The original form of Reiki is Usui Reiki Ryoho (Usui Reiki Method) this is what I teach and my lineage traces back directly to Mikao usui the founder of Reiki. Many other types of Reiki have evolved from this: Karuna, Holy Fire, Sehkem, Gendai, Lightarian, Five element, Seichem, Golden Age, Crystal Reiki, Kundalini Reiki and Angelic Reiki to name but a few. Some of these are purported to be more advanced teachings and often taught after the Usui levels. I have even seen some Reiki teachers refer certain types of Reiki as being of a higher vibration than Usui's  or saying that Reiki has evolved into these new forms. I do not believe this is correct and want to share my thoughts:.

Rei = life force and Ki = Energy.

This source energy or universal energy as it is often referred to is of the highest vibrational frequency possible. It is pure consciousness or spirit.  

Anyone telling you that you can learn to channel higher vibrational energy than Reiki demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of the basic principles of energy work.

There is no higher frequency than r\Reiki.

Pure source energy cannot be altered or improved.

So what changes when we are attuned to Reiki or practice using different symbols? The answer is us – we change! By working on ourselves we can bring about positive changes to our individual vibrational frequency – we are not learning to channel higher frequencies of energy – we are becoming a higher frequency!  

Whats the best way to raise our vibrational frequency? I have studied a many different types of Reiki with many different Reiki masters but to be honest I have gained a much deeper personal relationship with Reiki through my yoga studies and practice than anything I learned on the Reiki courses I attended. I have given a lot of thought as to why this is. Yoga teaches that in order to gain real depth, real mastery you need to look inwards not outwards. Adding new techniques and skills are nice and interesting but that is all they are – true progress will only come from going inwards. And we don’t need to go on courses to learn how to do this.

As I tell my students we are channelling Reiki all the time, every hug, every prayer and wish is sending Reiki to the recipient. Usui taught that living by the Reiki principles is the path to health and happiness…. Not attending more courses, gaining more certificates or being initiated into a variety of new symbols. Actually Usui did not even teach symbols originally, he added these later to assist people when learning but they were intended as training wheels to be let go of as you become confident.

In the west there is a focus on achieving more  - more studies, more techniques, more qualifications, more money etc. In the east however there is a larger importance placed on dedicating ones life to following a spiritual path. Progress cannot be measured by certificates on the wall. My advice to anyone wanting to progress with their Reiki (or personal/spiritual development in genera)– is to let go of the need to acquire outside recognition…. and rather make a commitment to turn inwards every day - 5 mins a day will make a significant difference! Just 5 minutes to slow down, maybe connect with your breath, to remember you are more than the physical body. 5 minutes to repeat the reiki principles and feel the energy flowing through you, filling you up (Hatsurei Ho is particularly good for this).  5 minutes of soul time!

If you are trying to decide which form of Reiki to learn, it does not really matter - best to choose a teacher that you feel comfortable with. While the different types of Reiki have different rituals, techniques, symbols and traditions but they are all just ways to connect to universal energy - pick the one that appeals to you and don't feel that you need to study more.

Trust that everything you need is already in you. Just let the Reiki flow.

Wishing you many blessings on your journey

Sirpa / Jyotipari