Reiki Basics: Universal Life Force Energy Healing Guide

What Is Reiki? Healing Hands, Universal Energy

Reiki (pronounced "RAY-kee") is a Japanese energy healing technique that channels universal life force energy through the practitioner's hands to promote healing, balance, and wellness. The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words: "Rei" (universal/spiritual) and "Ki" (life force energy). Together, they mean "spiritually guided life force energy."

Developed by Dr. Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 1900s, Reiki is based on the principle that a universal life force energy flows through all living things. When this energy is low or blocked, we experience illness, stress, or imbalance. When it flows freely, we experience health, vitality, and wellbeing. Reiki practitioners act as channels for this healing energy, allowing it to flow through them to wherever it's needed most.

This comprehensive guide will teach you Reiki basics, how it works, the principles and symbols, and how you can begin working with this gentle yet powerful healing modality.

How Does Reiki Work?

The Concept: Everything is energy vibrating at different frequencies. Illness, stress, and imbalance are areas of low or blocked energy. Reiki raises the vibration and clears blockages, allowing the body's natural healing abilities to activate.

The Process: The Reiki practitioner places their hands on or above the recipient's body. Universal life force energy flows through the practitioner (who acts as a channel, not the source) and into the recipient. The energy goes where it's needed most—the body's innate wisdom directs the healing.

The Experience: Recipients often feel warmth, tingling, or deep relaxation. Some see colors or have emotional releases. Others simply feel peaceful. The energy works whether you feel it or not.

The Science: While Reiki is spiritual in nature, studies show it can reduce stress, anxiety, and pain, improve sleep, and support overall wellbeing. It's used in many hospitals as complementary therapy.

The Five Reiki Principles

Dr. Usui created five principles (or precepts) as a spiritual foundation for Reiki practice:

Just for today, I will not worry.
Release anxiety about the future. Stay present.

Just for today, I will not anger.
Let go of anger and resentment. Choose peace.

Just for today, I will be grateful.
Practice gratitude for all blessings, big and small.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Live with integrity. Do your best in all things.

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
Show compassion to yourself and all beings.

Practice: Recite these principles daily, especially before giving Reiki. They cultivate the mindset for healing work.

Reiki Levels & Attunements

Reiki is traditionally taught in three levels, each requiring an "attunement" from a Reiki Master.

Level 1 (Shoden): Physical Healing

What You Learn:
• Reiki history and principles
• How to channel Reiki energy
• Hand positions for self-healing
• Hand positions for healing others
• Basic energy concepts

Attunement: Opens your energy channels to receive and transmit Reiki. This is a sacred ceremony performed by a Reiki Master.

After Level 1: You can give Reiki to yourself, others (in person), animals, and plants.

Level 2 (Okuden): Mental/Emotional Healing

What You Learn:
• Three Reiki symbols and their uses
• Distance healing (sending Reiki across time/space)
• Mental and emotional healing techniques
• Deeper energy work

Symbols Received:
• Cho Ku Rei (Power symbol)
• Sei He Ki (Mental/Emotional symbol)
• Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance symbol)

After Level 2: You can send distance healing, work with symbols, and do deeper healing work.

Level 3 (Shinpiden): Master/Teacher Level

What You Learn:
• Master symbol (Dai Ko Myo)
• How to perform attunements
• How to teach Reiki
• Advanced techniques
• Spiritual development

After Level 3: You can teach Reiki and attune others. This is a serious commitment to the practice.

The Reiki Symbols

Note: Traditionally, symbols are kept sacred and only shared with attuned students. Here's what they do:

Cho Ku Rei (Power Symbol)

Meaning: "Place the power of the universe here"

Uses:
• Increases Reiki power
• Focuses energy on specific area
• Protection
• Cleansing spaces
• Sealing energy after treatment

How to Use: Draw or visualize the symbol, say its name three times, and direct energy where needed.

Sei He Ki (Mental/Emotional Symbol)

Meaning: "God and humanity become one"

Uses:
• Emotional healing
• Mental clarity
• Releasing trauma
• Addiction recovery
• Balancing left and right brain
• Clearing negative patterns

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Symbol)

Meaning: "No past, no present, no future" or "The Buddha in me reaches out to the Buddha in you"

Uses:
• Sending Reiki across distance
• Sending to past or future
• Healing past trauma
• Sending to future events
• Connecting across time and space

Dai Ko Myo (Master Symbol)

Meaning: "Great shining light" or "Treasure house of the great beaming light"

Uses:
• Spiritual healing
• Soul-level work
• Attunements
• Highest vibration healing
• Connecting to divine source

Reiki Hand Positions

Self-Reiki Hand Positions

Hold each position for 3-5 minutes, or until you feel the energy shift:

1. Crown: Hands on top of head
2. Eyes: Hands over eyes
3. Ears: Hands cupping ears
4. Throat: Hands on throat (gently)
5. Heart: Hands on chest
6. Solar Plexus: Hands on upper abdomen
7. Sacral: Hands on lower abdomen
8. Root: Hands on hips or upper thighs
9. Knees: Hands on knees
10. Feet: Hands on feet

Full Session: 30-60 minutes

Treating Others

Front of Body:
• Head (crown, eyes, ears, throat)
• Shoulders
• Heart
• Solar plexus
• Lower abdomen
• Hips
• Knees
• Feet

Back of Body:
• Shoulders
• Upper back
• Mid back
• Lower back
• Backs of knees
• Feet

Full Session: 60-90 minutes

How to Give Yourself Reiki

Note: Ideally, receive Level 1 attunement first. However, anyone can work with healing energy and intention.

