here goes...
Someone who is already attuned to level 1 by another teacher(in person training) approaches you about doing their level 2 training with you..

The thing is they are trained in Usui Tibetan, you teach Usui Shiki Ryoho..do you
1..ask them to do complete level 1 with you before they can go on to level 2(as they are different systems-albeit somehow connected back to usui)? and you have no idea about the quality of that training and what it encompassed..
2..simply give them the level 1 attunements without training, assuming that their first teacher handled that competently enough? Then go ahead with their level 2 training?
3..Go directly into level 2 training because they have already done level 1(even though it was the Rand style 1 attunement as opposed to 4 that you do) rationalising it as they have already had their initial exposure to level 1?
4..something else?

This is the first time I have been exposed to this kind of situation and would like to hear how other teachers handle this...

hmmmm...maybe should have posed this as a poll kind of question

I have had students who have been attuned
under a different Reiki style. I just
continue with my style knowing that they
have been given the basic knowledge of the
Reiki system.

Hasn't Rand modified his style of teaching?

Hi Kevin
I think in the specific case you have, i.e. a Rand style Reiki 1 there shouldn't be too much of a problem because his current Reiki 1 material is pretty good and he seems to have embraced a lot of the latest information about the origin and practice of Reiki. The main differences at level 1 will probably some extra non-traditional Reiki teachings on chakras and Reiki guides rather than a lack of basic information. I think most of the differences come at level 2 in ideas of the way Reiki can be used and even more at Reiki 3 and above where there are extra symbols taught as well as crystal grid and Reiki Psychic Surgery and other non-traditional Reiki techniques.

If someone wants to do Reiki level 2 with me and they have done Reiki 1 with someone else, I always ask them to bring their Reiki 1 manual along with them, so I can have a quick look at what they have already been taught and get an idea of the style.

Many people at level 1 are completely unaware of the variation in the Reiki teachings and styles etc. so are sometimes unable to answer questions such as "Which style of Reiki are you attuned to?" Their usual answer is "Usui Reiki" or "just Reiki!". If they have a lineage they can share before the course that can also be useful. For example, some who say they they have been attune to "Usui Reiki" turn out to be attuned to Tera Mai Reiki and may already be using various non-traditional symbols.

I have also had students (even trained to Master level by another teacher) who have requested to go through all 3 levels again with me. But when it comes down to it, I think that if a person has been properly attuned by a Reiki teacher according to their particular system, there is no need for a re-attunement to level 1 - just maybe some revision of some Reiki basics in your own particular style.

Hope that made sense!

Ai to Hikari
Colin

Yes, i second what Bridget & Colin have said.

This is one of the reasons also why lineage is so important. Although, personally, i'd prefer if the student started level 1 again, this is cause i'd have a different slant on things than Wille Rand.

Of course, to re-take level 1 the student might think they'll then be financially out of pocket, so that's something to maybe come to an arrangement with.

take care
Wayne

thanks a lot for the replies...
Bridget, I have to profess my ignorance on the matter.. I haven't got a clue what Mr Rand has been doing with his teachings..though I know he has a few styles under his belt..
Colin..the manual idea is a good one..I do intend to meet for a lunch to sound out what they did in level 1 and have a general reiki chat..
Even if Rand has stripped back a bit on what he teaches nowadays, that doesn't mean that this person's teacher has/does...you make good points Colin...and offer food for thought..
Wayne, you make a valid point about the financial issue..(though when I learned different styles I fully expected to start from the beginning , and paid full price, never expected otherwise)..and I too differ somewhat on Rand's philosophy and practices...so would prefer to start afresh...( and as another person put it it is an issue of "quality control")..
I think I am just going to have to meet and take it from there..

Kevin, I used Reiki long before I knew it had a name. I also used it during my healing journey. It was a year after my healing journey that I got involved in seeking formal classes. It turned out to be Usui Ryoho Reiki at that time I did not know of other styles. It was during my self exploration of learning beyond what my Reiki Teacher taught me that I learned of the many new Reiki styles and adjustment/additions happening to the Japanese Usui Reiki. Many Reiki forums out there have had folks express their differences/disputes that broke the balance/harmony/Reiki precepts down to IMO who's really practicing Reiki.

