Following the recent thread about kundalini and celtic reiki I thought I'd take a deeper look into all the different forms of reiki. I have to say I am really quite suprised at how many styles there are. At first I thought, hey, there's a couple more than I thought there were, but after googling for about 10 minutes, this suprise turned into pure lethargy-this is what I found.
Atlantys Healing System reiki
alef reiki
adama starfire reiki
angelic "raykey"
angeltouch reiki
anugraha reiki
asencion reiki
authentic reiki
brahma satya reiki
Crystal Reiki
celtic reiki
dragon reiki
dorje reiki
fusion reiki
gold reiki
innersun reiki
imara reiki
jikiden reiki
jinlap maitri reiki (tantric reiki)
kava reiki
ken reiki-do reiki
Karuna reiki
karuna ki reiki
kundalini reiki
lightarian reiki
mangussa reiki
phoenix reiki
medicine dharma reiki
men chios reiki
monastic seven degree reiki
ni kawa reiki
Osho neo reiki
rainbow reiki
reiki jin-kei do reiki
reiki kei tummo reiki
sacred path reiki
seichem reiki
sangye menlha reiki
saku reiki
shakyumuni reiki
sidhearta reiki
silverwolf reiki
Shamballa Reiki
sufi reiki
tanaki reiki
Tibetan reiki
tibetan soul star
Tera Mai Reiki,
Universal reiki dharma reiki
Usui- do reiki
Usui shiki ryoho reiki
Usui teate reiki
Violet flame reiki
Wei chi tibetan reiki
western reiki
That's 55 different types of reiki!!!!!!! (do correct me if I counted up wrong, but after looking at the list for a while my eyes went funny[:-]) Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure some of these reiki sytles do have a different energy to say, Traditional Usui reiki. However, I exercised discernment when reading through the descriptions of some of the different styles, and I came to the following conclusion:
~ Some of these people have come up with a name, for example "Lotus Reiki" and then invented the whole style, for example "Lotus reiki is a nurturing and gentle form of reiki, working with natural flowing energies of water to empower and nourish- just as water provides nourishment for a lotus flower. This style resonates with the powerful energy of the crown chakra due to it's spiritual connection with the thousand petalled lotus. " The attunement symbols are based on the knowledge contained within the buddhist lotus sutras.
I understand that any type of healing, whether termed "spiritual healing" "reiki" or whatever is always rei-ki in the sense that it's always universal life force that's being channelled, but all these different forms of reiki is a bit of a con if you ask me. I just made up 'lotus reiki' and the description off the top of my head, and yet I expect there are still some people who would sign up for attunements!
IMHO, and drawing from my (admittedly) limited knowledge of reiki, I have decided that there different energies in certain styles, but that after about four catergories, people are just inventing their own styles. I do not hold it against people if they have developed their own style (far from it, if it serves their growth and development, go for it!) but I don't believe that it's right to attune others to this style because it's very personal to the person who 'found' it.
When I say 'after about 4 catergories, people are just inventing their own styles' you might think- what does she mean? What is authentic about Celtic reiki and inauthentic about violet flame reiki?
Well, I guess that when I can clearly define one style from another, I can see the relevance and possibly importance of teaching others how to use it.
For example, humans have always had a strong connection to nature- in fact our life depends on it, so I think the idea of being attuned to 'nature' reiki sounds lovely. Whereas 'Violet flame reiki' involves connecting with 'ascended masters' which, to me, is not a style in it's own right, because many people will not believe them and think the notion is a load of tosh. However, some people may have had experiences with AM
RE: The many forms of reiki
people are just inventing their own styles.
I think it just shows that the Reiki energy cannot be pigeon holed.
And another good thing about this is that it shows that Reiki is not stagnating, but growing and evolving...
RE: The many forms of reiki
Yup, as I pointed out, I don't have any problem whatsoever with someone's style 'evolving', it just concerns me that some may think that what they have discovered is absloutely true, and then try and attune others to their style. I was just thinking that some people might take their reiki master's style as "gospel".....I guess it's all about exercising discernment, choosing a simple style that really resonates with you and then using it for your own development- at which stage you are likely to develop a 'style' that's personalised to yourself.
RE: The many forms of reiki
it just concerns me that some may think that what they have discovered is absloutely true
Azalia, yes that is when their ego takes over...
But people still have free will and choice. No one can force anyone to do anything against his or her will…
But then again, there are always people who are open to exploitation and that is what worries me. But then again, we all have our own paths to walk and our own lessons to learn in this world...
RE: The many forms of reiki
Yes, very true:)
RE: The many forms of reiki
Hi Azalea
When you consider there are many different dimensions and different levels within each of the dimensions the energy BEings (Universal energy's) reside in then you will start to understand how you can get so many variations.
Type a might connect with energy healing masters in say the sixth dimension and type b might connect with the healing masters in the seventh dimension or even a different level of the sixth so they will both be coming form a different source.
The techniques are similar in all of the different systems it is the connections which are different which is why they feel different when you work with them.
Saying that quite a few of them use the same energy connection as a starting point and have had other connections added to that where as others have no relationship what so ever with the original.
Now this actually started with Usui as he founded two systems with different energy connections, the first was the accumulation of his life's work and the second was brought into existence to work with people who could not follow his life style and needed something different, both work but the energy connections are different 
RE: The many forms of reiki
Hello,
and you have forgotten: Chikara-Reiki-Do
Kadermo
RE: The many forms of reiki
And there's one called "Vortex healing" as well, which I've had a treatement in.
RE: The many forms of reiki
And I am sure there are many more...
RE: The many forms of reiki
Hi,
My problem with all these styles of Reiki is.....some of them have absolutely nothing to do with Reiki, yet still use the name.
