All Wellington & Kapiti Coast Reiki Masters are invited to a meeting to discuss ideas for International Reiki Day and the Reiki Masters Gathering.

The idea for this book came when three internationally known Reiki Masters met to explore the historical background of Reiki in Japan - from the Saihoji Temple in Tokyo, Mikao Usui�s final resting place, to the Kurama Temple in Kyoto. William Rand from the USA, Walter L�beck from Germany and Frank Petter from Japan decided to write a book together to share their love and knowledge of Reiki with each other and the Reiki community. It is called The Spirit of Reiki. It is their hope that the love they have for each other and for Reiki will spread throughout the Reiki community around the world.

The book includes a wealth of information on Reiki over a broad spectrum of topics which range from the search for a scientific explanation of Reiki to Reiki as a spiritual path, discussion on the direction Reiki is likely to take, a definition of Reiki, class outlines, in-depth analysis of the Reiki symbols, chapters on Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi and Hawayo Takata supported by original writings, 20 additional Usui treatment positions not previously published, and the Hayashi Healing Guide. The book is published by Lotus Light - Shangari-La (ISBN 0-914955-67-5) and contains 312 pages and 150 black and white illustrations.

Much has been written and discussed about the mysterious symbols and mantras of the 2nd and 3rd Reiki Degrees, as well as the secrets that are concealed in them and the deeper understanding of the Reiki path that can be achieved by working with them. It is certainly correct that the "tool box" - the symbols and their mantras - of the Usui System of Natural Healing contains some important statements about the method. A secret is best hidden within something apparent. On the other hand, there is a central symbol which almost every friend of Reiki has already seen. It appears almost everywhere that Reiki can be found and precisely describes what Reiki is, how it works, where it comes from, and why it functions. This symbol is the character for Reiki. It has many levels within its message, which reveal fascinating information about Reiki energy work and the Reiki philosophy when taken as a whole. . .

Picture 1 the old character for Reiki

Picture 2 the new character for Reiki

Today, people like to use the Japanese Reiki symbol for advertising, magazine articles, book titles, letterheads, posters, and business cards. It appears in publication in two variations. The first version (picture 1) is an older, more original depiction. Analysing these components can lead to a deeper understanding of Reiki. The second version (picture 2) was developed within the scope of a spelling reform. It isn�t possible to do much research work with this character since its parts are no longer in their original form. As a result, the inner message, especially of the upper portion, which stands for Rei or "spiritual," can no longer be understood clearly. Yet, this character is still the correct term for Reiki. It just contains too little of the explainable components. So both signs are correct in the sense of expressing the word "Reiki" properly in writing. However, if we desire to more closely research the meaning of Reiki, we should prefer the original version since it can be more easily interpreted . . .
From: The Spirit of Reiki by Walter L�beck - Frank Arjava Petter - William Lee Rand.

One of the commonest complaints made about a Reiki Master, which can often hold deep resentment and bitterness, is that the Reiki Master did not give their student(s) a certificate at the end of a Reiki Class. And often that months, even a year or so, later the student still hadn�t received a certificate.

Reiki certificates are a traditional part of the Reiki system. Reiki certificates give the Reiki student pride in having done a Reiki class, a sense of achievement, and a feeling of self-worth. They also indicate that the Reiki Master has a sense of pride in what they are teaching.

Your reputation as a Reiki Master and Reiki Teacher can be affected by whether or not you give your students a Reiki Certificate. The most effective advertising for Reiki Masters is �word of mouth� and complaints spread faster than praise. Your reputation is your responsibility.

A Reiki Certificate can become important for other reasons ie: as proof that your student has actually attended Reiki classes. As Reiki becomes more acceptable to mainstream healing the Reiki Certificates can become important should a student apply for a job within a healing establishment as a Reiki practitioner or when a Reiki practitioner wants to set up their own healing clinic or if they wish to become a member of Reiki NZ Inc and an accredited member of the NZ Natural Health Practitioners Charter.

• They can be printed by a professional Printer. This can initially be an expensive option because you have to pay for all your certificates at one time but in the long run (depending on the number you get printed) can work out quite cheaply per certificate.
  
  
• You can set up a certificate in your computer and print one for each student just prior to holding a Reiki class. This would allow you to type in the name of your student and the date of the class prior to printing. This is probably the easiest option if you own a computer and printer.
  
  
• You can make a master copy of a certificate. You can get someone else to type your certificate on their computer then print out a mastercopy which you can photocopy each time you need a certificate.
  
  
• Or you can make your own master copy by hand which you can photocopy when you need a certificate and then fill in the name of the student and the date of the class by hand. Making your master copy by hand just requires some patience, time plus paper, sticky tape and some creative thought. Making your Reiki Certificates by hand can be lots of fun.
  
  

  Start by looking at the certificates you already have. You may find you like a part of this one and a part of that one. Get all your certificates photocopied - several copies of each.
  
  

  Have a look for pictures you like - hands holding light, a map of your country, flowers, sun shining through clouds, the Japanese Kanji for Reiki, etc - cut them out or photocopy them.
  
  

  Have several blank sheets of A4 size paper. Decide whether you want your certificates to be portrait shape (ie tall) or landscape shape (ie wide).
  
  

  Cut out words, pictures and anything else you want and arrange on the A4 paper like a collage. Leave spaces to sign your certificate, to fill in the student�s name and to put the date of the class.
  
  

  When you are satisfied with the arrangement stick it to the paper with invisible sellotape. Take care and you will end up with a certificate that you will be pleased with.
  
  

  Then get photocopied.

  
  
• Reiki Certificates should include:
  
  

  One or more names of Reiki ie: Reiki; Usui Shiki Ryoho; The Natural Healing Method of Reiki; The Usui Method of Reiki are some of the names that can be used on a Reiki Certificate.
  
  

  What the certificate is certifying ie: This is to certify that JOE BLOGGS has attained the FIRST DEGREE in the REIKI method of Natural Healing
  
  

  What degree or Reiki class it is for.
  
  

  Your name and your Reiki Degree ie: Mary Smith, Reiki Master/Teacher
  
  

  The date of the class ie: 26th June 2001

Anything else you include and how you lay out your certificate is your choice. Have fun and do make sure you give your students a Reiki Certificate.