Overview
Reiki is a Japanese healing technique based on the principle that a practitioner can channel universal life force energy (ki/qi) through their hands to activate the natural healing processes of a recipient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being. The practice was developed by Mikao Usui in early 20th century Japan and has since spread worldwide as one of the most popular complementary healing modalities.
The word Reiki is composed of two Japanese kanji: "rei" (霊) meaning "spirit" or "sacred," and "ki" (気) meaning "energy" or "life force" (equivalent to Chinese "qi" or Indian "prana"). Thus Reiki can be translated as "spiritual energy," "universal life force," or "sacred energy." Unlike some energy healing systems, Reiki does not require the practitioner to use their own energy; instead, they serve as a channel or conduit for universal healing energy.
Historical Origins
The Life of Mikao Usui (1865-1926)
Mikao Usui (臼井甕男) was a Japanese Buddhist monk and spiritual seeker who developed Reiki after a profound spiritual experience on Mount Kurama near Kyoto in 1922. According to tradition:
- 1922: After 21 days of fasting and meditation on Mount Kurama, Usui experienced a powerful spiritual awakening and received the ability to heal through touch
- 1922: Founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Society) in Tokyo
- 1923: Used Reiki extensively to help victims of the Great Kanto Earthquake
- 1925: Established a Reiki clinic and training center in Tokyo
- 1926: Died of a stroke at age 62, having trained approximately 2,000 students and 16 Reiki Masters
Spread to the West
- Chujiro Hayashi (1880-1940): Naval officer and one of Usui's last students; systematized Reiki techniques and hand positions
- Hawayo Takata (1900-1980): Japanese-American woman healed by Hayashi; brought Reiki to Hawaii in 1937 and established it in the West
- 1970s-1980s: Takata initiated 22 Reiki Masters before her death, spreading Reiki throughout North America
- 1980s-present: Reiki explodes in popularity worldwide; multiple lineages and styles develop
- 2000s: Reiki increasingly integrated into hospitals and healthcare settings as complementary therapy
Philosophy & Principles
Reiki is based on the understanding that life force energy flows through all living beings. When this energy is high and flowing freely, we are healthy and balanced. When it is low or blocked, we become susceptible to illness and emotional distress.
The Five Reiki Principles (Gokai)
Usui taught five principles (precepts) that form the ethical and spiritual foundation of Reiki practice:
Just for today:
Do not anger
Do not worry
Be grateful
Work diligently
Be kind to others
These principles (traditionally recited morning and evening with hands in gassho position) emphasize mindfulness, present-moment awareness, and spiritual development beyond just healing techniques.
Benefits of Reiki
While Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment, research and anecdotal evidence suggest numerous benefits:
Physical Benefits:
- Pain reduction and management
- Accelerated healing of injuries and surgical recovery
- Improved sleep quality
- Enhanced immune system function
- Relief from acute and chronic conditions
- Reduced side effects of medical treatments (chemotherapy, etc.)
Emotional & Mental Benefits:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Relief from depression
- Emotional release and processing
- Enhanced mental clarity and focus
- Greater sense of peace and well-being
- Improved mood and emotional balance
Spiritual Benefits:
- Deepened spiritual connection
- Enhanced intuition and insight
- Support for meditation practice
- Greater self-awareness
- Alignment with life purpose
- Sense of unity and oneness
The Reiki System
Three Degrees of Reiki Training
Traditional Reiki training is divided into three levels, each building upon the previous one:
Reiki Level 1 (Shoden - First Degree)
Focus: Physical healing and self-treatment
Attunement: The student receives their first attunement(s), opening them to channel Reiki energy
Teachings Include:
- History and philosophy of Reiki
- The Five Reiki Principles
- Hand positions for self-treatment
- Hand positions for treating others
- How to perform a full Reiki treatment
- Treating animals, plants, food, water
Capability: Hands-on healing for self and others; immediate access to Reiki energy
Practice Requirement: Daily self-treatment for 21 days recommended
Reiki Level 2 (Okuden - Second Degree)
Focus: Mental/emotional healing and distance healing
Attunement: Strengthens connection to Reiki and ability to use symbols
Teachings Include:
- Three sacred Reiki symbols and mantras
- How to use symbols for healing
- Distance healing techniques (sending Reiki across space and time)
- Mental and emotional healing methods
- Treating past traumas and future events
- Advanced hand positions
Capability: Distance healing, deeper healing work, professional practice
Practice Requirement: Several months of Level 1 practice typically required before Level 2
Reiki Level 3/Master (Shinpiden - Third Degree)
Focus: Spiritual development and teaching (if Master/Teacher level)
Attunement: Connects to the Master symbol and deepest level of Reiki
Two Sub-levels:
- Master Practitioner: Personal spiritual development; receives Master symbol but does not teach
- Master Teacher: Authorized to teach Reiki and perform attunements
Teachings Include:
- The Master symbol (Dai Ko Myo)
- Advanced healing techniques
- Deeper spiritual practices
- How to perform attunements (Teacher level)
- How to teach Reiki classes (Teacher level)
- Original Japanese techniques (some lineages)
Prerequisite: Significant practice at Level 2 (often 1-3 years minimum)
The Reiki Symbols
In Level 2 and 3, students learn sacred symbols that focus and direct Reiki energy for specific purposes. Traditionally kept secret, these symbols are now widely published but are considered most effective when received through proper attunement.
