What are the three levels of reiki?
When I started my journey into the wonderful world of Reiki, I wasn’t sure what to expect, all I knew was, I needed to find out…
My first experience of Reiki was some months earlier when my sister gave me a reiki treatment.
I had never had anything like this before ,not even a massage and truth be told I was a little nervous.
As it turned out I needn’t have been it was a truly beautiful life changing experience that I still remember with absolute clarity after all these years.
With my first Reiki treatment completed I wanted to know more and my Sister arranged for me to meet with her Reiki master an amazing lady named Jennifer.
After I told Jennifer all about my experience and how I wanted to be able to continue on this journey of healing she told me that she had a level 1 class starting in a couple of months and I was welcome to join the class.
Without further hesitation I paid the fee in advance and eagerly waited for the weekend of my first degree to arrive.
Level 1. The First Degree (Shoden)
I have met several Reiki masters over the years and my understanding is that Reiki, as with many other practices are regarded as “healing arts” and as such have a certain amount of interpretation and intuitive adaptation.
Having said that there are many standardized elements to the proceedings which one must learn if one is to become adept at practice of Reiki.
What to expect during a Level 1 Attunement:
First of all you will learn a brief history of Reiki including an introduction to Mikao Usui the Founder of Reiki.
Level 1 is a practitioner’s first step into reiki and is open and available to anyone.
The focus during Level 1 is on opening the energy channels called chakras on a physical plane, allowing the practitioner to connect to the universal life force energy, (“Rei” + “Ki” = “Reiki”,”Rei” translates as “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” “universal” or “cosmic life force” and “Ki” means life energy).
This energy flows from the Divine through the crown Chakra down to the heart and hands.
Many reiki masters emphasize self-reiki as the goal of the Level 1.
This is where we can begin to heal ourselves of our past and deal with our problems such as emotional, physical and spiritual maladies.
You are strongly advised to practice your Reiki on yourself every day for at least 21 days after you attunement as this will help to strengthen your connection to the Reiki flow
Reiki Level 2: The Second Degree (Okuden)
Level 2 is where students will learn the skills to practice reiki on others and open energy channels more deeply. (This is also the point at which you can charge money for Reiki as a service).
During your level 2 attunement you will receive the symbols of this level.
There are different schools of thought on how many symbols are given to the student during level 2.
You will receive at least 3 and at most 5 Reiki symbols, each one corresponds to a specific energy. Students are expected to learn these symbols and use them to bring the universal energy of reiki into their everyday lives in practical ways.
Perhaps the most exciting of the symbols can also help people provide reiki over long distances or send healing energy wherever it may be needed in the world.
However you can also use your symbols to bless your food and drinks before consuming them and as such take in the Reiki energy making you feel more energised and balanced.
Reiki Level 3: The Third Degree (Shinpiden) & Reiki Master
For many, the Third Degree and Reiki Master are considered to be the same and the names are used interchangeably. And for a lot of people the term Reiki Master imply that there is different or better quality Reiki energies available and lets not forget that Reiki Master sounds very cool and some people love the Ego trip.
However, some Masters separate Level 3 from Reiki Master.
The Reiki Master Level is traditionally considered the teacher’s level and masters are able to walk away and attune new Reiki practitioners.
Nevertheless many don’t feel comfortable or compelled to train and attune new students and their motivation is to receive the symbols associated with the level 3 and deepen their practice.
It is worth emphasizing at this point that becoming a Reiki master represents a deep commitment to the Reiki practice.
It is also considered good practice to allow a period of time to elapse between each level.
This gives the student time to practice their new skills and deepen their knowledge of each new level and enjoy each step of their journey it also help the Ego form running riot and going from novice to master in an afternoon.
Take time to enjoy your Reiki as it is a gift, use it for the good of all and the harm of none.
