If you like to know more about Reiki Energy Healing, look no further. In this guide, I will answer many common (and some not so common) questions about Reiki. If you have any additional questions, let me know in the comments!
My first experience with energy healing actually happened by accident. I went to a full moon circle and got an energy healing from someone. I had no idea what to expect, but the result was so powerful and overwhelming that it got me intrigued!
Shortly after that, I started learning what I could about Reiki, and signed up for my first Reiki course. I am now a Reiki 2 Practitioner and practice Reiki regularly. All I can say is, try it for yourself and keep an open mind. You might be surprised with what it can do!
In this Reiki Energy Healing 101 guide, I will explain what Reiki is, what the levels and symbols are, and how you can get started, and more.. ✨
Reiki Energy Healing 101
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a technique of energetic healing that relaxes the body and the nervous system to encourage the body’s self-healing ability.
Reiki means ‘universal energy’. During a Reiki session, the universal energy (or Reiki) flows through the Reiki healer and is transfered to the person who receives the Reiki.
The energy finds its way through the body and has a healing effect, both physically and mentally. Reiki is all about finding the balance between body and mind, and healing the body from trauma by clearing it from energetic blocks.

The Benefits Of Reiki
We are more than just our physical bodies. We have an energy field around us (the aura) which cannot be seen by everyone, but is a vital part of our being and our health.
Every illness starts out as an energy block in our energetic field. The blockages make their way into our bodies where they can eventually develop into an illness, if not resolved. These energy blocks are created by stress or trauma.
There are many ways to work through stress and trauma and release the energy blocks from the body, and Reiki is one of the ways to do this.
Reiki can prevent energy blocks from developing further and therefore create a feeling of relief and lightness (this can be on a physical, emotional and spiritual level). It activates the natural healing abilities of the body as follows:
Reiki switches the nervous system from the sympathetic mode to the parasympathetic mode, which is the body’s restorative mode where it is able to heal itself. The effects of Reiki are comparable to what an acupuncture session can do for the body.
You can experience the power of Reiki when you take the time and conscious effort to practice it. If you are open to receiving it, you will be surprised what it can do for you.
The Origin Of Reiki
The technique of energy healing through the hands, is described in different ways throughout ancient history. However, because it has not been documented, the information about this can only be retrieved through channeled messages.

Reiki, as we know it today, is passed on to us by the founder Mikao Usui. He was born in Japan in 1865. After an experience where he nearly lost his life, he became interested in the ancient techniques of energy healing and decided to search for the answers on how to do this.
He received a channelled message to spend 21 days on the Kuruma mountain in Japan by himself while meditating and fasting. He understood that he needed to raise his state of consciousness before he could receive the information about this healing technique.
It was on the 21st day that he was touched by a bright light that engraved the Reiki symbols in his memory. Once he returned from the mountain, he moved to Tokio and started the Usui Reiki Association. He developed the stages of learning Reiki and introduced the 5 Reiki principles.
The 5 Reiki Principles
These are the 5 Reiki principles:
1. Just for today, I will not be angry
Anger is a normal emotion. When you feel you are getting angry, try to observe it from a distance. Notice it, acknowledge it and let it go. Anger does not serve you in any way.
2. Just for today, I will not worry
We are worried when thoughts about things in the past or future are taking over in our heads. Try to do some mindfulness and focus on this moment as that is all there is.
3. Just for today, I will be grateful for everything that crosses my path
We often focus on what we want to achieve or what we want to own. Real happiness and peace comes from gratitude for what we already have.
4. Just for today, I will work with dedication
Try to use your talents and skills for something you believe in and make a small contribution to the world each day.
5. Just for today, I will be kind to myself and every living thing
Be kind in your actions and in your thoughts to all living things (don’t forget yourself!). Have compassion for those who are unkind, they are merely unhappy.

