The Divine Lineage of Reiki
In January of 1982 while living in Vancouver I had he opportunity to meet with Phyllis Lei Furumoto. During the two days following our meeting I received teaching and initiation from Phyllis into First Degree Reiki. The private Reiki class with Phyllis took place 13 months after the passing of Hawayo Takata.
April of that same year before the Reiki Masters gathered in Hawaii for Takata's memorial service, Phyllis Lei Furumoto initiated Carell Ann Farmer as a Reiki Master. After Takata's memorial service the Reiki Master’s that were present formed the Reiki Alliance.
In the spring of 1982 I had the privilege of assisting Carell Farmer in her classes as she began her journey as a Reiki Master. In July of 1982 I received private teaching and initiation from Carell Farmer into Second Degree Reiki. In March of 1985 after a 3 year apprentice program I was initiated as a Reiki Master by Carell Farmer.
After my Reiki Master’s Training was complete Carell and I continued to treat and teach together. As I began to mature as a teacher, I branched out on my own. The Divine Lineage of Reiki was subsequently developed through my personal daily practice, and what I learned from the individuals that I had the privilege of teaching and treating.
"It cannot be said that we who practice Reiki heal but rather that we who honor the practice of Reiki are blessed with healing. Reiki the touch of grace, can be described as blissful and in this way is truly a divine gift."First Degree Student Marc Lavoie
The Usui System Of Natural Healing
Usui Shiki Ryoho
The word Reiki is a combination of two Japanese words: Rei, which means "universal life force" and Ki, which is "energy." Reiki was re-introduced to the world by the spiritual seeker Mikao Usui in the late 180′s. In the west Reiki is referred to as The Usui System of Natural Healing, in Japan it is called Usui Shiki Ryoho.
The Usui system of Natural Healing is multifaceted. It is a daily spiritual practice that has 3 main areas of focus: a relationship with universal life force energy, spiritual precepts to assist with mental discipline, and the practice of focusing energy through the hands for hands-on-care. Reiki is also an energy-based healing modality that is a recognized form of preventative health care and a viable form of treatment for disease, illness and injury.
"Reiki summons the power to bestow the simple pacification, called the Soothing Hand. It helps to pacify, heal, and soothe. It does not address the activity of healing in a direct manner. It addresses it indirectly by increasing the body's energy, by relaxing the nervous tension in the body, and by pacifying the upsets and imbalances."Mikao Usui 1919
Reiki is a non-invasive treatment that can bring about a natural state of relaxation for the recipient. Deep states of relaxation trigger the para-sympathetic nervous system, which activates the body's intrinsic healing process.
Reiki is easy to learn, and is considered to be one of the simplest, most effective hands-on healing practices in the world. In order to practice Reiki effectively, it is not necessary to understand how the body functions or how the healing occurs. Rather it is assumed that the energy of Reiki has its own inherent wisdom and will always flow to areas of need in the body, mind, emotions and spirit, bringing about a desired state of homeostasis and restoring balance to the central nervous system.
This hands-on approach to relaxation and wellness can be applied with a light touch, a heavy touch, or above the body in the surrounding energy fields. A specific set of hand positions are usually given as a guide for doing formal Reiki treatments starting with the head, down the torso, the legs, the feet, and then down the back. The most common sensation from the hands of the practitioner is heat; the most common response is relaxation or an overall feeling of peace.
Reiki can also be applied anywhere on the body with no specific hand position in mind. It can be applied directly to areas where there are symptoms such as pain, stiffness, or anxiety. It can be shared very informally while engaging in a conversation or while the receiver is occupied with another activity. Reiki can also be applied for just a few minutes or a few moments at a time and still be effective and bring about a positive result.
It is suggested that Reiki can release the cause of disease in the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Often with only one treatment, Reiki can relieve the physical symptoms and emotional upset associated with stress, headaches, backaches, digestive disorders and general irritability. Most minor aches and pains seem to be relieved within just a few minutes.
Moreover, Reiki seems to be very effective as first aid for cuts, burns, and sprains. Because of its known ability to speed up the healing process, it is becoming more commonly used in medical institutions worldwide to help patients recover faster from injuries, illnesses, surgery and other medical procedures. Reiki treatments compliment rather than interfere with allopathic or naturopathic treatments prescribed by physicians and naturopaths.
The use of Reiki has also been successful in treating a variety of chronic conditions. Frequently when someone is suffering from a chronic condition the overall vital life energy in the body becomes depleted. It is common for the Reiki treatments to initially restore the vital life energy in the body and then rebalance the chronic condition therefore requiring longer treatment over longer periods of time.
Reiki has moved into the mainstream of complimentary approaches to healthcare. It is being taught in nursing schools, practiced in hospitals world wide, and has been studied by international institutes of health.
First Degree Reiki
Come Back To Your Senses with Reiki Master Leah Smith
During this 2 day workshop we will; create a foundation for Reiki as a daily practice of self care, discover a relationship with healing energy, explore easy to follow precepts for mental discipline, practice hand positions for full body treatments, learn how to treat acute and chronic conditions in yourself and others, and discover how to apply Reiki in first aid situations. There are four initiations in First Degree Reiki.
