My Reiki Journey

I first heard of Reiki, as a form of energy healing, decades ago. People from all walks of life found it helpful. It seemed mysterious, yet fascinating. It was so different from my formal education in science and mathematics, and my later work with computer programming and accounting. It didn't make sense!

My first experience with Reiki was in a group setting, where several practitioners worked together to give treatments to one person at a time. I received a sample treatment in this way but can't say I perceived much, except that one pair of hands seemed especially hot (my eyes were covered with a tissue). Getting off the treatment table, I almost lost my balance, which was unusual for me at the time.

Even after that evening, I didn't know what to make of this "Reiki," whether it was real or imaginary. After a while, I decided that merely thinking about it wouldn't help me to understand it. I realized that the only way to truly explore Reiki was to take the First Degree class, even though the cost was significant for me at the time.

Afterwards, I began daily self-treatments and practiced with the other students, giving and receiving group treatments. Everyone seemed to perceive the energy differently.

I eventually went on to Second Degree and learned to send the Reiki energy.

I don't recall the details, but I somehow became acquainted with my then teacher's own teacher, one of Takata's 22 Masters. He seemed to enjoy talking to me, and we subsequently spent many hours in conversation, both on the phone and in person. I even assisted (as a practice subject) with a couple of his First Degree classes.

I learned that my first Reiki teacher, his student, didn't teach Reiki as he had taught her. She had incorporated things and practices which originated from outside of Reiki.

The Takata Master himself apparently didn't teach Reiki as Mrs. Takata had taught him. And over the years, he made additions to his own practice. My association with this Master was taking its toll on me. Many of our discussions had little to do with Reiki and moved into areas that were uncomfortable for me. It was taking too much of my time and attention. I finally made it clear to him that I wasn't interested in continuing our association, and we went our separate ways.

This experience helped me see that even within relatively close Reiki lineages, people were not necessarily practicing or teaching Reiki the way they were taught. Different teachers added, removed, or changed things over time. Our commonality was simply our use of the term "Reiki."

I reached the point where I wanted to pursue Mastership, but I didn't consider my first teacher an option at the time. Her teacher had forbidden her from making another Master.

I contacted a Master who agreed to teach me Mastership over two classes. He initiated and taught me the first part. However, I was unable to reach him to complete the second. I was left hanging.

Around this time, while my own Reiki path was still unfolding, I began creating Reiki-related Internet pages. These included my Overview of Reiki article and Free For All Reiki Links, which later became ReikiLinks.com.

I found another Master who initiated me to the Master level but didn't take the time to teach me.

Eventually, someone agreed to initiate and teach me Master-level Reiki. We have lost touch over the years, and I don't know if she still teaches Reiki.

After I became a Reiki Master, some of the people who found my writings and Reiki pages began contacting me about classes. Over the years, I taught several students First Degree, just a few Second Degrees, and only two students to Mastership (Laura and Silvia).

Through my Reiki websites, I also met a few people who left lasting impressions on me, including Tianna Roser of Awakening Transformation and Hyakuten Inamoto of Komyo ReikiDo.

Even after reaching Master level, my search for a better understanding of Reiki continued. Through the online Reiki world, I became acquainted with a former student of another of Takata's Masters. She had known Mrs. Takata personally and gave me the impression that she taught Reiki as she had been taught. I asked if she would teach me. She seemed to consider it, but teaching would have required a significant commitment, including travel and an apprenticeship approach that would have entailed redoing all three levels. Looking back, I realize I approached the opportunity from my own desire to learn without fully appreciating what I was asking of her. She politely declined, saying she had better take care of her family first.

I don't practice or teach Reiki as it was presented to me. I don't use crystals, burn incense, etc., during Reiki sessions or when I teach.

I wouldn't go so far as to say I developed my own system of Reiki, but I have tried my best to piece together an approach by combining and simplifying ideas and procedures I came across from my early research. In my classes, at least, I tried to adhere to pure Reiki in the spirit of how it was originally introduced in the "West" (by Mrs. Takata). I do not claim to practice and teach as Mrs. Takata taught, as unfortunately, I never met her. But I have tried not to deviate too much from the spirit of what she taught.

I don't usually talk about my Reiki "lineage" because there was no single, clear path. It was a winding process involving different teachers and experiences, eventually leading me to where I am today in my continuing Reiki journey.

Over the years, life happened, and I took a detour from Reiki.

Recently, I returned to daily self-treatments and was reminded that the connection had never been lost. I've decided to put Reiki back where it belongs, as an important part of my life.

I have written about my Reiki journey here to try to partially answer questions (some unasked) regarding how I learned Reiki and came to the way I practice and teach.

Originally published November 5, 2022. Revised and expanded June 2026.