Each day, a Reiki practitioner will sit in meditation and chant the 5 Precepts of Reiki
Today Only (Kyo Dakewa)
Do Not Anger (Ikaruna)
Do Not Worry (Shinpai suna)
With Thankfulness (Kansha Shite)
Work Diligently (Gyo wo hageme)
Be Kind to Others (Hitoni shinsetsu ni)
Usui Sensei borrowed these words from a Japanese author in the early 1920's and adapted them for his students. Chanting these precepts has had profound effects on Dojo students and Reiki students world wide. Included in the daily practice is a meditation to open the practitioner as a clear channel of this energy and to boost their connection. A practitioner will learn this meditation during their Shoden (1st Degree) training.
A Reiki session is a blissful way to have your balance restored and to come to centre. As a regular,dally meditation, Reiki can add a whole new dimension to your personal experience. The most important decision a Reiki student at The Dojo makes is to commit to a daily meditation practice. Successful practitioners are those that create time and choose to make meditation a high priority in their daily lives.
Worldwide, Reiki is taught in either three or four degrees. Each degree brings the student deeper along the journey to self awareness and enlightenment. At The Dojo, we offer four levels so that the training is extensive and detailed.
The focus of the first two levels is a therapeutic one, to create a happy and healthy life for oneself and for the others that one helps. The third and last level expand the focus to the spiritual aspect so that they have a deeper focus on enlightenment. Each level is not considered an 'advancement' on the previous, but rather each level simply has a specific element of the overall teaching to convey.
Shoden Degree Practice - Self Healing
The first level opens the doors to the awareness of ourselves as an energy being. Here we take responsibility for our own healing. Students will go through a transformation, of physical, emotional and spiritual awareness. This allows the evolution of the ego and the mind so that the student can 'move themselves aside' and allow Reiki to flow. The first degree has one symbol. The journey begins to seeing ourselves as spiritual beings, practicing seeing our inner light and exploring ways to share it with the world at large.
For 21 days after this 2 day class, students receive an email containing reminders of the daily meditation practice and notes of encouragement to help them through the first part of the journey. It is important at this stage to establish a connection to the Reiki energy. Regular attunements, Reiki sessions and counsel with Shihan Robert and Lorie Saito will assist the student with this as the transformation occurs. Students who have taken advantage of regular access to training and the teachers have been the most successful.
Chuden Degree Practice - Healing Others
At this level the therapeutic aspect deepens as the student becomes Practitioner and begins to use Reiki to assist others. While students are encouraged to do this, the focus is still on a deeper path of self awareness. During this two day class, three symbols are taught and training focuses on healing others and practicing a deeper self awareness.
As a healer, you will transform even deeper to become aware of each person, including yourself as a perfect part of the Whole of this Universe. When we can see the spirit of each being, we can see the perfection. Reiki si the universal energy, the life force that is in everything. As healers, we exist without ego to allow the client to use the Reiki that channels through us.
A Practitioner does not heal. A Practitioner will step out of the way so that the Reiki can do the healing.
Okuden Degree Practice - Inner Teacher
Level Three introduces the Practitioner to the more spiritual aspects of putting the Reiki principles into action in your daily living. This degree includes attunement to the fourth shirushi and how to use it. After receiving this degree, the student will again go through a transformation as they seek to discover their own inner wisdom, shedding those that no longer serve their journey. Students may or may not wish to continue to the last degree from this point. At The Dojo, we look forward to our Okuden Practitioners sharing their experience and their journey with the beginner students. Their wisdom and knowledge of their path assists in many ways.
Shinpiden Degree Practice - Teaching Others
Teacher training is an individual path. True teachers are those who keep the path of their practice consistent and evolving. Those who choose to dedicate their path to Reiki each do so in their own unique manner. As you become aware of your interest in committing yourself to this path, please approach us to discuss how we can best unfold the journey with you.
At this level, and through extended training, the role of Mastery exists only as a path to mastery of oneself. We live the principles of Reiki in everyday life, honoring each person's path and creating opportunities for the sharing of gifts.