Becoming a Reiki Practitioner - The Third Degree

Reiki Energy Healing is presented in three degrees or levels. The first degree is considered to be a complete program as the new practitioner possesses the ability and knowledge to use Reiki for their entire lifetime. Achievement of this first degree enables the individual to administer Reiki to themselves as well as to others.

Pre-requisites for the 3rd Degree

Completion of the 2nd degree enables the practitioner to use the Reiki Symbols which address the mental and emotional challenges a client may exhibit. In addition, one of these Symbols enables the practitioner to send or transmit Reiki Healing over a distance. Although the 1st level is considered a complete course within itself, in order to advance an individual must take the 2nd degree and 3rd degree in sequential order as each level builds upon the previous class content and practice sessions.

Individuals who have achieved the 2nd degree of Reiki received not only the Reiki Symbols, which are considered to be sacred healing symbols, but have also received the Attunements which facilitate and strengthen the intended use of the Symbols. Symbols are just that, symbols; however, it is the sacredness that lies in its intent and the power of the energy given to a recipient.

Which Path to Follow?

If and when an individual chooses to pursue the Path of Master level of Reiki, they will find there is a choice of two paths to follow in order to achieve the 3rd degree of Reiki. If you are a 2nd degree Practitioner who wishes to only concentrate on providing Reiki Healing Treatments, you would then pursue the Master Practitioner Level.

If you wish to teach Reiki and pass this knowledge to others, then participation in a Reiki 3rd Degree Master/Teacher program is required. In past times, achievement of the Master/Teacher level was through apprenticeships over many months or even years; but today, a one to two day presentation has taken its place. It is important to remember that in choosing the latter path, one must realize the personal commitment to finely tune the skill through continuous practice and personal change.

Expectations from Fellow Practitioners

Members of the Reiki Healing community expect fellow Practitioners to have spent an appreciable amount of time offering Reiki to others before advancing to the 3rd degree or Master/Teacher level. This expectation is founded in the belief that refinement in using the Reiki Symbols presented in the 2nd degree occurs, as well as the knowledge from each Reiki treatment that is given, increases the amount of Universal Life Force Energy the Practitioner is able to use for clients during their sessions. The most acceptable minimal time frame is approximately one year. Of course, a longer time frame is even more desirable.

The Commitment

Pursuing the 3rd degree of Reiki implies the commitment to teach, to practice and to live Reiki and its principles to the fullest extent possible. The pursuit of this level also implies the achievement of and integration of a higher level of spirituality. A spirituality that is quite mature in essence and enables a person the opportunity to ponder, evaluate, and possibly challenge and replace old thought and behavioral patterns with approaches reflecting an individual with a deeper appreciation of life itself.

The Master/Teacher Program

The Master/Teacher level program is usually done as a one to one presentation that is oriented to the specific needs, strengths and intent of the participant. Of course, if teaching Reiki is the intent, it is not only helpful but recommended that the participant is knowledgeable and comfortable in the teaching process, as this is a major intent of becoming a Master/Teacher.

In the case of being unfamiliar with teaching, it is a wise choice to attend several seminars/classes where the 1st and 2nd degree programs are presented. This can be done either before or after the achievement of the 3rd degree in Reiki. Observing and participating as a ‘Teacher’s Assistant’ to another seasoned Master/Teacher allows one to strengthen their knowledge in the use of the Symbols, the appropriate recitation which accompanies specific Symbols, which teaching methods to use when presenting future programs, as well as determining the correct sequence of content material.

The Costs

For many years, the cost for the 3rd degree achievement was as much as $10,000 here in the US. As little as ten years ago, the cost for each level of Reiki instruction was approximately $500.00. Within the past several years, the cost for each level of instruction has lowered to around $125.00.

When choosing a program, one should be wary of those Master/Teachers or organizations that offer to present all three levels over a 3 day weekend. Regardless of the enticement of a low cost program in a short period of time, the potential Reiki student is not only doing a disservice to this powerful healing method, but also to the client and to his or her self. All three levels of Reiki require time to assimilate the knowledge, the energy and the understanding of the intent behind the treatments.

