Are you interested in fascinating biographies that draw on the past, resonate in the present and offer a message for the future? And would you like to share the film with people who know nothing about Reiki?

Here is the Interview-Doku we published on 8 March. A quick tip: don’t forget to turn on the German subtitles!

https://youtu.be/j7qSlt-ZyB0

Overview

This interview documentary offers a deep insight into how divisions arise within spiritual and healing traditions – and how they can be healed. It focuses on Frank Arjava Petter’s journey from controversy to reconciliation.

In the film, we follow one of the most influential contemporary practitioners of Reiki from the Osho Ashram in India to Bert Hellinger’s Reiki constellation. Along the way, we uncover revelations about the lineage and witness how long-standing divisions and hostility are overcome. We conclude the film with Arjava’s resignation from Jikiden Reiki at the end of 2025 and look ahead to the future.

In depth

The film is based on four days of unedited raw footage. It contains a great deal that didn’t make it into the documentary. Dive deep into this treasure trove in the  ARCHIV .

You can purchase the 67 videos on VIMEO – use the discount code below, which is exclusively for our newsletter subscribers.

Background

This work follows in the tradition of the 2017 interview documentary *RECONCILIATION – Along the Path of Mastery* featuring Phyllis Lei Furumoto, a key figure in the history of modern Reiki. We have also made all the raw footage for this work available in an archive.

If you didn’t purchase the 66 Videos on VIMEO back then, you might be interested in the following ‘bundle’: 

The 'Bundle' 

Arjava’s and Phyllis’ archives together form a treasure trove of historical insights, personal growth and exclusive revelations. At the heart of it all is the reconciliation of two key figures in the world of Reiki. The archives cost €45 each individually – but if you buy them as a bundle on Vimeo, you can get both for €76.

As a subscriber to our newsletter, you’ll receive a 33% discount!

Vergünstigung

Um Deine Vergünstigung einzuziehen, gehe auf die entsprechende VIMEO Seite. Beachte bitte: Bevor Du den Kauf abschliesst, stelle sicher, dass Du an der richtigen Stelle diesen für Dich exklusiven Code eingibst ...

• Arjava's Archive: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/provokeandevolve 
• Phyllis' Archive: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/reikiconciliation  
• The 'Bundle': https://vimeo.com/ondemand/reconciliationbundle 

Der Beitrag This film is for you! erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

An example of how we successfully tailor our services to your needs.

Cordula and Mike Caminada are in their 50s and successful – she in the medical field, he as a manager in healthcare. Their children have left home and both want to develop further, draw on their full potential, recognise their calling more and more clearly and follow it. They may be a couple, but they came to our seminar as two individuals – to different seminars, to be precise.

At the beginning of December, they will complete the three-day intensive introductory seminar for the third and highest level of Reiki together. In order to prepare them optimally for this next big step in their development, Mischa and I designed a program tailored to their needs. On 12 October, the four of us met. Here are some excerpts from Cordula and Mike's feedback:

Goal 

The preparation day served as technical, methodological and personal preparation for the Reiki 3A (initiator) seminar. It was intended to ensure that participants were both at the level of Reiki 2 in terms of content and, on a personal level, ready and willing to take responsibility for the process they were about to enter. Particular emphasis was placed on the connection between Reiki practice, self-awareness and a conscious attitude towards clients/students.

Educational and spiritual relevance

This form of self-reflection is very valuable for future Reiki initiators. The method helps:

• recognising one's own projections,
• not acting out of unconscious emotions,
• leaving responsibility with the other person,
• and at the same time maintaining a clear, loving presence.

In this way, they attain an attitude that is precisely necessary for initiations and accompanying others.

Overall impression

The day was structured in a logical and meaningful way: first, technical clarification and stabilisation by Mischa, followed by deepening and awareness work by René. Both lecturers complemented each other very well in their approach and expression: Mischa was more gentle, structured and supportive, while René was more reflective, probing and clarifying. This created a holistic learning space.

Results for us

• We  feel grounded in Reiki 2.
• We ve learned a new tool for self-reflection.
• We have experienced how healing it is to show ourselves authentically in a group.
• We feel better prepared internally to introduce people to Reiki ourselves later on.
• The preparation day clearly fulfilled its purpose and also enabled personal development.

We are very grateful to Cordula and Mike for their feedback! (Their feedback in full is only available in German:  Reiki 3A Initiatoren-Seminar – Vorbereitungstag . )

Mischa and I have decided to publish this report as an example of how we are happy to respond flexibly to the needs of our Reiki students. So please feel welcome to discuss with us where your journey should take you.

