This article is to help those looking for original Japanese Usui Reiki teachings and would like help to find Authentic Japanese Usui Reiki training courses, among a sea of options out there. If you like approaches to Reiki that have moved far from the original, that’s fine, This article is not for you, it is for those who are looking for Reiki training as close as possible to the original, in its complete form how Reiki was originally taught in Japan.

The Reality

There are many different Reiki courses, and many misunderstandings in Reiki courses, In addition, many courses present themselves as authentic Japanese Usui Reiki, yet are quite a distance from that. Many teachers don’t realize this, others are aware of this, and some look to appear more Japanese than the Reiki training they provide. Which makes it difficult for those looking for authentic Japanese Usui Reiki training (Usui Sensei being the founder of Reiki).

Why I am writing this article:

Many people contact me looking for original Japanese Reiki training and are confused about how to find it, or have previously taken Reiki training and have been disappointed with what they got, thinking it was the original, to later find out it was not, and are coming to me for help. For some, this is the journey, as it was with myself learning Usui Reiki, which was unknowingly more Westernised, to then later discover more original Japanese Reiki training in Jikiden Reiki. Something that has helped me, understand what is taught in other Reiki courses, so I am well-positioned to write articles such as this. So, with my Consumer Champion hat on, I am writing this article to help you navigate through the choices out there, to help you get to the Reiki training you are looking for.

Avoiding Disappointment

Some who attend my Reiki training courses are new to Reiki, and others have received previous Reiki training, so are now attending my courses to deepen their understanding of Reiki, which is all fine. Others, however, did not get what they thought they were getting with other Reiki courses the first time they took Reiki training courses, so then sometime later after not feeling what they were taught was that effective, or did not seem what they were looking for come to me for help. The only solution is to retain them, so many decide to take Jikiden Reiki training with me. What I want to do here is to help people avoid the need to retrain in Reiki, by helping them understand how to get to the original teachings from the start and avoid any potential disappointment.

This Article is for you if:

You can self-identify if I am talking to you, as you will be wanting to learn Reiki and want to learn it in its complete original form, The accuracy of what you are taught is likely important to you as well. Many students use terms like they want ‘pure’ Reiki, or ‘non-watered-down Reiki’. You would want to learn the system of Reiki with no Western influences of different healing therapies or concepts mixed in, that muddy the water. In a nutshell, you want to learn Reiki in its original complete form, with no missing parts, no non-Reiki additional content, without misunderstandings, as it was created by Usui Sensei in Japan. If that sounds like you, read on.

The Solution

So, if this is you the quick answer is to learn Jikiden Reiki with an authorized Jikiden Reiki Teacher. If you are in the UK have a look at my Jikiden Reiki training courses page for further details and course dates. I am based in the Birmingham area, UK. Many travels quite a way to get to my training, however if you live at the other end of the country, and want a course a bit closer have a look at the Jikiden Reiki UK Association’s UK Jikiden Reiki course schedule for upcoming Jikiden Reiki courses in the UK. For those not in the UK have a look at the International Jikiden Reiki Association for teachers internationally.

The only sure way to ensure you get original Japanese Reiki training is to take Jikiden Reiki training courses. We know this is the only known credible route that is available to the public in the UK, or internationally. Be aware many Reiki schools, teachers, and courses use terminology that makes them sound more authentic and Japanese. Some add Japanese concepts, or actual original techniques into their teachings. The origins of some Reiki courses can be very well hidden. So, again the best way I can help you find original Japanese Reiki training is to suggest you take Jikiden Reiki training courses, with an authorised teacher. Without the inside understanding, it’s going to be difficult to uncover all those that present as original Japanese Usui Reiki, yet are something much different. Below are some points that should help you screen out 80% and give you some clues to start.

11 x Clues to help you Spot Reiki Courses that might not be a fit for you if you are looking for original Japanese teachings

1.      The fact it is called Usui Reiki, or Japanese Reiki, or has a Japanese-sounding name, is no indication that it is close to the original Usui Reiki teachings. Most Western Reiki approaches use the title Usui Reiki.

2.      Just the fact a teacher is Japanese themselves is no indication what they are teaching is close to the original Japanese Usi Reiki teachings (as much of the Reiki taught in Japan to the public has its roots in Western Reiki).

3.      If the teacher calls themselves a Reiki Master, or even terms sounding even higher levels of a teacher than that, it is unlikely they are not teaching original Usui Reiki. In Jikiden Reiki we use the term Shihan (meaning teacher). See my article Reiki Levels Explained for more on this.

