Very often, I am asked why people who have practised Reiki no longer than 21 days or a few months call themselves Reiki Masters.
I am part of a Reiki lineage that requires practice and mastery at each level before proceeding to a higher level and that is how I teach as well. And I teach this way because I see the value in this approach that offers no shortcuts.
This is my definition of a Reiki Master – A person who has practised hard (often for several years), worked extensively on healing themselves, and attained mastery along the way.
I don’t see ‘Reiki Master’ as a title that is obtained after attending a weekend class. I see it as a title that is earned as mastery is gained.
One may receive the title of Reiki Master easily – in the form of a certificate. However, unless some level of mastery is achieved through practice, neither the title nor the certificate are of any value.
Some people have also asked me why some people who call themselves Reiki Masters are just about as competent or knowledgeable as beginners on the path. This is possible because there is no monitoring body to question the competence of a Reiki Master. Anyone can call themselves a Master at the end of a Master Training Class. Who is to check on the quality of training received or the extent of practice undertaken by a practitioner?
There may be no monitoring body for Reiki practitioners and Master Teachers to answer to. But, ultimately, we are answerable to ourselves.
For those of us who are Reiki Masters or wish to become Reiki Masters, there are two questions to reflect on-
- Have I truly earned the title or is it just a fancy addition to my resume?
- Am I doing justice to the title or not?
If you are already a Reiki Master, these questions may inspire you to become even better at what you do.
If you wish to become a Reiki Master, these questions may guide you on your journey. Make sure you do some research, pick effective training programs and most importantly, keep up with practice after training. The Reiki class is only the first step. The real training begins after one steps out of the class. Over time, Reiki itself becomes your teacher. The more you practice Reiki, the more it leads you towards deeper understanding and self-mastery.
Also, some people have asked me if the title of Master can make one egoistic. My view is that the title by itself does not hold the power to make one egoistic – it is the meaning we attach to the title.
I believe there is nothing wrong with having a healthy sense of ego. If one has worked hard to attain a certain level of mastery and they are called a Reiki Master, I don’t see a problem with it. The problem only arises when one uses the title to show a false sense of superiority over others or to project power in unhealthy ways.
I would say it is a privilege to be a Reiki Master – not because it’s an ego booster that makes one feel special, but because it means –
- You…
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