The title Reiki Master has been one I've had an internal struggle with since I received my Reiki Master attunement in August of 2006. I remember having a friend proof-read a resume I was updating and pointing out that I needed to change 'Reiki Practitioner' to 'Reiki Master'. I hadn't missed this change, but had actually intentionally left my title as Reiki Practitioner because of my discomfort with the term Master. I didn't (and still don't) feel like a master of anything! I'm not sure that Reiki is something that can ever be mastered. However, as it goes in the world of business, I do want to be able to let people know what I do in a clear way and titles make that easier.
About a year ago, I found a website that had a very different description of being a Reiki Master than what I'd been exposed to in the past. For the life of me, I haven't been able to find that website again, but with that influence I've tried to encapsulate what it means to me. Becoming a Reiki Master was not the end of a journey, not the final say in an accomplishment, not a completion of learning. It was actually my induction into the beginning. For me, it has become a way of life and something that I am conscious of every day and, with practice, every moment. My initial Reiki journey began with the necessary foundation of understanding energy and the chakra system, and learning the Reiki hand positions and symbols. My Reiki Master journey began with learning how to let all of that go. Rather than attempting to master Reiki, my focus is on mastering myself, which is a life-long course! I am actively working to heal the broken parts of me and to release the beliefs and behaviors that no longer serve me. It is only through finding this whole and complete place within my Self, unencumbered by fears, negative thought patterns and judgments, that I can truly offer myself in being of assistance to another's growth and healing.
Our ego's get involved in a lot of our ways of thinking and behaving in this world. I have resisted this title of Reiki Master because I was afraid it was my ego that wanted it. And I do think there is danger in getting too attached to titles and things, to the point where we allow them to establish our identity and feel like we are nothing without them. But I also think it's the ego that tries to diminish us and make us believe we should present a 'less than' version to the world of the magnificence of who we each are as individuals. I love being able to see how far I've come on this journey, as well as experiencing the excitement and anticipation of all I have yet to learn. I love giving Reiki treatments and assisting others as they heal themselves. I love teaching Reiki to others and serving as a guidepost in their learning. I love being a Reiki Master. Not because it's a title I get to put on a business card, but because it is truly aligned with my path with heart.
