Is There Such A Thing As ‘Styles’ of Reiki?
The idea of this article topic has come from a recent conversation I had with a Reiki student, however, it is a conversation that I have on a regular basis with those with an interest in Reiki, or who are looking to Reiki to help them in some way. In this example, the conversation topic was after this person took Jikiden Reiki training and was trying to get their head around what they should now call their previous healing therapy that had the word Reiki in its title, yet they now realized what they were previously taught actually bears little resemblance to Reiki. However, I have similar conversations with others around just trying to understand the options when searching online for Reiki courses, when faced with a sea of different titles of courses, all with the word Reiki in them.
So in this article, I wish to present my view from my experience and observation as a Reiki teacher and practitioner, having been trained in various approaches to Reiki, both original Japanese, western and modified with a variety of different titles that all have the word Reiki in them, as such might be classified as different styles of Reiki. I have also taught many healing professionals authentic Japanese Reiki who themselves are trained in all manner of healing approaches with various titles, many with the word Reiki in them. This article is primarily speaking for those newer to Reiki, so is an overview rather than an in-depth investigation, however, the points are relevant for any level of practice. Hopefully, I can at least reduce confusion a bit (as you will see its not totally clear cut) or at least simplify the process of selecting Reiki training for those looking for a Reiki teacher/ Reiki courses, saving you going in a direction that is not what you are looking for. For those trained in Reiki, this article simply offers a perspective on this topic of interest.
In this article, I’m not going to get on my soapbox and rant about all the reasons why this way is authentic and accurate and that way is not. You are welcome to look at my other articles, and will not have to go far to find me ranting about such topics. The question here is: Is there really such a thing as different styles of Reiki at all?
If we start with Reiki itself, let’s define it as ‘the practice of Reiki’, as an original practice developed by its founder Usui Sensei in Japan, in the early 1920s. The term Reiki was specific to this practice and the system developed by Usui Sensei, so for the purpose of this article let’s package that as the specific techniques, methods, philosophy, the path of daily practice, a way of life, and an expression of compassion in action.
There is now a huge variation just under the banner of Reiki/ Usui Reiki itself today in both the West and indeed Japan (as modified Western Reiki approaches were taught in Japan from the mid-1980s). With no central standardized training, content, and quality control is a bit patchy (that’s me attempting to be humorous). There is no ‘Reiki police’ and in many approaches to Reiki, teachers are free to amend what is taught at will. So to start with even if everything Reiki was just called the same thing, from a consumer perspective there would still be a huge variation in what you would learn, so that wouldn’t solve the issue of differing approaches to Reiki completely.
Now let’s add a bit more confusion into the mix. What I teach, is Jikiden Reiki (meaning directly taught: a name to symbolize its focus on the original Usui Reiki teachings). Jikiden Reiki itself could easily be misunderstood and could fall victim to being categorized as a style of Reiki, as a formal organization it’s only 20 years old (when the original teachings came to light to us in the west). At that time it needed a name, a trademark to add to the word Reiki, to centrally control the teachings from Japan, so what is taught and who could claim to be trained to teach it was managed. So it might look like a later addition or style of Reiki, yet in reality Jikiden Reiki is actually the original Usui teachings, bringing back the original teachings of Usui (more so than things commonly titled Usui Reiki). Jikiden Reiki is the only known authentic original Usui Reiki teachings available for the public to learn. In Japan or the West. So you thought it was confusing before!
In Japanese culture, in general, the focus is on simplicity and depth of understanding, in the west the dominant thinking is adding more at a superficial level, more techniques, symbols, etc. Sometimes such additions are even presented as an advanced next step beyond conventional Reiki training. Reiki is more about letting go, rather than adding. I invite to pause and ponder on that for a moment………..
In my Reiki path I have come across these different styles and tried to make sense of it all myself in my selection of Reiki courses and ongoing development, so I do understand it from the consumer side of the fence as well. Over the years some Reiki teachers looked at Reiki and thought: if I add ‘xyz’ to it, or merge it with this other helpful method I will improve it/ build on it, develop it, and evolve it in some way. Look my brain is wired to innovate and improve things, however, in regard to Reiki, that way of thinking is misguided. My view is that such thinking will only complicate that which should be simple, and will not add much to our ability to help ourselves and others. A point that resonates with me is that one of my Reiki teachers said words to the effect of: “In one way the idea of improving Reiki, is like saying: today with my level of human comprehension of existence I will improve on nature itself”. We need to also bear in mind the reality that most Reiki teachers have not been trained in the original Reiki teachings, so even with sound intentions may not realize what they are doing even if it was in the aim to improve Reiki and it is not needed at all.
