student. This means that you will have to attend classes in person to get the full effect of the Reiki training. Many teachers suggest a training period of around 10 hours and 6 to 12 months of practice to be fully certified in the first-degree. It’s important to ensure that you’re getting your education from a certified Reiki Master/Teacher.
What You’ll Learn
Throughout the course of your studies, you will learn a variety of information about Reiki philosophy and core precepts. Some of the most important things you’ll learn are:
- Proper hand positions
- How to use Reiki symbols to your advantage
- Distance healing
- Chakra alignment
- Reiki history
Reiki is certainly not something you can master in a day. It takes time and practice to become proficient at providing energy and healing to both yourself and any potential recipients.