Cho Ku Rei (超空霊)
⚡
Meaning: "Place the power of the universe here"
Purpose: Power symbol; increases Reiki energy, provides protection, cleanses space
Use: Draw at beginning of treatment, on chakras, to seal energy, for protection
Sei He Ki (精癒氣)
〰️
Meaning: "God and humanity become one"
Purpose: Mental/emotional symbol; heals emotional wounds, balances left/right brain
Use: Emotional healing, releasing negative patterns, protection from negative energy
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (本者是正念)
∞
Meaning: "No past, no present, no future" or "The Buddha in me connects to the Buddha in you"
Purpose: Distance symbol; transcends time and space
Use: Distance healing, past life healing, future manifestation, sending Reiki across time
Dai Ko Myo (大光明)
✨
Meaning: "Great bright light" or "Great shining light"
Purpose: Master symbol; represents enlightenment and healing of the soul
Use: Spiritual healing, soul-level work, empowerment, attunements
Level: Taught only at Master level
The Attunement Process
Attunement (also called initiation or transmission) is a sacred ceremony where a Reiki Master opens and aligns the student's energy channels to receive and transmit Reiki energy. This is what distinguishes Reiki from other forms of energy healing.
What Happens During Attunement:
- The Master channels high-vibrational Reiki energy
- Student's crown chakra is opened and connected to Reiki source
- Energy channels in hands and body are cleared and activated
- Sacred symbols are energetically "installed" (Level 2 and 3)
- Connection to Reiki is permanent and cannot be lost
Effects of Attunement:
- Immediate ability to channel Reiki
- 21-day clearing process begins (old patterns may surface to be released)
- Enhanced sensitivity to energy
- Spiritual awakening or shifts in consciousness
- Potential physical sensations (heat, tingling, visions)
Practices & Techniques
Preparing for Reiki Practice
Before Giving Reiki:
- Set Intention: State your intention to be a clear channel for healing
- Gassho Meditation: Place palms together at heart center; meditate briefly
- Invoke Reiki: Mentally or verbally call upon Reiki energy to flow through you
- Self-Cleanse: Use Cho Ku Rei or dry bathing technique to clear your own energy
- Ground & Center: Connect to earth energy; center in your heart
Standard Hand Positions
A full Reiki treatment typically lasts 60-90 minutes and follows a systematic sequence of hand positions covering the entire body. Each position is held for 3-5 minutes or until you feel the energy shift.
Head Positions (Recipient lying face-up):
- Position 1: Hands over eyes (third eye and root chakras)
- Position 2: Hands on temples (balances left/right brain)
- Position 3: Hands cupping back of head (occipital region)
- Position 4: Hands on throat (thyroid, throat chakra)
Front of Body Positions:
- Position 5: Hands on upper chest (heart and thymus)
- Position 6: Hands on solar plexus (solar plexus chakra)
- Position 7: Hands on lower abdomen (sacral chakra)
- Position 8: Hands in V-shape on pelvic area (root chakra)
- Position 9: Hands on knees
- Position 10: Hands on ankles/feet (grounding)
Back of Body Positions (Recipient turns over):
- Position 11: Hands on shoulders
- Position 12: Hands on upper back (heart chakra from back)
- Position 13: Hands on mid-back (solar plexus from back)
- Position 14: Hands on lower back (sacral/kidneys)
- Position 15: Hands on sacrum/buttocks
- Position 16: Hands on back of knees
- Position 17: Hands on soles of feet
Note: Reiki practitioners should maintain professional boundaries. Always ask permission before touching, and use hover positions (hands 2-4 inches above body) for sensitive areas or if recipient prefers no touch.
Self-Treatment Protocol
Daily self-treatment is the foundation of Reiki practice. A full self-treatment takes 30-60 minutes:
- Create sacred space (candle, incense, quiet environment)
- Lie down or sit comfortably
- Begin with Gassho and intention-setting
- Follow abbreviated hand positions:
- Face (covering eyes)
- Top of head
- Back of head
- Throat
- Heart
- Solar plexus
- Lower abdomen
- Knees (optional)
- Feet (optional)
- Hold each position 3-5 minutes
- Close with gratitude and Gassho
Distance Healing Technique
Using the Level 2 distance symbol (Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen), Reiki can be sent across any distance:
Method 1: Photo or Name
- Hold photo of recipient or write their name on paper
- Draw or visualize Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen over the photo/name
- State recipient's name and location three times
- Draw Cho Ku Rei and Sei He Ki for power and healing
- Place hands on photo/paper as if doing hands-on treatment
- Send Reiki for 15-30 minutes
- Close with gratitude
Method 2: Surrogate (Proxy)
- Use a pillow, teddy bear, or your own knee as proxy for recipient
- Draw distance symbol over proxy
- State that proxy represents [recipient's name]
- Treat proxy as if it were the recipient's body
- Send Reiki using standard hand positions on proxy
Method 3: Visualization
- Visualize recipient in front of you
- Draw distance symbol in the air
- Perform Reiki treatment on the visualization
- See the person receiving and benefiting from the energy
Note: Always obtain permission before sending distance Reiki, or state that the energy be received "for their highest good" and allow their higher self to accept or decline.