René and Mischa

This is a DeepL supported translation, the original is in German.

Der Beitrag Develop Yourself with Us! erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

‘Yes, there used to be celebrations, but nowadays ...’ Stop! There will be one in 11 months. And enough time to schedule it.

There is a lot going on in the Reiki community worldwide. It is, of course, a reflection of the world of 2025, which all too often feels like 1945 - only on speed. The many, rapid and multidimensional developments in recent years are one of the reasons why Mischa and I have not organised a festival for our students for some time. Visits to Reiki groups yes, personal and spontaneous get-togethers too.

But an event where we can meet, learn more and, on top of that, reflect on our origins to sharpen our focus on the future ... Well, thank goodness the Swiss Reiki Association SwissReiki, which we have been friends with for many years, has dedicated itself to organising such a celebration.

Yes, we will not be “among ourselves”, i.e. only Vögtli students. All the more reason for many of us to go along so that no one has to feel lonely. Other Reiki ideas will also be present. Not only do we not need to be afraid of this, but we can look forward to mutual enrichment. Take a look at the programme here: ReikiSwissCongress2026 . René will be hosting  the gala evening with Frank Arjava Petter.

You can register directly and find the form and prices here: https://www.reiki.swiss/eventfrog. 

And if you are interested, please get in touch with us here first: Contact. If we can get a group together, Mischa and I could all get in touch.

What do you think?

Der Beitrag Reiki celebration? But of course! erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

A first film is already out! The timeliness of the exclusive announcement of the resignation wanted to be published immediately. With  subtitles in 10 languages!

https://youtu.be/NDuu5xnUevQ

The film is attracting international attention - also because it is being translated into different languages.

Become a sponsor or patron! Please contact me directly: r.voegtli@reiki-conciliation.org.

You can view the current status of the project at any time at: interview-documentary-film-with-frank-arjava-petter

René Vögtli

Der Beitrag Resignation – Why and What now? erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

Frank Arjava Petter resigned from his post at Jikiden, leaving the style of Reiki that had become the epitome of 'Japanese Reiki' over the last few years. He took this decision at Christmas and made it public on 25 January.

On the very first day of filming, on 7 January, Petter, one of the most important living Reiki personalities, gave me an exclusive insight into his motivations! Later this month I will publish a summary of this part of our conversation.

The four-day dialogue serves the reconciliation process in the Reiki world - also between so-called 'Western' and 'Japanese' Reiki. By the beginning of next year, we plan to publish a documentary film about it and make all the footage available in an archive.

Follow the development on the project page reiki-conciliation.org/projects/interview-documentary-with-frank-arjava-petter.

Help develop the project further. You can become a sponsor or donor; visit us at reiki-conciliation.org/sponsor-and-donations/#sponsorship_form.

Der Beitrag Exclusive! erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

Asclepius is the ancient Greek god of healing and could be seen as the patron saint of Reiki in our Western culture, particularly in the context of 'Western' practice. Asclepius had a snake with him during his healings.

He also healed with the blood of Medusa, the woman with the serpent's head. His staff with the snake still symbolises medicine for doctors and pharmacies today.

(The staff with two snakes, the Hermes staff, symbolises fertility and opposing forces. Here, too, the snake is given elementary symbolism, even if this is not directly related to our theme of healing).

Hygeia, daughter of Asclepius, is the ancient Greek goddess of healing from whose name our word hygiene comes (Greek: health). In the statue depicted here, there is a vessel in her hand from which Asclepius' snake is drinking water.

In the tradition of Chinese Buddhism, there is the deity Kwan Yin. In Japan, she is called Kannon. She looks at things with compassion. Incidentally, she gave her name to the camera manufacturer Canon.

Kannon is the patron saint of the Kurama Temple and thus the origin of Reiki. Her origins can be traced back to Hindu, pre-Christian culture. There is also a connection to the second Reiki symbol, which stands for harmony. From an oriental point of view, Kwan Yin could be seen as the patron saint of Reiki.

In many depictions, Kwan Yin is shown with a vessel from which water is flowing, symbolising how she pours mercy onto the earthly. Hygeia and Kwan Yin are both female, and the element of water is also attributed to Yin. Parables and parallels to reiki suggest themselves.

