How to Choose the ‘Right’ Reiki Master

Choosing the right Reiki Master and class would probably top the list of considerations for many people when deciding to embark on their Reiki journey. Often, those new to Reiki find themselves attracted to a post or a free talk, or feeling an urge to enroll for a class right away, when for years they have been thinking about learning Reiki, but not acting on it for some reason or other.  These strange urges are simply your intuition’s way of telling you the time is now!

To help with more pragmatic decisions, here are some tips that can be a compass for you when choosing a Reiki Master for yourself.

Tip Number One in finding the ‘Right’ Reiki Master: Trust Your Intuition, or more simply, go with the one you like the Best!

And yes, definitely shop around. There are many Reiki Masters to choose from so there is no need to settle for the one who lives closest or is priced the cheapest. Meet them, talk to them, feel the vibe. Do you like this person? Do you feel a connection? If you are connecting online, browse their website, join a group they offer, listen to them or watch them in action.

All of us come to Reiki from a different perspective, a different life journey and a different stage in our own personal development. Every Reiki Master has a unique energy and a unique way of activating Reiki in you. There is NO good, better, best about it. Every Reiki Master contributes to the entire Reiki pool by providing a unique specialism.

Some Reiki Masters teach in a grounded, ‘down to earth’ way with manuals and discussion around the physics of energy, and may attract business-like people or people who are entering the holistic world for the first time . Other Reiki Masters may provide a more esoteric quality to the Reiki they teach – they don’t necessarily provide manuals, they prefer to ‘feel’ the energy rather than discuss it, and they may attract people already well versed with holistic methodology and looking for something totally experiential.  Some Reiki Masters teach with a non-religious slant, some incorporate their own religious beliefs into their teaching, or their own cultural norms and customs.  Reiki taught in India is very different from Reiki taught in the UK.

What about other credentials? Yes, they may play a part, but only if it actually matters to you. We will touch on some of the different qualities below but please remember that they are for information only – when in doubt, go back to Rule No.1.

Tip Number Two: Not all Classes are created Equal.

The Reiki Masters’ length and quality of training will dictate their own length and quality of teaching. Again, this may not matter if the Master can give you what you need in other areas. It may be their own level of personal development is at exactly the right level, or it may be that they can teach you other things not specifically related to Reiki. However, it is worth being aware that there is a large difference in the way the applications of Reiki are taught (especially at Level 2 and above), and so it is worth investigating if your preferred Reiki Master has the level of knowledge you would like. Some Reiki Masters teach Reiki 1,2 and Masters over one weekend, others teach Reiki 1 over a weekend, Reiki 2 over another weekend, and Masters over a Year. What is the difference in the knowledge you will receive at the end? That is a question that may be worth asking. But more importantly, what level of training is important to you?

Tip Number Three: Forget the Pricing

As you are probably aware, there is a huge disparity in the pricing of Reiki Classes; from Free to Exorbitant. Pricing has more to do with the Reiki Master’s preference then the actual quality of the Reiki teaching. Reiki in itself is free, as universal energy we have no right to ‘sell’ it. However each Reiki Master has had to invest time and/or money in order to train to become a Master, and for many it is a source of living income. Reiki Masters charge for their time, and as such it varies greatly.

Some Reiki Masters also have marketing costs, venue costs, co-ordinator costs etc to cover. It would seem fair that a Reiki Master teaching out of a Health Centre or classroom charges more than a Reiki Master teaching from home. Some Reiki Masters feel strongly that their time and energy should be free, whilst others feel that their time and energy is a valuable commodity, and as such there should be an exchange.

Again, it is a matter of personal preference when it comes to aligning yourself with either of these philosophies.

Tip Number Four: Does Your Spiritual Philosophy Jive?

As Reiki is Universal Energy, you are hitting the age old question when you ask ‘where does Reiki originate?’ The answer you receive will be as varied as the different spiritual philosophies. Does Reiki come from the Universe? Or does it come from God? Or is it even energy at all? What does your Reiki Master think? It will be a lot easier for you to connect if you have a similar philosophy.  If you agree with the Reiki Master’s philosophy and passion you will be in for a fun course. Go to a devoutly Christian Reiki Master as a stoic Atheist and you are in for a hard weekend. Some Reiki Masters teach with no philosophical bias, others have a strong one, choose the one which best meets your needs.

Tip Number 5: Is face to face important?

I've changed my viewpoint on this over the years, partly as the technology changes, partly thanks to Covid forcing many teachers to experiment with the online arena. Personally I find no difference in distance versus face to face attunements but this is still a bone of contention, especially in the 'official' world of Reiki Associations and accreditation. I would bear this in mind if you are intending to use Reiki as part of your professional qualifications and do your research. If you are using Reiki for yourself and your loved ones, the method of education is not important in terms of the power and efficacy of the Reiki coming out of your hands. Them it becomes a matter of preference, do you like face to face contact, or is online a more accessible medium for you?

And Finally:

To sum it all up, trust your intuition and go with the Reiki Master you like, the one who feels most ‘right’ to you, and the one that you think you will enjoy learning from. Consider the other factors if they make a difference to you and you will find the right Teacher.  Always remember though, the real benefit and gift of Reiki is what you do with it afterwards.

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