Different Levels Of Reiki
Reiki Level 1 : Reiki 1 Practitioner
Reiki 1 includes the first initiation into Reiki. Reiki 1 is open to everyone. The course includes an introduction into what Reiki is, its history, the initiation, and a series of hand positions.
The course is given in different ways, but should at least include the initiation by a certified Reiki Master and should be followed up by 21 days of self treatments.
Reiki 1 is focused on using Reiki for healing on a physical level. After the initiation it is possible to give yourself Reiki, or pass on the Reiki to someone else (f.e. during my Reiki 1 course I learned to give a chair treatment to someone).
Reiki Level 2 : Reiki 2 Practitioner
Reiki 2 includes the second initiation into Reiki. Reiki 2 is open to everyone who has completed Reiki 1 and has done the 21 days of self treatment.
Reiki 2 is all about learning to apply Reiki on an emotional level. For that purpose, you learn three Reiki symbols. Reiki can now be applied on a deeper (emotional) level and you can send Reiki on a long distance to anyone anywhere in the world. (Read more about distance Reiki here)
Reiki Level 3 : Reiki Master
Reiki 3 includes the third and final initiation into Reiki. After completing Reiki 3 you are a Reiki Master. Before you do Reiki 3, it is advised to gain at least one year of solid experience as a Reiki 2 practitioner.
(Please note that in some courses, the Reiki 3 and Master level are seen as two seperate levels: 3a and 3b. The Reiki Master is seen as the teacher level for Reiki.)
When you are at the Reiki 3 level, Reiki has become an integral part of your life. As a Reiki Master, you are ready to teach others Reiki and perform initiations. You will intuitively know when you are ready for this.
With Reiki 3 you will also learn to heal on a spiritual level. You will be able to do so by using the last two Reiki symbols, which will be passed on to you during the initiation.

Getting Started With Reiki
How To Get Started With Reiki
If you are not yet familiar with Reiki, read some of the books suggested below, and book a Reiki session. The Reiki session can be in person, but also on a distance (more on distance Reiki below in this post).
In case you are considering to book, or have already booked your first Reiki session, also read What to expect from your first Reiki session? (+ 9 tips for the best experience).
If you feel ready to learn how to apply Reiki to yourself, or do a basic Reiki treatment for others, sign up for a Reiki 1 course in your area (make sure the course is given in person, and by a certified Reiki Master).
The Reiki 1 course is an introduction to Reiki and includes a 21-day self treatment routine of one hour of Reiki per day. After completing the first course and the 21-day self treatment, you will be amazed by what Reiki can do for you!
Important: During a Reiki course, you will receive an initiation by the Reiki Master. The purpose of this initiation is to set the intention for you to be able to receive and pass on the Reiki energy. You NEED to receive this initiation before you are ready to work with the Reiki energy.
The 3 Best Books About Reiki
If you like to read about Reiki, start with the book Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art by Diane Stein. This is the industry standard (and most read) book about Reiki in the West.
This is a great book to start with and a must-read for everyone who practices Reiki.
The book Reiki: A Comprehensive Guide by Pamela Miles is a great addition to the book by Diane Stein. This book gets further into how Reiki is related to the medical world, to science, and how Reiki can be used as a complementery technique for healing certain deceases.
Last but not least is The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui. As the founder of Reiki as we know it today, Mikao Usui’s handbook is also a must-read if you are serious about Reiki.
Read this handbook to get a better understanding of the three pillars of Reiki, which hand positions to use for which conditions, and how to use the breath during a Reiki treatment.
How Do You Know If Reiki Works?
Whether you are giving or receiving Reiki, there are many physical symptoms that will indicate if the Reiki is working. Even if you find it hard to feel or tune into your body, there are plenty of physical indicators that you can look out for.
There are different indicators to look out for when you give Reiki than when you receive Reiki. To know what they are, read my post How Do You Know If Reiki Works?. (Listing them all here, gets a bit too lenghty)
If You Are Sceptical If Reiki Works
First of all, it is good to be sceptical. I believe that you should never just believe everything that someone is telling you (I wouldn’t either!). However, always remember to keep an open mind. Realize that there is a possibility that even if you don’t perceive something, it can still exist.
If you are sceptical if Reiki works, then know that in order to notice the benefits of Reiki, you need to be able to feel into your body. The more in touch you are with your intuition and your body, the more easily you will be able to notice the benefits of Reiki.
If your mind is doing overtime and keeps talking to you (and telling you that Reiki is not working), try to quiet your mind. An intuitive process (such as Reiki) cannot be understood rationally. You need to feel it.