What fascinates me most of all is how this discourse reveals the deeper wisdom of holistic world-view and how the illusion of separateness is almost mockingly demonstrated. No wonder Mikao Usui described the Reiki practice as the art of inviting happiness.

Der Beitrag Reiki connects fluently – under the auspices of the Snake erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

I invite you to join me in setting a milestone on the path of reconciliation. On Saturday, we are launching a crowdfunding campaign in favour of my next interview documentary with Frank Arjava Petter. Help us realise the project - every contribution counts!

Frank Arjava Petter has been a world-renowned Reiki author since the 90s and is the supposed counter-pole to the so-called ‘Western’ Reiki. In other words, someone who can genuinely contribute to reconciliation in the Reiki world - who says that we are all ‘in the same boat’.

Take a look at the project described in detail on the page we have set up for crowdfunding: https://reiki-conciliation.org/de/projects/kickstarter-crowdfunding-kampagne-fuer-the-same-boat/.

With just a small contribution, you can make an effective contribution to the realisation of this project. From 20 euros you will receive attractive rewards. It goes without saying that larger contributions are also welcome and the rewards will be even more generous.

The campaign runs from 28 September to 28 October ... but the sooner we reach our funding target, the better. So from Saturday, please go directly to Kickstarter: https://kickstarter.com/projects/reiki-conciliation/the-same-boat.

In 2017, we took the first big and visible step on the path to reconciliation with the interview documentary with Phyllis Furumoto. Even before that, there were less visible projects that all served the same goal. Such quiet endeavours are still ongoing. From 2020-2023, the RTalk project was one of the most publicly visible and highly regarded endeavours with more than 20,000 views. The current project, for which I am asking for your help, was created against this background.

I am hoping for broad support from the wider Reiki world. But basically anyone who follows the idea of reconciliation is very welcome to join in.

With my deepest thanks.

René Vögtli 

Der Beitrag In the same boat. You too? erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

Autumn is definitely here, it's cool and rainy, the colourful leaves are falling and the days are getting shorter. Wait, no, of course it's not the days that have become shorter, but the daylight.

"Are you mourning the summer?" a friend asked me. Hmmm, I do miss the sun and the light. The warmth too. But there is something very valuable about reflecting inward, and snuggling up on the sofa with a book.

"And what do you particularly remember?" Hmmm, again. A lot of beautiful things happened, it's always really special for me to dance in the village square in Greece, in a circle, in unity with lots of people. I forget everything around me, I'm just in the moment. Simply happy from the inside out.

One of the many encounters was particularly memorable. A wonderful woman, formerly an opera singer and now a holistic masseuse, recently moved to Sikinos. We gave each other a treatment and hit it off straight away.

Of course I had a look at her website. It says in big letters: For soul, mind and body. In reverse order, soul first. I found it a pleasant change of perspective. What is the soul anyway? There are probably many definitions of it, but for me it's the innermost part of us as beings that is difficult to explain in words. I think that's where the true feeling of happiness comes from, I can only compare it to the feeling of dancing.

You could probably philosophise about it for days. What constitutes the soul? What is a soul mate? Such encounters are very special, precious gifts. They warm our hearts even on wet and cold days.

I wish us all a colourful autumn, with rain and sunshine, rainbows and wonderful encounters.

Der Beitrag Summer souvenir – a change of perspective erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

We want to spread Reiki and bring good information to people in ways that they are using everyday. Would you like to support us in this endeavour?

Follow us please on:  instagram.com/reiki.international

To consolidate our presence - if you want - please like and comment on our posts and save and forward them - it really helps us.

Thank you very much!

Der Beitrag Follow us … on Instagram erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.

The book is controversial. No question about it. Is it relevant to the practice of Reiki? No. A daringly clear statement considering that I have not read the book.

This is a translation with the support of DeepL. The original article is in German. 

Is it of consequence for the Reiki teaching as it is taught elsewhere? Possibly. Does it have a consequence for the content of the lessons that Mischa and I teach? No, because for us the historical background is far less important than the practice. 'History' has always been more anecdotal than 'hard facts' for us.

What counts to us in Reiki 1 and 2

First and foremost is the importance of self-treatment and the simplicity of Reiki. What counts first and foremost is the action and therefore the subjective experiences and the objective results. These are the priorities in teaching all our levels.

