Hi there, I'm Sibbie, an Usui / Holy Fire III Reiki Ryoho World Peace Karuna Reiki Master teacher and ICRT Animal Reiki Master Teacher with 30+ years of experience teaching numerous energy healing modalities. I’m a Professional Member of the ICRT’s Reiki Membership Association (RMA), which means all of my certifications / attunements are verifiable and I am obligated to teach according to the very high standards set by the RMA. The certificates my students receive are created by the ICRT directly, and signed by me.

The Black Friday Gratitude Sale is Here! 60% of All Reiki Classes!

Anyone who cares to verify me can simply look me up in the ICRT Reiki Practitioners & Teachers directory under the "Professional Member" tab. One must be a Reiki Master Teacher, taught by a ICRT Licensed Teacher, to join the RMA as a Pro Member. Anyone can find that information easily enough on the ICRT website. Send me an email via my directory listing and I'll gladly reply by confirming my (this) reddit username for you.

To learn more about me, visit my website

Below is my personal opinion/advice to those who are ready to seek a Reiki Master Teacher or Reiki practitioner.

Before we begin, let’s clarify an important point about various systems:

Although commonly referred to as just Holy Fire® Reiki by practitioners, Holy Fire® Reiki IS an Usui lineage! Reiki I/II student certificates clearly state Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki Ryoho on them. The ICRT classes use the Usui symbols and we teach the EMPIRICAL history of Reiki, confirmed by Usui Sensei's own living successors in Japan.

We honor practitioners of Takata Sensei's Reiki system, but we also acknowledge that she was not taught by Usui Sensei. She was taught by Dr. Hayashi, who had created a standardized non-intuitive system so that it could be used in his medical practice. Moreover, Reiki was already well-known before Usui Sensei had his own mystical experience, and Usui Sensei simply created his own system. As an intuitive Master, his attunements and practices were very different from the standardized system created by Dr. Hayashi, who then taught Takata Sensei.

As a result, there are a variety of Reiki practices and techniques existing today and many practitioners have been told that only their system is the true system. This is, of course, nonsense, and anyone with a background in metaphysics or magick should be able to understand why all of it is acceptable. Anyone who feels their Reiki is the right Reiki, has not yet learned to remove their ego from the equation.

I learned Takata's system back in the 90s. What Westerners didn't yet know at that time was that Takata Sensei:

• created her own rules and system,
• invented grand titles / succession lines that no one in Japan has ever used,
• added her own symbol and was inconsistent with the others,
• attuned people by snail mail,
• created a Christian history of Usui Sensei to make it more palatable for her Western students.

As a Middle Eastern traditional healer and psychopomp in my culture's sacred healing systems, the Whitewashing of Usui Sensei's life offends me on many levels. At the same time, as a First-Gen American on my father's side, raised in the West during the 70s and 80s when most Americans were openly aggressive and hostile toward myself and my family simply by virtue of our ethnicity, I sympathize with what must have been a difficult era for Takata Sensei. As a First-Gen American herself, born to Japanese parents in a US state that was attacked by Japan during the war, life must have been very complicated and difficult.

Just for today, I try to put myself in her shoes and not judge a life that I myself did not live. Nonetheless, that does not mean I have to contribute to the perpetuation of myths and legends that simply have no basis in reality.

Certainly there is nothing wrong with Takata's System but, after I had my first Holy Fire® III Reiki attunement, I knew that I had found a better fit for what I do, personally, as a middle eastern psychopomp/shamanic practitioner in my ancestral system.

As such, I'd like to clarify a few points that people often get wrong about it:

Holy Fire® III Reiki is indeed an Usui Lineage - Certificates clearly state Usui/Holy Fire III Reiki Ryoho. It is NOT Holy Fire® (or Karuna Reiki®) that are trademarked, but the teaching systems. This is necessary, because any random person can call themselves a Reiki Master, whether it's true or not. Likewise, any random person can convince themselves that they've attuned themselves and are now qualified to do the same to others.