No wonder the public is confused. I met a woman on Sunday who said she believed she had Reiki....never been attuned. What she actually meant was that she had a natural healing ability - like many of use before Reiki. But that healing is not and was not Reiki. I can feel the difference between the healing I was doing before Reiki and Reiki. The intent is hopefully all the same - from the heart, but that is where the similarities end.
Every one wants their Reiki to be the purest, strongest, most traditional. I sometimes wonder how many "Reiki" systems there would be, if we had no ego.
Love and light,
Christina
RE: The many forms of reiki
ORIGINAL: ChristinaM
My problem with all these styles of Reiki is.....some of them have absolutely nothing to do with Reiki, yet still use the name.
No wonder the public is confused. I met a woman on Sunday who said she believed she had Reiki....never been attuned. What she actually meant was that she had a natural healing ability - like many of use before Reiki. But that healing is not and was not Reiki. I can feel the difference between the healing I was doing before Reiki and Reiki. The intent is hopefully all the same - from the heart, but that is where the similarities end.
Reiki healing was done long before Dr Usui became enlightened. In truth his Reiki should be called "Usui Reiki". Reiki is a term that can be applied to any form of energy healing. The difference with reiki healing before and after Dr. Usui's enlightenment was that beforehand healers were using/combining their own energy with the healing which would drain them and it was Dr. Usui's intention to seek out a means of channelling energy without draining the person of their own.
If someone has a natural healing ability then it is fine for them to refer to this as Reiki. It would only be incorrect for them to refer to it as Usui Reiki as they haven't been attuned to this channel of energy.
Every one wants their Reiki to be the purest, strongest, most traditional. I sometimes wonder how many "Reiki" systems there would be, if we had no ego.
Not everyone. 
If I can provide healing energy suitable to the client then that will be what is. Differing energies will suit different cases. No one Reiki energy is better than another, they each have their own energy patterns and will be effective for differing things. However I do agree that people with "ego problems" do feel that they have to be the best at Reiki and feel that their Reiki is better than other peoples. This is something that they live with and we have to accept them for who they are. They must learn for themselves because this is their path.
When I went and stayed at a retreat recently and asked about the Vortex Healing that I was going to have and whether it was a similar treatment to Reiki, the response of the retreat owner was "Oh it's far better than Reiki, It'll change your life". Alarm bells rang immediately. I had the Vortex treatment (not from the retreat owner) and felt the difference between the Vortex energy and others I have experienced. It was a lovely relaxing and energizing treatement but I cannot say that it changed my life as the lady made out. She too has some lessons still to learn I feel.
Love and Reiki Hugs
RE: The many forms of reiki
Hi Giles,
Just a question - how do we know that "Reiki" was done long before Usui? I don't mean healing in general, but Reiki. Healing energies have always been around. Anyone with an open heart and the intent can heal.
Love and light,
Christina
RE: The many forms of reiki
ORIGINAL: ChristinaM
Just a question - how do we know that "Reiki" was done long before Usui? I don't mean healing in general, but Reiki. Healing energies have always been around. Anyone with an open heart and the intent can heal.
Research carried out by Frank Ayarva Petter has shown that the term Reiki was used in Japan (although it was the Japanese way of saying it ;)) long before Dr. Usui and referrered to individuals abilities to heal with energy. The research shows that those people combined their own energy in the healing which drained them, and this was something that Dr. Usui himself did before he sought a way of just using the Universal energy thus leading to his enlightenment.
The Reiki most of us do over here in the West isn't even Usui Reiki. It is "Hayashi-Takata Reiki" as they made significant changes to the way Reiki was taught.
Love and Reiki Hugs
RE: The many forms of reiki
Thank you very much for all your comments.
I sometimes wonder how many "Reiki" systems there would be, if we had no ego.
I don't believe that all of the weird & wonderful reiki styles were born out of ego, but as Giles says, there will always be people who think that the style they have invented is best.
The more and more I've thought about this, the more I've confused ,myself, but if I was to put what I've said very simply, I guess it would be this:
Reiki is reiki and always will be. It's a pure, simple and natural way of healing. Once students have become attuned, the energy they are channeling for themselves (or others) is there to be used for their personal and spiritual development. Therefore, students should be encouraged to experiment and 'attune' themselves to other earth/celestial energies etc, in order to expand and evolve their style.
RE: The many forms of reiki
Whilst poettering around and with the subject of the different reiki styles I found a previous thread expressing the same sentiment. It might be of interest...
RE: The many forms of reiki
There are of course
Golden Hands Reiki
Radiance Technique (Barbara Weber Ray's break away from Takata Reiki)
Gendai Reiki Ho (as taught by Hiroshi Doi)
Tummo Reiki
Joh Rei Reiki (as taught by Iris Ishikuro)
Sekkem
SKM (possibly the same as Sekem)
and doubtless many, many more.
I think I'll stick to good old Usui, Hayashi, Takata Reiki - it suits me, sir!:D
RE: The many forms of reiki
I have always believed that Reiki was Reiki was Reiki. However, I was drawn a short while ago into investigating Imara Reiki - with some sceptisism. However, I ended up by going for the distant attunement by a great fellow, Grand Master Des Sellars - and boy was it worth the £50. :D:D:D The energy really has the wow factor, and doesn't use any symbols. Self healing is so easy as well. So I'm not so sure anymore that Reiki is Reiki is Reiki !!!!!!!!
RE: The many forms of reiki
Yes- it would be worth being attuned to another style of reiki- even if you weren't convinced there's still the opportunity to develop your own practice.
Thanks for your comments:D