What is Karuna Reiki?

I received my final Karuna Master attunement on Saturday.  Words cannot contain the bigness of that statement.  I started on this Reiki journey many moons ago-- if I get ambitious (and have time) I will put the links to my other posts about the steps on the way here.  It's been an amazing journey, so many twists and turns, so many completely unexpected experiences and the destination is a complete surprise.  I feel like I'm on the top of a mountain, looking back at my trail and realizing I could have never predicted this path in a million years.  Of course, I can't see the beginning because it was a leap off a different mountain... the beginning of a fool's journey... a leap of faith, so to speak.

I am intrigued by the image of a circle of mountains, and me with my little knapsack, steadily climbing each one and then throwing myself joyfully off the peak,  only to trudge on up the next one. Wish I was a painter... I'd call it Linda's Magnificent Journey. In my knapsack I carry a piece of each mountain, which gives me the courage to climb the next and the wisdom to find the trail. The sky is a beautiful purple and red, and the next couple of mountains are shrouded in long strips of white clouds, hiding the tops, that occasionally peak through with a glimpse of crystalline diamonds, the sun reflecting off the snow. Higher and higher they go...

But I digress.

Karuna Reiki® has 4 levels, 2 practitioner, 1 master, 1 teacher.  Usui Reiki has 4 levels, 2 practitioner, 1 master, 1 teacher. The Usui and Karuna teacher levels include 2 Tibetan attunement symbols.  So for those of you interested in titles, I am now a Usui/Tibetan/Karuna® Reiki Master-Teacher, which means nothing to anyone but Reiki practitioners on the same journey, but is sure hard to fit on a business card.  But the knowledge contained in each of those words is transformational and transcending.  If I opened my soul and let you see a glimpse of what I've seen and done on this journey, it would take your breath away... as it has mine.. and that's no small statement for a yoga teacher.

Usui Reiki has been passed from master to student since Dr. Usui discovered it in his search for the healing energy that Jesus gave the disciples.  Karuna Reiki® has been developed from ancient healing traditions from many different cultures, channeled and tested by a group of Usui Masters, guided by William Rand, the Western world's leading researcher and authority on Reiki. If you want further info on Karuna and Rand, visit his website at www.reiki.org. My training lineage travels back to Dr. Usui through William Rand, as does many of the worlds Reiki Masters.  The differences between Karuna and Usui Reiki are immense.. but it's comparing apples to oranges... one is not more powerful than another, just different.

In my mind, I sort of see it as the difference between Christianity and Hinduism.  Both believe in one God, but in different forms.  Christians follow the Father, Son, Holy Spirit;  Hindis have many more.  Usui Reiki has 3 symbols plus a Master symbol.  Karuna has 8 symbols plus a Master symbol. Each symbol invokes a different intention-- sort of like when you see a heart, you think of love, or a peace sign, or a cross or an Om... each symbol helps you zone into your blessing for your client.  Karuna has been called the Reiki of compassionate action, Usui the system of natural healing... you see how it is difficult to pigeon-hole? And there is no need.  I use both interchangeably in my healings, they work quite well together. With each level I've completed, the energy just gets stronger and stronger, and I just become more and more blessed.

Today I feel on top of the world!  My face feels bright, my heart is light, I am rejoicing in the season of Light and love and about to go on a mushy rampage!  Seriously, I have never felt this good in my life.  I see the abundant banquet and am stepping into my council of elder's shoes, smiling at the wise ones around me.

And so it is.