Reiki Master Training is the third and final degree (Shinpiden) of the Usui system, where the practitioner learns to give attunements and teach Reiki to others. It requires prior completion of First and Second Degree, a period of practice, and a demonstration of understanding. The attunement opens the student to the Master symbol Dai Ko Myo and the ability to transmit lineage initiations.
History and Origins: From Usui to the West
Mikao Usui developed the system in the early 1920s atop Mount Kurama, after a 21-day fast. He taught three levels: Shoden (First Degree), Okuden (Second Degree), and Shinpiden (Mystery Teachings). The third level was not called “Master” in Usui’s time. That English term was added later by Hawayo Takata, who brought Reiki to Hawaii and then to the mainland United States in 1938.
Takata simplified the system and divided Shinpiden into a “Reiki Master” and a separate “Master Teacher” level. Her students further split into multiple lineages. Most modern schools now offer a unified Third Degree that covers both attuning and teaching.
The training has changed since Usui. In Japan, Shinpiden was a quiet, almost secret transmission often given after decades of practice. In the West, it became a weekend course. Both approaches survive. The difference reflects a cultural gap: the Japanese emphasis on gradual inner cultivation versus the Western desire for clear certification.
That history explains why the symbols are central. What follows is what they mean.
Symbolism and Meaning: The Tools of the Teacher
The Third Degree introduces the Master symbol, Dai Ko Myo. It translates roughly as “Great Bright Light.” In the Usui lineage, it is drawn first when opening a Reiki attunement. The symbol represents the ultimate source of Reiki energy and the connection to the lineage.
Other symbols appear depending on the school: the Fire Serpent, Raku, or variations of the power and mental/emotional symbols. But Dai Ko Myo is universal at this level. The student learns to trace it with the dominant hand while reciting its kotodama (sound essence). The symbol is not a magic mark; it is a focal point for intention and resonance.
The attunement itself is a ritual. The teacher places a folded paper with the symbol on the student’s palms, then touches the head, throat, heart, and lower abdomen to open the energy channels. The student feels a pulse, a shift, sometimes a flood of heat. That physical sensation is the transmission. Afterward, the student can attune others using the same procedure.
The meaning goes beyond mechanics. To be a Master in Reiki is to accept the duty of stewardship: you hold the keys to a lineage. You teach, guide, and uphold the ethics of the practice. Most Master trainings emphasize humility over power.
But the attunement is not the end. It is the beginning of a new practice: learning to teach.
Practices and Traditions: What Happens During Training
A standard Master training takes two to four days. Some schools spread it over several months with home practice in between. The core activities are the same.
First, the teacher gives the student the Master attunement. This is the only attunement at this level. It replaces or upgrades the previous attunements and opens the student to the Master symbol.
Second, the student practices drawing the Master symbol and using it in meditations. They also learn the sequence for giving attunements to others. This includes the hand positions, the breathing rhythm, and the use of symbols.
Third, the student performs practice attunements under supervision. They may work on classmates or on volunteers. The teacher observes and corrects the form.
Fourth, the student learns the teaching curriculum: how to explain the history, the hand positions, and the symbols to future students. Many programs include a written test or a teaching practicum.
Some schools require a period of self-practice after the attunement before the student can call themselves a Master. Others grant the title immediately. A common recommendation is a year of daily practice and at least twenty documented self-treatments before teaching anyone else.
That discipline separates Master training from mere certification. But other systems do it differently.
Comparisons: Reiki Master versus Other Energy Systems
Not all Reiki systems treat the Master level the same. In Karuna Reiki (developed by William Lee Rand in the 1990s), the Master level includes four additional symbols and a separate Master Teacher attunement. In Seichen and other offshoots, the levels may be numbered differently or include extra elements like prana and crystal energies.
Within the Usui tradition, the two main branches are the Japanese lineage (as taught by the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai) and the Western lineage (from Takata). The Japanese branch often requires a longer gap between levels and a stricter evaluation of character. The Western branch is more accessible, with weekend intensives.
Both are valid. The difference is one of pace and rigor, not quality.
A common question: Can you take Reiki Master training online? The answer is complex. Some lineages insist on in-person attunement because it involves physical touch and energy presence. Others offer distance attunements, using a surrogate object like a teddy bear. A measured view: in-person is ideal, but if a reputable master offers a live video course with a recorded attunement, it can still transmit the energy. The key is the intention and the lineage connection.
That nuance brings us to the myth that the Master title makes you a perfect healer.
Common Misconceptions
“The Master is a superhealer.” No. The Master level grants the ability to attune others, not to heal more powerfully. Reiki energy is always the same; the practitioner’s skill develops through practice, not a title.
“You can become a Master in a weekend and start teaching immediately.” You can receive the attunement in a weekend, but teaching others is a responsibility. Most traditions recommend at least six months of daily practice and several completed case studies before teaching. Many schools require a mentoring period.
“The Master symbol is a secret that must never be drawn or spoken.” It is not a secret in the sense of a forbidden thing. It is reserved for this level to ensure the student has the context to use it properly. Showing it to someone not attuned does no harm, but the energy will not flow without the attunement.
“Online Master training is fraudulent.” Not necessarily. But you must verify the teacher’s lineage. Ask for the names of their teachers going back to Usui. A master who refuses to share lineage information should raise caution.
FAQ
How long does Reiki Master training take to complete? A typical workshop is two to four days, but many schools recommend a practice period of three to twelve months before the student can use the title.
Can I become a Reiki Master online? Yes, some reputable teachers offer distance attunements. In-person is preferred, but online can work if the teacher is experienced and the student is open.
Do I need a dedicated client practice before taking Master training? Not necessarily, but a solid understanding of self-treatment and treating others at Second Degree level is essential. Most teachers require at least ten documented cases.
The Master level is a door, not a crown. Once opened, the real work begins: teaching, guiding, and maintaining the integrity of the system. If you feel ready, the training will meet you there. For more on the specific symbols used in Reiki, see our glossary of Dai Ko Myo. For a step-by-step guide to the attunement process, visit Attunement in Usui Reiki. And if you want to understand how the three levels fit together, start at the Reiki Energy hub.