Are you new to Reiki? Maybe this is the first time you’ve ever heard about Reiki. Maybe you have heard of it, but you don’t really know what it is or how it’s used. It may be completely new to you and you don’t have any idea what it is. This Reiki for beginners post will help you sort out what Reiki is and is not.
Perhaps you’re thinking it sounds like some new age “woo” weirdness. (Skepticism is always a good thing) If that sounds like you, please keep an open mind and keep reading.
Full disclosure: the first time I heard about Reiki, I thought the folks telling me about it could be crazy or possibly a cult! But here I am, 25 years later, practicing it daily and teaching others how to use it so that they can change their lives with it, just like I did. That’s what Reiki does – it changes lives. You can read my story here.
No matter which of the categories above you fall into, this blog post is for you! (And, if you’d like to learn it for yourself, check out Level 1 here.)
In this post, we’ll look at the basics of Reiki. Keep reading to learn how this amazing and simple energy technique can help you. We’ll explore:
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- What Reiki is
- Where it came from
- How to use it in your life.
- Why you want to learn it for yourself
“This has to have been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had, I would recommend this to anyone. Karen is amazing! I personally have issues with anxiety and this helped with that. I look forward to learning more”.
-Kayla Duckworth, Client
What is Reiki?
The very simple definition of Reiki is: using the Universal Life Force to promote healing.
What does that mean? Reiki is an elegant, simple and safe energy healing technique that can be learned by anyone. In fact, we all instinctively use this energy already. When you bang your knee or elbow, the very first thing you do is touch it. Kids will ask for their moms to “kiss it and make it all better”. This is an example of using this energy instinctively. When you take a Reiki class, you begin to use the energy intentionally.
Learning Level 1 allows you to use this energy intentionally through the attunements you’ll receive. Attunements open you to channel this higher energy, to be a conduit for it. The attunement process is what sets Reiki apart from other energy modalities.
When studying Reiki, you’ll receive attunements at each level of Reiki. (there are 3 levels, each building on the previous level) These must be given by someone who has reached Level 3 Master/Teacher training.
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What are the Reiki Atunements?
Reiki has no dogma or religious associations. There’s nothing you must believe in order to use it. It’s available to anyone who wants to learn it.
It works on all levels – physical, spiritual and emotional to help balance body, mind and spirit. It’s self-care that doesn’t take a lot of time to do.
There are very few cautions for using Reiki making it safe for almost everyone including children and pregnant women. It’s compatible with other alternative or holistic modalities as well as allopathic medicine. Hospitals are now using it and Dr. Oz has come out in favor of it too! In fact, his wife is a Reiki Master. (you can do a quick Google search for that information)
Reiki Sessions
Sessions with a practitioner can be done in-person or by distance. Each type will last 30-60 minutes. (most are one hour but some folks will prefer half-hour sessions). Distance sessions are just as effective as those done in-person and have all the same benefits to the receiver. (You can read more about the benefits of Reiki below.)
Distance sessions can be done by any practitioner that has completed at least Second Level training.
Levels of Reiki
There are three levels. Level 1 is the beginner level. No pre-requisites are required for this level. Just the desire to learn it.
Level 2 then, will deepen your practice by providing 3 sacred symbols. (Each symbol has a specific use and meaning.)
Level 3 is often taught in two parts. Master and Teacher, sometimes called Level 3a and Level 3b. Master level is for those who want to expand their understanding and use of Reiki energy for themselves. Teacher training is for those who want to dedicate themselves to Reiki and to teaching it to others.
Each level builds on the last, and the levels must be taken sequentially. You can take just Level 1 and stop there or continue on to the next level. Everyone is free to choose whether they stop or continue on through the levels according to their needs.
Want to learn more?
Check out these resources:
Learn it for yourself – check out this Level 1 course offered here.
Tips for Choosing a Reiki Master
10 Ways to Use Reiki in your Life
What are Reiki Distance Sessions?
Using Reiki to Create Balance in Body, Mind & Spirit: A Personal Story
Where did Reiki come from?
Reiki was rediscovered in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui during his 21 day meditation on Mount Kurama, near the end of the 19th century. (There is some discrepancy in dates.) The story taught to all new practitioners has been handed down by each generation of practitioners that has come before him or her. All Level 1 classes will include the history and legend of Reiki. All Usui Reiki practitioners will be able to trace their lineage directly back to Dr. Usui.
How to use it in your life
Reiki has many benefits. Here are just a few of them:
- Helping our bodies’ natural healing abilities
- Supports your spiritual growth and transformation
- Helps us be more present in our daily lives
- Tapping into your intuition and inner wisdom
- Helps you shift to a positive mindset
- Support for your immune system
- Promoting deep relaxation within the body making it perfect for self-care
- Promoting balance within the body
- Relieving emotional stress
- Reducing physical or emotional pain
- Promoting a positive outlook and more energy.
- Better sleep
- Coping with transitions in life
- Supporting an intentional life, finding more joy, making positive changes, shifting your mindset
- Help you live in the present, so you aren’t living in the past or worrying about the future
- Can be used alongside conventional medicine and any other healing modality
As you can see from this list, there are many ways for you to use Reiki in your life.
You can even use it with your pets, house plants, garden, and your food and beverages.
When you take a class, you will learn many different ways to use Reiki in your life. (In my opinion, you’ll wonder what you ever did without it!)
Why you should learn Reiki:
There are so many benefits of having this skill. It’s literally right in your own hands. But here’s a few things to consider:
The beginner level or Level 1 has no pre-requisites except the desire to learn. There are opportunities to learn in-person or online, so it’s easy to find the right class and the right instructor for you.
While fees will vary, it’s affordable for most folks.
You can stop after learning Level 1 or continue into Level 2 and Level 3 training. It’s all up to you.
There’s so many good reasons to learn it and use it in your life.
You can use it for:
- your personal growth and development
- to help support your physical body
- for any time of transition you might need to work through
- your spiritual development
- to alleviate stress
- build your intuition
- to help with pain
- support your own healing or with your children, pets, plants and with your friends or family.
You will (quite literally) have the skill in your own hands! Once you are attuned it’s always with you. This truly makes it an investment in yourself. You might even decide to make it your new career.
Plus,
- It’s affordable.
- It’s goof proof, because it is an intelligent energy that knows where to go and what to do. You can’t create any harm with this energy.
- Benefits both the sender and the receiver during a session.
- Always with you. Once you’re attuned, it’s always with you. You can never lose it.
- Safe for just about everyone. It has few cautions and is even suitable for children and pregnant women.
Are you feeling called to learn Reiki?
In this post, we’ve looked at all the basics of Reiki.
If you’re feeling called to explore learning Reiki further, but you have questions, please connect with me here.
I also invite you to check out the Level 1 Reiki Course offered here.
See you next time!
Karen