I see all attunments and symbols valuable in creating the Reiki environment. I have as an academic teacher taught different ways to tap into a students learning style
so I see the different Reiki styles as such.Taking a student back to learn Reiki 1 in the Usui Ryoho style that I teach would not make sense to me if the student already knows the basics of self treatments, Reiki history, hand positions,Reiki precepts japanese techniques, chakras, and sometimes Reiki 1 Students are taught symbols.Each different style IMO hold the same ULFE that works no matter what style we use.

I might sit and chat with them about what they learned in their Reiki I class. Ultimately with Reiki I, I think it is important that they have a basic understanding of the history, hand positions, ethics, and what Reiki is. Now their explanation may not be 100% in synch with yours. That's ok I believe.

You could also start your Reiki II class with a basic summarization of past material. Something that I'd do in any advanced class anyways.

If after having this conversation with them, you feel comfortable that they have the basic understanding, then go ahead and teach them Reiki II.

If they went through the cracker jack box Reiki attunement class (there are a couple of institutes around that will give you attunements of 1, 2, and 3 with barely a thought to any protocol, history, or teaching--namely Lillydale, NY and Sedona, AZ) then its likely you wouldn't be remiss in asking them to take level 1 with you.

After all, you are passing on your lineage, and signing their certificate. If you don't feel comfortable that they would represent you well, then you have every right to refuse to teach them.

Thaak wrote:
After all, you are passing on your lineage, and signing their certificate. If you don't feel comfortable that they would represent you well, then you have every right to refuse to teach them.

Andy offers some sound advice here.
It's always good to re-evaluate issues
such as this one.

chi_solas wrote:

Thaak wrote:
After all, you are passing on your lineage, and signing their certificate. If you don't feel comfortable that they would represent you well, then you have every right to refuse to teach them.

Andy offers some sound advice here.
It's always good to re-evaluate issues
such as this one.

I also think your decision should largely be tuned to the individual, thus circumstantial.

Spirithealer wrote:Interesting reading as I am about to do this with a friend / student
She has been taught the Western way, so I am going to sit and go through the basics in 1 and 2 with her then a few weeks *practise* and then attune

i have also been thinking of holding * update / refresher classes due to taking myself away soon to do this

We cant stop learning can we?

Namaste

refresher course is an excellent idea.
A time to reflect/review

hi Kevin.

Its my first time talking to you here

Reiki level one initiation prima facie has two independent aspects...one is to 'enable' reiki for him and second, to introduce the student with conceptual framework and provide training. I will focus on the first one though.

Its my personal feeling that each teacher 'adds' personal flavours of his own spiritual development into the initiation process even though when he is doing the steps precisely in the he was himself taught... This is something very much inevitable, so there is no conscious choice of teacher otherwise... Sometimes there is even more to it... Suppose u were handed down a specific initiation rirual by your teacher... If u change some steps, what you will hand down to your master student, will be the original flavour of reiki, yet modified in your way... So it will not be the same that may be obtained from a reiki master who was attuned alongwith you in the same session by your master....

Making a point here, that the reiki your level one student was carrying, must be slightly different (or vastly different) from the reiki you would have given him, if he was attuned to level one by you... If you try to build up level two, and then level three on the reiki he earlier had, it will have consequences different than your style for which you will give him certificate ultimately... Lets say you belong to Usui shiki ryoho, and his level one was in 'original' league, then what he will get, is 'original' reiki empowered with usui shiki ryoho style.... So his certificate might not be factually correct (please forgive me for this sentence).

I, therefore, would emphasize on re-initiating him to level one in your style



Take care

Salman

hiya folks,
Only glancing through this topic, so much on the forum to cath up on. forgive me if i'm not entirely on the point though.

It's common for a teacher to decide to train an existing, previous Reiki student in their own current practise. Lineage is important in this though, cause a look at that will give a good indication of the flavour of training the student has recieved already.

Getting initiated by another Master, has led some to claim that it has actually narrowed their perception, or weakened their connection to Reiki. For a time at least. I'm one of them. I noticed this a few years ago, thought nothing of it, then found it it was more common than i first thought.

warmest wishes
Wayne

yeah, it doesn't happen to everyone. BTW, you got no contribution point yet? I must have missed you in the welcome section!