| The practice of Reiki is taught through various schools, | | | | Teacher or doctor better defined as a Reiki Doctor or |
| Reiki institutions and covers the various branches of | | | | a Teacher of Reiki, though it is often said that in Japan |
| Reiki. Irrespective of the branch the instruction of Reiki | | | | a Teacher would not refer to himself as Sensei but |
| is taught in a degree system that is, an individual has to | | | | rather prefer to use the word Shihan. A Shihan is a |
| cross different levels or degrees to achieve the status | | | | person with the knowledge to teach Reiki to others |
| of a Reiki Teacher or Reiki Master. Usui Reiki is taught | | | | but it is difficult to give a measure of wisdom and |
| in three levels with an additional level for becoming | | | | expertise, it is something that differs from Teacher to |
| Masters or teachers of this craft. A Reiki Master is a | | | | Teacher and thus choosing the correct teacher is a |
| person who has undertaken the practice of Reiki as a | | | | very delicate task. Becoming a Reiki Master does not |
| lifelong commitment and is thoroughly ingrained in the | | | | really require any educational qualifications but it is a |
| thoughts, ideals and values of the system. Only a | | | | must to be constantly practicing Reiki and be willing to |
| person completing the Master Degree or Level is | | | | devote a lot of time and energy apart from a genuine |
| qualified to teach Reiki to others, s/he receives a | | | | desire to teach Reiki to others. However it is important |
| special Master Attunement and is capable of | | | | to remember that in this last phase most schools give |
| performing Reiki Attunements for Levels 1, 2 and 3. | | | | out written notes unlike the previous levels in order to |
| Gaining mastery is not merely completing a level or | | | | help a new Teacher on their journey and though it is |
| obtaining a degree it involves constant evolution on the | | | | up to the Teacher to decide to use it or not it is |
| part of the Master and years of study and dedication | | | | essential for the candidate to be able to learn and |
| to learning and practice alike. There is a great | | | | work with theoretical material and also for completing |
| responsibility on a Master and every teacher will have | | | | written assignments. |
| a different method of teaching this art and it is often | | | | Lastly learning Reiki is a very personal experience. |
| noticed that people may choose to apprentice under | | | | Some may require more time than others to fully |
| different Masters to gain a more complete | | | | absorb and be able to integrate and it is perfectly okay |
| understanding and grow under different methodologies | | | | to do so. There are a lot many teachers or internet |
| and schools of thought. | | | | sites that will make unrealistic promises but it is up to |
| The term Master comes from the Japanese word | | | | the learner to question himself whether or not they are |
| Sensei which means Master but more in the form of | | | | ready to take the vow. |