Learning Reiki is typically initiated through a direct energetic transmission from a qualified teacher. Unlike skills learned through study alone, the ability to channel Reiki energy must be practiced and mastered, typically under the guidance of the Reiki Master-Teacher who attunes their disciples and passes on their knowledge and skills.
The Role of a Reiki Master-Teacher
While the general principle of channeling divine energy can be explored independently through extensive personal practice, learning a specific, codified system like Usui Reiki Ryoho requires the guidance of a Reiki Master-Teacher. This is because the Master-Teacher is the custodian of that system’s specific energetic frequency and methodology. They hold the key to the practice: the attunement, a process that energetically connects the student to the source of that particular Reiki lineage.
The Three Levels of Reiki
Within the traditional Usui Reiki Ryoho school, the learning path is structured into three progressive levels, or degrees. This classic structure provides a solid foundation, though it’s important to recognize that other modern Reiki systems may have their own unique methodologies and progressions.
- Reiki Level I (Shoden – First Teachings): This is the entry point. After receiving the Level I attunement, the student’s energy channels are opened. The training focuses on the history and principles of the Usui system, hand positions, and most importantly, on self-healing.
- Reiki Level II (Okuden – Inner Teachings): At this stage, the student receives a further attunement and is taught the three sacred symbols of the Usui Reiki system. These symbols are tools that enhance the practice, allowing for deeper emotional/mental healing and the ability to send distance healing.
- Reiki Level III (Shinpiden – Mystery Teachings): This is the Master Level, intended for practitioners who wish to commit fully to the Reiki path. It involves a final attunement, learning the Master symbol, and for those who choose the Master-Teacher path, learning the process of performing attunements for others.
The Attunement Process
The attunement is the heart of learning a formal Reiki system like Usui Reiki. It is a sacred ritual in which a Reiki Master-Teacher uses the system’s symbols and a specific energetic process to align the student’s energy centers (chakras) and open their primary channels to that specific Reiki frequency. This energetic transmission is what differentiates learning from a teacher versus attempting to learn from a book. It is a direct and permanent empowerment that enables the student to channel the energy of that specific lineage and confirms their qualifications.
Choosing Your Teacher
When seeking to become a certified master or respected practitioner of a traditional school like Usui Reiki Ryoho, the teacher’s lineage serves as a crucial confirmation of their qualifications. A verifiable lineage tracing directly back to the founder, Mikao Usui, ensures that the teachings and attunements you receive are authentic to that specific system. Beyond credentials, however, the choice is deeply personal. You should find a teacher whose philosophy resonates with you and with whom you feel a sense of trust and connection.
As a Reiki Master-Teacher in multiple systems, I offer remote Reiki teachings via video consultation and distant Reiki attunements, allowing students to receive a direct transmission and one-on-one guidance in an authentic lineage, regardless of their location.
Practice After Attunement
Receiving an attunement is the beginning of the journey, not the end. The real learning and mastery happen through consistent self-practice. Daily self-Reiki sessions are essential for deepening your sensitivity to the energy, building confidence, and continuing your own healing process. As practitioners of any system become more experienced and their intuition develops, they often find they are guided to work with energy in new ways. It is common for advanced Master-Teachers to be inspired to discover their own unique modalities, energies, or even create new healing techniques and symbols.
