!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Uisftipme!Sftpvsdft!

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A REIKI SHIHAN (MASTER)

What it Means to be a Reiki Shihan (Master)

by Richard R. Rivard

This page is one of a series where I give my ideas on aspects of Reiki. The pages are intended to give
some "food for thought" and some are only my viewpoint. While a number of Reiki facts are included, you
should decide for yourself how much (if any) of the content feels right to you.

While a seasoned Reiki Master may find they have little need of the thoughts here,
perhaps there is something that the new or upcoming Reiki teacher will find helpful.
In the past decade I have found that some Reiki Masters are uncomfortable using the
term "master". In original Japanese Reiki, there were 2 important terms used in the
higher forms of Usui Reiki Ryoho. One was “Shinpiden” which implied you had received
the complete set of teaching from one of Usui Sensei's students. Another was
“Shihan” (teacher or model) which implied you were allowed to have your own
students. Not very many Reiki practitioners achieved both states. In the old society,
Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, few were raised to Shihan as there was only one teacher in a
given area (usually a city and it's surrounding area). Others, like several current
members of the URR Gakkai, achieved “Shinpiden” but did not wish to become a
Shihan.
The term “Reiki Master” was not used, and the method of teaching would have
depended upon how long and how deeply you studied with Usui Sensei. Only Dr.
Hayashi and Mr. Eguchi actually completed the 13 step training (to shichidan).
Sensei’s focus was ultimately that of spiritual growth, while his students Hayashi,
Eguchi and Admiral Ushida preferred to add in a healing side to their teachings, calling
it Usui Reiki Ryoho. This is the side that was brought to the West by Takata-sensei.

The term “Reiki Master”

was not used

While a traditional Japanese Shihan might be considered as a role model for students,
the Master level in Western Reiki is not the same concept as in other oriental
teachings. Usually a Master of an oriental discipline implies that the individual is
spiritually enlightened (or close) and without flaw. In Reiki, a Master is simply someone
who has the ability and knowledge to give a Reiki transformation (attunement) to
another, and to assist them to the shihan level. This holds true regardless of the
individual's spiritual growth or personal beliefs.
Most non-Reiki people are not aware of this and so they may stereotype Reiki Masters
along with other spiritual discipline Masters. Indeed they will assume that the Reiki
Master is an expert in the area of Reiki, in knowledge, and in power.
The reality is that the expertise of a Reiki Master is a very individual measure.
Personally, I feel it depends on a combination of several traits, among them:

a) a desire to seek out all information about Usui Reiki Ryoho and Mikao
Usui

© Copyright 2008 Threshold Resources Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc. Reiki Shihan www.threshold.ca
1
Uisftipme!Sftpvsdft.!Tibsjoht!
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A REIKI SHIHAN (MASTER)

b) experience in giving Reiki sessions to self and to others

c) a desire to learn other techniques in energy transmission
d) personal abilities to hold and transmit various energies
e) the amount of time and effort spent on personal spiritual growth
and most important
f) their level of growth in displaying understanding, compassion and Love
for others.

The expertise of a Reiki Master

is a very individual measure.

Depending upon the needs of the student, all, some, or none of the above will be a
requirement for their own satisfaction in working with the Reiki Master. Therefore, it
stands to reason that you, as a Reiki Master, will always have the knowledge and
abilities to satisfy the needs of some student or other at any time of your life. As the
saying goes, when the student is ready, the master appears.
Being honest about your background and sources of information with those who
approach you and those you share with will always serve to benefit you. For example,
there are some Reiki Masters on the internet who do not give credit to the source of
their own information, leading the reader to believe that they are the source. Some may
copy entire web pages onto their site, or they may skip credit to their immediate source
and give credit to the origin. This may indicate either a lack of awareness on the
master's part or even a lack of self worth and honesty – areas the person may require
much growth in.
I've found that when I need growth in an area I usually draw to me a student who will
mirror that need for change and improvement – a challenging experience to say the
least. On that note, I also find that it helps to visualize attracting the right students
and/or clients to you at all times.
Having learned all the techniques of the master level and the previous Reiki levels, you
can now decide how you will apply them. Regardless of the teachings of your current
and former teachers, you should probably follow your own inner guidance as to which
methods and techniques will be part of your own Reiki practice. If you decide to teach,
you must select which knowledge you will pass on.

Having learned all the techniques of the

master level and the previous Reiki
levels, you can now decide how you will
apply them.

My Reiki Master manual, and the manuals and handouts from my other Reiki levels are
my attempt to pass on to the new Reiki Master much of the useful information I have
received from my teachers. I've tried to give credit to the source of each piece of
information, so that the new shihan can research further and decide if it is useful. Also,
© Copyright 2008 Threshold Resources Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc. Reiki Shihan www.threshold.ca
2
Uisftipme!Sftpvsdft.!Tibsjoht!
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A REIKI SHIHAN (MASTER)

I've noted where I have made changes to a process, as in the attunements.

Students may decide to use or create a different attunement process than the ones
taught in class, which is why I guide my master students in working with several
Western and Japanese versions, giving them a wide variety of experience. I feel it
helps to think about what you intend to offer your students, to understand that you are
simply a conduit for the energy and knowledge you share, with a higher part of the
student deciding the outcome.
As a teacher you may acquire students from other schools of Reiki. Some teachers
require such students to retake their previous levels with the new teacher, but
personally I don’t feel this is required. It is probably easier to work with the student in
advance of class and at that time give them some updated information (symbols,
concepts, etc.) and even give them a re-attunement, for example to Reiki 2, so they get
a connection to any additional symbols and to your own Reiki energy.
You may also have students who decide to try out other Reiki Masters after learning
from you. Please do not allow this to get in the way of your ego. It is natural for people
to be inquisitive and to want to try out other teachers. If you are the right Master for
them, they will be there for you to teach. In no way should you ever attempt to control
or dominate your students, as this will most likely return as a karmic issue.

You are simply a conduit for the energy

and knowledge you share

As for your own personal and spiritual growth, realize that the attainment of the Shihan
or Master's level is just another step along the way. In the URR Gakkai, once you
completed a level it was simply an indication that now you were in the process of
integrating it and learning how to become this particular level. Usui Sensei reportedly
studied many disciplines before coming upon a way to share his ideals. In the process
he had a tremendous energy experience connecting him strongly to his own highest qi
or energy, one strong enough to impress greatly upon his own students
You too may find more wondrous energies and opportunities coming your way. You
may also experience a lot of cleansing as unwanted blockages are finally released from
your aura. In some cases you may find yourself discontinuing old ways, habits, foods,
relationships and being attracted to new ones. This is all a very natural process as you
become more aligned with the Reiki energy and your life path. Ultimately, you may
access your own version of Reiki, your own Highest Qi (Ki) just like Usui Sensei, and
the creators of other energy systems like Seichim and Magnified Healing.
The future is a Threshold of opportunity waiting to be crossed. .

The attainment of the Shihan

or Master level is just another
step along the way.

© Copyright 2008 Threshold Resources Richard R. Rivard, B.Sc. Reiki Shihan www.threshold.ca
3