The 3 Levels of Reiki
How is Reiki Taught?
There are three levels of reiki training – each one being centred on an “attunement” (a ceremony of empowerment), education, and practice. The attunements are what make reiki unique from other types of healing and energy work. The attunement is performed by the reiki master to open and expand the main energy channels of the student’s body. This allows universal energy, or Qi, to flow more freely and deeply through them. It clears blockages in the body and leads to powerful energy changes within the student.
Following their attunements, many students will undergo an intense period of self-growth. The attunement process is like a transfer of energy from the master to the student and the student will then possess it for life.
The 3 Levels of Reiki
The three levels of reiki are described below:
Reiki Level 1: The First Degree (Shoden)
Level 1 is open to anyone and is an introduction into reiki. It focuses on opening the energy channels on a physical level, allowing the student to connect to the universal life force energy. This energy flows from the cosmos through the crown of the head and down to the heart and hands. The goal of Level 1 reiki is to emphasise self-reiki; encouraging the student to work through their own obstacles by practicing reiki on themselves.
The Level 1 attunement is usually provided in a single weekend course. Students usually experience symptoms in their palms such as tingling, coolness, or heat. Feelings of anxiety, exhaustion, and sadness are also common after the Level 1 attunement. As the attunement is very intense, students should wait up to three months before receiving the level 2 attunement.
Reiki Level 2: The Second Degree (Okuden)
Level 2 provides the students with the skills necessary to practice reiki on others and to open their energy channels much more deeply. In this level the students also receive their symbols. In reiki there are five symbols with each one corresponding to a specific energy (power, harmony, distance, mastery, and completion). Students will use these symbols to bring the universal energy of reiki into their everyday lives in more practical ways. The symbols also help practitioners provide reiki over long distances or send healing energy wherever it may be needed in the world.
The Level 2 attunement is usually provided over a single weekend. It focuses on opening the heart chakra, the midpoint between the physical and spiritual chakras. The attunement attunes you to a higher frequency of reiki energy, enabling you to channel it and to use the Reiki 2 symbols and mantras. Students have their eyes closed for this attunement so that they can focus internally and feel the process’ effect on the heart.
In order to fully absorb the Level 2 lesson, it is advised to wait at least 6 months to a year before attempting the Level 3 training.
Reiki Level 3: The Third Degree (Shinpiden) & Reiki Master
The Third Degree and Reiki Master are the same designation but some teachers prefer to separate Level 3 from Reiki Master. The Reiki Master Level is the teacher’s level, and masters are able to attune new reiki practitioners. Many students who receive the master attunement, along with the corresponding symbol, do not feel confident enough to properly attune others. For this reason there is sometimes a distinction between Third Degree and Reiki Master.
Becoming a reiki master represents a deep commitment to the practice of reiki. A significant time should therefore pass between achieving the Second Degree status and Master Level.
Completing the reiki levels provides a pathway to becoming a reiki master. Reiki courses vary in quality and methods used, and so it is important to do your research to find both the course which is best for you and an instructor that you are comfortable with.