What is Reiki?
This question has two ways to look at it.
From one angle, Reiki implies “spiritual energy”; our own natural brightness, our true existence, our essence. This intrinsic light is slowly obscured by layers of anger, worries, fear, resentment and attachments. So much so that we can no longer see its light, that it is totally concealed. And if we can’t see our own inherent light, then it’s going to be really difficult for others to see it within us, too. This covering up results in us not remembering our relationship with who we are and therefore getting angry or worried, scared, sad, distracted, and unloving easily.
Nevertheless, our inner essence appears to glow, even with our inherent light hidden. Think of it like a light bulb hidden by a lampshade, the light is always the same brightness, no matter how many lampshades you put over the bulb, it’s just we can’t see it!
“We practice “the system of Reiki” to remove the layers of worry, fear and attachments that cover our brightness, which is the other angle of What Reiki is. There are five very basic elements to the Reiki system; precepts, meditations, hand healing, symbols/mantras and reiju (spiritual blessing). These elements allow the practitioner to eliminate the layers slowly so that our inherent light can once again appear with all its glory.
The more layers we cut, the further away our innate light casts, finally resembling a bulb with the missing lampshade. The room is unexpectedly flooded with light; YOU. We continue to feel kinder, less worried or angry and more caring as our inherent brightness becomes more apparent to ourselves. In essence, this has a calming impact not just on ourselves, but also on others with whom we come into contact in our everyday lives; our family, the shopkeeper, people at work, random individuals at a time.
Our hands-on healing practice on others is often influenced by opening up to our inherent brightness. As a Reiki practitioner, the more we associate with our brightness, the more we can promote healing for others. We are not the healers, while the client focuses on their own healing, we only encourage it. If however, my light is overshadowed by clouds of anger, worry and fear, there is only a little light that clients can use to lead them through their healing. However once we have eliminated the clouds shading our light and our inherent strength shines like the co-joined sun and moon, then there is even more healing capacity to take place.
Therefore, the simple answer to “What is Reiki” is that; the System of Reiki helps us to rediscover that we have been Reiki in the first place!
How Reiki works
The system of Reiki is made up of five elements – precepts (guidelines), techniques, hands-on healing, symbols and mantras, and a blessing called reiju.
Reiki practitioners work with these elements to clear the energy in their bodies to return to the true nature. That is, the pure being that they really are, without all the garbage that gets thrown on top. These five elements are the tools that we work with.
What sort of garbage do you have covering up your true pure being? There could be feelings of unworthiness, depression, insecurity, jealousy, anger, grief, etc. There could be physical issues that are irritating or totally debilitating. All of us carry garbage around. And all of us shine that pure, bright light beneath it.
The body is not just a physical being or just a thinking being or spiritual being. The body is you – the total being. And the system of Reiki works on this complete interconnected being. Although the system is ostensibly energetic it affects every aspect of your life.
A simple understanding of how Reiki works is this:
Working with the five elements of the system of Reiki stimulates energy (Reiki) to move in the body. You already have energy in the body but often it is not flowing with ease; that garbage we were talking about is clogging you up, obstructing its flow. When our energy flows without interruption that is when we shine unhindered with that beautiful pure light of our true being. This state is often called enlightenment.
Therefore, working with the system of Reiki shifts the energy. When this happens, it is possible that you might feel it. When garbage is on the way out it might play up a bit. You might feel that headache a bit more, or you find yourself with an upset stomach, or you feel emotionally in turmoil. We call this a cleansing process. It is a normal, natural way for the body to respond as it finds its way back to its pure self. The best advice is to keep on working through it. Support your body in every way that you can to help you move through the changes that are occurring. Always stop if it gets too intense, and if you are worried you can always contact your Reiki practitioner or teacher.
One of the most wonderful things about the system of Reiki is that we do not direct the energy or manipulate it in anyway. It is about being open and letting go, allowing your body to draw on the energy that is offered and take what it needs.
When we take away the rational mind, judging what is right or wrong for us, we open ourselves to the power of nature and its natural healing flow. You may not know what is best for you, but your body does.
Benefits of Reiki
Reiki is a system that you can use to help yourself, and sometimes others, to feel healthier and happier in life – with an underlying aim to journey the road back to enlightenment.
This is how we see the wonders of the system of Reiki.