Yes, it is useful for Reiki therapists to have a rudimentary knowledge to be able to answer their clients' questions - knowing that the hands on the body are more meaningful than any words about the historical origins of Reiki. Nevertheless, our students of course learn the 'rudimentary'. We emphasise that much of the history is based on oral tradition, that Reiki has only been scientifically investigated in the last 10-15 years and is still a work in progress.

However, we believe that we ourselves, and Reiki teachers in general, have a responsibility to educate ourselves beyond the rudimentary. In this way, we can support our Reiki 1 and 2 students when questions from doctors arise, politicians, the judiciary or health insurance companies. This is why René in particular is involved with professional organisations, scientists and researchers. The latest project is a good example ...(in German only) related to the scientific databank. 

What is important for the 3rd degree

Still, practice is far more important than 'doctrine'. And if we do get involved with history or science, we are all well advised not to become dogmatic or otherwise think we know the truth. But, admittedly, in the 3rd degree it is helpful to have some knowledge of what is going on in the Reiki world. From this point of view, this article is actually primarily for this specialised audience.

Why 'controversial'?

Because the book catapults the clinging to opinions to the surface. The discourse surrounding the book questions dogmatism and yet, it cannot prevent itself from creating a know-it-all undertone. It 'rehabilitates' where only biased people have made accusations and thus polarises with intentions that are unclear to me.

"But the facts!"

Yes, it may well reveal something new. Yes, the content of the discoveries described in this book may be so serious that future historians will name Mikao Usui more precisely as Tokyo Yokei and, yes, they may uncover the barely comprehensible machinations of supposedly time-honoured organisations. That may be the great value of this book. I use the subjunctive because, firstly, I think academic historians need to verify all this further. And secondly, because I have an ill feeling - which I do honour as my highly personal, subjective perception.

Analogical intermediate thought

The historical William Tell does not exist. That is the current state of historical research. Tell is a legend from the early 14th century and is part of the Swiss founding myth. Does this fact call into question the literary value of Friedrich Schiller's work, which he created 500 years later? Hardly.

My background with the book

In August 2022, I wrote an article that touched on the modern history of Reiki (usui-shiki-ryoho-monopolised-by-ogm). On the English-language page, the author of this book commented and made statements that I had to reject and correct at the request of contemporary witnesses.

During a conversation at the beginning of 2023, Dr Jojan Jonker told me about the then unpublished book and that he was supporting the author in getting it published. I replied: "Am I glad! Now, I don't need to read the book myself, I'd rather wait for your summary." A good three weeks ago, the time had come: at the invitation of ERG, Jojan presented the book to a circle of Reiki Masters and association presidents on Zoom. The author was also present from Australia.

My impression

As indicated above, I question the need to 'rehabilitate' Takata. Why does she need to be cleared? Of course I know that she has been accused of distorting history in the past. But you can look at Takata in a completely different light, too: you can be lenient and take into account the spirit of the times. In this way, there is no need to reflexively label inconsistencies as 'false' or even interpret them as 'lies'. (See PS at the end of this article.) To vehemently oppose those who are unwilling or unable to muster such understanding seems questionable to me.

To suggest in retrospect that protagonists in distant lands and in the past (e.g. during reconstruction after the Second World War) had dishonest intentions is speculative and unhelpful. Paradoxically, such insinuations are even counterproductive, as they overshadow the facts that have been set straight and the valuable new insights that have actually been gained are not recognised.

I had an even more disconcerting feeling, which I initially paid little attention to, until I recently spoke to a Reiki Master colleague who put it in a nutshell: Christianity and Western values suddenly seem to take on a presence through the book that would not necessarily be a bad thing in itself, if it were it not for this flavour of ... occidential elitism - even the word "neo-colonial" was uttered.

My recommendation 

This is a deliberately pointed article. Two articles and a book review in Reiki Magazin 2/24 are more distanced and probably also more objective. There is also this website: reiki-magazin.de/the-samurai-reiki-master. (All in German.)

Book name, author and website

In English language: „The Samurai Reiki Master“ by Elizabeth Latham, samurai-reiki-master.odoo.com

René Vögtli

PS In June last year I gave a talk at the 'History and Science Meeting' in Portugal entitled 'Hawayo Takata - historical figure without whom we would not be here'. Download the original in English here: René Vögtli's presentation 'Hawayo Takata' 2023

João Magalhães, Frank A Petter, Nathalie Jaspar, Silke Kleeman and Amanda Jayne, Rika Saruhashi, René Vögtli

Der Beitrag The Samurai Reiki Master – a new book erschien zuerst auf Reiki-International.