SHODEN LEVEL I
Beginner Teachings • Usui Reiki Ryōhō
Pre-Course Preparation
Recommended Reading: The Japanese Art of Reiki – Students are encouraged to read this prior to the course to gain an understanding of the system of Reiki, what to expect during the course, and guidance for future practice.
The Five Elements of Reiki Study
The Journey of Letting Go: The Shoden course is where students begin to understand the power of Letting Go in their lives. Through the precepts, meditations, and hands-on healing practices, students discover how to release anger, worry, and attachments that no longer serve them. This foundational level teaches that true healing begins when we let go of what holds us back, allowing our original nature to emerge and our energy to flow freely.
- Introductions: Teacher and students share intentions and goals for the course
- Understanding Reiki (spiritual energy) – what it is and how it works
- Overview of the five elements of the system of Reiki
- Learn Jōshin Kokyū Hō meditation (10 minutes practice)
- First Initiation: Students practice Jōshin Kokyū Hō prior to the Reiju ritual
- Learn Kenyoku Hō (dry bathing technique)
- Demonstration of hand positions for hands-on healing
- Partner practice: 40-minute treatment with guided instruction (no need to memorize positions)
- Brief history of Reiki and Usui Mikao (refer to manual and The Reiki Sourcebook for details)
- Learn self-treatment hand positions
- Complete daily self-practice routine:
- Jōshin Kokyū Hō meditation
- 20-minute self-treatment
- Contemplation on the precepts
- Second Initiation: Students practice Jōshin Kokyū Hō prior to the Reiju ritual
- Partner practice: 40-minute treatment with guided instruction
Homework Assignment
Perform a complete self-treatment routine in the evening AND the following morning before Day 2.
- Discussion: Share experiences from evening and morning self-treatments
- Deep dive into The Precepts – explore personal meaning of each precept
- Learn Method to Connect the Three Diamonds:
- Practice on self first
- Then partner practice
- Learn Seishin Toitsu meditation (10 minutes practice)
- Third Initiation: Students practice Seishin Toitsu prior to the Reiju ritual
- Learn group hands-on healing with 2-4 students working intuitively on one person
- Detailed instruction on performing hands-on healing for others
- Fourth Initiation: Students practice Seishin Toitsu prior to the Reiju ritual
- Group hands-on healing practice with intuitive hand placement
- Certificate presentation ceremony ✨
Japanese Principles & Concepts
Gasshō
To place the two palms together in reverence, creating unity by bringing all opposites together as one.
Precepts
Foundational guidelines for conduct that serve as the key to all other elements of the system of Reiki.
Hara
The energy centre located below the navel where original energy is stored and from which strength and balance emanate.
Form and No-form
The hidden realm of the formless, where one returns to the heart of things by settling beyond physical form.
Seiza
Traditional Japanese sitting posture meaning “to sit still” that creates perfect balance and supports energy flow.
Non-Duality
The underlying Oneness of existence where there is no separation between self and universe, only being.
San Mitsu
The Three Mysteries of esoteric Buddhism—body (mudra), speech (mantra), and mind (visualization)—working in harmony.
Japanese Cosmology
The union of Earth (In) and Heaven (Yō) energies that births all things, including humanity as their connection.
🌟 Key Daily Practices for Students 🌟
The Precepts
For today only: Do not anger, Do not worry, Be humble, Be honest in your work, Be compassionate to yourself and others
Jōshin Kokyū Hō & Seishin Toitsu
Daily breathing meditations to focus the mind, connect with spiritual energy, and unify body and mind
Self-Treatment
20-minute daily hands-on healing practice for personal wellbeing and development
The Three Diamonds
Connect Earth Ki (hara), Heart Ki (chest), and Heaven Ki (head) for balance and unity
Alternative Format: 10-Week Evening Course
The same Shoden content can be delivered over 10 weekly sessions of 2 hours each, suitable for evening classes.
Week 1 – Session 1
Introductions, understanding Reiki and the five elements, learn Jōshin Kokyū Hō. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 2 – Session 2
Learn Kenyoku Hō, demonstration of hand positions, partner practice with 40-minute treatment. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 3 – Session 3
History of Reiki and Usui Mikao, learn self-treatment hand positions and complete daily self-practice routine. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 4 – Session 4
Partner practice with 40-minute treatment, homework: daily self-treatments. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 5 – Session 5
Discussion of self-treatment experiences, deep dive into the Precepts and their personal meanings. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 6 – Session 6
Learn Method to Connect the Three Diamonds, practice on self first, then partner practice. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 7 – Session 7
Learn Seishin Toitsu meditation, introduction to group hands-on healing. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 8 – Session 8
Practice group hands-on healing, detailed instruction on performing hands-on healing for others. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 9 – Session 9
Group hands-on healing practice with intuitive hand placement. Concludes with Reiju ritual
Week 10 – Session 10
Final practice sessions, integration of all techniques, questions and answers. Concludes with Reiju ritual and certificate presentation
Note: Students following the 10-week format should maintain daily self-practice between sessions, including Jōshin Kokyū Hō and Seishin Toitsu meditation, 20-minute self-treatment, and contemplation on the precepts once studied.