- Anyone, anywhere can use the system of Reiki
- Reiki supports the body’s natural healing process
- Reiki Creates balance in our lives
- Reiki is non-intrusive and does not diagnose
- Reiki teaches us Mindfulness
- Reiki can support healing
One of the most fundamental concepts of Reiki is that our bodies draw on more energy to clear stagnant energy. We cannot say exactly why this happens and with the system of Reiki it is not necessary to do so. This is not a system that diagnoses – all we need to know is that our bodies will draw on the energy and take it where it is needed. If the rational mind gets in the way by diagnosing, we are limiting the healing possibilities of spiritual energy.
The system of reiki can support:
- Physical Healing
- Mental and Emotional Healing
- Spiritual Healing
Reiki Treatments
Reiki is a simple and powerful process.
The treatments and their frequency are individually tailored to the client’s needs and condition. This is the perfect way to spoil yourself.
A Reiki treatment is useful for specific healing or general relaxation. The client remains fully clothed at all times as the practitioner goes through a set healing process as agreed with the client prior to the treatment. Sex, age and condition are of no concern as the client’s own body controls the process. During the treatment the body will only take the amount of energy that it requires.
A Reiki treatment is not intrusive and clients do not remove clothing and no private parts of the body are touched.
If a client is wishing to work on a specific issue or health problem it is advisable to book for three one-hour treatments. But first come along for one treatment to see if you like the experience.
Reiki Courses
The system of Reiki aims to support you on a journey of self-discovery.
The Style of Reiki we teach is called Usui Reiki Ryoho.
If your interest is in getting back to what was taught in Japan before it hit the West in 1938 and became associated with the new age movement in the 1980s – then this is the style for you!
There are three levels in the traditional system of Reiki. We also provide a teacher course and a transition course for those who have trained with other styles before coming to us:
Shoden – Reiki Level I: Learn to heal yourself and others too
Okuden – Reiki Level II: Develop your personal practice and gain Professional Practitioner status
Shinpiden – Reiki Level III: Delve deeper into your personal practise and learn tools to become an Expert Reiki Practitioner
Shihan – Reiki Teacher Level: Learn the tools to become a Reiki Teacher yourself
The difference between Usui Reiki Ryoho courses and modern Reiki courses is that the initiation process, course information and techniques taught stem directly from Japan rather than via the West. The teachings also have a different focus than modern forms of the system of Reiki. The focus is on personal development and spirituality.
This Reiki training’s aim is to connect all practitioners with Reiki’s true spiritual depth.
Shoden (Level 1) Reiki
Shoden is a Japanese word meaning ‘first teachings’.
Shoden is the first level of teachings in the traditional Japanese branch of Reiki called:
Usui Reiki Ryoho.
Energy is a word that very few people can explain in all its complexities. You could read a book on it or be told all about it but it is the actual experience itself that teaches you.
Therefore a complete treatment is given and received by each participating student and many hands-on exercises are used in a group environment during Shoden. This practical experience leads to an inner understanding of energy.
Much of the course is spent working from this viewpoint, teaching you to work intuitively and to bring that instinctual balance into your everyday life. From experience it takes at least two days to gain this level of confidence. The methods used to teach this are based on both the experiential knowledge which you gain throughout the course as well as your own comprehension of technical ability.
Traditional Japanese Reiki meditation techniques are taught and practiced over the two days to build on this energetic knowledge and to aid your own healing process.
After completing Shoden in-person, the student is asked to continue practicing on oneself uninterrupted for 21 days. This continues the energetic clearing, which was initiated during the course itself.
Healing is like ‘making whole’; creating balance in your life. His Image Life sees the studying of the system of Reiki as a spiritual journey – one that is undertaken by you with every support offered during, and after, the course by the teachers.
Benefits of Shoden Training
- Learn to relax
- Gain a clear understanding of energy work
- Experience emotional and physical release
- Feel comfortable with yourself
- Develop your compassionate and loving aspects
- Help others
- Feel strong
- Be knowledgeable about the system of Reiki
- Receive individual ongoing attention and guidance from your teacher
- Belong to a healing community, “Dreagon’s Reiki Clan”, and receive all the benefits of the clan’s support systems
Shoden Reiki Training
Suitable for:
Absolute beginners to energetically experienced practitioners. No-prerequisites required.