The mind is a very powerful thing that can easily block out our feelings. This talking mind (i.e. the ego) can prevent us from getting hurt in life, but it can also keep us from opening up to our intuition.
Keeping an open mind means to stay in touch with our intuition and to be open to new possibilities.
Have you ever felt a certain way about a situation or a person without exactly knowing why? That is your intuition trying to tell you something.
Learn to switch off your rational mind at set times and tune into your intuition. When you are able to recognize both, and learn to rely on each of them at the right times, you will be golden!
Developing Your Intuition With Reiki
Practicing Reiki, or receiving Reiki are great ways to develop your intuition. If you are not very much in touch with your intuition and are not able to feel into your body very easily, you might not notice what the Reiki is doing at first.
However, once you practice or receive Reiki more often, you will start to notice the (subtle) effects that it has on your body. You will be able to quiet the mind more easily and will start to become more aware of tiny blockages that are being removed through the Reiki practice.
Reiki helps you slow down and really tune into your body and mind. If you are feeling anxious, on edge or stressed, Reiki helps to relax the nervous system and to clear the stress from your body.
How Meditation Helps With Reiki
The more easily you are able to quiet your mind, the more in touch you are with your body, and the more easily you can tune in to the Reiki energy and its effects. By tuning in it will also become easier to notice blockages in the body (whether you give Reiki to yourself or to someone else).
Learning to quiet your mind is best done through a regular meditation practice. If you are not yet meditating, check out my Guide To Meditation to get started. It has tips on how to get started and some more info about meditation as well as some recommended meditations.

Enhance Your Reiki Session
To enhance every Reiki session, there are several things you can use. I will add a few suggestions here. For more ideas, check out my post 14 Things To Enhance Your Reiki Session. A few things from this list are:
White Sage Smudge And Palo Santo
Use a White Sage Smudge Bundle or some Palo Santo to clear your space from negative energies before a Reiki session.
Sage smudge bundles (with rose leaves) and palo santo are commonly used in combination with an abalone shell. This kit comes with the shell, a stand for the shell, and a small instruction booklet.
Reiki Logbook
Use this Reiki Logbook to keep track of all your Reiki sessions. Whether this is a Reiki session you do for a client or for yourself, it doesn´t matter. If you track your experience, overtime you will start to notice new things about your sessions.
Keeping a logbook or journal is also great when you are doing your Reiki 1 course. During the 21 days of self treatment for Reiki 1, write a short journal entry every day after your session. It will be great to look back on after you finish!
What I like about this specific logbook is the area where you can track seperate details about your session such as: intentions, music, crystals, symbols, and more.
If you prefer a Reiki journal with more additional information about Reiki, such as explanations, beginner tips and meditations, check out this Reiki Journal instead (I really like the artwork on the cover too!).
Essential Oils With Diffuser
I absolutely love to use essential oils during a Reiki session! This set of 6 Essential Oils with Diffuser will not only give a great smell to your space, but also gives it a calming feel with the woodlook.
The essential oils are of good quality and the scents are Lemongrass, Sweet Orange, Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Peppermint.
To use the diffuser, you just fill it with some water (as per the instructions) and add a few drops of oil. The diffuser has a timer and also switches itself off when all the water has evaporated.
Tibetan Singing Bowl
Use this Tibetan Singing Bowl Set to add an extra dimension to your Reiki session. It is a compact one, so it is easy to bring along with you when you are going somewhere.
The soothing tones that a singing bowl produces, stimulates the healing process. The sounds also help you to tune into your relaxation more easily, which will help you to be more open to receive intuitive messages during your Reiki session.
View the full list of things here.
Reiki Symbols
Reiki Symbols Level 1
Reiki 1 is focused on healing on a physical level. There are no symbols at Reiki Level 1.
Reiki Symbols Level 2
The following symbols are passed on to you during a Reiki 2 initiation, after which you can use them for any Reiki treatment.

Hon-Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen
Hon-Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen is the first symbol you use for every Reiki (self) treatment.
It is the symbol you use to establish a connection with the other person during a distance Reiki session.
It is also the symbol that establishes the intention to start healing on a mental and energetic level. It helps to resolve trauma from the past and can energize future events.
Use this at the start of any -either on a distance or in person- Reiki session to establish an energetic connection.
Sei-He-Ki
Sei-He-Ki is the second symbol you use for every Reiki (self) treatment.
It is the symbol that sets the intention to heal on an emotional level.
It helps to heal the emotional balance, to heal the inner child, to resolve negative behavioral patterns and negative emotions.
Sei-He-Ki can also be used to clear a space by drawing it in the corners of the room together with the Cho-Ku-Rei symbol.


