Reiki Controversies

Reiki Controversies There are a few Controversies, as with any spiritual type of mechanism that gains so many believers and followers. Reiki is no exception. From the research to document Dr. Usui's existence, to the requirement of an initiation by a Reiki Master to practice this healing form, Reiki has still survived. In addition, the pricing requirements have now come under fire and many Masters who follow the Usui system are deciding to abandon some of the Alliance restrictions and requirements.   I've already tried to explain the controversy about Dr. Usui and how the legend of Reiki was altered when it was brought to the U.S. As we continue, I'll try also to explain the additional controversies in as much objectivity as I can. But please remember I am a Reiki Master of the Usui system, initiated by a Reiki Master who can trace her Reiki heritage to Takata. Just so you know, I received my Reiki I and II certification directly from Rev. Beth Gray, before her the stroke that ended her teaching. And I received my Reiki Master certification from Rev. Wilma Donald, here in Northern Virginia.   Financial Cost The controversy over the initiations is that they must be performed by a certified initiated Master. To me, this issue was brought up more so by the people who didn't want to come up with the traditional $10,000 fee to become a Master. Basically I think more has been made of the tradition for reasons of greed, than for spiritual ramifications.   The traditional cost list looks like this: Level 1 Reiki - $250 Level 2 Reiki - $500 Level 3 Reiki - $10,000   So let me explain, two things that most detractors don't like to discuss. First of all, since Takata's passing, many Masters, even the Master's initiated by Takata (which includes her daughter) agreed that as society progressed along it's spiritual path, so should the requirements of Reiki. At the time, Takata said the fee was a means of weeding out those who were looking for a method of power over others, and would ensure that those who truly heard the calling of spirit would achieve the Master level. Thus maintaining the validity of the healing art.   Now remember that at the time Takata brought Reiki to the U.S. it was in the early 1970s. The cultural revolution of the 60's wasn't completely dead and buried and Takata worried that people would become Masters and try to take advantage of those who were honestly seeking spiritual lessons for improving their lives. But as the times have changed, the attitude toward enlightenment as become a little more acceptable. Today, you could mention reincarnation in a room full of people and fewer and fewer people will snicker and call you a heretic.   Many Masters are trying to change with the times. There are still Masters who insist on the $10,000 fee, but then there are some who are more interested in the spiritual aspects of the student seeking this level of healing commitment. If the Master feels the student is honest, dedicated and truly understands the spiritual aspects of the Reiki energy, fees are less expensive. The lowest figure I've been exposed to recently is $500. But the fee does range from $500 to an average cost of $2,000, to the traditional $10,000.   Ok, and in case you're wondering, I do charge for the Reiki Courses I teach. In each level I provide hand out materials, training over a 2 day period (typically Saturday and Sunday), practical experience in the class and the level attunements. My cost for these classes are as follows: Level 1 Reiki $150. Level 2 Reiki $250 Level 3 Reiki $2,000   The Initiation or Attunement Ritual Now the ritualistic controversy. Recent detractors have complained that this energy is there in the Divine collective available for all and anyone who wants to connect to it. Yes that's true, but as with all things in the Divine collective, a person needs to learn how to use the energy offered to them. You wouldn't go to a person who just bought their first deck of Tarot cards for a reading on an issue that will change your life. You would want to seek out someone who has had some type of formal training and experience. Someone who can connect to the Divine realms with ease and provide accurate information.   For me, that's basically what the Reiki classes are all about. They are a structured method of passing on knowledge and experience to the student. The initiation process is a ritual where the student is making a serious commitment to the Divine collective that "Yes I am ready to receive this energy and use it for the betterment of all concerned." It's a handshake between you God. So what if It's done in a ritualistic fashion, what meaningful spiritual commitment isn't done in similar fashion? Even a marriage ceremony is a commitment before God between two people. So is the ceremony of Reiki initiations.   