5 Attributes of a Reiki Teacher

Stepping into the space of Reiki Teacher is a tremendous responsibility and a great honour. When you qualify as a Reiki Master Teacher it is assumed and accepted that you will …

• Hold a Master Certificate stating that you have completed the Level of Reiki Master Teacher.
• Through your training and experience be able to connect to pure Reiki energy, preserve it purely, and pass pure Reiki energy on – in the form of healing treatments and attunements.
• Fully and correctly understand the fundamentals of Reiki Ho (the method of Reiki healing) and the various Reiki healing techniques and be capable of teaching these to your students.
• Be able to, through your own understanding and practice, fully and comprehensively explain and teach the Reiki symbols, their meaning and how to use them.
• Make a continuous effort, being close to Reiki energy in your daily life, to grow by utilising Reiki Ho for yourself and for others.

Becoming a Reiki Teacher was not something I really planned to do. I was quite content and honoured with practicing Reiki to support, assist and guide my clients with their healing. However, the Universe had other plans for me and teaching as a way forward was thrown across my path, leaving me no choice but to rise to the challenge of stepping onto my path as a Reiki Teacher. And what an amazing path it is. From my own experience I would like to share some of the wisdom I gained on the attributes of being a Reiki Teacher…

1. As Teachers you learn and grow with your students.

Obtaining the level of Master Teacher is the key that opens the opportunity to teach and train others. It is also the very first step to learn for yourself the path to the enlightenment as taught by Usui Sensei. Although it is ideal to train others only after having attained your own enlightenment, this is not always possible as it is a long journey, and you might only reach a sufficient level of enlightenment when it is too late to start teaching. Instead, it may be more appropriate to follow the concept and the way of “learning together and growing together.” In doing so you are able to learn and grow to obtain greater enlightenment whilst sharing the gift of Reiki and the teachings of Usui Sensei with others. Their learning is your learning, and their growth is your growth.

2. To train others requires diligent and continued learning for yourself.

Obtaining Master Teacher level will empower you to uplift your own healing ability as a professional healer. However, self-development and paying attention to your own spiritual and intellectual growth is paramount in standing fully in your power as a Master Teacher. Becoming a Reiki Teacher implies setting an example of Reiki mastery where there is a balance between your “spiritual character” and your “spiritual power.” Through your own continued learning and personal development, you are able to uplift both in harmony with the essence of Reiki energy.

3. It is important to understand what an attunement really is.

Although the attunement procedure is simple, you cannot pass on pure Reiki energy just by following the procedure. It is essential that your own higher consciousness and awareness resonate in harmony with Reiki energy. It is quite possible to pass on Reiki energy without regard to the attunement procedure or formality if a certain level of consciousness is attained. There may be circumstances where the procedure or “formula” appropriate for a student may naturally unfold even if you begin with the fixed and accepted attunement procedure.

4. Value the wonderful opportunity to connect with others – your students.

Be grateful for this opportunity and value the relationships you are building with these beautiful individuals to whom you passed energy on through Reiki teaching and through attunements. Students enrich your life, and, in many instances, you will form life-long soul connections with your students.

5. Teaching Reiki does not stop when your students complete their Reiki courses.

You are a mentor and need to be willing and open to somehow stay connected to your students. Follow-up attention should be given, particularly when a student seeks your guidance as they come across “obstacles” and questions as they progress along their own Reiki journey. Always strive on to study, practice, and teach Reiki Ho in such a way that you can answer students’ questions honestly, correctly, and clearly and give advice as a more experienced Reiki practitioner.

Through teaching, your own learning will be developed – teaching is learning, and true learning only begins after you have qualified as a Reiki Master. You will always benefit from teaching Reiki, giving attunements, and doing Reiki. When you teach Reiki, you will receive numerous lessons from teaching your Reiki classes – students are an amazing mirror of your knowledge, experience, comfort, and confidence in Reiki Ho. There is also the benefit of developing your own harmony with and sensitivity to the nuances within Reiki by encountering so many students and their diverse energies in the “classroom” setup.

It is a great honour to be a Reiki Teacher – an honour to the essence of Reiki and to the students you teach… Past, present, and future.

Article by Thea van der Merwe, Ph.D.

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Thea van der Merwe, Ph. D. is a nationally and internationally trained holistic energy, certified and experienced Master Reiki Practitioner, qualified in Usui Reiki, Reijukido, Karuna® Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, Crystal Reiki, and Gendai Reiki. She obtained the title of Shihan (full master/teacher), the highest level in Gendai Reiki Ho. Besides her greatest passion which is Reiki, Thea is also a spiritual shaman, healer, and teacher, offering readings as a way of accessing spiritual guidance. Her journey of personal discovery, growth, and healing started back in 2005 when she was personally in need of healing and searching for something more than what conventional medicine and therapy could provide. Thea is currently nationally and internationally registered with the South African Reiki Masters Association and The Reiki Healing Association respectively – both professional associations for the local and global Reiki communities, working to promote the wide-reaching practice and healing effects of Reiki throughout the world and where the primary philosophy is that together, we can do so much more. You can get into contact with Thea van der Merwe at viterra.co.za, which is her website, and at facebook.com/viterrahealing on Facebook.