BOOKS

My Book

I believe that, in the oral tradition of Usui Shiki Ryoho, learning about Reiki is best achieved through experience. I try to discourage my potential students from reading up on Reiki before they take the class, because I want them to learn from actually experiencing Reiki and from the stories I tell in the class. Some people find this difficult because we are so used to gaining knowledge through written information. Reiki learning in the oral tradition offers another way - learning through our senses, intuition, listening and the energy in the room.

However I have been writing regular newsletter articles since 2007, simply sharing my experiences of living with Reiki.  Some of them are still available here.  Some were shared via email before I began publishing my blog, so I decided to gather them together in a book.  It's now available in 2 versions:

Musings of a Reiki Master vol 1 e-book

Musings of a Reiki Master vol 1 printed paperback book - with illustrations

My Bookshelf

Visitors to my home are often intrigued by my bookshelf.  There aren't many Reiki books because as mentioned above I believe we learn more from our own experience.  Phyllis Furumoto used to say that you learn more about the person who wrote the book than Reiki from reading Reiki books.

When I started teaching Reiki there were only about 4 books on Reiki and none of them were instructional.  They were simply sharing of stories about the teaching of Takata.  A search on Amazon recently came up with over 20,000 Reiki books!  So a lot of people are now writing about Reiki!

With all that choice you may wonder what are the books that I would suggest you read.   Well I would firstly suggest that you wait until you have learned Reiki before diving in.  Let your hands and your master teach you first, rather than getting information from a book.  Then you might want to read something, with your own experience and learning as a guide.  You may find, as I did, that there are also other books that are more helpful in your growth and development.

So as well as books about Reiki itself here are books that have influenced my Reiki life and understanding about how Reiki works. 

Here are a few of the books on my bookshelf and if you click on the links here and buy them on Amazon I'll get a little tip which supports my Reiki life!

Books about Reiki

Reiki Hawayo Takata's Story by Helen Haberly The first book I read about Reiki. It contains some extracts from Takata's diaries that really inspired me as a new student - and still do! There is also a telling of the Reiki history as Takata told it.

Living Reiki: Takata’s Teachings by Fran Brown The second book about Reiki I read. Another telling of the Reiki history and more about Takata's wonderful life and teaching.  I was fortunate to meet Fran at a Reiki Alliance conference:  a truly inspiring master!

Reiki & Medicine by Nancy Eos This was another book I read early on and found it gave some inspiring stories of Reiki in a conventional medical setting. As the daughter of a GP this was of particular interest to me.

Principles of Reiki by Krishni Borang  Krishni was initiated by Wanja Twan and is also master of some of my Reiki friends.  Not everything in this book reflects my own teaching but a lot of it does!

Books useful for Reiki Practitioners in Public/Professional Practice

Integrative Healing by Lorinda Weatherall - a book that includes lots of useful guidance and information for practitioners wishing to work alongside medical professionals

The Biology of Belief Bruce by Lipton - a book I found opened my eyes to the need for rest in order to heal

Spiritual Books that I have learned from

 Books on Toltec wisdom by Don Miguel Ruiz

 

The Four Agreements - a book I heard Phyllis mention, so bought and have found very helpful.  The Four Agreements mentioned, like the Reiki Principles, are simple and also profound

The Mastery of Love - further exploration of Toltec wisdom for daily life

The Fifth Agreement - which I was delighted to find in a US airport flying back from a visit with Phyllis and built upon the Four Agreements

Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh - Vietnamese Buddhist monk and meditation teacher

The Sun In My Heart - the book I was given in exchange for the first Reiki treatment I gave to someone else

Being Peace - I found this resonant with my Reiki practice

The Miracle of Mindfulness - the title says it all

Ram Dass



Be Here Now - one of the first books about living in the present moment

Still Here - on ageing and dying, completed after his major stroke