Review: Essential Reiki

Essential Reiki by Diane Stein is an infamous book in Reiki circles. This is because she dared flaunt one of the sacred rules of Reiki, that the symbols must be kept sacred and not revealed to anyone other than trained Reiki practitioners. Instead of following that rule, Diane Stein published the Reiki symbols, in all their variations, in her book.

I happen to believe she did a great service to the Reiki community. If nothing else it showed how greatly the symbols were varying from one teacher to another. The wide differences are interesting, and one wonders how Reiki could be the same while the symbols used vary so much. The variations date back to Mrs. Takata's teaching methods, and her refusal to write things down or allow her students to even take notes.

The book is a very comprehensive guide to Reiki and its use by first, second, and third degree practitioners. The writing is clear and straightforward.

In the introduction Diane gives her story of becoming a Reiki master. She had a very circuitous and non-traditional path, in that she never took a traditional Reiki class but instead worked it out on her own. She did receive all the attunements, even though she lacked formal training. One thing she grokked from her experiences is how much Reiki is needed for the planetary healing process, and this comes through clearly in the book.

In service to that vision she apparently is very free with giving Reiki attunements, charging an affordable price for all training, and often giving scholarships. This policy is very different from the "traditional" Reiki teaching practice as promoted by The Reiki Alliance. Let me suggest that by keeping the price for Reiki training high, that the Reiki Alliance was limiting its possible growth. I happen to agree with Diane Stein, Reiki is needed widely for the growth of the planet and our society and each of us individually.

I like this book and recommend it highly. Many will, as I was initially, be offended by her "sacraledge" in publishing the "secrets". I say, get over it, since we now know that those secrets were not meant by Usui to be secrets, and that the symbols are painted on the walls of the temple at Mt. Kurama where Usui developed Reiki.