The 1st and 2nd Level Attunements The next controversy comes with the definition and purpose of the Reiki I and II attunements, or initiations. In Reiki I a student will receive 3 attunements, to prepare them and open them to 50% of the Reiki energy. In Reiki II, the 3 attunements finish the process and prepare the student to receive 100% of the Reiki energy. In Reiki III, the final initiation treatment, prepares the new Master to call upon additional energy, sort of a boasting of the Reiki energy when called upon.   Now the detractors again point to the need for such attunements. Any one who is open to the Divine energy can call upon it and use it for positive intent. That's true. But it goes back to intent. The main intent of the attunement is for the student to officially make an open commitment to the Divine that they are here, ready willing and able to offer their physical, and spiritual bodies for the service of others. Now, if you asked God to send you light and healing for your sick dog, you would indeed receive the energy. And as you progressed with your private method of healing, the energy level you could accept through your body would also grow.   It isn't coincidence that channels start out slow and as they progress with their knowledge and understanding so does their level of receiving. But the universe knows how much energy each person can handle within their being. Not until they are ready to with stand additional energy will it be sent or received by a person. The best example I can give is this. If I were to met a person on the street who just admitted to having their first psychic experience yesterday and wanted to do more. I'm not going to hand them a cassette tape and plaque and say "Ok you're ready to trance channel now". For one, they don't know how, they don't know the steps to take, and they're physically not ready for the instance level of energy sent through the body during a trance state. There is a reason for being in trance. It's not for the privacy of the client. It's for the health of the channel.   The Reiki Symbols Reiki and the use of symbols began from it's origins in the use of the Reiki II symbols and the exclusive master's symbol. These symbols are not kanji nor can they be historically traced to specific calligraphy from the Orient. They most certainly are not Tibetan symbols as some western writers have claimed. Instead, they are combinations of symbology that have been established into Reiki to promote focus and concentration of the Reiki Channel to their healing recipient.   Dr. Usui's creation of the Reiki System is no doubt based in his own cultural beliefs, hands-on methods that had long been used by Jesus Christ, Hindus, and probably Tibetan Monks. But Reiki is not nor has it ever been a Tibetan system alone. Historically we can only trace Reiki back to Dr. Usui himself. While there are many stories about the system being older, we truly cannot prove that beyond doubt. There just simply isn't substantial proof beyond this. Dr. Usui was a Tendai Buddhist so one might assume he acquired this knowledge through study of Buddhist documents. But what those documents are, or where they are is unknown. So the most we can for certain, is that Dr. Usui created the Reiki system utilized today.   A great deal is made of the 4 symbols utilized in traditional Reiki. Three of these are taught during Reiki II, and the fourth is the Master's Symbol which is guarded as a sacred item to Reiki practitioners. But the symbols themselves do not contain any more "power" or energy than a sigil used in magikal practices has. The energy of a symbol is held within the Reiki Channel them self. The symbols are merely triggers to assist the channel in opening to Divine energy and utilizing that within the specific purpose designed.   Think of it this way, when you sit before your computer there are certain things you do to 'turn on' the system. Perhaps you enter a start up password, perhaps you have a specific set of procedures you go through to get started with the task at hand. Each of things you do, begins a process within your consciousness to prepare your thoughts, your ideas, your concentration for the work you are about to undertake. The Reiki symbols basically do the same thing, preparing your psyche for the Divine Healing work you about to embark on.   These symbols are the keys that focus energy for the improvement of body and soul. They were intended to bring about a true holistic approach to mind, body, spirit and bringing about true balance and harmony within the physical and spiritual bodies. Dr. Usui really did know what he was doing when he shared these symbols.   Many traditional practitioners believe these symbols are not to be shared with those who have not undergone a traditional Reiki training program and specifically a Reiki attunement.   The Reiki Secrecy Well now you're getting into a more personal area of the Reiki Controversies. For this, you may want to review my personal view of Reiki from a Traditional Master.

Source: 1, h5, h6, h7, h8, h9, h10 Created: 03/28/1999       Updated: 04/03/2009