One of the most popular energy therapies is Reiki (pronounced ray-key). A Zen Buddhist monk, Mikao Usui, discovered Reiki at the beginning of the last century, in Japan. At the end of a 21-day meditation on Mount Kurama he achieved a spiritual awakening and received the knowledge of Reiki- how to channel and attune others to universal life-force energy.

Usui began to teach ‘Shoden’, translated as ‘first teachings’ to anyone who desired them. This first level of teaching and attunement is primarily designed for self-healing. The second and third level teachings are for those who wish to heal others. There is one further level of attunement, sometimes delivered with the third level teachings, called Reiki Master. This is for those who would like to attune others to Reiki.

The beauty of Reiki is that anyone who feels drawn to work with healing energy can be attuned. Reiki is a wonderful healing energy that complements many other therapies- I use it with my Crystal Healing. However there is a health warning to add to this. Reiki attunements do involve changes to your energy field. It is a serious personal decision to make and is not something do on a whim. It may intensify issues you have, especially with your mental and emotional health, as it works through blocks and brings things to the surface. For some this can be very hard to handle and precipitate a serious healing crisis. Consider a course of Reiki healing, or trying other therapies, rather than a personal attunement, if you feel you have serious issues to work on.

Should you wish to go ahead and be attuned I’d recommend trying a Reiki healing session with a practitioner first, so that you know what it feels like. It is always best if you can get a personal recommendation. If you enjoy the feel of Reiki ask around for a good Reiki Master to attune you. Look for someone who offers further support after the attunement & try to meet them, or at least talk on the phone first, to check that you like their vibes.

Don’t be impatient to move on to Level Two. Level One can continue to unfold its energies within you for many months. Although the attunement can be transmitted & changes made to your energy field in minutes your physical body needs much more time to catch up and heal.

Beware the call of your ego! The title ‘Reiki Master’ sounds terribly important and is responsible for some people getting themselves attuned as Reiki Masters for egotistical reasons, rather than spiritual motives. The thought that you can attend courses promising to make you a ‘Reiki Master in a Weekend’ is frankly scary!

Allow for plenty of time between each level of attunement and remember with power comes responsibility! Reiki is a wonderful healing gift to humanity, we need to use it wisely.