What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The word Reiki comes from Japanese Kanji, which are ideograms used in the written language in Japan.
The word Reiki is represented by two kanji, Reiki and Ki. Reiki is the upper character, and Ki is the lower character. The general meaning of Rei is universal, however there is a deeper understanding of this kanji, as Japanese ideograms have many levels of meaning. The word ‘Ki’ means life energy and it is also known as the vital force of the universal life energy. It has the same meaning as Chi in Chinese, Prana in Sanskrit or what science calls biofield energy.
Reiki is defined as spiritually guided life energy.
Reiki was originally established as “Usui Reiki Ryoho” (meaning “Usui Reiki Healing Method”) by Mikao Usui in 1922 as “the way to make mind and body healthy on the basis of the Universal Reiki“. This tradition evolved as a result of his research, experience and dedication. It is a tradition that is open to any belief system and benefits may include deep relaxation and the promotion of a calm peaceful sense of well-being. Usui Reiki Ryoho has spread worldwide as a complementary therapy for modern medicine.
Many consider that Mikao Usui (Usui Sensei) was the creator or Reiki, and that the word Reiki applies only to the healing modality he discovered and developed. Yet, when researching the facts concerning the origin of Reiki as a healing modality, we find that prior to Mikao Usui developing his style of Reiki, there were at least four other styles of Reiki healing that were being practiced in Japan (William Lee Rand, An Evidence Based History of Reiki).
In February 1922, Usui Sensei went to Kurama yama mountain near Kyoto (Japan) in order to achieve An-shin Ritsu-mei; this is a special state of consciousness that once achieved would not only provide an understanding of one’s life purpose, but would also guide one to achieve it. In order to achieve An-shin Ritsu-mei, the student must be willing to die. This is what Usui Sensei wanted to achieve in 1922 through fasting a meditation until he passed to the new world.
In March 1922 at midnight of the twenty-first day, he stood up and a powerful light suddenly entered his mind through the top of his head and he felt if he had been struck by lightning; this caused him to fall unconscious. Soon he realized that in addition to the illuminating experience he had undergone, he had also received the gift of healing. He also understood that his purpose in life was to be a healer and to train others.
In April 1922 he moved to Tokyo and started a healing society that he named Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Method Society). He then developed his system of healing which he called Shin-Shin Zai-Ken Usui Reiki Ryo-Ho or Usui Reiki Ryoho (Usui Reiki Healing Method).
Over time he developed three Reiki symbols, that students currently receive in Reiki II; he did not have a Master symbol, which was later developed by Hawayo Takata Sensei.
The number of pupils who learned from Mikao Usui amounts to more than 2000 persons and initiated twenty Shihan (teachers).
Gendai Reiki
The Gendai Reiki Method is widely recognized in Japan and around the world. It is a simple and practical Reiki method that can be used on a daily basis, following the spiritual improvement taught by Mikao Usui and fully benefiting from its effects.
Hiroshi Doi Sensei is a founder of Gendai Reiki Ho. Born in Okayama, Japan in 1935. After learning countless healing modalities, he learned the Western Reiki and the original Japanese Usui Reiki systems. He deepened his study and practice of both Reiki methods, and developed Gendai Reiki Ho, which combines the techniques from Western Reiki and the deep spiritual aspects and the truth of life from Japanese Usui Reiki. Hiroshi Doi is the president of Gendai Reiki Healing Association (GRHA).
Gendai Reiki Ho is not a new Reiki system. It can be referred to as “original Japanese Usui Reiki Ryoho in the Gendai Reiki style,” as it allows people in modern society to learn and practice the original Japanese Usui Reiki Ryoho easily and comfortably.
Reiki is a healing method using Reiki, and ‘to be healed’ means to go back to its original, healthy state. Not just the body, but also mind and soul are all in a healthy state. Usui Sensei said that Usui Reiki Ryoho included both aspects of physical treatment and spiritual practice. He completely trusted a Reiki practitioner as to which aspect to take. If you understand Reiki as physical treatment, your Reiki session will be a physical treatment mainly targeting the physical body. If you understand Reiki as a spiritual practice to heal mind and soul, your Reiki session will be a spiritual practice.
