Japanese Reiki is generally divided into 4 levels, as opposed to the 3 levels that Western Reiki is divided into. This is an introduction to those 4 levels… each will be discussed in greater details further on down the line.
Level I – (Shoden in Japanese, which means “Beginning Level”) – Instruction at this level generally includes an introduction to Reiki, discussion of the Reiki history, practice of the hand positions, and 3 First Level Attunements (which will also be discussed in another post) which give the student the ability to channel Reiki energy for self-healing and for the healing of others.
Level II – (Chuden, in Japanese which means “Intermediate Level”) – The main emphasis of Reiki II lies in the complete understanding of how to use the symbols to greatly increase the Reiki energy the student has for self-healing and for healing others. It generally includes an introduction to the first 3 Reiki Symbols and 3 Second Level Attunements. It also introduces the student to distance healing (healing over time and space) as well as Mental and Emotional healing.
Level III – (Okuden in Japanese, which means “Inner Level”) – This is the Master level which generally includes an introduction to the Reiki Master Symbol and includes 3 Master Level Attunements. While the first two levels are geared towards physical, mental and emotional healing, the third level introduces the practitioner to spiritual healing, that is, healing at the spiritual level. The main emphasis at this level is on Living Reiki, that is, learning to include it in everything you do.
Level IV – (Shinpiden in Japanese, which means “Mystery Level”) – This is the Teacher level which while not really increasing the student’s power it more or less hones it or fine-tunes it. It also teaches you how to pass attunements and how to teach Reiki to others. In the original Reiki teachings Reiki IV (or its equivalent at the time) was intended for teachers (to Teach is to Master) as well as those interested in the Reiki Path to Enlightenment.
These levels have been changed by some teachers in Japan and some also follow the Western system… which will also be discussed at another time.
For further explanation or discussion, your thoughts are most welcome and highly encouraged, please feel free to comment below!!!
3 responses to “The 4 Levels of Japanese Reiki”
My own master/teacher teaches a level 1V in reiki that she calls Intuitive Reiki. She taught alot in level 3 to her students and went into great deal about the healers who work through us in Spirit. She referred to them as the Brown Brotherhood. Have you heard of these spirit healers??
AngelLorliel
I’ve never heard of the Brown Brotherhood… please tell us abuot them.
Are they related to the archangels and ascended masters?
Thanks for the post!
[…] The main emphasis at this level is on Living Reiki, that is, learning to include Reiki in every aspect of your life and in everything you do. In order to teach this level the teacher has to have really integrated the Reiki energies and must be able to help the student find their own individual portal to the enlightened realms. Deep meditation is essential as well as the ability to fully explain enlightenment… what it is, and how to achieve it (a discussion of which can be found here). […]