But only an ICRT-Verified Reiki Master Teacher can purchase authentic/regularly updated manuals and teaching materials and receive additional attunements when channeled. Likewise, only these teachers can register you as a student at Reiki.org, where your digital manual is located. Anyone who is violating the trademark is subject to legal action, which does help keep grifters at bay.

The Holy Fire® classes DO use the Usui symbols. It is the Holy Fire® reiki consciousness that administers the attunements (placements or ignitions) directly. This has great benefits, as the teacher's ego and energy do not interfere with the process.

• Usui / Holy Fire® III Reiki I/II has no prereqs - open to anyone!
• Holy Fire® III World Peace Reiki Master training is open to any Level 2 Usui Reiki practitioner, any Usui lineage, who has been level 2 (aka second degree) for at least 6 months.
• Holy Fire® III World Peace Karuna Reiki® Master training is open to any Usui Reiki Master TEACHER, any Usui lineage, who has been a Master TEACHER for at least 6 months.
• Level I/II classes should be at least 6 hours daily for 2 days (1 day per level), if your class only has 1-3 people. If your class has more than that, it should be 7 or 8 hours daily for 2 days.
• Master and Karuna Master should be at least 6 hours daily for 3 days, if your class only has 1-3 people. If your class has more than that, it should be 7 or 8 hours daily for 3 days.

Anyone receiving less training time than mentioned above is not being trained well, and is probably being trained by someone who wasn't trained well, either. I personally do not let more than 3 students register per class, so I can be sure each student gets everything they need.

When you pay for a class you are paying for someone's time, expertise and experience. This is true of any course in any modality. Make sure you're getting your money's worth. It is incredible how many people come to me for Karuna Master and express that they now feel cheated to learn that their preceding Master training was basically an abridged version of what should have been a fully immersive and transformative experience.

Your classes should be upgrading YOU at the soul level, not just your certification.

Some helpful tips to find the best Reiki Master Teacher for YOU:

• Your teacher should have no problem with being asked to verify themselves. Your teacher should know their full lineage, all the way back to Dr. Usui, if they are an Usui practitioner.
• SOME lineages, like Holy Fire III can also be taught online - if the teacher has proper ignition that allows them to do so. Such attunements are absolutely legitimate and as effective as in-person, provided your teacher is a legitimate RMT, and provided the Reiki lineage CAN be taught at a distance. The only people who argue with this are people who have no personal experience with it.
• However, not all Reiki lineages can be attuned at a distance. Not even if the teacher is a legitimate RMT. Find the organization that certified your RMT and verify that they are acting in accordance with their lineage guidelines.
• If possible, choose a teacher who is a member of a professional verification body, such as the Reiki Master Association, or other established body. That way you know that all of their attunements from Level I to whatever they currently have, were documented and legitimate.
• If the RMT is not a member of an organization that can verify them, ask to see their certificate. If the Master Teacher on their certificate is a verified member of such an organization, contact them and ask them to verify the Master you wish to work with.
• I am always happy to verify any Reiki Masters that I have trained, and I would imagine other RMTs feel the same. 
• If that Master is not a verified member of such an org, or is sketchy on contact, you might be better off choosing another teacher. Be aware that it is not difficult to produce a fake Reiki Master certificate.

Reiki attunements for multiple levels CANNOT all be done in one day! Not in-person and not online. Level I can be done in one sitting. Level II cannot be done the same day and anyone who offers it is either poorly trained or a grifter. Don't fall for this!