Holy Fire® Reiki
There are no limits to the possibilities offered by Reiki. As demonstrated by Usui Sensei, Hayashi Sensei (one of the twenty Shihan initiated by Mikao Usui) and Takata Sensei, Reiki is something that is meant to be developed. Takata Sensei had been initiated as a Reiki Master by Hayashi Sensei, and can be considered an important innovator of Usui Reiki Ryoho. If it were not for Takata Sensei, Reiki would most likely have fallen into obscurity and never have been practiced by people all over the world.
Reiki energy comes from an infinite source and because of this, regardless of how developed and evolved ones healing energy has become, one will always be channeling a small portion of the potential healing energy that is available. It is always possible or the quality, effectiveness and benefit of one’s healing energies to improve.
In 2014, the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT) introduced Holy Fire® Reiki, marking a new chapter in Reiki’s evolution. Holy Fire® Reiki builds upon Usui Reiki while introducing a refined, high-frequency energy known as “Holy Fire.” This energy is described as pure and deeply transformative, capable of working on deeper emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.
A unique aspect of Holy Fire® Reiki is its emphasis on “experiences”—guided meditations that create a direct connection between the client and the universal life force energy. Holy Fire® Reiki practitioners are trained in traditional Usui techniques, but they are also attuned to channel this higher vibrational energy. This means that even when using traditional hands-on methods, the frequency of energy channeled by a Holy Fire practitioner may feel different.
William Lee Rand has received his master training from five Reiki Master Teachers. He has been teaching Reiki full time since 1989 and he is the author of numerous books such as Reiki for a New Millennium and Reiki The healing Touch. He is the founder and president of the International Center for Reiki Training and the Reiki Membership Association, founder of the Center for Reiki Research and is the published of the Reiki New Magazine.
In 1989 he developed the Usui/Tibetan style of Reiki; in 1994-95 he developed Karuna Reiki®, and in 2014 he introduced Holy Fire® Reiki which was upgraded to Holy Fire® II in November 2014 and to Holy Fire® III in September 2018. In April 2020, in response to the Coronavirus global crisis, William Lee Rand received an upgrade that now allows Reiki Masters from all over the world to teach Holy Fire® Reiki online.
The use of the word Holy in the name Holy Fire® is not intended to have a religious meaning. The word holy has as its root meaning to be holy and complete. Therefore Holy Fire® Reiki is a spiritual energy that creates wholeness through purification, healing, empowerment and guidance.
The entire Holy Fire® Reiki system is not something that William Lee Rand designed or created, but something that came to him as part of healing sessions he had with two talented spiritual healers who channeled illuminated beings.
Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki: Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki significantly emphasizes spiritual consciousness and the idea of the Usui/Holy Fire® as a purifying and transformative energy. Practitioners may experience a more profound spiritual connection and personal transformation using Usui/Holy Fire® energy. This system takes us back to the original purpose of Reiki that Usui Sensi intended: spiritual healing and development.
Source of Energy
In Gendai Reiki, the healing energy generally comes from the teacher’s connection to the Usui Reiki universal life force or divine energy.
Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki: Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki introduces the concept of Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki, described as a powerful, high-frequency spiritual energy that comes from a higher level of consciousness. Practitioners believe the Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki is a refined and more spiritually advanced healing energy.
Symbols and Techniques
Gendai Reiki uses 4 symbols: 3 symbols in the Level II Okuden class, 1 Master symbol in the Level III Shinpiden class. Traditional Japanese techniques to channel and focus healing energy are taught.
Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki uses 5 symbols: 3 symbols in the Level II class, 2 Master symbols in the the Master class. The Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki system retained all of the Usui symbols and Master symbol. The new Holy Fire® Master symbol was introduced.
Teaching Methods
Gendai Reiki is taught through 3 attunements at each training level, with four levels of training, each building upon the previous one. The training typically includes hands-on practice and the learning of symbols and techniques.
Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki follows a similar structure, with three levels of training. However, symbols and attunements used in Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki are distinct from those in Gendai Reiki Ho.