During the course we will look at:
- Introduction to Reiki How Reiki Works
- History of Reiki The Founder Mikao Usui Sensei
- Chujiro Hayashi & Hawayo Takata
- The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai
- Five Pillars of Reiki
- The Reiki Principles
- Japanese Energetic Systems
- Earth, Heaven and Heart Energy Meridians
- The Hara
- Intuition
- Reiki Meditations
- Performing a Self-Reiki Session
- Preparing to Use Reiki
- Anatomy for Reiki Hands-on Healing
- Reiki Self-Treatments
- Preparing to Work with Others
- Using Reiki with Others
- Why Reiki does not prescribe or diagnose
- Music for Reiki Practices
- Rapid Reiki Session
- Reiki Group Session
- Reiki and Animals
- Pregnancy and Children
- Reiki and Palliative Care
- Ethics, Legalities, Equipment and Tools
- Reiki Associations
- Our WhatsApp & Facebook Groups
Pre-course training:
History and Theory of Reiki is done prior to the in-person practical training via online mediums such Google Meet. Classes are on Wednesdays from 19:00-21:00. The prospective student should have a basic knowledge and understanding of the reiki before attending the practical training.
7 Days prior to the Practical Training:
Students embark on a 7 Day Energy fast as explained by your teacher.
In-Person Practical Training – 2 days:
Our Shoden Level I Reiki course will provide you with:
- Meditation techniques to strengthen and clear your energy
- A clearer understanding of the working of energy in your life and its benefits
- A spiritual connection to life helping you to feel happier and healthier
- The ability to heal the self and others using hand positions on or near the body
- Reiju (Spiritual Blessings/attunement)
Day 1
- Registration, Communication & Meditation
- Recap on Reiki History & Theory
- Practical training
- Reiju (Spiritual Blessings/attunement)
Day 2
- Meditation & Fellowship
- Practical & Group Sessions
- Reiki on Animals, Plants and Nature
- Ethics, Legalities, Equipment and Tools
- Graduation Ceremony & Feedback
Post-course training
- Completing a daily routine of self-healing for 21 days
- Complete a 21 Day Post-Training journal
- Compile a Portfolio of evidence for Shoden
Certification:
Upon receipt of the completed Portfolio of Evicence, the student will receive a Shoden Reiki (Level 1) certificate at the next scheduled Reiki Circle where the student is also required to “Speak the Peace”.
Shoden Course Cost
Cost R3997.00 pp paid in advance before Commencement of Training.
Payment options are also available.
Discount for Teens, Group Bookings and Special Promotions apply.
Get in contact with me for more info.
Okuden (Level 2) Reiki
We prefer to use the Japanese words for the levels as the system of Reiki is a Japanese Art and Way. Literally translated from the Japanese, Okuden translates as “Hidden or Inner Teachings”. This level of the system of Reiki entails looking inside yourself for hidden or inner knowledge.
As the word implies a deeper understanding and connection to Usui Mikao’s teachings is achieved during this course.
This level teaches how to connect to Earth and Heaven energy, the first steps to becoming fully integrated with the universe. This is achieved through the practice of shirushi (symbols) and jumon (mantras). It will enable the student to enhance his/her own energy levels and sensitivity. There are many aspects to the shirushi and jumon which include chanting and visualisation techniques. Rather than being external tools – the focus here is on internal use for spiritual development.
The concept of Oneness, understanding that we are One energetically with everything in the universe, is one of the major benefits of working in this manner and is naturally practised in the course. An element of this study of Oneness allows the practitioner to perceive the deeper meanings of distant healing. Additional Japanese Reiki techniques are offered to assist spiritual growth even further.
As awareness grows so does the ability to help others – this is discussed at this level.
Okuden is where we start to deepen practice and mindfulness through meditating on the symbols, chanting the mantras and with the meditation practice of Hatsurei ho. All of this is all for ourselves. The tools taught within this level is all about rediscovering what is hidden inside of us: our True Self/Reiki. When we start to rediscover our True Self, our innate great bright light starts to become brighter and brighter. We can use this light for performing hands-on healing on others. The more we start to rediscover our True Self, the more we start to go into this non-dual, mindfulness state and the deeper hands-on healing for others will be. We can now start to see the reasons why Mikao Usui added these steppingstones within his system, slowly moving forward to rediscovering our True Self.
Benefits of Okuden
• Find balance in everyday life.
