Reader Concerns: Fraudulent Reiki Certifications
Thursday June 11, 2009
From My Mail BoxGood morning,
I have a concern about Reiki Masters. I feel they should be registered somewhere as in my case I have a student who is claiming I attuned her as a Master and Tibetan Master. She had access to my certificates and issued them to herself. There is little I can do about this. It is her students I feel sorry for as they are going to her in good faith. She is advertising on the internet etc. She may have paid someone to go on their lineage now, but she has attuned many people before. Any ideas on tightening up this loophole would be appreciated. TT
Dear TT,
It is always sad when I hear about the misuse of Reiki. Unfortunately, Reiki has a history of fear and greed. There will always be individuals who will choose to be deceitful to hopefully advance themselves not only monetarily but in rank or status. Not only in Reiki, but for any path. How many students cheat on their exams?? I don't really have an answer except to suggest that you do whatever you can to "release your anger" toward this woman. Perhaps turn it over to Reiki. If you truly believe (which I do) that Reiki energies are about balance then how about sending Reiki energies to the situation with the intention of healing and resolution. As for her students being cheated. I respect your concern. But, again I feel that each person is drawn to the appropriate teacher in life. There must be an aspect of this individual that her students will benefit from. Even if the lesson learned is to become more aware and ultimately more careful in choosing their teachers in the future. I realize that my answer may seem simplistic and Pollyanish. But why not? Reiki IS a simple and loving energy. I feel that regulating Reiki certification through legislation would be stifling to the growth of a wonderful healing energy. I personally would not like to see this happen.
What is Reiki?
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Comments
It is unfortunate that individuals will find a way to use what is meant for good for their own personal gain. Even so, I agree that regulation of Reiki would not be a good thing. Whenever governent gets involved, freedoms are lost and before we know it, a panel of people who have no idea what Reiki is about will dictate how it is practiced. The truth is that everything is in divine order and as you said, there is a reason for everything that happens, and we cannot judge any given situation since we do not know God’s plan for those involved.
Reiki is an intelligent energy and so knows where to flow even with a fraudulently certified teacher. She will realise her mistake sooner or later. As you are aware, every thing is connected and so there is a reason for every thing that happens. Relax and let go!
As a Reiki Master Practitioner myself, I am always dismayed (but unfortunately, not surprised)to learn about such misuses of Reiki. It brings healing to so many, and I know I always feel a deep and profound joy when providing a treatment. I must agree with the comment that was made, however, regarding Reiki energy knowing where to go, and that each individual is drawn to a practitioner/teacher for a specific reason. I hope you find peace in this situation — don’t let this individual damage your own Reiki healing and energy. Blessings to you.
This is the terrible thing about making the Energy exchange monetary …people get greedy As energy exchange I ask the other person to do something good for someone else in return .Its their choice to continue the cycle or not .the lesson will get back to her and she’ll learn
That is so unfortunate. The thing is, this will catch up with her. The truth always comes out in one way or another.
Quite honestly, it can’t feel all that great to her to be doing this. Deep down, she knows this is not right.
Hopefully at some point, she’ll make everything right.
Dr. Usui said it best..to bring no harm.The Divine Intelligence knows better than all of us perfect resolution to this matter..We as practitioners/teachers are invited to stay in the Love,and know even though there is lack of awareness by the individual,reiki by its very nature works.The attunements are good for it is of Spirit..The paper is of Man.
Gosh, you guys are a very tolerant bunch. Tolerant of fraud. Tolerant of misrepresentation. Tolerant of theft (the certificates were stolen). Tolerant of the hurting of innocent individuals who were somehow drawn to seek out this ‘teacher’. I must say, it’s just a little mind-boggling that this swindle is ethically “okay” because the students “were drawn to a practitioner/teacher for a specific reason. That sounds like blaming the victim to me.
What if this standard of “it the victim’s fault for buying the service anyway” was extended to practices other than alternative health? Would any of you be comfortable with this level of misrepresentation from the pharmaceutical industry? Pesticide manufacturers?
Why are we so quick to give a free pass to “alternative practitioners” in the realms of ethics, honesty and accountability? Our willingness to say “it’s the student’s fault/problem/issue” is a pretty cheap way of absolving ourselves from the consequences of making the tough and unpopular decisions that life presents us.
I read all of the responses. Although I agree that this fraud will suffer her own Karmic retributions, the real “Legal” problems were not addressed. I agree with Kate completely, while it is all good and well that we who believe in everything happening for a reason, there should still be an effort to alert the community. Reiki is experiencing positive growth and awareness thanks to newspapers and tv shows in the last year. However, this type of scandal will just give more ammunition to the naysayers. As suggested in a recent article for a Chicago newspaper the consumer should check that a practiioner is certified and insured. To give that peace of mind to my clients, I am a member of International Association for Reiki Practitioners (IARP.org) and carry Professional Liability Insurance as well.
