The Reiki Sourcebook (Paperback)

by Bronwen Stiene (Author), Frans Stiene (Author) "Reiki, the word, is Japanese..." (more)
Key Phrases: okuden technique, okuden zenki, upper hara, Mikao Usui, Hawayo Takata, Hiroshi Doi (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
... easy to see why this book has been heralded around the world as 'the Reiki book'. -- WellBeing Magazine

... filled that gap in Reiki literature waiting for a solidly researched history of the various Reiki methods, lineages, techniques. -- Adyar BookNews

A must read for all Reiki followers! -- Art of Healing Magazine

The depth of the research is inspiring. -- A to Zen Magazine

The most comprehensive book on the system of Reiki ever produced. -- Nature and Health Magazine

Product Description
The most comprehensive book on Reiki ever published, this is the ultimate resource for all Reiki beginners and practitioners.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: O Books (January 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903816556
• ISBN-13: 978-1903816554
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #318,134 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference!, June 21, 2005

By	Venus A. Rachal - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Since I've worked with Reiki, I have not come across a book that is so well researched and put together and which remains unbiased. My first impression of the book was that the authors had done such a good job of explaining the history of Reiki and its offshoots. It is much more detailed than some of the other books I've seen and though I have found books which go into the differences between Japanese Reiki techniques and Western techniques, this book does not advocate any one system over the other.

One of the major drawbacks to many Reiki books that are in print now is that the authors are very opinionated about how Reiki should be taught and what is "true" Reiki and what is not. I love this book because when you look at all of the directions that Reiki has taken, you see that there is NO TRUE Reiki. The energy belongs to the universe and various Reiki Masters have adapted certain techniques to activate and harness this energy. This book shows how even amoung Usui's students and his students students, you get various differences in the applications of Reiki and that Usui taught differently based on the background of his students (some were taught symbols, some were taught mantras, some were only taught meditations, and some were taught symbols and mantras). I think this is very significant in a time when many Reiki pratictioners feel the need to compete with one another and fight over issues of effectiveness, authenticity, and whether or not to share Reiki information with the general public.

I will say that the authors could have given more detail in the section at the end which covers the "new age" branches of Reiki. This is the only section which I feel contains any kind of bias. I'll admit that some of the explanations given by various masters for their techniques may seem a little out there, but each version of Reiki is right for SOMEBODY. During my own research, I have read about some of these branches and I know that there is more to them than the descriptions offered in this book can explain. So, I would highly suggest if you are interested in any of the new age branches of reiki, you should investigate on the internet and do your own research rather than solely relying on the material given in this book. The authors do give addresses or ways to contact the organizations which founded the newer techniques, but there are a few which do not have an address or website listed. In those cases, the internet is a valuable resource for finding more information.

Overall, this book is fabulous and a terrific resource for Reiki classes or for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of Reiki.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Reiki Book, July 26, 2004

By	Maureen Oliver - See all my reviews

If you teach Reiki, are a Reiki practitioner or are just plain interested in Reiki itself, then this book will take your knowledge of Reiki to a whole new level!

Written by Bronwen and Frans Stiene, The Reiki Sourcebook is the ultimate in up-to-date information on everything Reiki. It is unbiased and clears up a lot of the conflicting stories you often hear about Reiki.

My favorite part of the book is the section on Western and Japanese techniques. There is so much detailed information in this book that I know I will have it by my side constantly so I can easily refer to it.

If you are a teacher of Reiki then you simply must have this book in order to share the best information possible with your students! If you are a Reiki practitioner this book will expand your knowledge and help you to understand this wonderful system of healing and where it came from and where it is today. If you are not yet attuned to Reiki but are thinking of becoming involved then this book will answer any questions you may have about the the what's, why's and how's of Reiki.

Namaste,
Maureen Oliver
(...)

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Can Throw Away All The Others, May 20, 2005

By	Lisa Chapman-Sorci (Sacramento, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recently purchased Bronwen and Frans Stienes book `The Reiki Sourcebook' and have only put it down to sleep (actually it fell out of my hands when I couldn't fight it any more).
I am a Reiki Teacher with both Western and Japanese lineages, and I'm so thrilled with this book, I just can't stand it. ALL of the info on ALL of the branches and every method, technique, website, association, newsletter and more! All served up with no prejudice, ego or slant whatsoever.
The Stienes have tirelessly researched, interviewed and documented to be able to give us "everything we ever wanted to know about Reiki but all of the answers were never in one place...until now!" (which I think should be the sub-title of the book).
This book is my new best friend and I'm sure will be the most used reference book in my library. In fact, I can probably donate 20 or so of the other books I have on Reiki as all of the info is in one place now.
Thank you Bronwen and Frans!
The Reiki world owes you many gasshos.

Lisa Chapman-Sorci
(...)