This is a philosophical rather than a how-to book. However, for those studying and practising Reiki, or thinking about doing so, it is surely an invaluable source for discovering the reality behind it. Oct 2017 ~ Graham Jennings, Two Worlds

Frans Stiene’s newest book, The Inner Heart of Reiki – Rediscovering Your True Self, helped me to understand the spiritual practice of Reiki in a fuller way. To me, personally, it was deeply eye opening, and it touched my soul. I believe it should be included in every Reiki practitioner and/or teacher’s library, and it should be read and studied many times. Stiene emphasizes the importance of healing the heart and mind and then healing the body. The author maintains we can do this only by becoming our True Selves. The True Self is found again by working with the means given to us by Mikao Usui, of understanding the precepts, meditation techniques, symbols, mantras, Reiju attunements and hands-on healing. These techniques provide us with a system that helps us go deeper within ourselves and discover our own divinity or great bright light. However, it is only through dedicated, daily self-practice that we will achieve this. The Western practice of Reiki seems to emphasize the hands-on healing of someone else, and many practitioners have neglected themselves and their own self-care. This book serves to remind us of the importance of the daily self-practice of Reiki, including meditation. Through this self-care we heal mind, body and spirit, and through this work we fully become the precepts, at which point we discover our True Self. We eventually no longer ‘do’ Reiki; we ‘become’ Reiki. I would recommend The Inner Heart of Reiki Rediscovering Your True Self for those who want to gain thorough understanding of the meanings of the Reiki symbols and their mantras as well as the Japanese kanji for the precepts. The book explains them in an easy to understand language. I found it helpful that Stiene gives an overview of some Japanese spiritual teachings and traditions that may help those from the West to easily comprehend the heart of Reiki from Usui Sensei’s Japanese perspective. Stiene’s years of dedication to the study, research, teaching and practice of Reiki shines through in The Inner Heart of Reiki Rediscovering Your True Self. His words inspire those who are new to Reiki, or those who have been practicing for years, to go deeper and make ourselves a priority by sitting with the Reiki energy every day and using the whole system of Reiki, not just parts of it. This daily practice will create a true, lasting and healing wholeness and guide us back to remembering our True Selves. He reminds us of a quote from Mikao Usui, “If you can’t heal yourself, how can you heal others?” We must heal our minds and hearts and use the precepts as a guide to letting go of anger and worry so that we can be true to ourselves while also being compassionate with ourselves and others. By doing this we create true balance within our lives, bodies and minds. We have let go and let Reiki guide us home to our True Self. This is when compete healing will take place. ~ Kelly Kiss, CANADIAN REIKI ASSOCIATION

Today is a good day to re-read some chapters of Frans Stiene's The Inner Heart of Reiki: Rediscovering Your True Self. Today is also the perfect day to practice one of the meditations I have learned from Frans, called Joshin Kokyu Ho. Today is a good day to strengthen my center, to nourish the hara, with a breathing meditation that revitalizes in a natural, easy way. As Frans teaches it, this meditation is one of the foundational practices of the system of Reiki upon which we harmonize our Mind, Body and Energy. Frans lives this Reiki practice as only a true master can; and is sharing from his own direct experience the mysteries of Mikao Usui's teachings, walking an esoteric Japanese path that Usui walked, as it were. And-- he is taking us along with him with practices that have become accessible to us on account of this dedication. Frans invites us to practice this system so that we will have our own fluid and organic connection to Reiki, to our True Self. What is uncanny and fascinating about this book is that it really reads as a living, sacred text. Frans shows the interrelatedness of the five elements of the system of Reiki--Mantras/Symbols, Reiki Precepts, Meditations, hands-on healing, and Reijus-- to one-another –and, as he writes about it- to the three mysteries of Mind, Body and Energy. His own practice has unlocked these ways to show how they contain one another; each of the five elements builds life-long preparation to re-discover and commune as non-dual True Self. I am so happy to partake of his teachings, with small steps in practice, and to have access to this esoteric way of Reiki. Frans shares insights in this beautiful book about kindness, about compassion, about intimacy, that are embedded in direct experience with Reiki. While being quite the consummate scholar, and researcher, this book is always directly with the communion of True Self, which is Reiki. He sheds light on practices for the Body, for the Energy, for the Mind, but always the purpose is the whole harmony of the direct realization that is pointed to. All is interrelated in the most delightful, and natural way. Each short chapter contains a mountain of wisdom, and makes it possible to read one chapter at a time, and then resume a Reiki Meditation, if one likes. This is how I read the book-- as part of practice. To re-discover the Great Bright Light that we already are, might look like practicing Reiki meditation every day. And to strengthen the body and mind to face our day…. that may look like contemplating the precepts. All of these practices bring us to natural integration, in communion with Reiki, True Self. Reiki practice as taught here, brings stamina and harmony for our tasks at hand, for our day; brings us into harmony; brings happiness. New perhaps to those not familiar with a non-dual approach, is the lack of judgment- making, the lack of distinctions of labeling, the absence of express diagnosing and treatment, that may be standard in many healing methods. The healing is far reaching and deep because of its source and nature as compassion. Another essential characteristic is that the Reiki practices are meditations and a spiritual practice that one must cultivate in oneself. Because Frans is steeped in this practice so very deeply, we can partake of his example, and his tremendous inspiration and follow by developing our own practice. This is a book to keep close by as a companion to one's daily Reiki practice. ~ Mara Harnett, Amazon

