Jikiden Reiki® and Western Reiki, What are the Differences?
I have written this article primarily to help those new to Reiki who are looking for Reiki training courses and want to make sense of the options out there, who have come across Jikiden Reiki as well as other approaches to Reiki and wish to better understand the differences, to help them to make a better decision as to their direction in Reiki training courses, or indeed treatments. This article could also be helpful for those who have received training in Reiki of some form, who wish to deepen their understanding and study of Reiki and understand more about Jikiden Reiki. I have had countless private conversations with people looking for Reiki training, who want to better understand what they might be getting with each approach, so I have decided to write about it.
I write this article in peace, intending to help the person looking to better understand Reiki, who might be looking to invest in Reiki training courses and is confused about the options out there, so I write this with my consumer champion of Reiki hat on if you like. Before I go into the article, I want to make a few points to set the framing of this article, as you read it.
Firstly, people have seen good results from many different Reiki approaches.
Reiki energy is Reiki energy, and we all use the same stuff, so the differences in the practice of Reiki and the results people experience with differing approaches to Reiki come from factors other than the energy itself (what I mean is one approach is not using ‘stronger’ or special energy).
The term Western Reiki was not created by the Jikiden Reiki community, but by a prominent senior teacher in the Usui Reiki society in Japan in the early 1990s as a way to identify Reiki approaches that had moved away from the original Japanese teachings and practice of Usui Reiki. I highlight the differences from that view also.
Understand also there is a wide variety in what is taught under the title of Reiki, Usui Reiki, Western, or Japanese, and a wide range of accuracy of what is taught in any Reiki approach. As such the understanding of Reiki teachers, or Reiki Masters (the common Western term for a Reiki teacher) varies greatly as well. Consider as well most Western Reiki teachers would not be aware what they teach is Western Reiki at all! Some are and prefer not to make that known, but prefer to present their teachings in a more Japanese light, something to watch out for that as well.
I am a Jikiden Reiki teacher (Shihan) and that is all I teach nowadays, however, I was previously a Reiki Master teacher in both what was called Usui Reiki (Western Reiki) as well as a Reiki Master teacher in more ‘modern’, or ‘progressive’ approaches to Reiki as well, so I know what is being taught in both approaches to Reiki, so I am well positioned to write this. I have organized this article into 4 sections to help you gain an understanding of a few key characteristics of each approach to Reiki to help better understand them.
Overview
Jikiden Reiki is all about preserving the original teachings of Usui Sensei (the founder of Reiki) the Reiki teacher lineage (teachers link back to the founder of Reiki) is very short, with no Western influences, maintaining the original Japanese idea and practices of Reiki is the focus. Jikiden Reiki was built around the training Chiyoko Yamaguchi received directly from Chujiro Hayashi in the 1930s. Maybe think of Jikiden Reiki as the closest thing to authentic Japanese Usui Reiki training in the world that is openly available to the public. To find out more about Jikiden Reiki see my article: ‘What is Jikiden Reiki?’
Western Reiki has its roots in original Usui Reiki, it however lost some key components, understanding, and teachings in its move to the West, as well as the base Japanese culture and philosophy that ties into Reiki. This undoubtedly helped Reiki spread in the West and indeed back to Japan in the 1980s, however, this has led to in addition to fundamental misunderstandings of Usui Reiki, huge variations in what is taught under the name Reiki, and indeed has sprouted all these variations in styles of Reiki. I would suggest looking at my article: ‘Is there Such a Thing a Styles of Reiki?’ for more detail on this.
Reiki Teacher Lineage
The differences can be easily seen in a teacher's Reiki lineage. A Reiki lineage is a teacher's teacher training if you like, and who has granted permission for them to teach what they teach, this tracks back to the founder Usui Sensei. For more on Reiki Linages see my article: ‘What is Reiki Lineage?’ Note: A Teacher's lineage is always only a single line down, teaching what you were taught by the teacher above, back to the founder of Reiki. It is also only teachers should have one. I say this as you will come across teachers who have ‘expanded’ a lineage to look more Japanese, indeed many have found ‘creative’ ways to hide that what they teach is Western Reiki, choosing to list practitioner training with Japanese teachers as if they had been trained as a teacher and granted permissions to teach in that person’s name as an example. Characteristics of Jikiden and Western Lineages are below:
Jikiden Reiki
Mikao Usui
Chujiro Hayashi
Chiyoko Yamaguchi
Tadao Yamaguchi
Jikiden Reiki Shihans (teachers)
As an example, Tadao Yamaguchi is my Reiki teacher I trained with him and I teach what he taught me, he granted me the level of teacher, so I would be under him on my own Reiki teacher lineage.
Western Reiki
Mikao Usui
Chujiro Hayashi
Hawayo Takata
Here is a Western teacher lineage, it branches off in a variety of directions. There are commonly another 4- 15 steps down until you get to your teacher. The point is what is taught was changed at multiple points in that lineage. Any teacher with Hawayo Takata in their lineage is teaching Western Reiki.