Step-by-Step:

1. Prepare: Find quiet space, sit or lie comfortably
2. Ground: Take deep breaths, feel connected to earth
3. Set Intention: "I open myself to receive Reiki healing for my highest good."
4. Invoke: Ask Reiki energy to flow through you (or simply intend it)
5. Hand Positions: Follow the positions above, 3-5 minutes each
6. Feel the Energy: Notice warmth, tingling, or peace
7. Trust: Energy goes where needed, even if you don't feel it
8. Close: Thank the energy, ground yourself, drink water

Daily Practice: Even 10-15 minutes of self-Reiki daily makes a difference.

How to Give Reiki to Others

Preparation:

1. Get Permission: Always ask before giving Reiki
2. Create Space: Quiet, comfortable, warm room
3. Wash Hands: Physical and energetic cleansing
4. Ground Yourself: Be centered and present
5. Set Intention: For highest good of recipient

During Session:

1. Recipient Lies Down: Fully clothed, comfortable
2. Invoke Reiki: Silently or aloud
3. Scan Energy: Hold hands above body, feel for hot/cold spots
4. Hand Positions: Follow traditional positions or intuition
5. Stay Present: Be a clear channel, don't force
6. Notice Sensations: Heat, cold, tingling, pulsing
7. Trust: Energy knows where to go

After Session:

1. Seal Energy: Use Cho Ku Rei or visualize sealing
2. Ground Recipient: Have them rest, drink water
3. Wash Hands: Release any absorbed energy
4. Ground Yourself: Shake off energy, ground
5. Hydrate: Both of you drink water

Distance Reiki (Level 2+)

How It Works: Energy transcends time and space. Using the distance symbol, you can send Reiki anywhere, anytime.

How to Send:

1. Get permission (or send to highest good)
2. Create representation (photo, name written, teddy bear, etc.)
3. Draw or visualize distance symbol
4. State recipient's name and location
5. Give Reiki to the representation
6. Energy reaches the actual person
7. Close and seal

Uses:
• Sending to loved ones far away
• Healing past trauma
• Preparing for future events
• Sending to situations or places
• Group healing

What Reiki Can Help With

Physical:
• Pain relief
• Faster healing from injury/surgery
• Reduced inflammation
• Better sleep
• Increased energy
• Immune support

Mental/Emotional:
• Stress reduction
• Anxiety relief
• Depression support
• Emotional release
• Mental clarity
• Peace and calm

Spiritual:
• Spiritual growth
• Connection to higher self
• Chakra balancing
• Aura cleansing
• Increased intuition
• Sense of purpose

Important: Reiki complements but doesn't replace medical care. Always see doctors for medical issues.

Reiki for Animals & Plants

Animals:
• Love Reiki! Very receptive
• May move away when they've had enough
• Great for anxiety, illness, end-of-life comfort
• Can be done hands-on or at distance

Plants:
• Respond beautifully to Reiki
• Hold hands near plant
• Send energy to roots, stems, leaves
• Plants often grow faster and healthier

Common Reiki Experiences

During Session:
• Warmth or heat from practitioner's hands
• Tingling or pulsing sensations
• Deep relaxation or falling asleep
• Seeing colors or visions
• Emotional release (crying, laughing)
• Feeling nothing (energy still works!)

After Session:
• Deep peace and calm
• Increased energy or need to rest
• Emotional processing
• Vivid dreams
• Detox symptoms (drink water!)
• Shifts in perspective or clarity

Becoming a Reiki Practitioner

Finding a Teacher:
• Look for certified Reiki Master
• Check lineage (traceable to Usui)
• Trust your intuition
• Ask about their training and experience
• Ensure they teach all levels properly

Training:
• Level 1: Usually 1-2 day workshop
• Level 2: After practicing Level 1 (varies)
• Level 3: Serious commitment, often requires apprenticeship
• Practice between levels is essential

Cost: Varies widely. Traditional teaching involves energy exchange (payment), but should be accessible.

Final Thoughts: Healing Hands, Open Heart

Reiki is a gift—a simple yet profound way to channel healing energy for yourself and others. It requires no special abilities, just an open heart and willingness to be a channel for universal love and light.

Whether you receive Reiki, give it to yourself, or become a practitioner, you're tapping into an ancient healing tradition that recognizes the fundamental truth: we are all energy, and energy can heal.

The beauty of Reiki is its simplicity. Hands on body. Energy flows. Healing happens. It's that simple, and that profound.

Ready to experience Reiki? Find a practitioner for a session, or seek out a Reiki Master to begin your training. The healing energy is waiting.