Reiki Training
The first degree of Usui Sensei training was called Shoden (First Degree) and was divided into four levels: Loku-Tou, Go-Tou, Yon-Tou and Sam-Tou). The next degree was called Okuden (Inner Teaching) and had two levels: Okuden-Zen-Ki (first part) and Okuden -Koe-ki (second part). The next degree was called Shinpiden (Mystery Teaching) which includes Shihan-Kaku (assistant teacher) and Shihan (venerable teacher). Shinpinden is usually called Reiki Master level in the Western Reiki training.
Hayashi developed a new method of teaching Reiki while he was travelling, in which he taught both Shoden and Okuden together (Reiki I & II) in a one five-day seminar. Each day included two-three hours of instruction and one Reiju. Students were encouraged to receive Reiju on a regular basis from their local Shihan or teacher after completing Hayashi Sensei’s class.
Gendai Reiki Ho training is divided into four levels:
- Level I Shoden
- Level II Okuden
- Level III Shinpiden
- Level IV Gokuikaiden (Master)
Holy Fire® training is divided into three levels:
- Level I
- Level II
- Master Teacher
Attunement vs Placements & Ignitions
The ability to channel Reiki is transferred to the student by the Reiki Master during an attunement process. During the attunement, the Rei or spiritual consciousness makes adjustments in the student’s chakras and energy pathways and also in deeper parts of one’s consciousness to accommodate the ability to channel Reiki energy; it then links the student to the source. These changes are unique for each person. The Reiki Master does not direct the process and is simply a channel for the attunement energy flowing from spiritual consciousness.
The initial method that Usui Sensei used to pass on the Reiki ability was to simply hold the students hands, which usually took a long time. He later developed a formal attunement method or Reiju kai, which was much faster. It also made it easier for others to learn Reiki and to become teachers.
Different sources indicate that Usui Sensei also gave many attunements to each student, not just one or one set. The purpose of the student receiving the attunement over and over was that this process continually acted to refine and develop one’s ability to channel Reiki energy, thus making the energy channeled more versatile and able to heal a wider range of conditions, to heal more deeply and in a shorter time.
Hayashi Sensei created a new, more effective system for giving Reiju (attunements), while Takata Sensei had a different attunement method for each level of Reiki.
When Takata that the Shoden level, which in the West we refer to as Reiki I, she combined Usui’s four levels into one. This is most likely why she did four attunements for Level I). She also taught her students that the attunements empowered the symbols and taught a Master symbol that was given to Master students. She did not encourage her students to receive as many attunements as possible as was taught by Usui Sensei and Hayashi Sensei, but taught that just one set of four attunements for Reiki I and one or two attunements for Reiki II and one for Reiki Master level are all that are necessary.
It is well known that the attunement energies do not come from the Reiki Master, but are channeled through the Master to the student. However it has been observed that to some extent, the personal energies of the Reiki Master can influence the attunement energy and lower its vibration. To prevent this from happening, the Placement and Ignition process was introduced in which the Master does not physically interact with the student, but simply conducts a short, guided meditation and then stops talking. Holy Fire® energy conducts the Placement and Ignition process directly with the student, thus eliminating any energy that could come from the Master through physical contact.
Placements replaced traditional attunements in Reiki I & II, while Ignitions replaced the attunement at Master Level. In the Ignitions, the flame of Holy Fire® is ignited in the student by a process that is conducted directly by the Holy Fire® energy.
Lineage
Reiki lineage is a direct line of teaching that the teacher has been trained in. A lineage will reflect the knowledge that the teacher will pass on to the student. That is why different lineages will have different understanding of working with the system of Reiki.
Lineages in Gendai Reiki will always have Mikao Usui at the beginning of their lineage.
Holy Fire® has no lineage in the usual meaning of this word. Lineage as it is used with Reiki refers to the physical person who originally channeled the energy. No physical person originally did this. Therefore we can say that the lineage of Holy Fire® Reiki starts with God and it is passed on directly by God to each student.
Lear more about the Reiki Training offered by Giancarlo Serra
About Giancarlo Serra
A graduate of The College of Psychic Studies, Giancarlo Serra has studied many healing modalities, including Spiritual Counselling training, and is a healer, therapist and Reiki teacher. Read more