Cho-Ku-Rei
Cho-Ku-Rei is the power symbol. It works on a physical level and is used to boost energy in a certain area.
It is the symbol that activates and reinforces the other symbols, and can be used to increase the power of Reiki in a specific place.
The Cho-Ku-Rei symbol can be placed anywhere on the body. On the hands to provide additional energy, or on the feet for extra grounding.
Cho-Ku-Rei can also be used in reverse to offload excess energy from a certain area.
(Also see the explanation below of why Cho-Ku-Rei is sometimes depicted in reverse)
Reiki Symbols Level 3
During the Reiki 3 Master initiation, you receive the following two symbols. These help to heal on a spiritual level.
Dai-Ko-Myo
Dai-Ko-Myo is the Reiki Master symbol. It supports healing of the soul.
The symbol is used to develop the intuition and provide deeper insight. It paves the path to enlightenment.
A Reiki Master uses this symbol at the start of each Reiki (self) session.


Raku
Raku can open and close the energetic body and the aura. This protects it from negative energies and prevents it from getting drained.
It is used at the end of a Reiki treatment or during initiations. It cleans out negative energies and helps with grounding.
It also helps the energy of the Reiki Master and the student to connect during the initiation.
How Do The Reiki Symbols Work?
The Reiki symbols are used to express and set the intention of the healing. The use of the symbols makes it clear what the intention is and where the energy needs to be directed.
How To Use The Reiki Symbols?
Before a Reiki session, draw the symbols in the air (in the right order) or visualize them while saying the symbol’s name out loud three times.
Cho-Ku-Rei can also be drawn on the body or in your hands to give an extra energy boost to a certain area. For extra grounding, draw Cho-Ku-Rei on the soles of your feet. To get rid of excess energy (for example around the head), use Cho-Ku-Rei in reverse to release some of the energy.
To clear a space, you can draw Sei-He-Ki, followed by Cho-Ku-Rei in each corner of the room. (On Reiki 1 Level, you can also give the room Reiki without using any symbols!)
Why Is Cho-Ku-Rei sometimes reversed (clockwise vs anti-clockwise)?
You may have noticed that Cho-Ku-Rei is sometimes depicted in reverse. This has to do with the equator. The idea behind it is, that if you are in the Southern hemisphere, the Cho-Ku-Rei symbol is used in the opposite way as to when you are in the Northern hemisphere.
However (and this is important!), always use Cho-Ku-Rei in the way that is has been passed on to you during your intitiation. That is the way you have received it, and that is how it will work for you.
The way I drew Cho-Ku-Rei in the picture above is how it has been passed on to me to add power (and I use it reversed to take power away). I am aware that in many depictions we see, Cho-Ku-Rei is depicted in the opposite way as to how it was passed on to me (but this is the way it works for me!).
Distance Reiki
What Is Distance Reiki
Although during an in-person Reiki session, the person receiving the Reiki and the person giving the Reiki are in the same place, that is not necessary. Reiki can be performed from a distance, as long as the person receiving the Reiki gives permission to receive it.
The reason this works is because Reiki is transferred through energy, and energy transcends time and space. This might be a strange sounding concept, but this is also how telepathy works, and how mediums can contact deceased loved ones.

(If you would like to know more about the workings of telepathy, and understand what a natural ability this actually is for humans, read the book Tribal Telepathy by Kelly Lindsay)
Distance Reiki can be given by any Reiki 2 Practicioner or Reiki Master. They will make use of symbols to establish a connection to the energy of the person receiving the Reiki.
How Does Distance Reiki Work?
To connect to the energy of the person receiving the Reiki, the Reiki healer will first connect to the energy of the person on the receiving end. If the healer does not know the person, a photo can help with this.
The healer will use a symbol (Hon-Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen, see above) to connect to the energy of the person, and will use symbols to indicate the level of healing (physical, emotional and/or spiritual).
Once the connection is established, the healer will send the Reiki energy by imagining the person in front of them and sending them the energy through their hands.
To optimally benefit from the Reiki, the person receiving can sit or lay down in a comfortable place and close their eyes during the session.
More About Distance Reiki
For more details about distance Reiki, check out my post How Does Distance Reiki Work?
Other Forms Of Energy Healing
What Are Other Forms Of Energy Healing?
There many other forms of energy healing, such as Acupuncture, Shambala or healing with the use of tools such as the Atlantis cross (two legged ankh) or a pendulum.

Can Reiki Be Combined With Other Forms Of Energy Healing?
Because energy healing is a highly intuitive process, many healers use a combination of different techniques. Personally, I like to use a combination of Reiki and the ankh (Atlantis cross).
More About Reiki?
If you like to know more about Reiki, read one of the books suggested above in this post, book a Reiki treatment, or sign up for a Reiki 1 course.
If you like, you can also check out my post with 14 Things To Enhance Your Reiki Session.
Have fun on your Reiki journey!
0 Comments