What is Jikiden Reiki®?
This article is primarily written for and to help those who are looking to learn Reiki and are considering which is the right course for them, who have come across my website, and maybe the term Jikiden Reiki for the first time and wish to understand a bit more about it. My aim is to provide an insight into Jikiden Reiki, as well as highlight some of its characteristics.
Although it can be considered to be desirable to focus on our similarities, rather than our differences in the Reiki world, in the context of understanding what Jikiden reiki is, a comparison to other approaches to at least be able to see where Jikiden Reiki sits in an environment of multiple variations and approaches out there all under the banner of 'Reiki' can be helpful. Better understanding the characteristics and methods of Jikiden Reiki, can help you make a more informed choice as to the best direction for you in your study of Reiki. Just today I had a conversation with another person looking to learn Reiki who was trying to make sense of all the choices out there for Reiki training.
In a nutshell, Jikiden Reiki is authentic Japanese Usui Reiki, as practiced and taught in the late 1920s and 30s in Japan, with no Western influence or adaption to the original teachings of the time. Most people assume, and why wouldn't they, that everything under the banner of Reiki is the same thing. It is a correct statement that Reiki energy is Reiki energy, regardless of approach or what is commonly termed ‘style’ of Reiki. To a degree, they have strong similarities: they all channel energy through the practitioner's hands to the recipient; Most have their roots in or originate from the Usui Reiki system of healing and they all help people. Yet there are marked differences in understandings, teachings, techniques, and applications between differing Reiki ‘styles’. Many in the professional Reiki community are completely unaware of this fact (Reiki masters included) so do not worry if this is new information for you.
Having personally had the pleasure of learning Reiki at the teacher level in various ‘styles’ of Reiki, I am grateful to all those who I have learned from. I am writing this article with an understanding of what is taught in differing Reiki styles and that this understanding has come from teachings and professional practice rather than a place of academic research, or reading books. I have witnessed great healing in all Reiki styles I have learned, and with the knowledge and understanding of Reiki I have now, I have made a personal choice to practice and teach Jikiden Reiki exclusively. Jikiden means 'directly taught'. The significance of the word 'directly' being the teachings is not modified in any way as they are passed down by teachers to students. They are taught the same way as in Japan in Reiki's early days.
The Jikiden Reiki Institute was founded in 1999 by the late Chiyoko Yamaguchi and her son Tadao Yamaguchi (My own Reiki teacher). At first glance, it may appear as though it would be a new style of Reiki having only been formed in 1999 but this is not the case. When forming the organization it was important to choose a name to protect the integrity of the teachings and authenticity of the training. Hence the choice of Jikiden Reiki, which is now a trademark, with the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto, Japan. Today, following Chiyoko sensei's death in 2003, Tadao sensei is the Representative, or head of the organization, or president, with Frank Arjava Petter (the prominent Reiki author and authority on Japanese Reiki history) as its vice Representative. It has teachers all over the world now in various countries including the UK, of which I am one based in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK.
In order to understand some of the characteristics of Jikiden Reiki, we need to overview some historical events. The roots of Jikiden Reiki came from the discovery in the mid-1990s that a direct student of Hayashi Sensei, Chiyoko Yamaguchi Sensei, was alive in Japan and had been practicing Reiki every day since the mid-1930s, however receiving it for quite a few years prior as well. Up until this discovery, it was thought that no one was still alive who was directly taught Reiki by Hayashi Sensei who was a prominent student of Usui Sensei, the founder of Reiki. Hayashi sensei is widely acknowledged as having facilitated the spread of Reiki to the rest of the world as he taught Mrs. Takata from Hawaii, in the mid-1930s as well. It was through Mrs. Takata that Reiki spread from Hawaii to the USA and then globally, including importing the Western version of Reiki to Japan (the original Usui Reiki teachings were not taught publically after the second world war). These imported styles all came from the teachings and lineages of Mrs. Takata who died in 1980. Both Chiyoko sensei and Mrs. Takata were trained to Shihan (full teacher level) directly by Hayashi sensei around 1939 and 1937 respectively.
