Hello everyone reading this forum!
Sorry to add my two cents a bit late in this thread, but here goes anyway. Before I start though, I would like to thank I, Brian, for beginning a thread on this subject. Reiki is gaining much popularity these days, and I'm very happy about that. I am a Reiki student myself, and I feel I learn something new about it every day. I hope that my answers will help shed some light on this subject.
Alexa wrote, "As per my understanding there are 8 degrees to attain and not everyone is accepted to study Reiki."
SacredStar was quite right when she mentioned that "the latest information from Japan is that they do not have degrees at all, they do not train like we do in the west"; there have far more "levels" in Japan than we do here. The fourth level, if I recall correctly from Frank Petter's first book, corresponds to the North American equivalent of the "First Degree" or level. There are 3 or 4 levels in North American schools, depending on the school, but the Usui schools will stick to 3, but some other schools will divide the 3rd level and the Master/Teacher level, but that's the only variation I've seen.
Alexa, you also wrote "As you said, the will to learn and the pure intention are the most important. All those who want to learn only for money fail. That's why I said that not anybody can learn."
Absolutely, the will to learn and a heart with pure intent are the most important ingredients. The money issue is a bit controversial, however, as it is with Reiki and other forms of energy healing. I can safely say that money has no absolute value with Reiki, but I agree that it's also important to have an exchange of energy between the Reiki practicioner and the person receiving healing. Personally, the amount of money is irrelevant to me, since my primary purpose is to offer Reiki, but I really appreciate it when the person receiving the healing returns the time and energy spent for the healing. The amount would also support me in continuing my education as a Reiki student. Another way of seeing this is that when I spend an hour in a Reiki treatment with someone, I could also be building a website in my spare time and would also be paid for that. Either way, there is an energy exchange, and the format many people are comfortable with these days is to use money as a universal currency. I'm not sure if this explanation is necessary really, since SacredStar explained it very well (and in fewer words, I may add), but this is my view on this topic.
As a word of advice to anyone reading this however, I would steer very clear from a Reiki practicioner that has money as his or her primary goal for offering healing sessions.
SacredStar wrote, "anyone can learn Reiki our youngest Reiki First Degree was age 11 and our youngest Second Degree was 14 they are both amazing healers. Healing takes a lot more then being an instrument for the energy.Everyone as the ability to be clairvoyant and/or a healer."
Absolutely. Children are wonderful Reiki students, and often better than adults. Why is this? Simply because that children are not as much conditioned by society as adults normally are and usually have a better grasp of how energy works--it's almost second nature!
Alexa, I've never heard of Ms. Barbara Rei, and like you, I also live in Canada. Does she teach in Québec?
I'll also add a few comments to what Alexa wrote:
"But you need a Master to learn the secret path and not everybody has the potential to do it. First of all you have to believe in God. Secondly, you have to choose the path. Third, you have to improve yourself to get closer to perfection as a human being."
I'm not sure what you mean by "secret path", Alexa, but can only suppose that you mean that there are symbols taught at the master's level that are not in the other levels. If that's the case, you're quite right.
Dr. Usui clearly states that you do not need to believe in God to practice Reiki nor to receive a Reiki treatment.
I'm also unsure what you mean about "choosing the path". Would you care to explain this a bit further?
Your third point I think is a universal one. I haven't really met anybody yet that has not, in any way, shape, or form, tried to better their lives or themselves.
Alexa, you also asked us, "Do you have to do daily respiratory exercises ?" My answer to that is that depending on the teacher, you may or may not, but it's not a compulsory requirement for learning Reiki. You have to remember to breathe during a Reiki treatment... and in daily life too! (*chuckle*) Seriously though, from what I can see, the only purpose for incorporating breathing techniques in a Reiki class would be to stimulate the flow of Chi (energy) through your body, using meridian points in your body to further stimulate this flow. Again, though, this is not compulsory to a Reiki class.
Thanks again I,Brian, for starting this thread, and to anyone reading this, please do not hesitate to ask any further questions.
Namasté!