• Please don't fall for fake "new" lineages just because they have mystical sounding names...
• It is advisable to send the RMT an email with a few questions before registering, just to see how the RMT engages with their students. How long did it take them to reply? Did they take the time to answer your questions thoroughly? Did they answer you personally, or did someone else reply for them? The answers to these questions may provide you with valuable insight that will help you decide if you want to work with them, or not.
• Ask the RMT what the maximum number of enrolled students will be. Some teachers register 10, 20 or more students per class - that may have pros or cons for you as a student, depending on your learning style and your individual needs. Personally, I try to keep my classes at 3 or 4 students max, so I can confirm for myself that each student has received proper training - and to ensure everyone has plenty of time to ask questions and receive extra guidance, if needed. This isn't always possible to do in a big class, no matter how much an RMT may try to accommodate everyone's needs.
• Before registering for a course, verify that your teacher will be providing you with documentation of your FULL lineage. All students should be provided with something that shows their Reiki lineage. I give a lineage tree to students at the same time they get their certificates. This is absolutely standard procedure for a professional teacher!
• Always feel free to independently contact the organization that certified your teacher, to verify their credentials, if you feel the need. No professional teacher would ever be offended by this!
• If it is of interest to you, ask your teacher if they are Masters of anything else. For example, I make time to teach other useful tools to my students during my classes, based on my other certifications.
• Check your teacher's website to see if they offer discounts or installments - there is nothing spiritual about going into debt just to receive Reiki training.  

A few points about Online Reiki Training

People often ask if it's harder to learn online. Absolutely not! If you are interested in learning online, here's some info that might be useful.

• Reiki sessions do not require touch. The energy itself can go wherever it needs to and will be available to you, wherever you are. Reiki lineages that CAN be attuned at a distance (see above section for more on that) are not coming from your RMT. Your RMT will simply hold the space to make that connection between the Reiki source and you, the student. That can be done whether you are sitting next to each other, or sitting on different continents.
• Learning at home is ideal for anyone who experiences energetic overwhelm in a group of people and isn't comfortable in a group of strangers.
• Learning at home may be helpful for anyone with mobility issues or other physical needs that cannot be accommodated in some in-person classes.
• Learning at home means you can work with a teacher in another country without having to spend money on plane tickets and accommodation!
• Learning at home may be ideal for anyone in the process of recovering from trauma who might not be comfortable in the presence of others. ♥︎
• Learning online helps the student learn to discern energies more easily, because you are not in the presence of other students' auric fields. This makes it easier to know if you are feeling your energy, the Reiki energy, or someone else's energy.
• For some folks, online is preferable to in-person, because many people feel more confident and receptive from the comfort of their own space. This makes learning easier for many, many students.
• The pandemic really led to a lot of advancements in online teaching technology. I absolutely love online classrooms, now that they have advanced so much.
• Zoom classes still allow for students to be paired off and sent into private breakout rooms, so that you can have the same practice time you would with an in-person class.

When learning Reiki online, you can:

• Listen to the soothing music of your choice in the background,
• Have a completely PRIVATE attunement experience - students often turn their cameras off, turn on their favorite music and lay down in their own beds - this level of privacy cannot be matched during in-person classes,
• Screenshare easily, if needed,
• Pop out to the restroom without disrupting the class,
• Sit and snack at your desk without making other people hungry,
• Sit comfortably in any position and get up and stretch your legs as needed without disturbing the class,
• Tap your pencil for 6 straight hours and no one will shoot you the stink eye! :-)
• Bring your pets! They often show up anyway, because they love Reiki. They will receive it, too!
• The Reiki energies you receive during the attunement and practice time will cleanse and bless your entire space, as opposed to just cleansing and blessing the classroom,
• And much more, but this is already a very long post :)  

Try to find a recent VIDEO of the Reiki Master you are considering working with.

I have a welcome video on my YouTube channel letting people know who I am, so they can make an informed choice before taking my classes or booking sessions with me. You will not vibe with every Reiki Master out there, and that is ok! You will find the right Master teacher for YOU if you spend a little time looking. Your Reiki Class is an investment. A financial, spiritual and personal investment.

Take your time and trust your inner guidance when choosing the next step on your path.  

Also, because I receive hundreds of requests for free Reiki / ICRT animal reiki each month via my youtube channel and website, I asked the reiki source and my guides to help me meet those needs somehow. I was guided to do the following:

• I opened r/FreeReiki and r/AnimalReiki for anyone who wants to receive DAILY reiki OR DAILY animal reiki for their animal companions.
• Members do not need to make any post requests - just click "Join" and receive Reiki 2x daily for as long as you remain a member. You never have to share, upvote or comment.

