Reiki - is it necessary to advance past level one? Thoughts?

[iloveTheSimpsons!]

I received my Reiki I attunement about 2 years ago, and have been practicing on both myself and others. Those I work with claim to experience shifts in their energy such as vibrations, heat, calmness, visuals - all described in positive terms. Personally, I have always felt naturally energetically aware, and both I and my clients are content with the results of my channelling of Reiki energy.

However, in job interviews, those interviewers who are familiar with Reiki tend to ask what level I am at...and I always get the impression that value as a Reiki practitioner is placed only on Reiki Masters. My teacher and some other practitioners that I know have said that it is unnecessary to advance to level 2 unless I want to learn distance Reiki, and only to level 3 if I want to teach/provide attunements.

What do you all think of this? What have your experiences been?

 

[Jenna K]

Reiki - is it necessary to advance past level one? Thoug

My teacher and some other practitioners that I know have said that it is unnecessary to advance to level 2 unless I want to learn distance Reiki, and only to level 3 if I want to teach/provide attunements.

This has been my experience as well.

It seems like there are 2 schools of thought about what it really means to be a reiki master.

On the one hand, there is the old-school approach that says you practice for a really really long time (many years) between levels. Mastership is attained only for the reasons given above, only with display of special energetic gifts, and only after truly a large number of years (20 or more). Among these people, a level-one practitioner would be perfectly fine, because it's assumed you're working on it all the time and of course you wouldn't be a master yet, if ever.

On the other hand, there are tons of nice people who feel they have it down after a couple months, enjoy continued interaction w/their reiki teachers, and get master status within a year or less (often from people who master-shipped in the same short period of time). In this way of reiki, amassing all the tools quickly feels right, and frankly it's very easy to find a teacher who agrees. I find that this group includes a LOT more people who don't take level-1 people very seriously, mostly because they didn't take themselves seriously at level 1 and felt driven to check off all the levels as quickly as possible. Again, not for any ill motive, but because of two totally different approaches -- eagerness & almost eating things up, versus slow-&-steady. I know quite a few of the eagers!

I am trying, personally, to be a little more accepting of the one-year masters. It's hard for me to do, because I am not built that way, to think that mastery of anything comes so quickly. But I expect the OYMs to be very respectful of my father, who is a many-year practitioner who plans to always stay at level one, and I also know that energy work can have a talent component, so I am trying to be respectful in turn.

 

[proocresk]

I think waaaay too much emphasis has been placed on the concept of "levels". There are Reiki I practitioners who channel far more energy than some Masters I know.

In this day and age of instant gratification, getting something for (almost) nothing, and purchasing distant attunements on Ebay in over 300 flavors, the meaning of levels is even further diminished.

If your concern is how you come across in interviews, I would be truthful and say that you have been practicing for over two years and haven't felt called to take further attunements. Don't be bashful about repeating some of the feedback you've received from your clients and friends. As long as you speak in a humble manner, this works in your favor.

Spa owners may not be aware of the fact that the faithful practice of energy therapy acts as a "channel opener" in and of itself, so this is your opportunity to educate them. You need no one else to open your channel for you, your work has that added benefit.

Be confident in your work and be sure to offer a short session. Even just placing your hand on the shoulders of the seated interviewer for 5 minutes may be enough to convince them that one's level should not be part of the criteria for hiring.

 

[Kasandra]

I really think that its a personal choice, and you shouldn't feel that just because you are a Reiki I that you are any less a practioner than a Reiki Master.

I call myself a Reiki Practioner. Yes my cards say master, and when asked, I will say that I am a Master, but to me that really doesn't matter. Intent and how often you use Reiki does. JMHO

 

[LivinLife4MySavior]

I really think that its a personal choice, and you shouldn't feel that just because you are a Reiki I that you are any less a practioner than a Reiki Master.

I call myself a Reiki Practioner. Yes my cards say master, and when asked, I will say that I am a Master, but to me that really doesn't matter. Intent and how often you use Reiki does. JMHO

I would have to agree with the personal choice. If you haven't felt the need to go further, there is no need then. Mastership is more for those who are interested in teaching. Yes you learn more symbols, have an attunement for Mastership, but there are practitioners out there that never go beyond level I and do just fine. Don't go beyond what you want to do, do what feels right for you.

 

[Crimson Rebirth]

It is total personal choice and what you may need at the moment. Obviously up till now you have been satisfied with only having the first level...maybe now that you are exploring the idea of taking Reiki 2 that means you are finally ready for it. I don't think you have to have anything beyond Reiki 1 to be a great practitioner and be able to help people. It's all about what the universe has in store for you.

I help teach a Reiki class and frankly I'm sick of seeing people in there who are taking it just because they need the ceu's/credits or think it will be just another way of making money. That is one reason we haven't offered Reiki 3, because we certainly don't want those people becoming Reiki Masters, at least not from us!

 

[Philippine Carabao]

My teacher and some other practitioners that I know have said that it is unnecessary to advance to level 2 unless I want to learn distance Reiki

I can't agree with this as a generalization; even though it isn't literally written as one, I want to make this distinction.

