Currently, I do not teach Shinpiden (Reiki III) despite receiving a few inquiries about Reiki III classes from interested parties for some time.
Part of my reluctance to teach Reiki III stems from a sense of responsibility for the Art of Reiki as a whole as well as my personal goals for professional Reiki practice.
Over the years, the term “Reiki” has evolved into a general label for a wide number of practices including therapeutic touch, energy medicine, chakra healing, etc. While each of these practices has a place in the alternative / complementary methodology pantheon, I humbly assert Reiki as deserving of recognition onto itself.
One barrier to “Reiki recognition” comes from the traditionally unique and unconventional methods of Reiki instruction; teacher to student with no established “standards” and loose traditions at best (level I, II, III).
While I’m not necessarily advocating for Reiki training standardization (as how can you standardize a spiritual practice?) I do see a need to be more firm, grounded and realistic; to establish a sense of understanding and respect for the teachings and methods both traditional and modern.
In my view, students should work with their Reiki teacher and vice versa over a period of time. There should be a reason to learn Reiki beyond the additional footnote on the bottom of a list of services. To me, Reiki is about a lot of things – satori (awakening), growing, healing, sharing, etc. In order to convey Shinpiden, I would like to see a measure of growth in myself and students; a firm and demonstrated grasp of the precepts, a deeper understanding of the origins and principles of Reiki practice, a clear method of communicating Reiki, etc.
To be blunt, I don’t want to hand Reiki III certificates out like candy; it doesn’t do anyone any good. Simply taking a class and collecting a certificate doesn’t make a practitioner any more knowledgeable, helpful, or proficient in Reiki; only practice does. Taking Reiki III doesn’t make you a “Reiki Master.” At best, Reiki III is the beginning of a new journey even deeper into practices. At worst, it puts the credibility of the art, method, and practice at risk.
I credit this opinion in part to my martial arts training. In my Taekwondo lineage, getting a black-belt means you’re just getting started. No one should expect to earn the distinction of black-belt, much less teaching responsibilities after a few weekends of training kicks.
Similarly, no one wants an air-traffic controller fresh out of high school or a nurse with only one year of medical terminology maintaining their stay.
We want our professionals to be well-trained, educated, and proficient in their craft – whatever that craft may be. From this we can begin to establish a sense of confidence in their person and credibility in their work.
One of my goals of practice is to see Reiki accepted as a credible form of care (self-care, health-care, animal-care, etc.). In order to do that, I’ve made a point to be very clear and grounded in my practice, communications, and advocacy. For this reason and the reasons above, I do not teach Shinpiden (Reiki III) classes at this time.
In the meanwhile, students who are interested in learning Shinpiden are invited to contact me directly for a more organic instructional approach.