• Experience the sensation of being grounded in any situation.
• Begin to release your fear and anger.
• Understand your connection to people, places, nature and events in the world around you.
• Progress deeper along your spiritual path
• Begin to help others professionally.
• Expand your knowledge about the system of Reiki from a Japanese perspective
• Receive individual ongoing attention and guidance from your teacher.
Okuden Training: in-person 2 days
Our Okuden Level II Reiki course will provide you with:
• The meanings, usage and spiritual descriptions of the three Japanese jumon (mantras) and shirushi (symbols)
• The opportunity to help others through the concept of Oneness (distance healing)
• An understanding of your connection to people, places, nature, and events in the world around you
• Three attunements/reiju (blessings)
• Techniques to develop your intuition.
• The knowledge and skill to begin to help others professionally.
Post-course training:
- Completing a daily routine of self-healing for 21 days
- Complete a 21 Day Post-Training journal
- Compile a Portfolio of evidence for Okuden
- The completed Portfolio of Evidence is submitted to the teacher for perusal and upon which the student is Certified as an Okuden Level 2 Practitioner.
Certification:
Upon receipt of the completed Portfolio of Evicence, the student will receive a Shoden Reiki (Level 1) certificate at the next scheduled Reiki Circle where the student is also required to “Speak the Peace”.
Okuden Course Cost:
Cost R4997.00 pp paid in advance before Commencement of Training.
Payment options are also available.
Discount for Teens, Students, Group Bookings and Special Promotions apply.
Get in contact with me for more info.
Shinpiden (Level3) Training
About Shinpiden Reiki Level III
Shinpiden is the Japanese word for ‘mystery teachings’. It is aimed at Level II practitioners or established Reiki Masters who wish to continue their personal journey, a journey that is ongoing long after you complete the Shinpiden course. It is therefore not just about teaching and is even suitable for those who wish to simply develop their personal Reiki practise and occasionally teach those around them.
Self-empowerment is attained in Shinpiden through a strong energetic connection to the source of Reiki. It is also the result of the confidence you will feel as a result of your thorough knowledge of Reiki – how it works, what all the variations on Reiki actually are, where Reiki stands in the world today, the Japanese shirusi (symbols) and jumon (mantras) and their connection to Japanese philosophies and what the origin of Reiki’s spiritual nature is.
One of the major focuses of this course is to tap into the sense that you are, and always were, a great, bright light – this is achieved by working with the fourth shirushi and jumon.
Benefits of Shinpiden
- Access a deep sense of tranquillity
- Be confident as a teacher and practitioner
- Begin to help others professionally by teaching as well as treating
- Receive individual ongoing attention and guidance from your teacher
- Belong to an international healing community, the International House of Reiki, and receive all the benefits of the centre’s great support systems
- Certification permitting you to teach and initiate into Usui Reiki Ryoho
- Shinpiden students are encouraged to resit International House of Reiki classes for continuing education purposes. A minimum fee may be required.
Our Shinpiden Reiki Level III course will provide you with:
- Instruction, review and practice in Shoden, Okuden and Shinpiden traditional Japanese techniques
- The meanings, usage and spiritual description of the fourth Japanese jumon (mantras) and shirushi (symbols)
- The attunement/reiju (blessing)
- How to perform and practice attunements and reiju and study esoteric understandings
- Individual guidance on your spiritual journey
Pre-Course Training
Several live online training sessions are held in teams and individually discussing the Mystery aspects of Reiki.
Training: in-person 2 days
Once the Student feels ready, personal one-on-one training is held with your teacher at their home for a whole weekend
Post-course training:
- Completing a daily routine of self-healing for 21 days
- Complete a 21 Day Post-Training journal
- Compile a Portfolio of evidence for Shinpiden
- The completed Portfolio of Evidence is submitted to the teacher for perusal and upon which the student is Certified as a Shoden Level 3 Practitioner.
Certification:
Upon receipt of the completed Portfolio of Evicence, the student will receive a Shinpiden Reiki (Level 3) certificate at the next scheduled Reiki Circle where the student is also required to “Speak the Peace”.
Shinpiden Course Cost:
Cost R5997.00 pp paid in advance before Commencement of Training.
Payment options are also available.
Discount for Teens, Students, Group Bookings and Special Promotions apply.
Get in contact with me for more info.