4.      With a teacher's Reiki Lineage (a teachers teacher's family tree traced back to the founder of Reiki Usui Sensei- this being each teacher in that lineage being trained to teacher level and given permission to teach what they were taught by the teacher above). If Mrs Takata is in the lineage it is Western Reiki. Note: Although teachings from Mrs. Takata onwards were changed, she did a lot for Reiki and its spread in the world. See my article What is Reiki lineage?

5.      Also understand some Reiki schools and teachers (be that the teacher themselves, or more commonly a teacher further up in the teacher’s lineage have altered their true teacher lineage to look more Japanese, for example, some might take practitioner-level training with an original school, then claim to have been a teacher with that person and add them to their lineage. A common sign of such problems is a teacher's Reiki teacher lineage with various branches. This is a big problem with Reiki courses, or teachers wanting to appear more Japanese. Again for more understanding of this point see my article What is Reiki Lineage?

6.      If a training course uses terms such as attunement, or initiations, it is an indication it is away from the original. Reiju is the original term used for clearing the channel so you can channel Reiki energy yourself.

7.      On a practical level, if a course teaches to deliver Reiki treatments from set hand placements (usually 10 or more), commonly with 5 min durations or less at each point, delivering a standardized Reiki treatment, or relies heavily on your intuition, or communication with guides and other entities, we are getting away from the original. The way Treatments were delivered in Original Usui Reiki is targeted and uses a concept called Byosen (not to confuse with byosen scanning). Treatments are delivered by placement of hands in contact with the body, then the body giving you sensations through your hands, as to the degree of need at that hand placement, that is the information used to guide the treatments this was the original way. Note: books have been published with information on Byosen in the public domain, that teachers may have read and added to their training courses, but if a course teaches standardized approaches to delivering treatments, it gives you a good indication of the roots of it. See my article Jikiden Reiki and Western Reiki, What’s the Difference? which expands on these practical differences.

8.      If there is a theme of improving on the original, developing, or evolving Usui Reiki in some way, they have the concept of Reiki backward and are away from the original. If you want original Reiki, look for those that try and preserve the original teachings, not change them.

9.      Amazon's best-seller list is not an indicator of authenticity in Reiki training. Yes, some teacher-authors are teaching original Usui Reiki, but popularity is not a good indicator of authenticity. So not always a good place to look for a teacher. For some recommended Reiki book titles see my Recommended Reiki books page.

10.   Original Usui Reiki uses the Japanese Lemoto system, in that permissions to teach are more controlled and granted with consideration and in stages. We continue this system in Jikiden Reiki, so we have Shahain Kaku (assistant teachers) who can teach the first level of Reiki courses, Shoden (level 1) then Shihan (teacher) who is permitted to teach the complete system. Shoden and Okuden levels. (level 1 and 2). Yet a select 1-2 senior teachers in each country are permitted to teach the assistant teacher, but not the full teachers, it then falls on the head of an organization that creates full teachers (we have 2 people in the world who create Shihan) so most teachers would deliver Reiki training to teach the whole system, but not permitted to teach teachers. So as a Shihan myself I teach Shoden and Okuden courses. The point to look out for is that if a Reiki course works that you get to teach very quickly and can create your teachers, you can see it as another indicator of an approach that has moved away from the original.

11.   You learn Reiki in person with a teacher. Some parts, Most importantly Reiju (where the teacher performs a process handed down from their teacher to clear your energy channels, is just not done remotely. If someone offers some way to do that remotely, they have moved a long way away from the original and I would question how effective such a clearing was compared to the original in-person way. See my article Are Online Reiki Courses A Good Idea? for more on this point.

I hope this article helps you in your search for the right Reiki training courses for you. If you are in the UK and would like to find out more about learning Jikiden Reiki see my Jikiden Reiki Training Courses page.

I am mainly known nowadays for my work with Reiki, as a specialist in authentic Japanese Reiki. I am an experienced, Reiki teacher and practitioner with a proven track record of results. I offer Jikiden Reiki training courses, promoting authentic Japanese Reiki teachings. I am based in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, in the UK. I have a background in coaching and training in the areas of exercise coaching, holistic lifestyle, fitness, and performance coaching. I also have a BSc.(Hons) degree in Sport and Exercise Science, for more information visit: www.shaunmckeown.com

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. Shaun Mckeown, disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.