THE DEGREES OF REIKI 

      Reiki is a complete method for activating and learning to use natural energy to promote healing, wholing, personal growth, transformation and enlightenment.  The Reiki method has been kept intact in its essence.  It has been preserved and transmitted throughout the centuries.  The person taking First Degree Reiki can stop at that point or can continue on through the series according to what is best suited to his/her needs.  The choice to go on into the deeper levels is, of course, an individual one.

      Originally, I believe, there were only three levels of Reiki:  Reiki I, Reiki II and Reiki III (the Master level).  Some groups still advocate this system.  Of those groups, many combine Reiki I and Reiki II.  They then offer an advanced course in Reiki training which is a pre-requisite for receiving your Reiki III (Mastership).

      While I would like to see every family have a Reiki Practitioner who has received both Reiki I and Reiki II training and attunements, I prefer to leave the choice up to the individual.  I also feel that there are those who would like to receive the attunements for Reiki III to further raise consciousness, but who are not ready to become Masters  of the Reiki system for healing and enlightenment.  It is for this reason that we, at the Reiki Connection, have adopted the newer program which includes five degrees:  Reiki I, Reiki II, Reiki III (Karuna Reik), Reiki Master and Reiki Master Teacher.

      The information contained in this section is for those who receive Reiki training and attunements from any Master/Teacher of the Reiki Connection.  When you are seeking a Reiki Master/Teacher, please be sure to ask what system he/she uses and what degrees are offered.  (NOTE:  There are those who continue to expand by adding Reiki IV and Reiki V.  I believe that this is redundant and that five degrees are more than enough.  However, you might prefer this system.)

ABOUT THE FEES FOR REIKI TRAINING & ATTUNEMENTS 

      Fees for receiving Reiki training and attunements vary as much as there are Reiki Master and Master Teachers.  The training and pre-requisites also vary.

      Originally, the fees set by Grand Master Takata were very high.  She felt that respect for a healing form such as Reiki might be difficult for the Western mind to comprehend, and since Reiki is so easy to learn and practice, she was afraid that Westerners would not value it.  She believed that Westerners are notorious for "the pursuit of money, power and fame," and felt that by charging a high fee for the Reiki Master Degree,  she would instill a healthy respect for the honor of becoming a Reiki Master.  She set the fees at $175 for Reiki I, $500 for Reiki II and $10,000 for Reiki III (Master).

      With the raising of consciousness since the Harmonic Convergence, we believe that these high fees are discouraging future teachers and healers from embracing the Path of Reiki.  For this reason, we charge more reasonable, yet respectful fees.  And, quite often many of our Reiki Masters and Master Teachers will offer Reiki I and Reiki II on an "energy-exchange" basis.

      Reiki training and attunements can be obtained either in classes or privately.  Most the Reiki Masters and MasterTeachers charge the same for their classes as they do for individuals.  The following descriptions are of those fees and training offered through the Reiki Connection and Heart Lights Ministry.

FIRST DEGREE REIKI 

      The First Degree Reiki consists of the two activating energy attunements described earlier in this manual, information on the history of Reiki, a discussion of the various complementary Reiki Associations and specific training in the scientific method of activating and applying the Reiki energy.  Specific hand positions to be used, along with their corresponding physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions, are extensively covered.  Cost: $75.00

SECOND DEGREE REIKI 

      The Second Degree of Reiki is available to anyone who has already completed the First Degree.  Before advancing to this level an individual should wait an appropriate amount of time, which will vary according to personal circumstances, to ensure that the attunements and lessons of First Degree Reiki have been fully internalized.  This can be any time from 2 - 3 days to 2 - 3 weeks.

      Second Degree Reiki is comprised of:  1) A highly effective absentee healing technique.     2) A special technique for dealing with deep-seated emotional and mental problems which can be used while doing the actual treatment or with the absentee healing method.  3) A technique for furthering your own personal development in achieving your desired level of wholeness.  4) A special activating energy transmission.

      With Reiki II you will receive three symbols and two attunements that will increase your intuitive abilities, raise consciousness and intensify the Reiki healing energy.  The main purpose of the Second Degree of Reiki is to give you a specific technique for learning to use and to direct energy on dimensions other than the physical plane.  Part of this technique is analogous to learning to send Light-energy to a specific receiver in much the same way that radio or television signals are transmitted.  Second Degree Reiki is achieved within approximately two hours on one day.  Cost: $175.00.