"Patients are satisfied because this is a drugless non-invasive treatment. Results don’t show as quickly as with drugs, but on the forth day they begin to see a difference. They begin to feel better and are vitalized. You see, we find the cause and when the caused is removed, then there shall be no effects. No illness, just good health, happiness, with the ability to take care of security and prepare for a long life. That’s Reiki."Chujiro Hayashi
The Daily Practice Of Reiki
- A relationship with creative life energy.
- Guidelines for healthy living.
- Hands on care, for yourself.
Reiki is an individual practice of "energy focus". Anyone can learn how to focus this loving energy through their hands in order to bring care to themselves or others. Reiki is gentle yet powerful, subtle yet effective.
Second Degree Reiki
The Sacred Practice Revealed Through Healing Symbols
In this two day workshop we will deepen the practice from First Degree Reiki. You will learn and have ample time to practice three healing symbols on yourself and your classmates. We will explore the many and varied practical applications for using the healing symbols in your daily life. There is one initiation in Second Degree Reiki.
"When we enter into the Reiki Practice the body will respond and whatever we wish to attain will be within our reach."Grand Master Hawayo Takata
Second Degree Symbols
Takata started her Reiki journey in Japan where over a period of months she received Reiki treatments in Dr Hayashi's clinic. during that time Takata's body healed from the physical illnesses she was living with. In the late 70's Takata brought Reiki to North America; given the remarkable healing she received in Dr Hayashi's clinic it was natural that she would have a strong focus on doing Reiki treatments and training practitioners.
Traditionally Second Degree Reiki was seen as the practitioner's level. There was such a strong focus on treating others that some of the great benefit of using the symbols for oneself slowly moved to the background. During the Second Degree Reiki class equal emphasis is placed on using the healing symbols for oneself and for others.
Takata taught that the Reiki symbols are sacred and powerful. She instructed that although the symbols are Universal, there is a certain amount of confidentiality associated with them. It is wise to not show the symbols or the invocations to others that have not completed Second Degree. The symbols are given in trust and each individual is responsible for maintaining their sacredness.
Power Symbol – This symbol is used for an increase of energy. It is the symbols that is most commonly used as it can be used anytime, anywhere, for anything and can increase the energy of the other symbols.
Mental Emotional Healing Symbol – This symbol is use to bring balance and peace to the mental and emotional body. Using the symbol for yourself will help you to understand the coloration between your thoughts and your feelings.
Distant Healing Symbol – This symbol enables you to send healing energy to others at a distance. When the symbol is used for yourself it can assist you in connecting with your higher self.
Third Degree Reiki for Personal Growth
The Path of Mastery - A Shift From Doing to Being
This two day workshop is an investigation into the experience of personal mastery. We will learn and have ample time to practice two new symbols, the Reiki Symbol and the Master Symbol. We will also learn and practice a ritual using all the symbols from Second and Third Degree to call forth the Lineage. We will explore other practical applications for this ritual. There is one initiation in Third Degree Reiki for Personal Growth.
"The greatest lesson in my life has evolved around the acceptance of love, from myself and from those around me. We can freely give only when we accept with gratitude all that life brings to us. Treat yourself each day. Make special time for yourself to touch your thoughts, your emotions, your being."Phyllis Lei Furumoto
Co-creative Relationship with the Rei
The essence of Third Degree Reiki is a shift from Doing to Being. The bases for this is understanding that who you are is your contribution not what you do.
In First Degree Reiki we consciously receive our relationship with the Rei to help us with our healing. In second Degree Reiki we receive three healing symbols to help us with our healing. In Third Degree Reiki we understand that we are the light and we are asked to see ourselves as not separate from the light in any way.
The practice of Third Degree Reiki is about walking a path of personal mastery and investigating what that means for you on an individual level and how that moves you into a co-creative relationship with the Rei.
Reiki Master's Training Program
Awakening The Reiki Master from Within
The Reiki Master's Training Program does not have a specific time frame; it is more of an organic process that allows each student to move through the program at their own pace. Some students have moved through the program in as little as ten months others have chosen to go more slowly and train for three years.
Attending Reiki classes, completing a written assignment, doing Reiki treatments, and private consultations with your teacher are all part of the training program. There is one initiation at the Reiki Master Level.
"To be a Reiki Master is to hold a sacred trust. This purity of heart is the essence of what we have to share. I pray that together we can bring that purity forth to clarify the past, live what we teach and teach what we live."Carell Ann Farmer
Reiki Master's Training
When you learn the first three levels of Reiki you are focused on your personal healing and how you can share Reiki with others. In the Reiki Masters Training Program you will revisit the teachings from the perspective of understanding the teachings in order to teach Reiki to others.
The program is practical; I ask that you attend as many Reiki classes as possible. I will give you a written assignment which covers the topics from First Degree Reiki. Through this assignment you will have an opportunity to be accountable for each aspect of the foundation of the practice from First Degree Reiki and the additional teaching that goes with that level of training.
It is important to understand that I can not make you a Reiki Master. The training program is an organic process that paves the way for the Reiki Master that is inside of you to rise to the surface. There is no way to predict how this may occur for anyone as the process is very individual.