Many rebrand what they do and add a word in front of the word Reiki to identify it, indicate a style shift, or separation from the original, this does at least help us classify what they teach and their perspective on things, so we understand the teachings will deviate from the original. My common observation is that you might get max 50% of the teachings having roots from the original Usui Reiki, 25% misunderstandings of the original Reiki, and 25% parts that are nothing to do with the original Usui Reiki. Not to say they are not helpful in their own right, but commonly the way of thinking with such additions is actually opposed to the way of thinking of Usui Reiki, so rarely help and they would not be enhancing Reiki, they are simply a different method to healing joined to it in most cases (but not all) without a full understanding of Reiki.
So in a way with no central control of Reiki when it came to the West and with so many people with differing interests, motives, and views around Reiki and healing, added to which a sprinkle of desire for control of ‘the creative direction’ of courses, decision making, income, etc, is it just inevitable that different breakaway approaches would form and try to stand out and stake their place in this ‘wild west’ world of Reiki? (that has got to be the first time I’ve written the words wild and Reiki in the same sentence). Much in Reiki circles is to focus on similarities, rather than differences. However are variations of the original just increasing separation, and hindering mainstream acceptance of Reiki?
Add to this we have Associations and governing bodies looking to be inclusive of all approaches with broad criteria for acceptance under the banner of Reiki. My view is that Reiki is Reiki there is one practice/system that is Reiki. The one Usui Sensei founded. Then under the banner of Reiki, there are a variety of healing approaches, they may have their roots in the teachings of Usui Sensei, yet have all moved differing distances away from the original teachings and ideas of Reiki. Indeed many have migrated far away from the original teachings, in thinking, techniques and focus of the Reiki Usui Sensei developed. The distance between different approaches (what might be termed as styles of Reiki) can be far away from the original and what is taught varies hugely. As much as we talk about inclusion and ‘honoring differing schools of Reiki’, should honoring what the founder of the practice that we claim to be teaching be of primary importance to any school of Reiki rather than honoring a school’s deviations from the original teachings?
As I write this article one Reiki association I am a member of has just emailed me clarification of their position regarding differing Reiki styles and what they recognize. No doubt in response to membership requests from people with qualifications with the word Reiki in them, they likely have little resemblance to Usui Reiki. Look there are many good teachers out there teaching what I might class as Western approaches, or a bit away from the original Japanese Usui Reiki and they could be helping many people, my primary concern is those very far away from the original teachings still using the word Reiki. My question would be how far would something need to get away from the original for it to no longer resemble it? Be that in content missing or content that is not Reiki at all. Personally from a consumer view if I was looking for Reiki, or to sign up for a Reiki course and be trained in it, I would want the authentic Reiki, -what I thought I was getting, not a dilution, variation, or mix of it with other things.
My take would be if as a Reiki teacher, you are going to deviate from what Usui Sensei developed (Reiki) then call it something other than Reiki. For those looking for original Reiki to learn, my advice is to speak to a Jikiden Reiki teacher. There are more of us internationally now (all training being controlled and registered from Japan). I recommend if you want to learn Reiki, learn the original, then if you still wish to explore other approaches to healing or feel drawn in a different direction, you do so from a great place of understanding of Reiki. I am aware of teachers who have done so and still wished to create their own style of Reiki. One such teacher termed it in a way I like, comparing it to a tree, emphasizing the importance to ensure the roots and trunk are strong (take authentic original Japanese Reiki training, i.e. Jikdien Reiki training) then from that place, if you still wish to go off in a different direction (the branches) do so and your tree is strong. However, if you have a lack of understanding of the original and go straight to the branches, your practice will be compromised. The practice is built on a weak foundation of understanding of Reiki. What we find common with Jikiden Reiki, is that once you know the original, anything else doesn’t make that much sense to learn As such Jikdien Reiki tends to attract those looking for authentic training, as it did with me.
My place in this space is to help people with authentic Usui Reiki teachings. Be that with reiki treatments, Reiki training for those new to Reiki or who have had Reiki training before, as well as educating Reiki professionals. Everyone can benefit from what the original Reiki teaching offers us, so I would suggest anyone with an interest in Reiki look into Jikiden Reiki. I hope you found this article of interest and got you thinking and explained some considerations in regards to this topic and hopefully, I didn’t add too much confusion to this topic. For more discussion on the differences between Jikiden Reiki and Western Reiki see my Article: Jikiden Reiki and Western Reiki, Whats the Differences? For information about Reiki training see my website for Jikiden Reiki courses.
I am mainly known nowadays for my work with Reiki, as a specialist in authentic Japanese Reiki. I am an experienced, Reiki teacher and practitioner with a proven track record of results. I offer Jikiden Reiki training courses, promoting authentic Japanese Reiki teachings. I am based in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, in the UK. I have a background in coaching and training in the areas of exercise coaching, holistic lifestyle, fitness, and performance coaching. I also have a BSc.(Hons) degree in Sport and Exercise Science, for more information visit: www.shaunmckeown.com
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. Shaun Mckeown, disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.