Advanced Techniques
Reiji-Ho (Indication of the Reiki Power)
Traditional Japanese technique for intuitively finding areas needing treatment:
- Place hands in Gassho (prayer position)
- Ask Reiki to guide your hands to where healing is needed
- Raise hands above recipient's body
- Allow hands to be drawn to areas requiring attention
- Trust the guidance and treat those areas
Byosen Scanning
Sensing energy imbalances in the recipient's energy field:
- Hold hands 2-6 inches above body
- Slowly scan from head to feet
- Notice sensations: heat, cold, tingling, pulling, density
- These indicate areas needing extra Reiki attention
- Treat problem areas until sensations normalize
Koki-Ho (Breathing Technique)
Using the breath to direct Reiki:
- After drawing symbols, breathe out gently onto treatment area
- Visualize Reiki flowing with your breath
- Used for small areas, acute pain, or emergency situations
Safety & Ethics
Important Guidelines:
- Medical Disclaimer: Reiki is complementary therapy, not a substitute for medical care
- Scope of Practice: Do not diagnose or prescribe unless licensed to do so
- Consent: Always obtain permission before treating someone
- Confidentiality: Respect client privacy and confidentiality
- Boundaries: Maintain appropriate professional/personal boundaries
- Self-Care: Practice regular self-Reiki; you cannot pour from an empty cup
- Continued Learning: Reiki is a lifelong practice; continue studying and growing
- Detachment: Release attachment to outcomes; Reiki goes where needed
- No Harm: Reiki cannot cause harm; it automatically adjusts to recipient's needs
Lineages & Schools of Reiki
Traditional Japanese Reiki
Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai
The original society founded by Mikao Usui in 1922, still operating in Japan. This organization has maintained traditional practices and remains quite secretive, with membership by invitation only.
Jikiden Reiki
"Direct teaching" Reiki taught by Tadao Yamaguchi, whose mother was a student of Chujiro Hayashi. Preserves original Japanese methods without Western modifications.
- Emphasizes byosen scanning and intuitive treatment
- Uses Japanese techniques like Reiji-ho and Koki-ho
- Different approach to attunements (called Reiju)
- No formal hand positions; treatment follows energy sensing
Komyo Reiki Kai
Founded by Hyakuten Inamoto, emphasizes Reiki as spiritual practice (satori) rather than just healing technique. Combines traditional Japanese methods with accessible teaching.
Western Reiki Lineages
Usui Shiki Ryoho (Traditional Western Reiki)
The system brought to the West by Hawayo Takata and taught by her 22 Master students, including:
- The Reiki Alliance: Founded by Phyllis Lei Furumoto (Takata's granddaughter); maintains traditional Western approach
- The Radiance Technique (TRTIA): Barbara Weber Ray's lineage emphasizing seven levels
- Independent Practitioners: Masters trained by Takata who teach independently
Usui/Tibetan Reiki
System developed by William Rand and others, incorporating additional symbols said to come from Tibetan Buddhism:
- Uses original four Usui symbols plus Tibetan symbols
- Different attunement process using Tibetan symbols
- Violet breath technique
- Antahkarana symbol for meditation
Karuna Reiki
Advanced system developed by William Rand (founder of International Center for Reiki Training), using additional symbols for compassionate healing:
- Taught at two levels (Practitioner and Master)
- Eight additional Karuna symbols
- Prerequisite: Reiki Master level
- Focus on deep emotional and trauma healing
Alternative & Hybrid Systems
Holy Fire Reiki
Upgraded attunement system introduced by William Rand in 2014; said to produce deeper healing and spiritual experiences.
Gendai Reiki Ho
"Modern Reiki Method" developed by Hiroshi Doi, combining traditional Japanese techniques with Western innovations.
Lightarian Reiki
Extended Reiki system with additional levels beyond Master, working with ascended master energies.
Rainbow Reiki
System developed by Walter Lübeck incorporating crystals, chakras, and other healing modalities with Reiki.
Seichim/Sekhem
Egyptian healing system said to be related to Reiki; often taught alongside it.
Notable Reiki Masters & Teachers
- Mikao Usui (1865-1926): Founder of Reiki
- Chujiro Hayashi (1880-1940): Systematized techniques and treatment
- Hawayo Takata (1900-1980): Brought Reiki to the West
- Phyllis Lei Furumoto: Takata's granddaughter; head of The Reiki Alliance
- William Lee Rand: Founder of ICRT; developed Karuna and Holy Fire Reiki
- Diane Stein: Author who published Reiki symbols and democratized teaching
- Hiroshi Doi: Bridge between Japanese and Western Reiki; Gendai Reiki founder
- Frank Arjava Petter: German Reiki Master living in Japan; researcher of Reiki origins
- Hyakuten Inamoto: Founder of Komyo Reiki; emphasis on spiritual awakening