Reiki is increasing in popularity as more and more people want to receive or learn it. When you first research the topic, you will discover several ways of performing Reiki or Reiki systems, as they are called. It is essential to figure out which Reiki system you should learn to heal yourself and others.
The best type of Reiki is the one you learn because universal healing energy stays the same. The different Reiki systems you see are just ways of gaining access to this universal field. How you gain access and how the energy acts through you can vary from student to student.
With that said, it is good to know some common ways of performing Reiki so that you know what you are learning. Read on to learn about different Reiki systems and their similarities and differences.
What Are the Different Reiki Systems?
There are hundreds of Reiki techniques, and experts have changed their methods wherever they deem necessary. They have built various intention-oriented Reiki systems like Erotic Reiki, Soulmate Reiki, Karmic Reiki, etc.
These systems deal with the same life force energy. However, understanding a few core Reiki techniques will help you appreciate its history and power.
You can also learn more than one method if you want, though that is usually not necessary. This article will only discuss the four most common Reiki techniques.
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Usui Reiki
Reiki was first developed or rediscovered by Mikao Usui from Japan. In the early 1920s, he meditated near Mount Kurama for 21 days.
It is believed that Usui developed Reiki during this period. His memorial stone states that he taught Reiki to more than 2000 students during his lifetime.
One of Usui’s students, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, standardized his practices. Years later, Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American, studied under Hayashi and brought Reiki to the West. She became a Reiki master in 1940 and opened the first Reiki clinic in the US.
This is the modern Reiki we know today. Most current Reiki branches in Japan and the West have Usui Reiki as their root and primary reference. When you receive Reiki attunement, chances are you are being introduced to Usui Reiki.
Karuna Reiki
William Rand, the president of the International Center for Reiki Training, developed Karuna Reiki in 1995. The word “Karuna” means compassion and unconditional love in Sanskrit.
It is a higher vibrational Reiki system than Usui Reiki. And since Karuna Reiki is a step above Usui Reiki, teachers recommend learning Karuna Reiki only after mastering the Usui Reiki. Like Usui Reiki, Karuna has three levels to help you develop and evolve harmoniously.
Other Reiki systems derived from Karuna are Holy Fire Reiki, Tera Mai Reiki, and Karuna Ki Reiki. Karuna and Usui enhance and boost your power to channel the universal life force energy.
Jikiden Reiki
Reiki started snowballing near the end of the 20th century. During this period, some students began to combine Reiki with other healing practices.
They started mentioning non-Japanese concepts like auras, chakras, spirits, etc., which were not part of the original teaching.
Seeing these changes, Chiyoko Yamaguchi and her son decided to spread the traditional Reiki teachings. Yamaguchi had learned Reiki from Dr. Hayashi.
The word “Jikiden” means “directly transmitted.” In simple terms, Jikiden Reiki is the traditional Reiki system from Mikao Usui, without any alterations.
It is beautiful to have the original teachings intact even after various practitioners have developed many Reiki systems. If you ever want to learn more about Mikao Usui’s teachings, Jikiden Reiki is the way forward.
Lightarian Reiki
Lightarian Reiki is practiced by masters who want to take their spiritual journey to the next level. It is an expanded form of Karuna and Usui Reiki. And their website claims that it teaches you to heal more effectively.
In this type of Reiki, higher vibrational bands are used to develop a broader, more profound, and powerful connection with the universal energy. It prepares you to provide more effective healing to yourself and others.
Masters have found that there are eight bands of Reiki healing energy. The first two are occupied by Usui and Karuna Reiki, while Lightarian Reiki occupies the next six. This means it would be best to learn Lightarian Reiki only after you have mastered Usui and Karuna Reiki.
Which Reiki Is the Best?
There is no best type of Reiki. All the systems are essentially doing the same thing. Some methods may have introduced intentions, like attracting wealth or relationships.
If that is your goal, opting for a particular type of Reiki may be beneficial. But the technique does not make much difference if you want to learn energy healing.
Even though Karuna is a step above Usui Reiki, that does not mean it is better. It is what it is. All Reiki systems deal with the same universal life force energy.
This is not a corporation where you must climb the promotion ladder and learn one technique after another. The whole point of spirituality is to let go of chasing things and relaxing in our being.
Many systems exist because people altered the original teachings to deliver them more effectively. Hawayo Takata, the woman who brought Reiki to the West, taught all her students different things differently.
The founder Mikao Usui also changed his methodology over the years. So do not worry about which Reiki system to choose.
It is also not about the technique; it is about the healing energy and how much people allow it to transform their lives. The best way to do Reiki is the one you feel most comfortable with.
But how do you find out what is best for you? It is simple: surrender yourself to Reiki and let it do its magic. The universal life force energy knows what’s best for you and others around you.
How to Find the Best Reiki Teacher
The next big question after the technique is the master. A capable teacher can make a big difference, regardless of the system. So how do you find the perfect teacher who will introduce you to the beautiful world of Reiki?
Well, finding a good Reiki master is easier than you think. Just as Reiki can take care of your choice of technique, it can also help you find the best teacher. It does not mean you won’t have to work for it. It just means things will be easier.
Surrendering to Reiki is the crucial step in this entire process. If you can offer with your heart, learning just one technique is more than enough.
Practicing Reiki daily is another requirement for progress. Complete surrender is difficult, so do what you can and ask for strength.
Final Thoughts
Many systems of Reiki have been developed over the last hundred years. Reiki’s most common and core methods are Usui Reiki, Karuna Reiki, Jikiden Reiki, and Lightarian Reiki.
Despite having different approaches, all of these systems deal with the same universal energy. Therefore, they are essentially the same.
There is no better or worse Reiki system. You can learn any of the techniques and start practicing diligently. Similarly, surrender to Reiki and let it find the best teacher for you.
Soon, you will be able to channel the universal life force energy to heal yourself and others.