Reiki: Frequently Asked Questions

Where Does Reiki Energy come from?
Reiki energy is a subtle energy. It is different than electricity or chemical energy or other kinds of physical energy. Reiki energy appears to come down from above and to enter the top of the practitioner's head after which it flows through the body.

Is Reiki safe?
It is believed that Reiki energy works only for the Highest Good of each person and cannot cause harm. It is safe for anyone and for any situations including pregnant women and children.

What is the main difference between Reiki and other Energy Healing methods?
Reiki has far more applications and functions than other "energy" healing. The quality and clarity of the received waves are crystal clear. The healer does not use his/her own energy to heal. It can be learned by anyone in a short time.

Is Reiki a religion?
No. It is not a religion. It is very spiritual in nature, but there is no belief required in order to learn and use it. The beauty of Reiki is that most of the times it will work regardless of whether you believe in it or not.

Is Reiki open to everyone?
Yes everyone can be initiated into Reiki. If you receive all four Level 1 Initiations you will have Reiki in your hands for life.

Can I treat myself with Reiki?
Yes. Again, if you received your Reiki I initiations, by laying on your hands on your body you can enjoy all the benefits of Reiki. Self-healing will re-balance and centre your body-mind-spirit connection.

How can one be attuned to Reiki?
Reiki attunements are received from a Reiki Master who is channelling/passing Reiki frequencies/energy into the initiates' aura/energy body and opening the Chakras for the energy to flow.

Can Reiki be used on animals and plants?
Animals respond faster to Reiki than humans. Plants also respond well, because they are living energy fields that can be out of balance.

Can Reiki be used with other therapies?
Yes. It can be combined with other complementary therapies very successfully. Reiki will enhance their effects. It can also be used to complement the health care you receive in hospitals or other health care providers.

Are there any sensations during or after the Reiki treatment?
It depends on the individual. You might not feel anything, but this does not mean that Reiki is not working . On the other hand, you might have sensations during or after the treatment such as: heat, cold, tingling, buzzing, relaxation, sleepiness, or other. It may happen also that the symptoms worsen after the treatment, but just for a short period of time, after which you will feel wonderful. It is important to drink lots of water to aid the cleansing of the body.

What are the Reiki Degrees?
Reiki I is the entry level. The student is attuned to Reiki energy for the healing of themselves, others, plants and animals. The class can be done in a day.

At Reiki II, the student memorises symbols which allow him/her to access the higher energies and direct them in a more focussed manner. Absent and distant healing is also taught at this level.

Reiki III, is the Reiki Master Teacher, or advanced level, where the Master symbol is given to enable the student to access the highest energies, develop themselves and their use of the life force. The student is also taught the attunement processes for all 3 levels of Reiki and the principles of Reiki teaching.

Can Reiki I, II and III degrees be given simultaneously?
They can be given at the same time. However, this can be a dangerous thing to do and not something that should be practiced. Too much energy too fast can cause problems and the true meaning of Reiki can be disregarded and lost.

I would not teach all three at the same time for that reason and for a practical reason, too: being a teacher of Reiki means much more than just being able to do the attunements. It means that you have had the time to learn to heal yourself and others - this doesn't happen overnight! At that time, you should become a Reiki Master. You can't teach something that you don't know.

Ideally, I prefer to see students working with the first degree for at least 21 days. If good results come from this (if they have been working hard on themselves and with Reiki) and they feel ready, then they can complete the second degree. After a year at the second degree, if they have developed their ability to heal themselves and others and are ready to take the final responsibility of the third degree, they are invited to develop into a Reiki Master.

Do I always have to charge for a treatment?
One of the most frequently asked questions by Reiki students is how they can charge for something that is universal and God given. In answer to this, you should refer to Dr Usui's experiences in the ghetto of Kyoto where he painfully learnt the lesson of not teaching gratitude to those who he treated. He learnt that we are only grateful for those things we place some sort of value on and respect for. Historically, this planet has much evidence of the need for a fair exchange of energy to occur to ensure that maintenance of balance. Many of us are well aware of the consequences on earth today resulting from our lack of understanding of this natural law. The need to give up something in order to create the space for something new to flow in has been a long recognised spiritual practice. Throughout history, individuals have offered material goods to spiritual people or leaders in return for prayer or spiritual favours. In the past, individuals had to spend many years of dedicated spiritual practice to reach the levels of awareness you are essentially entering into by going through the Reiki attunements. Money is the most commonly recognised form of exchange in society today. However, an exchange of energy can occur in many other ways. For example, there is often a natural exchange that occurs within families or between friends.

Also, at a Reiki exchange, there is an exchange of Reiki treatments between practitioners. You can of course always barter goods or services in exchange for giving a Reiki treatment. There is just one word of warning relating to this last suggestion. It is important that both you and your client are comfortable with the exchange taking place. You are not really honouring the process if you accept things that are of no value to you and your client is simply giving up something they attach energetic value to.