Review of The Inner Heart of Reiki - Rediscovering Your True Self by Dr. Judith N. Rabinovitch Professor of Japanese Language and Culture at the University of Montana Frans Stiene is an international leader in the teaching of Reiki and one of the world’s foremost authorities on the history and foundational principles of this discipline. His new book is both insightful and engaging, lucidly and thoroughly describing the spiritual underpinnings of Reiki healing practices and exploring the unspoken hearts of the early masters. Stiene also explains the Buddhist background of Reiki practice, including the mystical yamabushi ascetic tradition, which became entwined with the training of more mainstream healers. From a unique vantage point grounded in long experience and excellence as a teacher, Stiene guides his readers toward a deeper appreciation of the diverse philosophical wellsprings of Reiki healing as well as the meditative practices that underlie these practices. Devotees of Reiki will also derive from Stiene’s book the inspiration to develop the self-understanding, equanimity, and compassion that are fundamental to Reiki practice. ~ Dr. Judith N. Rabinovitch

This is a must read for all students of the system of Reiki. Frans, through his research and practice has peeled away the myths about the system of Reiki and gives us a clear understanding of the Reiki Journey. He also shows how meditation practice is a fundamental part of the system. This book is just what the Reiki world needs, written by someone who walks his talk. ~ Helen Galpin, co-founder British School of Meditation

Frans Stiene opened my eyes to the original teachings of the system of Reiki - and allowed me to finally grasp the ultimate depth it offers. I am forever grateful for this. Frans' authentic and inspirational approach allows students to really embrace Reiki - their True Self in their everyday lives. It is fair to say that his way of teaching brought the understanding of the system of Reiki to a new level in the Western world. His book; The Inner Heart of Reiki - Rediscovering Your True Self is a must read for all Reiki practitioners and teachers. ~ Torsten A. Lange, Director of the Reiki Academy London, and author of 'Reiki - Heal your Body and your Life with the Power of Universal Energy'

Frans Stiene illuminates the intricacies of Reiki with the insight and simple elegance of a master. His writing resonates with the depth of experience. ~ Barry Lancet, award-winning author of 'Japantown'

I am a Tendai monk. The founder of Tendai Sect, Denkyo Daishi Saicho, stressed Doshin - Heart for the way, as of most importance. In Denjyutsu Isshin Kaimon, Kojo (Tendai monk 779-858) quotes Saicho’s famous words "There is livelihood in Doshin, there is Doshin in livelihood." I had the opportunity to spend a week with Frans Stiene upon his visit to Japan, when I had the honor of guiding him through Buddhist practices. I was thoroughly impressed with Frans’ Doshin and was struck with awe. In high regards to Frans Stiene's Doshin, I have presented him with the Kesa – monk's stole – which I received upon initiation to priesthood. Kesa is the soul of a priest. Having witnessed his Doshin and soul, both in person and through The Inner Heart of Reiki - Rediscovering Your True Self, I look forward to Frans’ further endeavors. Reiki is not merely a "technique," but has a vital role in guiding one to reach "perfection as a human being." The idea contained in the precepts, "just for today, do not anger, do not worry…" also is reflected in One Day, One Life by my teacher, Sakai Yusai Dai Ajari. If you want to know whether a teacher is a true Reiki teacher or not, all you have to do is to ask him what the true self is. Without the trustworthy insight of the true self, nobody can insist he is a true disciple of Mikao Usui. This book testifies that the author is one of the true Reiki teachers. ~ Takeda Hakusai Ajari

Frans Stiene is one of the world's premier Reiki teachers and this book is a window into one of his amazing classes! One of Frans' special gifts is to make extremely profound spiritual truths easily accessible. This book will awaken readers to the deeper possibilities of their Reiki practice and offer techniques to help them get there. A must-read for anyone interested in Reiki practice! - ~ Kathleen Prasad, Founder, Animal Reiki Source and President, Shelter Animal Reiki Association

