Reiki precepts & styles

This is also called the Reiki Principles. When I did my Reiki training I was given the Precepts as

Just for today
I will not worry
Just for today
I will not anger
I will honour my parents, teachers and elders
Do my work honesty
And be kind to every living thing

This is the Reiki mantra that is used during meditation techniques

These Precepts were given to me by my Reiki teacher in 1999, before all the ‘new’ information about Mikao Usui was unearthed.

A memorial was discovered in Japan and on it was recorded all the information about Mikao as disclosed by his students. It gives a history of his life, family and discovery of the Reiki healing energy.

On the memorial stone was written the 5 Precepts, or Principles, of Usui Reiki

Just for Today

Don’t get angry
Don’t worry
Be Grateful
Work hard
Be kind to others

In Japanese:

Kyo dake wa

Okolu-na
Shinpai suna
Kansha shite
Goo hage me
Hito ni shinsetsu ni

 

Styles of Reiki

Since the teaching of Mikao Usui and Dr Hayashi many styles of Reiki have grown.

I believe my style to be Usui – Takata Traditional.

It is said that Usui taught each of his students according to their needs so even back then there could have been slight variances developed.
Dr Chujiro Hayashi then expanded the Usui teachings he had experienced and learnt, passing this on to his students, most notably Mrs Hawayo Takata and Chiyoko Yamaguchi. Although both of these ladies were Japanese they were living in very different circumstances. Mrs Takata took Reiki to Hawaii and then into America whilst Mrs Yamaguchi quietly practiced her Reiki in Japan. This then gives 2 slightly different styles and way of teaching Reiki producing the divide between ‘Western Reiki’ and Japanese ‘Eastern Reiki’.

My training was in ‘Western’ Reiki however I have also received training in ‘Eastern Reiki’ and, in my experience, both training was delivered in the same way, in person, with attunements (Western) and Reiju (Eastern) and a lineage to Mikao Usui.

Very many styles of Reiki have grown here in the West. There is a list of styles15 on the Reiki Council web site. Willian Rand states over 30 styles whilst Reiki Simplified web site gives 64! Many stated styles of Reiki show little resemblance to the Reiki taught by Mikao Usui.

The key points for learning Reiki are:
To have received in-person Reiki attunements/initiations or reiju
To have a recognised lineage to Mikao Usui, including Dr Hayashi
To have received in-person training at all levels of Reiki.

And, most importantly to do your homework before deciding your way forward with Reiki. The key points listed above are a given however all of us Reiki Masters teach Reiki, normally, in the style we were taught. The most important thing for a student of Reiki is to find a Reiki Master with whom you feel a connection – the right vibe. Reiki is a magical journey and you want to feel totally at ease with your teacher, so look around, speak to Reiki Masters. If you know any Reiki Practitioners, who did they train with – would they recommend their training? Another important thing to note is that once you do your Reiki 1 training you may feel that you want to do your Reiki 11 (2) training with another Reiki Master who has come your way. This is fine. You can have a different Reiki Master for every stage of your journey. If you decide to progress to Reiki Master level then it is the lineage of your Reiki Master that you take, should you decide to also teach Reiki.