As Reiki spread in the USA, into Europe, and then Asia the original Usui Reiki system was modified: key components were omitted, new approaches added, and key focuses were diluted. The traditional controls on who became a teacher were removed around the time of 1981. It was, therefore, an amended version of Reiki which was re-introduced to Japan in the mid-1980s.
It is only fair now to make the point that these adjustments supported Reiki's spread and indeed Reiki may not have survived globally without such amendment. However, the point is that by this stage the Reiki being taught had many differences from the Reiki taught by both Usui sensei in the 1920s and continued by Hayashi sensei in the late 1920s up until his death in 1940.
The term 'Western Reiki' is a term sometimes used to identify these amended teachings and is by no means meant in a disrespectful way, it is just a way of classifying what kind of Reiki, or what teachings are being described. The term was first coined by one of the presidents of the Usui Reiki Gakki (the original Usui Reiki society) in Japan in the early 1990s in reference to the imported Reiki being taught in Japan at the time and its thinking and approaches being somewhat away from the original Usui practice of Reiki. This term tends to only be used by Japanese-trained Reiki people anyway. In the context of this article, I use the term to help in identifying differing Reiki teachings.
I have seen some Reiki teachers presenting their Reiki classes as traditional Japanese teachings when they are clearly not, bolting on some granted very useful Japanese Reiki techniques onto a Western Reiki syllabus. It is again important to note that any Reiki style has value in helping people and all approaches to Reiki have the potential to work. So rather than saying that some of what is being taught is incorrect in the Western styles, it is a better way to view such teachings as say being further away from the original teachings of Usui sensei to varying degrees. From a consumer point of view if you wish to learn authentic Japanese Usui Reiki, then understanding the differences is important in order for you to be able to make an informed decision as to what Reiki training course you would like to take.
So as I have already mentioned the way Reiki is taught within Jikiden Reiki comes from the teachings of Hayashi Sensei, as taught to Chiyoko sensei in the mid-late 1930s. She then passed on these teachings to her son Tadao Sensei. The key point is that the culture and integrity of the Reiki teachings, or system are intact. With regards to the teachings themselves, they have a simplicity, yet depth within them. There is much emphasis on the Gokai (the guiding principles we live by as students of Reiki) to support us in life and our growth. You learn techniques that have disappeared in Western Reiki styles. There are key components of how Reiki was used in Japan in Usui sensei and Hayashi sensei's day that are not found in other Reiki courses.
In practical terms, the Reiju (termed attunement in western Reiki) you receive is again technically different from other Reiki styles. You can be confident that you are learning correct information regarding Reiki history and applications. You are trained in the traditional understanding of Byosen, which Usui sensei observed in treatments and can be classed as the cornerstone of Japanese Reiki and is the primary treatment method used in all Jikiden Reiki treatments. You learn other components that work in partnership with this understanding to enhance treatment effectiveness. You also learn how Japanese Reiki treatments are conducted, with long periods of time at locations, without the preset hand position sequences as commonly seen in many other Reiki styles.
Who becomes a Jikiden Reiki teacher also follows traditional ways. To become a teacher requires repetition in learning followed by permission to become an accredited Jikiden Reiki Shihan Kaku (Assistant Teacher) and Shihan (Teacher) is granted by the head of the organization/representative of the Institute Tadao Yamaguchi (or the vice representative alone). Following various assessments and repetition of training, the grade of Shihan Kaku is granted which permits the teaching of the first (beginner) level of Jikiden Reiki Shoden. After commonly a year or so of gaining experience teaching, further assessments are carried out, and all training levels are repeated with the addition of a further teacher course before the grade of Shihan is granted. This permits the teaching of the second level, Okuden (deeper learning).