THIRD DEGREE REIKI
(Karuna Reiki) 

      As I said before, Third Degree Reiki traditionally was the Master Level (and still is with some Reiki Master Teachers).  At this level, the person should be ready to learn the intricate process of doing the activating energy transmissions.  The particular process of doing these energy activations or contacts has been preserved in a formula for tapping into a higher order of Light-energy.  This level of Reiki also includes another activating energy transmission.

      Third Degree Reiki is for personal growth, transformation, increased enlightenment and serving humanity from a universal framework.  It is available to anyone who has completed the first and second degrees and who has given at least 50 Reiki treatments (either on themselves, on other life forms or through distance healing.)

      With Third Degree Reiki you will learn a symbol which helps you open your third eye and connect to and magnify your own intuitive gifts.  If you receive your training, attunements and certification from myself or any of my Reiki Master and Master Teacher Initiates, you will also receive the attunements and training for using the 6 Karuna Reiki symbols.

      Karuna is a Sanskrit word and is used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Zen.  It is translated  to mean any action that is taken to diminish the suffering of others, and could also be translated as “Compassionate Action.”

      In the experience of enlightenment, it is reported that all beings are known to be ONE.  Therefore, it is natural to extend “Compassionate Action” (or Karuna) to everyone without distinction.

      As each individual heals, all benefit.  It is also stated in the Buddhist literature that Karuna must be accompanied by parjna (wisdom) in order to have the right effect.

      Karuna is the motivating quality of all enlightened beings who are working to end suffering on Earth.  They continually send an unlimited amount of healing energy and guidance to us, but not all are receptive to it.

      As you develop Karuna in yourself, not only are you helping others, but you also become more receptive to the healing energies that are being sent by all enlightened beings.

      Karuna Reiki is  the same healing system taught by Dr. Mikao Usui, but with a new name and a new focus - the development of Karuna.

      Third Degree Reiki (Karuna Reiki) consists of two activating attunements, training on how to use all of the symbols mentioned above and certification.  Because of the larger number of symbols, this process takes approximately 3 hours.  While there is NO fee for the Third Level (Karuna Reiki), a Love Offering to Heart Lights Ministry is greatly appreciated.

REIKI MASTER DEGREE 

      The Reiki Master Degree is traditionally reserved for individuals who intend to devote their lives to the art of healing - those who experience and study the natural flow of the Universal Life Force and who have chosen to experience the necessary attunements to teach and share this experience with others.  Initiates attaining this level will receive two activating attunements and complete instruction in giving the intricate attunements for Reiki levels I, II and III.

       Requirements for receiving the Reiki Master Degree include: 

      1)  Certification in Reiki I, II and III.

      2)  Recommendation by a Reiki Master Teacher.

      3)  Proof of completing at least 100 Reiki treatments.

      4)  Certification from a Reiki Master or Master Teacher that Initiate has reviewed at least 1 training class for each degree of Reiki he/she will be teaching (Reiki I, II & III).

       Reiki Masters and Master Teachers instinctively know whether or not an Initiate is ready for the Reiki Master Degree.  Usually, the Initiate also is aware of his or her readiness to become a Reiki Master. 

       The requirements mentioned above are designed to assure that those seeking the Reiki Master Degree have the desire to follow the path of a teacher and healer and to help others awaken to their True Path.  The Reiki Master Degree usually takes about two to three hours to achieve.  The cost for the Reiki Master training, attunements and certification will be discussed in private with the Initiate.

REIKI MASTER TEACHER DEGREE 

      The Master Teacher level of Reiki takes the teacher one step further by teaching the Initiate how to place the appropriate symbols in the field of others, thereby initiating new Reiki Masters and Master Teachers.

       Requirements for receiving Reiki Master Teacher Certification:

       1)  Certifications for Reiki I, II, III and Reiki Master.

      2)  Recommendation by a Reiki Master Teacher.

      3)  Initiate must have practiced Reiki for at least one year.

      4)  Proof of at least 200 Reiki treatments.

      5)  Active participation in either the Reiki Connection or any other established Reiki Organization.

      6)  Write a 2,500 word (or more) thesis on any subject related to Reiki which must be reviewed and approved by the Reiki Master Teacher.  (Thesis should be typed and double-spaced, with footnotes giving credit to any resource material.)

            The Reiki Master Degree takes approximately 1 hour to achieve.  The cost for the Reiki Master Teacher training, attunements and certification will be discussed in private with the Initiate.