The presentation of all 3 degrees in 3 consecutive days denies the needed time for the development of a comfortable and knowledgeable approach to the interpretation of not only the use of the Symbols, but also to the interpretation of blocked energy centers, the presence or absence of Chakra colors, and the impact of unbalanced energy centers on the mind, body and soul of both the client and the Practitioner.

Program Content

The major content focus of the 3rd degree program of Reiki is oriented to the process of stimulating transmission of energy through Attunements and Symbols. The Master Symbol will be introduced, with a great deal of time spent in practice and memorization of the drawing, its interpretation and use. Again, simulated practice with the Master/Teacher allows a continued refinement of this process. The continuous practice with this most powerful of Symbols allows the learner to experience the feel of the energy emitted by the Symbol. Also, it is not unusual for two or three different Master Symbols to be introduced to the student. It is also possible that the Symbol presented is quite different from the traditional or modern interpretation. This of course depends on the Master/Teacher instructor’s background, as Symbols have been changed to make their Reiki unique and personal, as well as to reflect their philosophy of life.

The actual ritual sequences of the 1st and 2nd degree levels are discussed and demonstrated with return demonstration by the potential Master student. Much discussion will also occur between the Master/Teacher and the ‘student’, including discussion reflecting the commitment to the integration of the Reiki principles, the philosophy of Reiki, and how its implementation will impact the learner.

The Master Symbol – Dai Ko Myo

Prior to the completion of the presentation, the 4th Reiki Symbol, the Master Symbol, which has been drawn and discussed thoroughly, will be passed to the student through another Reiki initiation or Attunement. This final Attunement allows the presence of the Universal Life Force Energy to continue to expand within the New Master/Teacher and will enable the individual to use this energy for refined personal growth and perfection.

The Master Symbol signifies expanded wisdom and clairvoyance, which becomes more refined with each additional Reiki Treatment performed on clients. It is not unusual for Master/Teachers to become quite intuitive when working with blocked Chakras. Often, potential blocking situations can be seen with the 3rd eye of the Reiki Practitioner. When presenting these issues to a client, it is vitally important to use caution and sensitivity; otherwise, the client may view the Practitioner as someone who practices voodoo or magic. The question that the client may think or ask is “how can you know that?” Be prepared to respond in a very intelligent, calm manner as this may be their first Reiki treatment.

The Master Symbol is also used for the healing of the soul, which for many is the basis for the development of the physical body. As a healing and protective Symbol, it takes away pain or disease when used; it combines the power of the three previous Symbols that were presented in the 2nd degree program. Some Practitioners believe that disease or illness originates in our spiritual being and presents itself with the physical symptoms.

Activation of the Master Symbol

As with the previous three Symbols, the Master Symbol can be activated with clients in various ways. It can be drawn in the air over the client with your index finger or the entire hand, on the roof of your mouth with your tongue, in the center of the palm of your hand, by visualizing them, or by spelling the symbol’s name three times. Regardless of how the Symbol is activated, it is the intent that drives the energy.

Following this activation, you can then draw the Symbol on the client’s crown Chakra, on the area to be treated, or in the client’s palm.

Life as a Reiki Master/Teacher

The profound effects and impact of being one with Reiki is that you will most definitely undergo a very subtle change in your thoughts, response, and reasoning, creating situations that may indeed surprise you and those who know you best. The old phrase ‘stop and smell the roses’ may not truly reflect the change in you, but what you may experience is the new and different approach you implement with your life’s goals. You may without warning re-examine where you are and the route(s) in which you have chosen to arrive at your pre-determined destination. You may quietly determine to change some aspects of your lifestyle, your spirituality, and your manner or profession.

Enjoy these subtle changes. They can only lead you to become a more caring, intuitive individual who senses a feeling of completeness in life.