How to Learn Reiki Level 1:

Reiki has 3 levels: 1, 2 & 3.  Reiki level 1 (the subject of this post), is the basic level.  Even at this level, you have life-long access to Reiki energy and the ability to use Reiki energy to heal yourself and others.

Where to Start?

The traditional way to learn Reiki is to seek the help of a Reiki master.  Searching the Internet, you’ll find plenty of resources offering to teach any level of Reiki. This might be through reading a book, receiving a Level 1,2 or 3 attunement via a YouTube video created by a Reiki master.

Based on my personal experience, this post describes learning Reiki level 1 directly from a Reiki master.   I won’t judge the other methods, but just say that this is the traditional path for learning Reiki.

Where to find a Reiki Master?

The dramatic expansion of Reiki in the West over the past twenty years means that there are a lot of new Reiki masters.  For this reason, it is advisable to take time and care over your choice.

If you know someone who has studied Reiki, ask them for a recommendation. If not, search for Reiki associations in your country of residence.  They maintain lists of qualified Reiki masters, and you should be able to find one in your vicinity.

As a way of evaluating prospective Reiki masters, consider receiving a course of treatment.  Aside from being beneficial to your health, it will give you an idea of their skill level and whether you feel comfortable with them.

Also, it is important to ask their lineage. It is like a family tree that can be traced back to the original Reiki master teacher:

For instance, Reiki western teaching should lead back to, Mikao Usui, Chjiro Hayashi or Hawayo Takata. Also, note that lineages leading to Hawayo Takata should include one of the 22 Reiki masters that she taught.  For a list of these 22 masters, please refer to this Reiki History post.

Reiki master teachers often do seminars or workshops where they will teach Reiki level 1 (or above) to a group of students.  The tuition fee for these workshops tends to be less, than 1:1 sessions.

Reiki Level 1 Lesson and Attunement:

How to Prepare for receiving Reiki Level 1:

There aren’t too many things to prepare before receiving Reiki level 1. Just common sense things to  balance your mind and body:

• No alcohol

  • Alcohol dulls the mind

• Avoid high protein food

  • High protein food requires more digestion and uses energy

• Eat fruit, vegetables and drink water

  • Easy to digest and healthy

• Avoid caffeinated drinks

  • Causes the mind to be over-active

• Keep an open mind!

  • Of course, you will have questions in your mind but try not to be too skeptical, just enjoy the experience for what it is.

Taught over 1-2 days, in three phases, course content may vary, depending on the style of Reiki. This is what you should expect from a Usui Reiki Level 1 course.

Reiki Level 1 Lesson – Learning about Reiki:

During the teaching phase, you’ll learn about Reiki, Reiki history and how Reiki works.  The course should include a textbook or print-out containing the course content.  If not, remember to take notes during the lesson.  Most Reiki Masters make themselves available for follow-up questions or consultations after the course.

Reiki Level 1 Lesson: Attunement

Essentially a Reiki Level 1 Attunement is a process that attunes you to the frequency of Reiki energy, enabling you to channel Reiki energy to yourself and others.

The Attunement is a type of ritual and kept secret by the Reiki master.  The Reiki master will request students to keep eyes closed during the process.  Some query the need for secrecy, but I think it is just a way to keep the process unique. Closed eyes make it easier to focus internally and enjoy the experience of the Attunement.

The Reiki master uses a combination of symbols and mantras to connect you to the Reiki universal life force.

Reiki Level 1 Lesson – Practice

You’ll feel much anticipation leading up to the Attunement, and although a relaxing process, it is quite a relief when it is over.  The practice phase is more relaxed and quite fun. And it’ll give you the chance to feel Reiki energy for the first time.

The teacher will include Reiki meditations, which are useful for improving and maintaining the flow of Reiki.  USUI Reiki meditations are listed here.

The channeling of Reiki energy is often compared to a water pipe or conduit.  If not used for a while, the pipe blocks, constricting the flow.  The meditations, along with regular use of Reiki, help with this.

Reiki Level 1 – What Can You Do?

Quite a lot!  It may be the basic level of Reiki, but you can still do the following:

• Self-healing & Healing others

  • Check out this for more info on Reiki Healing: Use Reiki to heal yourself and others and other related posts.

• Cleanse your living environment

  • Similar concept to Feng Shui, where practitioners use various techniques to balance Qi.  Apply Reiki energy to your living environment.  Connect to Reiki and using your hands, apply Reiki to the walls, corners, ceiling and floor of the room that you are in. Two minutes for each surface is ok

• Remove bad energy from an object

• Food and drinks

• Animals

• Anything else you can think of!

  • You can apply Reiki to anything you can think of – for instance, the money in your wallet.