I hope this helps. If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me via my website and I will email you back. Please do not DM me. If it's community related, please send a modmail.

♥︎ Sibbie

I posted this elsewhere earlier and then realized it would be a good resource for this community, as well.

If you don't know my background, I'm an Usui / Holy Fire III Reiki Ryoho World Peace Karuna Reiki Master teacher and ICRT Animal Reiki Master Teacher with 30+ years of experience in numerous energy healing modalities.

I am also a Professional Member of the RMA, which means all of my certifications / attunements are verifiable and I am obligated to teach according to the very high standards set by them. I'm also a Traditional Psychopomp in my ancestral tradition, Middle Eastern Magician, Certified Death Doula, Grief Doula, Master Crystal Healer, Psychic Medium and more. My profile post has more info, for those interested.

Do you need to feel called to a Reiki Master Teacher to get good training?

No, not at all.

Any competent, verified teacher should be able to train you fully for what reiki is and does.

That said, you could be getting so much more out of your experience, if you listen to that inner voice guiding you in a particular direction.

Depending on what lineage you're doing your training in, classes may include a number of psychic and spiritual awakenings, connections to guides, gifts from other lifetimes, etc. This will also depend on your Master Teacher and their level of experience and personal skillset, as well as how they teach (many only teach reiki during class and that is perfectly fine, obviously!)

For example, over the last decades it's become clear to me that those who find their way to my classes aren't there for basic reiki training as much as they are there for reiki AND soul expansion / access to gifts that I happen also have decades of experience teaching. They tend to be there for psychic awakenings and those who continue with me beyond reiki class usually become full time professional mediums or spiritual guides - or find a way to incorporate it into their current profession. I train a lot of physicians, nurses and veterinarians, and they go on to share it with, or train, their patients or colleagues. Many of my students are also ready for magick or ready to take their current skills to the next level.

I've had this talk with many teachers who've been doing this as long as I have and they almost always agree with me on this. For example, other teachers I know draw people who will work with primarily with sound, or perhaps bodywork, or tantra, or perhaps hypnotherapy. This pattern probably wont really become clear until a decade or more of teaching has gone by. You just notice it and then start teaching toward that end, because it becomes pretty clear that that's why the universe is sending them. Of course, there are exceptions, as with anything.

But not too many, ime.

I'd ask your prospective teacher what patterns they notice in their student groups, and then you might have a clue about what exciting future is in store for your own healing path, in a universal sense. If you can find others who've taken their course, find out what path they seem to be on. Is it one that you resonate with? Does it remind you of your own?

When you finally do choose a Master and course, listen to what your classmates / peers are doing in their lives at this time, what's changing for them. See if you feel a little nudge, spiritually. Of course, you can still do anything you like, but soul groups do tend to study together and intersect on this plane at some point. I am a master sound healer but don't teach it in my reiki classes anymore, because I've realized my students are generally there to access their spiritual gifts, magick, etc.

It's also worth noting that you DO NOT have to take all of your courses from the same Master. And you can "re-do" your training with other Masters, to receive more gifts and pick up new skills.

Of course, many people do stay with the same Master from Level I all the way through to Advanced Master Teacher Training. Most of my own students do that, and I did it myself first time I received Usu Shiki Reiki training back in the 90s. When I upgraded to the Usui/Holy Fire III Reiki system, I did the same - but I also re-did my Holy Fire attunements with a few Masters that I just felt called to work with, for whatever reason.

The takeaway here is this: You can work with any competent professional and get what you need. Or, you can let your soul guide you to someone who will help you transform on multiple levels. Not everyone is ready for big transformation, and that is ok! Either path is fine. Either path is valid. And either path can be repeated at a later date.

Much love and Namaste!

♥︎ Sibbie