Article by Luna Ashley
It’s time to talk about the one topic that always seems to cause division in the Reiki community—online learning.
Before we dive in, let’s take a step back and remind ourselves of the intention behind Reiki.
We all agree that Reiki is energy. As energy workers, we acknowledge that Reiki is a form of energy healing. As you progress through the levels you learn distance modalities and eventually hear a teacher or mentor say something like, “Reiki turns on with your intention. It dispels fear and respects free will.”
I believe most who teach Reiki understand that Reiki is Limitless. Yet, I’ve discussed with leaders of major Reiki training centers this very point. If you believe distance Reiki works, or even in the power of prayer, then distance attunements work following the same logic. However, we live in a world where people claim their path is the only way. We are met with the idea of, “In-person training worked for me, so nothing else could possibly work for someone else!” Let’s not forget that Reiki training centers stand to lose money by acknowledging the validity of distance training programs.
And so limitations are put on what we know to be Limitless. In the name of ego, or money, or thinking only one way leads to the path of Reiki. Clouds of doubt and fear block our view of Love. Brick walls are put in front of those who are called to Reiki but can’t find teachers. They are told that online training isn’t valid or that their online training was less.
There needs to be an end to this—we have to acknowledge that online learning is on the rise and put forth standards of practice for those seeking online training. Don’t get me wrong, as a professionally trained educator, nothing upsets me more than seeing “Watch this DVD and become a Reiki practitioner!” or “Sign up for my class and I’ll send you an attunement with no instruction!”
So without further ado, here are my top 5 tips when searching for a quality online Reiki training program.
1. Seek live instruction
Is the teacher instructing on a platform where you will meet face-to-face? Think Google Hangouts, Skype, or other venues where you see each other. Not a chatroom, not a DVD, not an “I will send you an attunement at this time” with no follow up. The attunement can be sent distantly, but you will need guidance and mentorship on hand placements, history, how to perform self-treatments, treatments on others, and more. If the instructor can’t see you, they can’t give you feedback, which is where you learn. So make sure to ask, “Are we meeting face-to-face?” If not, look for another program.
2. Quality instructional time and a support system
If this is a daylong training event—perhaps the quality will be there. However, if your program is an hour long—that will hardly provide you with the time to learn history, ethics, self-treatment, hand positions, symbols (depending on level), JRT techniques, treatment of others, and time for question and answers. When looking at programs make sure that you inquire as to how much time you’ll be getting for mentorship. You’ll also want to see if the teacher is easily accessible outside of class time. Will they provide you with a secret group to discuss experiences, check in with you, allow you to contact them via email or phone? You want to make sure a solid support system is in place.
3. Honor the wait time between levels
It is commonly accepted that Level 1 and 2 can be taught together. I’m personally not a proponent of this system, and believe students need time to sit and acclimate to each level. However, if someone is going to teach you Level 1-Master in one class—run for the hills. Seriously. The attunement process opens up your energy system, clears out what doesn’t serve, and you need time to adjust to a new way of being and dancing in the world. It will take 21 days for the energy to completely anchor in your energetic system per attunement. After that, it will take months to learn how to operate and partner with this new energy. Reiki is a journey, a way of life, a way of operating in this world. To teach all levels in one sitting is a disservice to the self-healing journey. You will need time. Allow yourself that time and make sure you select a program that honors the journey as well.
4. Practice outside of class
Any quality online instructional program will ask that you reflect on your experiences and submit them to a teacher. Think about online learning at universities or any other online course. You would expect homework and review from your instructor. You should expect the same thing with a quality Reiki distance training program too. As you aren’t there in person, this allows your instructor to read your experiences outside of class and gives you time to reflect on your own Reiki journey. If the teacher isn’t expecting you to do work outside of class, this should be a warning sign. As I said before, Reiki is a way of life and Reiki continues outside of the classroom. Homework is the first step toward putting the Reiki lifestyle into practice.
5. Ask questions about the teacher’s training
Ideally, your teacher will have knowledge of how the brain learns. Now, I understand most Reiki teachers do not have a background in education. This isn’t a problem if they have other training to supplement. However, you should be looking at their experience with online technology, how long they’ve been a Reiki Master, how Reiki has impacted and changed their life, and if they can provide references of their previous students. You should also resonate with the teacher who you select. Hopefully, they care deeply about their past, current, and future students. Contrast this to a teacher who is selling DVD’s and “attuning” as many people as possible. Every attunement takes you into a deeper state of healing, and having a qualified, compassionate teacher by your side will make your efforts to find the right learning program well worth the energy spent.
May all who seek quality Reiki instruction find their path!
Bright Blessings,
Ashley
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Luna Ashley is a trained hypnotherapist, Holy Fire/Usui Reiki Master Teacher, chihuahua lover, and avid gemstone collector. She started her Reiki journey nearly five years ago after a life-long struggle with epilepsy. After discovering the healing power of Reiki, she is living a quality of life that was unimaginable before. She empowers her clients to discover their own path to healing through self-transformation. She is the founder of The Sacred Way where she holds sacred space to teach and conduct healing sessions, using her clairsentient and clairvoyant abilities to give past life readings and messages from Spirit. A trained teacher, she specializes in distance learning, with a firm belief that distance should not be an obstacle to profound Reiki healing or a quality Reiki education. Find her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/luna.ashley333 or via email at thesacredway.stl@gmail.com. Visit her webpage to learn more about distance reiki training: www.thesacredway.net
I agree with all you said here! Not only that,but it offered me thoughts about how I might begin teaching Reiki distantly, which I haven’t offered as a service yet. I wanted to be certain I could offer a quality class, even though it was at a distance, and that the students received all they need from the training. Thank you!
You’re very welcome. May your path to teaching students be blessed!
I tried an online teacher to attune me, she sent me a book and told me to read it then go to the attunement at the end and accept the attunement and I would be attuned. I did all she said and what came to me was very unpleasent, I think because I was going through grief at the time but I don’t know. She refunded my money and seemed a bit unnerved, I think she thought I was a nutter. I really hope she was wrong!
Thanks for sharing your experience with non-live instruction. I had a similiar experience early on with an online program that didn’t provide follow up support or live instruction. But you don’t know what you don’t know! Hopefully this article will help those seeking online instruction know what to look for. Blessings to you!
Luna Ashley, thank you for your insight and beautiful gifts of service and words. May you continue to receive the blessings and abundance you deserve. In gratitude – light, love & peace, Lori 🙂
Hello: My experience is unique. Even though I did my training online doing Usui Reiki 1-Master level, I had an excellent instructor. Later a well known Healer who has been healing many years, suggested that I learn Karuna Reiki. Because of the ridiculous fees, I did Karuna Ki, which is all the same except the name brand. Again I had an excellent instructor, who guided me via email, on what to do every step of the way. I have consulted with other top healers, when I had questions, or needed help! I have read comments from so called healers, that they have trouble drawing the symbols, because they have a hard time memoring them. So they don’t bother and just say them? I continue my learning and self healings on a daily basis. So the bottom line, it’s really up to the student. There are many people in this field who are there just for the money, but I have found some kind souls willing to help you! I’m not referring to now charging for your service, because I have paid high fees when I had a need to consult with someone!
Thank you. Feels wonderful that this is what I experienced with my own teacher 🙂 She was able to teach as well as promote self growth and a lot of support whenever needed.