For those of you with knowledge of other Reiki styles, you will again notice distinct differences in Jikiden Reiki with regard to teacher levels. Rather than being a 'become a teacher and off you go' setup, it takes time and investment in both experience and repetition of training in order to gradually be permitted to teach the two levels that are the Jikiden Reiki system. For example in my case, at this time, in attaining Shihan (full teacher) I have taken Shoden and Okuden levels (comparable to levels 1 and 2 in the west) both six times (three times with Tadao sensei himself), Shihan Kaku tree times plus my Shihan training twice (having completed all levels with the vice representative- Arjava Sensei as well). Furthermore, as set by Usui sensei and observed by Hayashi sensei, Reiki teachers are not permitted to create other teachers they simply train people to Shoden or Okuden, dependent on their own teacher grade. It is primarily the President of the organization, so with Jikiden Reiki Tadao Yamaguchi, plus a handful of Dai-Shihans (Senior Teachers) globally, who are permitted to teach Shihan Kaku level, with an even smaller number who are permitted to teach the full Shihan level. These senior levels are granted many years of service and contribution to the Jikiden organization rather than a course to ask to do.
So from a student perspective, the complete Jikiden Reiki system is taught at the Shoden and Okuden levels. Teacher levels are purely for those who wish to teach and learn the Japanese Reiju method to be able to teach Reiki to others. This original Japanese way helps to preserve standards in teachings, and from a consumer view, it is a good way of having confidence in the teacher's ability, knowing they are accredited by the central organization. In Western Reiki styles, and therefore with most Reiki in the UK, a teacher can create another teacher with no pre-screening or ongoing observation or control, who then, in turn, can create more teachers and can modify the teachings at their discretion. There are some great Western Reiki teachers, what I am pointing out is the open approach to becoming and creating other teachers seen in other Reiki styles leads to great variability in teaching quality as well as variations in teaching content.
As was the case in the 1920s and 30s Japan, with Jikiden Reiki there continues to be a great emphasis on the value of receiving Reiju (the process of clearing the channel to use Reiki energy) and there are events set up for the ongoing receiving of Reiju and to practice Jikdien Reiki, to build experience and confidence alongside other students of Jikiden Reiki. So Jikiden Reiki offers a high level of structured, ongoing support to students, which again contrasts with many other styles of Reiki. This repetition in teachings also adds depth to someone's understanding of Reiki.
My view is that when repeating a course you are at a different place in terms of self-awareness and growth, your view or perspective is at a different place, you have been using the techniques so your questions are coming from a place of some experience using the material and concepts previously taught, so the experience is reinforcing and supportive, deepening your study of Reiki. I personally found I wrote just as many notes the third time of repeating Shoden and Okuden as I did on the first occasion, and of course, with a different group come differing Q and A topics as well. Jikiden Reiki is set up to support this by offering opportunities to repeat Shoden and Okuden training at markedly reduced costs. What is more, all UK pricing is fixed for all authorized Jikiden Reiki teachers in both the initial and repeating course fees by the Institute in Kyoto, Japan.
Jikiden Reiki will tend to suit people who value authentic Japanese teachings, and who value learning accurate information and teachings. My view is that there is value in everyone with an interest in Reiki taking Jikiden Reiki Shoden and Okuden level training, even if they do migrate towards more amended approaches to Reiki, at least you have correct core teachings as a foundation. Jikiden Reiki is practical, solid, and authentic. I hope this has been an interesting article for you. Should you have any further questions look at the information on Jikiden Reiki courses with the link below, or if you are looking to take Reiki training and are interested in taking Jikiden Reiki training with me in the Midlands area of the UK, you can get in touch. If you are further afield in the UK contact a Jikiden Reiki teacher in your area/country. For more discussion on the differences between Jikiden Reiki and Western Reiki see my Article: Jikiden Reiki and Western Reiki, Whats the Differences? You can find out more about Reiki training here: Jikiden Reiki Courses
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.