Either way, we as authentic practitioners should not justify looking the other way simply because we don’t want a regulatory commission in place. Perhaps Reiki Masters should elect to create/maintain their own authentication process. Whether printing a watermark on certificates or providing a database on their website (free websites available at http://www.synthasite.com) listing their accredited students. Then we would appear responsible in performing due diligence to ensure Certification authenticity.
I doubt that should a legal matter arise from this situation the jury will accept that while the Master was aware that the fraud had occured, the Master knew that karmic law would enforce sufficient punitive measures on behalf of those deceived.
Kate.. I’m learning I have a hard time with tolerance as well, especially in the face of someone hurting someone else. But, the more I do research and speak with people I keep seeing that there are ways to forgive – although it doesn’t mean that we condone. I look at the example of when Gandhi was shot and he actually forgave his assailant before he died (in a matter of minutes).. it shows me how much I still have to learn.
In the end TT, whether you contact this person or not and tell them how you feel, you will still also need to forgive them.. right?
No matter how angry or upset we get ultimately we need learn to forgive and to turn these things over to the Universe or the upset will work its way into our system like weeds and begin to slowly take over.
Best to Everyone..
Sage
Kate – God bless you. I hear your struggle deeply. The only word I can offer is that CONTROL IS ILLUSION. I like to remember that “the Universe is unfolding as it should.”
I must agree with the majority here. I do not think Reiki should be regulated by the government. They don’t understand medical treatments, let alone energy treatments.
As for the Thief, if TT feels violated and does not want any misfortune of this imposter to reflect back onto TT, I suggest this: First, approach this person and tell her if she does not return the fraudulent certificate, and get certification from another source…then you will place a small ad in the local paper stating that you did not certify this person. Be sure to say (in the article)that you do not know if she is certified, but that the certification that she displays(from you) is fraudulent, and that you take no responsibility for any problems that may occur in this person’s practice.
On the other hand, you could approach her about the whole thing and offer to teach her the certification so that she will become legal. (charging her as usual) Or find her another Reiki master that she could get certification from.
Universal Energy will flow as it may and proper certification or not, if she has returning clients, she obviously is doing something right (no matter how deceitful she is being). I believe in carma, what goes around-comes around. Eventually, she will get into a situation that she may not be trained to handle. It will not go well for her, but may also come back onto TT (which I am sure is what TT is really concerned about).
I advise trying to find a constructive, positive way to make this right. Good luck!
I believe there is a teacher for every student who wants to come into the Reiki energy. Also, for a student who is sincere in their quest for this intelligent energy, the Grand Masters are there to fill in for the missing components in the student’s illegitimate attunement. The false master will ultimately have to answer for their unethical actions. As Reiki is nonjudgmental, unconditional love, we can simply leave the matter to the Universe and the Masters.
You mention she has access to your certificates – why would you sign them ahead of time? do you also emboss the gold emblem with your name & type of Reiki you taught ahead of time too? … Reiki is good & goes to where it needs to go so like everyone else, I believe in time she will find out she is wrong to do what she is doing … if she is registered as a Reiki practioner/master then she can be reported … or since you know her, you could talk to her & explain that you have not trained her as such … other than that, release it & let it go …
It is sad that this happens but I agree with those who post about what Reiki is and about releasing any anger or ill feelings about what this person has done. Reiki is a loving energy and eventually I believe she will find that her own way and do the right thing.
I do agree that you should just mention to her what you attuned her to and leave it at that. Everything happens as it should and it will all be taken care of.
Kindest Regards,
AngelT
hi my name is bridget a am a raiki healer i have my 3 masters degrees in raiki healing
how can anybody fake being a raiki healer
you eather have the power or you have not
before i sart my healing i call in my angles and my guides as well as a lot of raiki masters to help me from above then when i know i am ready my healing starts
i can not ubderstand how you can fake being a raiki healer i also feel this is giving raiki a bad name
i am am happy to say anybody i have gave a raiki healing was very happy at the end of the healing
i send love and light to all of you
Dearest, It sounds like you know exactly who the fraudulent student is who faked her Reiki Certification. If this is the case, I believe it is best for you to speak to her directly. Perhaps you could offer to help her shift her desire to learn her lessons from love rather than from fear by actually taking the classes from you and earning her certification? Perhaps help her to move to the heart of healing by helping her to become aware of what beliefs have caused her to steal from “herself”.
Also, when you have knowledge
that could prevent harm to others, witholding the source of the fraud may be like trying to “rescue” the being from his/her own lessons and consequences. If she decides to continue the scam, perhaps you give her a choice of shutting down her fradulent practice and website or of making this fraud public in a *compassionate fashion (wishing or doing no harm but for the purpose of awareness),for example? I believe that the innocent deserve the warning, so they can make better informed decisions.