Frans Stiene is an inspiring teacher because he embodies the spiritual gift of Reiki in all his actions and throughout his day, not just when giving someone a session. In this delightful book he weaves the threads of the rich history of Japanese spiritual practices that have brought him to this inner sacred space. ~ Dr Neil McKinney, author of 'Naturopathic Oncology'

Every once in a while you find a book that changes everything. It is almost like you have a paradigm shift, and you take the words into your new understanding of how the world could be. Things that you always questioned come clearer even though you did not know that there was confusion. Frans Stiene’ s new book The Inner Heart of Reiki is just such a book. Every page took me deeper into myself and lit up the places where there were shadows of doubt about the system of reiki and the spiritual path that I am on. I have studied Buddhism for a number of years and have been working on becoming a zen priest for the past few years. I also have a yoga studio and have trained in yoga for the past 20 years. Neither Zen nor yoga have been able to take me as close to my true nature as reiki has done. When asked what religion I am I say I am a reiki Buddhist for that reason. In Buddhism there is a well renowned sutra called the Diamond Sutra. It is called the Diamond Sutra because it cuts through delusion. This book is similar in that it cuts through the delusion and hype of typical reiki books and goes right to the core of what reiki really is, a spiritual path. This books hits the mark and the mark it turns out is the true self. Frans has gone further than anyone in the world to study and learn about the system of reiki and it shows on every page always bringing us back to our true self, inviting the reader to explore for themselves what the true essence is all about. We are fortunate that Frans has done the research for us and we can all follow the path that he has cleared for us. I have decided that I will not teach anyone the third level of reiki unless they have read this book, because if they have not we cannot have a good conversation of what the deeper elements of the system of reiki are, so there would be no reason to advance anyone to that level. ~ Jeff Emerson, Reiki and Yoga Teacher and author of 'Unfolding the Lotus'

The Inner Heart of Reiki is a wonderful companion for the advanced Reiki student and/or teacher who wants to dive deeper into their daily practice and expand their energetic understanding of Reiki. This book is a clear and concise guide to help you integrate the various components of the system of Reiki - the precepts, meditations, symbols/mantras, and hands-on-healing - into your sessions, classes, and most importantly, your life. Frans Stiene, often referred to as "the Reiki Teacher's Teacher," takes his extensive research and grounded personal understanding and practice, and outlines a path of practice you can follow in his gentle, compassionate, and often humorous way. As a Reiki teacher and practitioner, I found this book quite breathtaking. Breathtaking is the perfect word--this book reminds you to connect to your breath and your True Self while reading it! The book was truly wonderful, and something I'll reread and refer to often as I expand my personal understanding of Reiki. ~ Deborah Flanagan, Reiki Teacher and author of 'Building A Powerful Practice: Strategies for Success to Create Your Wellness Business'

Having investigated The Great Way of the Asians in shamanism, Daoism, Buddhism, medicine, ancient science, Tai Chi and Qigong since 1963-4, I have a special appreciation of any "system" that articulates the natural presence of the truth and power of the Universe within a context of Self. Versions of self-discovery, self-awareness, ultimate personal potential and the revelation of the True Self -- from Lao Zi and Daoists, Shakyamuni and the Buddhist flourishing, the great Zen monks and poets — all point to the same views, insights and practices. Mikao Usui's Way is one of those beautiful articulations of the mastery of the nature of human experience and the True Self. Frans Stiene has done us a huge favor by revealing the actual context of Reiki as a Way of Self-Cultivation which is primarily focused on refinement of self that happens to include a method of helping and healing others that is a secondary feature of The Way. ~ Dr Roger Jahnke, OMD, Founder/Director of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi (IIQTC), author of 'The Healer Within'

The Inner Heart of Reiki resonated deeply within me for I have always believed that we are all one and that Oneness is the essence of our universe. In this book Frans Stiene takes us on a journey through Japanese Buddhists teachings and meanings of mantras and Kanji as taught by Mikao Usui. It is a journey back to our True Self, Oneness and being Reiki rather than living in duality and just doing Reiki. This book is a must read not just for Reiki Practitioners and Teachers but for everyone who is on life's journey of discovery. So much of Frans's research, study, practice are openly shared with the reader. Frans does not talk the talk he genuinely walks the walk. The Australian Reiki Connection Inc. is pleased to endorse The Inner Heart of Reiki to it's members and to the Reiki Community. ~ John Coleman, President of Australian Reiki Connection Inc. Australia's Leading Reiki Association

The empathetic way Frans Stiene described the soul of the system of Reiki shows that he is able to understand the true meaning of being yourself. ~ Ben Midland, author of 'The Sacred Mirror'