If you mean that your teacher and colleagues have said that it is unnecessary for you to advance to level 2 unless you want to learn distance Reiki, and that feels right to you, then go with it.

However, if what they actually said/meant was that "it is unnecessary for one, anyone, to advance to level 2 unless one wants to learn distance Reiki", I would disagree with that strongly.

The symbols add a particular structure and intentionality to reiki treatments, and can be a springboard for creativity and lateral thinking in use of the modality.

The level 2 attunement also has an effect on the practitioner, just like the level 1 attunements, and can help increase one's flow and facility with running the energy.

You personally may not need any of these things, but other people often do, even after practicing for years.

 

[Ryde-On]

I agree with Talenyn here, my business cards say Master but I refer to myself as a Practitioner,as I feel less domineering to some who wouldn't normally schedule appointments as they may be put off by one being a Master. I use and practice Reiki all the time,and I am as happy now as a Master as I was when I first became Reiki I attuned...it's all about the energy here,and all the levels really translate into are symbols,which as I was taught,are not always necessary to help send Reiki to someone-in fact I know several Reiki I healers who send wonderful energy!! Just follow your intuition and progress as you see fit!!! It worked for me,but may not for someone else,it's a personal choice.

Namaste,
Johnny

 

[jhig78]

Everyone here has given such good words of wisdom, really. I also do agree with EgoMagickian. I'm a Reiki Master Teacher, and went through 5 levels of training, but you know what? I find the most powerful healers are the ones who are clear channels, the ones who are always working on themselves and also getting work done on themselves. SELFCARE. I have been worked on by "Masters" who were not as effective facilitators as others who were level 2 or whatever, because they walked their talk, took care of their emotional, phyical and mental bodies, and were not the "walking wounded." I think there in lies the difference.

To put it in simple terms for my students, I liken it to a water hose, and uncleared "gunk & stuff" can kink and clog the tube and therefore the flow is not as strong. The clearer the "hose" the more water (energy) can flow from it.

 

[Ramer T]

Thank you for all of your thoughtful responses. It does appear that there are two schools of thought on this issue, and I suppose it just depends on the practitioner which path to choose.

The comment made regarding self care and constant work - which translates to intention for me - is a very important point.

And thank you, barefoot, for the interview pointers. Self-marketing is not my strong point, but I think that your suggestions will be quite helpful when I come upon this circumstance again.

 

[fella]

I help teach a Reiki class and frankly I'm sick of seeing people in there who are taking it just because they need the ceu's/credits or think it will be just another way of making money. That is one reason we haven't offered Reiki 3, because we certainly don't want those people becoming Reiki Masters, at least not from us!

Just because they pay money for the class, do you have to pass them? Couldn't they could get the CEU hours without actually gaining certification or rank in your modality? If not, just fail them. Sure, you'll ruffle some feathers, but in the long run you'll be doing the entire profession a favor.

One of my personal training certifications is extremely difficult to get (and maintain). Certification seminars cost well over $1000, and many participants are NOT certified afterward. Result: a VERY high standard of excellence and prestige that is attracting ever-growing international interest.

 

[daphne o]

Maybe it is different in the US, but I was told that with reiki 1 I could work on friends etc, but I would not be able to get insurance to work on paying clients until completing level 2.

Maybe thats a UK thing?

 

[Karah?]

I question reiki in america. in japan it requires 1 yr of apprenticeship meditating daily and learning how to manipulate energy and learning to be an energy vessel. america has made it a fast food approach where you can be master in a weekend. it's just BS in my opinion. sure you can take the class and the teacher will tune you. all the tuning does is just help cleanse your energy and allow energy to flow better, however, if a person don't continue doing self improvement and developing energy skills through self work their energy will be block. it's all attitude. reiki classes will allow you to be more sensitive to energy but it don't teach you have to use energy through intent. energy isn't a passive thing like most reiki class teach. you have to be active with mind intent. it don't just go where it's needed. you have to learn to take energy in your body and out and move around through your intent. energy isnt' going to go through you to the client if you have no intent. Years and level mean nothing. it's the person's spiritual growth. if a reiki practitioner or any energy practitioner have drama in their life, are addicts of drug/alcohol then they can call themselves reiki master all they want. I still won't believe them because they don't walk the walk and don't understand anything about energy. too many students are brainwash by unquality teachers that they are masters in name of profit. it's like a pyramid scheme of some sort in this reiki field. I'm a energy practitioner myself and I find most reiki students/masters are just sensitive to energy but I don't feel/see them being able to manipulate energy or transfer energy. energy work require daily practice of energy cultivation, mind training. most have illusion that they can move energy when all they have is just sensitivity to energy through their tuning. you can tell if they are qualified by their lifestyle and their energy practices. I will never believe someone who is a reiki master if they don't do any meditation of some sort or take care of their health or learn about energy. just because you believe your a master don't make it so. people are so gullible in the reiki field. they are being hypnotized/brainwash without knowing. hypnosis is safe if one knows one is hypnotized, however, it's dangerous and can kill if one doesn't know one is hypnotized. look at religion and cults as they are forms of hypnosis.