Reiki Teachers & Teacher Training
Jikiden Reiki preserves the Japanese Lemoto system where who creates teachers is controlled from the top of the organization in Japan, so a couple of people in the world can create Shihan (full teacher), so as teachers, we don’t create other teachers, that is left to the top teachers in the organization, who are all senior teachers. This does help to preserve standards, however, there are naturally a lot fewer authorized Jikiden teachers as a percentage of Reiki teachers out there. So, for example, there may be 2-4 new Shihans (full teachers) created each year in the UK. The process of starting teacher training to the full teacher is commonly a 2-year journey for most, with many requirements to be met along the way such as repetition of full Reiki training courses 2 or 3 times, then attendance to an assistant teacher level (Shihan Kaku) training course. Then a teacher gains permission to teach only the beginner Reiki course (Shoden), they build experience delivering Reiki training, further repeating Reiki training and assistant training courses, then a Shihan (full teacher) course. We all teach the same thing, charge the same training fees, and work from the guidance of a central organization, the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Japan. All training is certified with them. For more details about Jikiden Reiki training, see my Jikiden Reiki courses page.
Western Reiki allows a Reiki teacher (commonly termed Reiki Master, or Reiki Master Teacher) to make adjustments to what they teach, how they deliver it, and charge what they want. The controls on the teachings you see in Jikiden Reiki are just not there in Western Reiki. Many have added other parts to the training, that are nothing to do with Reiki. Many have created different styles of Reiki. Teacher training is commonly a 3-day training course. Prerequisites are usually only to have taken level 1 and 2 Reiki, maybe some experience, but that is it. Teachers can then create their own teachers (Reiki Masters) at any time. There isn’t any coherent quality control or organized way of doing things. Some have formed organizations to honor the teachings of Hawayo Takata, or they aim to stay in line with her teachings, but it's more an individual teacher’s choice what they do (It’s a bit of a wild west out there).
What is taught in Reiki Training Courses
Jikiden Reiki This is the most important bit for you, and where differences are most evident. The Jikiden Reiki teachings are about the original complete Usui Reiki teachings. For a start, the method the teacher uses to clear the student’s channels to be able to channel Reiki energy is different than Western Reiki. In Jikiden Reiki this process is called Reiju. We perform Reiju multiple times throughout the Reiki training courses and place importance on maintaining a clear channel. How Jikiden Reiki teaches students to deliver Reiki treatments is always with hands on a person’s body, with light contact, with a focus on a person’s body showing us where the need is which we can track through sensations in our hands with the original Usui Reiki approach of Byosen, this is the cornerstone of delivering effective Reiki treatments (this is one of the parts missing in Western Reiki). We find a person’s area of need and stay there, for long periods of 30 mins plus, further supporting a targeted effective treatment, in addition, we can track a person's progress through the changes in these sensations. There are other useful original Usui Reiki techniques we teach that are absent in other Reiki teachings as well, such as Ketsueki Kokan Ho (a useful circulation technique performed at the end of Reiki treatment sessions) and the complete Seiheki Chiryo (emotional technique). Jikiden Reiki places enthesis on accurate historical information and cultural understanding in its training courses as well. There is also a focus on living Reiki in our lives. The style is simplicity and depth in its teachings and authenticity, it's easier to use, with non of the rituals you tend to see in Western Reiki. It is about honoring the original teachings of the founder Usui Sensei. Course levels will be Shoden (beginner) 2-day course. And Okuden (deeper level) 1-day course. We teach both courses together as 3 days of training. Jikiden Reiki will tend to suit those wanting authenticity and accuracy in what they learn and want to learn Reiki in its complete original form. For more details on Reiki training course levels see my article: ‘Reiki training levels Explained.’
Western Reiki The method the teacher uses to clear the student’s channels to be able to channel Reiki energy is different. In Western Reiki this process is called an Attunement, some call them other words such as initiation, but the process differs from the original method. Personally, having been trained in many of these methods the original has the best effect. Attunements tend to be 1 per course level and not done much after formal training courses. As not all Japanese Reiki teaching made it to what was first taught in the West, the teaching content gaps tend to be filled with things that are not Reiki, such as chakras, crystals, pendulums, angels, animal spirits, guides, additional symbols, such as a ‘master’ symbol among others. The method of delivering treatment tends to be standard hand placements, usually 15 sites, working 3-5 mins per placement. Or a more intuitive lead treatment. Having the hands hovering over the person’s body is the norm during treatments. The style tends to be adding more to the system. The levels are commonly presented as level-1 (beginner) a 2-day course and level 2 (practitioner), a 2-day course. Many have added additional levels, but any content in such courses is nothing to do with Usui Reiki. People usually learn level 1 training, then after 3 months or so take level 2 training. Western Reiki tends to suit those with an interest in things such as developing psychic senses, or interest in spirit guides, and for those where authenticity and accuracy, are not that important, for those that are happy with content being changed, or merged with other approaches.
In Closing
I hope this has helped you gain an insight into the differences between Jikiden Reiki and Western Reiki. If you would like to find out more about original Japanese Reiki courses in the UK, see my Jikiden Reiki training courses. If you are looking for Reiki training, you might find my article: ‘Guide to Finding the Right Reiki Course and Teacher for You' helpful.
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.