Choosing a Reiki Teacher - Guidelines

To learn Reiki, all you need is the true desire to learn and a living teacher who is willing to impart the training. I have used the word "willing" because it is not necessary that everyone who has received his/her training up to Master/Teacher level would be willing to teach. Many people learn Reiki only for themselves and do not wish to teach others.

Your search for a teacher should begin from your own city. If you and your teacher are living within a manageable distance, it would be easier to reach, learn and receive follow-up guidance. If none is available close by, you may travel to another city. This is what I had done. I travelled over 200 kilometers (one way) just to learn Reiki Level-1.

1. No two Reiki teachers are alike. Each one has his/her own teaching style. However, the quality of teaching is important. Just passing the attunement and not teaching the details is not right. Poor or incomplete explanations may leave the student confused with very little or no confidence.
2. The teacher must be willing to answer your questions and guide you even after the course. This is very important.
3. It is not necessary to go to a teacher who has a big name or is an old man in his late seventies or eighties with gray eyebrows. You should go to the one with whom you feel comfortable. If you are bound to receive Reiki, Nature will ultimately guide you to a teacher who is right for you under the circumstances.
4. You need not look for a teacher with high sounding academic qualifications because such qualifications are immaterial when it comes to teaching or learning Reiki. It is not necessary to be a doctor, engineer, scientist or a saint to teach Reiki.
5. It is not necessary for a Reiki teacher to have a setup like a school or to be associated with some international organization. Such things may sound impressive and serve commercial purposes but do not enhance anyone's teaching abilities or make him/her more authentic. Teaching Reiki is an individual work and needs no backing of local or international organizations.
6. No teacher can teach you everything. Remember that the attunements are just the beginning. After receiving the attunements, you are set on a path that is lifelong. It is up to you how you go along and develop yourself emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
7. A Reiki teacher does not have to be just teaching Reiki and doing nothing else in life. He/She is a human being and has to meet his/her expenses and share the responsibilities. If he/she has a job or a business, there is nothing wrong with it. Doing a job does not mean that he/she is a bad teacher.
8. If possible, meet the teacher in person. This will help you in taking a final decision but don't start calling the teachers asking them to convince you to learn Reiki or tell you all the benefits of learning Reiki over the phone. It is not for the teacher to convince you whether you should learn Reiki or not, it is you who has to decide on learning or not learning.
9. Once you have finally chosen a teacher, go to him/her with full trust.

Some time back a person who had already taken Reiki First Degree from some other teacher contacted me and wanted to repeat his first degree with me and also learn the next level. When I asked why so and why does he not want to continue with the previous teacher, the reply was, "The guy was not impressive". This remark was a surprise to me. What needs to be understood is that a Reiki teacher does not have to be an orator, a smart and handsome person or dress up as for a fashion show or like a saint or a magician. The job of a teacher is to impart knowledge, not to impress the student with his/her physical appearance.

The Teacher

You will find teachers with different attitudes. Some teachers are difficult to approach after completion of the training class. According to my observation (and even personal experience), unfortunately many of them do not like to answer the questions in the follow up phase. Their only concern is money. Once they receive it, they try to find ridiculous excuses to break off, become arrogant and avoid answering the questions. This could be because they do not expect to be paid extra for their time in answering the questions or they are afraid that the student will discover their true worth and darker side of their personality.

The Student

Somewhat similar is the case with some of the students too. They show respect to the teacher for as long as they are in the classroom. Thereafter, they tend to forget and disregard what they were taught. This could be due to their falsely high hopes attached with the training, which makes them think that they would become great spiritualists with miraculous powers to overcome all the problems overnight. When this unrealistic desire/hope is not met, they tend to become disrespectful. Diminishing respect for the teacher and the elders in the changing culture could be another factor but I consider it highly unethical. In my opinion, the one who does not want to respect his teacher, does not deserve to be a Reiki student.

Once a person becomes your teacher, he/she remains your teacher for the rest of your life irrespective of the age difference. In our eastern culture, the student gives the teacher a special respect. This is also part of the Reiki Principles, which are taught to the student during First Degree Reiki. You as a student must behave in a befitting manner. To learn Reiki, be a student seeking knowledge. Leave your social status outside the class.

Teacher-Student Relationship

Reiki establishes a deep spiritual connection between the teacher and the student. I call it a lifetime bond and attach lot of importance to it. It is though not necessary to remain in contact, preferably the relationship should continue at least at the mental and spiritual levels.