Not all will heed this warning, just like on the packages of cigarettes, alcohol, and medicines; within the bible; and from their own consciences, etc.
*Perhaps you could make a Certification Confirmation page on your website that confirms all of your practitioners certification for any potential students without having to list the practitioners at this time. There could be a form for filling in the name of the practitioner that is being saught after, their claimed certification, and an automated response that confirms the date and level of certification. This way there doesn’t have to be a public list of practioners and their certification.
Perhaps, in the future, we as practitioners, can make public a list of those students that we have attuned if we get their written permission to do so.
Limitless Blessings of Love, Light, and Joy,
Diane
I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL TIMES FROM SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ATTUNED TO USUI REIKI RYOHO OR ANY OF THE OTHER NEW REIKI STYLES THAT WHEN DOING HANDS ON TO PEOPLE WITH LOW LOW KI LIKE FIBROMYALGIA (SP?), AIDS/HIV WHEN THEY ARE IN THOSE HEAVY PERIODS WITH PNEUMONIA,DIARRHEA AND WHEN SOME ONE WITH LEUKEMIA AFTER THE CHEMOTHERAPY WELL THOSE “REIKI PRATICONEERS OR MASTERS” JUST GO SICK AND SO WEAK FOR MONTHS , AND THEY DONT KNOW WHATS GOING ON OR WHAT HAPPEN TO THEM, BUT IF SOMEONE WITH A TRUE REIKI CONNECTION JUST DOES HANDS ON THEY RECOVER UP AGAIN… HAVE A NICE DAY…
P.S.I AM WONDERING MYSELF WHY SHOULD I JUDGE ANYBODY NO MATTER WHAT , YES THE PROBLEM ITS THAT FOR THAT KIND OF PEOPLE NOW USUI-REIKI HAS A BAD REPUTATION ALL OVER THE WORLD , OTHERS ARE MIXING REIKI WITH RELIGION BUT THATS ANOTHER SUBJECT
I have my own Reiki business. It’s all well and good to be so philosophical about Karma and everything, but bottom line, she’s going to hurt your reputation as a teacher if her attunements aren’t working.
She’s also stealing business from you. I would have a lawyer (do you have a friend who can do this for you?) send her a cease and desist letter and insist that she stop using your name and lineage in her advertising.
I also wonder how she got your certificates? Do you have them online?
I’ve had a similar problem and Have put a certified teachers page on my website with the names of those who have been attuned by me to the systems I teach and a page with the names of a couple of the people who have made false claims.
I’m confused: if Reiki energy “knows where to go,” independently of one with training and self-discipline to know what he/she’s doing…why do I need a practitioner at all? Why shouldn’t it be like sunlight, which I can walk out into for free?
Secondly, doesn’t it do anything bad to the energy flow, if the one purporting to facilitate said flow is in fact LYING for MONEY??? Can one truly be confident that no one is being harmed (including but not limited to wasted money and a sense of violated trust)?
Third, why would “regulation” have to mean “by the government?” America is replete with private organizations, from the Masons to registries of miniature livestock, with rigorously maintained professional standards for the sake of their group’s reputation. Some livestock breeds (Boer goats, for example) have more than one registry organization, with slightly different standards–but they still police their own and can be contacted to verify credentials of those who claim good standing with them. How would Reiki be harmed by such self-policing?
Fourth, doesn’t everyone involved with alternative medicine or any facet of spirituality have to deal with enough cynicism from the general public, without turning a blind eye to a known deceiver?
Those of us that are practitioners of “Reiki” so we will have a NAME reference to the public for people to have NAME to go by. Which to me is only the the high source on the intent of good will to focus the etheric energy is called by many on names also. Reiki Healing does have and has taken on othe added on names or special Reiki surnames or PREFIXED Names which someone decided to do and it makes it more special or powerful or better and could take on the conotation of having better healing qualities. Gasoling Regular, Extra, High Grade, now is marketed as by its Octane Rating 87,89,93 each costs more. The reality in the quality of gasoline is in the filtration and the additives which prevent fouling, octane and which keep the injectors from building up a gum and promotes better gas mileage. The same think occurs in the marketing of REIKI certification. Is one in which on person decided to bring into America for the sole purpose in which to make monetary gain by using the so called Lineage aspect so there would be a credibility link to the Symbols and to lines dotted directly to the Dr. Usui. However; we must remember who trained Dr. Usui or who Attuned Dr Usui. It was he who sought after the truth. The self attunement process has be said to be directly from the highest source and from the most truthful source. Each person has a specific journey and everyone is searching and all the Reiki sellers have something in common. They did not attune themselves they sought out after someone to do something for them as if it were not there for the asking. All we need is around us for the asking or meer tuning into the source by a listening process. Most are in a state of trying to improve themselves which instantly transforms them into Buddha Energies. Reiki as a healing energy is a state of mind or being. Anyone can attain Reiki with out someone attuning them. Healings have existed long before Dr. Usui and will continue for as long as man continues to exist. Reiki is not the only method channeling energy and A CERTIFICATE ON PAPER does no make one a person of healing in an atheric manner or an authoritative or intellectual manner. What is required is just meerly in the intent of the “one” seeking truth and to be in the altruistic mind set to do the right thing and tuned into it. If there is no clearing of the Individual being there can be no acquisition of enlightenment to attune into the etheric energies of the entire universes of all there there is, was, will be and in a total composite of all as a total oneness in understanding. Compiling a write or wrong from and action for feeling violated only spelling it out and feeling complaining about it only disempowers the entity. Actions of each entity have reasoning and causal properties that which create action and the Karmic beliefs of actions continue as ripples that bounce against each action we create. Forgiveness to the individual is the answer and forgiveness to self. And to live each day as a new life. Living with happiness in that there are tiny miracles in each small second and in each moment we choose to see it.
Namaste, Silvershaman, much Metta
To all. .
Very interesting comments. Judging does not work for me. Some people live in the world of duality where there is good/bad..right/wrong.
As an elder Reiki Pratitioner, I even send reiki to my car. For me, since we are all connected, things simply are..”it is what it is.” namaste to all. mlb
To be a teacher of Reiki you are to have come far enough along in your own healing journey to not let EGO run your life.
If you are feeling anything other than LOVE towards this situation, you have more healing to do.
Everything is in divine and perfect order.
I am a Usui Reiki Master. I read all of the previous comments, and believe all make a point. I just want to add, from personal experience, my Reiki Master Teacher influenced me in a positive way. She was a Professional, and conducted her business in a serious manner. From that knowledge and experience I acquired, I imagined that every Reiki Teacher kept records of her classes and students. If someone were using my name to promote their own talents, I suppose I’d feel flattered but also a bit upset that she did not discuss it with me (out of respect for the Teacher). I was surprised to see how many internet sites teach Reiki. As for the previous comments written about not requiring attunements, I believe, just as any skill requires lessons and practice, the attunement is not just a cursory action, it is a very powerful tool that increases the focus of the practitioner. All benefit by it. many blessings and love,
Iris
I´m a Reiki master/teacher and yes we do have Reiki down here. Still, Reiki is love, Reiki is good intentions, Reiki is giving, so, why not give Reiki. I would call this person, attune her at distance and leave the rest to one above, I beleave in karma. She might turn out to be a good Reiki teacher eventualy. in the meantime why allow her students to “walk on one leg”? ,(A Reikist a day will keek the doctor away).
Be giving. she will pay.
Namaste to all.
It has been my experience that there are people who purport to be one thing, and yet their intentions are completely for their own self advancement, sometimes resorting to what amounts to dark practice.There are many individuals who use Reiki, and other therapies in this way.
I know of someone in the UK who has done a similar thing, I found her busy printing her own certificates! All I can say about her is that I have learned to be wary of who I choose as a teacher; for this person does a lot of things that I would consider unethical.
Legislation is coming to the UK, for Reiki an for other complemtary therapies. Having dealt with tis person though, I feel such indiviuals will be able to sidestep any restrictions placed on them, as they know how to manipulate people.
Perhaps karma will redress the balance?
Hi all,
This is a very interesting topic (and I figured I’d add my opinion).
The way I see it, there are two issues here: first, in what this shows to you about yourself (TT). To know this, look into how you feel about it: hurt? angry? disappointed? concerned? something else?
How you feel about it will give you something to work for, for yourself and your own healing. Maybe you could give Reiki to your own issue with it?
Second, there is what to do about it, in the physical world. My way to go about this would be to first solve my own issue (until all that comes to me when I think about it is compassion), then decide what to do about that person (if anything) starting from that compassion and going with that vibration.
I also believe that something should be done about this. Leaving it as it is, may be condoning it to a certain degree especially since her clients are told they receive something they do not, which involves you (your lineage).
I think I gave good advice here, and to be honest I wish I were wise enough to follow it myself when I need to, as I intend to avoid conflict (but we are all getting there somehow)
.
This is a pity, but what is worse are the fraudulent masters with corrupted Reiki symbols who are really passing along a disease state.
In the times past, there were no certificates. The Master received his attunements without a certificate. The energy was passed on to students and the attunements were made with the knowledge of the master/instructor to the student. The energy this woman received will do no damage as it is passed on to others. Certificates have no meaning. Just as Belts only have meaning in a Dojo; not in a real fight. TT find peace within yourself and then openly reveal her fraud that you did not attune the woman to a Master or a Tibetan Master and be done with it. Do this for the students who would otherwise be defrauded in their Reiki journey. In true Reiki there is wisdom. Peace be with you all. Soffea