Want to get your hands on Reiki but confused about which level is for you?
Well, the different Levels Of Reiki are an important aspect to consider before becoming a practitioner.
If you fail to know about them, it can cost you money, energy, and most importantly, time – which is priceless.
But, if you follow the guide in this blog post, you will know about which level you should practice.
So, without any further delay, let’s jump right now.
How Many Levels Of Reiki Are There?
There are three levels of Reiki that every practitioner can go through from basics to advanced learning and teaching.
Each level has different elements and is directly dependent on attunement, learning, and implementation.
Attunement is a crucial process in Reiki, particularly in the higher levels, about which you will know in more details further. It’s a ceremony or ritual conducted by a Reiki Master to connect a student or practitioner to the Reiki energy more deeply.
Each level of Reiki is associated with principles, where masters channel their energy in order to awaken practitioners’ energy centers and build spirituality and potential for self-improvement.
If you want to accomplish Reiki level 1st with 2nd, it can be done in your spare time by paying some cash (fees may vary based on your city or location).
Furthermore, the training can also be one or several months long.
It is not feasible for any beginner practitioner to reach the third level without the completion of the first and second levels.
As it is usually considered to be master training, it is far more profound than you can generally imagine.
Now, let’s take a sneak peek in depth of each level of Reiki.
Reiki Level 1: The 1st Degree (Shoden)
As it seems, Reiki level 1 is the beginning of all levels. Anyone without any knowledge can start to practice this level, which is also called Shoden in Japanese.
The main point of reiki level 1 is introducing you to the universal life force energy physically.
You, as a practitioner, then become aware of the energy that flows within and around you.
Students who apply at such a level are basically laying out the base of Reiki healing.
Level 1 practices involve the introduction to its history, allowing the energy to flow through it and into the recipient’s body to promote relaxation, healing, and balance.
What happens during the Reiki Level 1:
During the Reiki level 1 attunement, you’ll likely start by finding a quiet and comfortable space where the attunement can take place.
The Reiki master will then explain the attunement process and what it involves. They may discuss the principles and history of Reiki and begin with a short meditation or grounding exercise.
The actual attunement process is a brief ceremony where the Reiki Master will place their hands on or near your head, shoulders, and hands.
They will then channel the Reiki energy to open and align your energy centers (chakras) to the Reiki energy.
Masters also emphasize that it’s required to practice and train yourself in this level for the next level (level 2).
Reiki Level 2: The 2nd Degree (Okuden)
Reiki level 2 is where practice and implementation are emphasized, therefore masters sometimes call it the practitioner level.
In this level, you learn sacred Reiki symbols and mantras that enhance the power and focus of Reiki energy. These symbols are like keys that unlock specific healing energies.
These symbols include:
- Cho Ku Rei: This symbol is often called the Power Symbol. Its primary purpose is to focus the flow of Reiki energy.
- Sei He Ki: Also known as the Mental or Emotional Symbol, this symbol is associated with healing emotional and mental issues.
- Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen: This is the Distance Healing Symbol. Where practitioners use it to send Reiki energy across time and space.
- Dai ko myo: It’s considered as the Master Symbol. Dai Ko Myo is a strong connection to the divine.
- Raku: It seems and is considered as The Fire Serpent which lets your body gain the perk of reiki healing.
Practitioners utilize such symbols to allow universal life force energy to come across them and enhance their healing and spiritual abilities.
What happens during the Reiki Level 2:
After you come through level 1, you’ll need to have a calm and quiet space for the attunement as before.
Your Reiki master may review the principles and practices you learned in Level 1 to ensure a solid understanding.
Further, you’ll learn the core of level 2, which is the introduction of sacred symbols used in Reiki, where you know about the meanings and how to draw and use them.
In the first attunement, Masters will lead you to open your heart chakra, which is situated in the center of the chest, near the heart.
As it’s an advanced level above, you will need to be patient and let it take from 6 months to a year.
This is recommended by many masters to have a deep sense of understanding and skill in level 2 and also for the next level.
Reiki Master Level 3: The 3rd Degree (Shinpiden)
This is going to be the last but the most profound level of Reiki. If you accomplish this level, you’ll be capable of teaching others about reiki healing and becoming a master reiki.
You receive a special attunement that deepens your connection to the Reiki energy and allows you to attune others to Reiki (teach Reiki to others).
This level is associated with many advanced techniques and insights into Reiki healing that can help you work on complex issues and profound healing.
Due to having a wide range of techniques, level 3 practitioners are taught to find the direction that suits them the most because you can only become a master If you do what’s viable for you in the long term.
What happens during the Reiki Level 3:
First of all, it’s required to create a harmonious environment before beginning the practice.
The 3rd level’s attunement often starts with a short meditation or relaxation exercise. This helps you and the Reiki master to become centered and open to the Reiki energy.
During the attunement, you might experience various sensations, such as warmth, tingling, or a deep sense of peace, which vary from person to person.
Since becoming a master is the main focus of this level, your training will include instruction on how to teach Reiki to others and how to conduct attunements for your students.
In case you are curious to look at what advanced techniques are associated with this level, Here are some common techniques I found from my research:
- Aura Clearing and Balancing: You’ll learn how to sense and balance the energy in a person’s aura, which is the subtle energy field that surrounds your physical body.
- Chakra Balancing and Activation: You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the chakras (energy centers) and learn advanced methods to clear, balance, and activate them.
- Manifestation Techniques: Reiki level 3 often includes using Reiki energy for manifestation and setting positive intentions for personal growth and healing.
After completing the attunement and training, there’s typically a discussion where you can ask questions and discuss your experiences.
And if your master is satisfied with your skills, you’ll receive a Reiki Level 3 certificate for completion of this level.
You won’t try to forget the next part.
Which Level Of Reiki is For You
The answer to this question lies within yourself and your personal goals, experience, and commitment to practice.
However, I will try to give your answer in three ways by explaining the important reason why someone prefers level 1, level 2, or level 3.
Reiki level 1 is a starting point for beginners, as it introduces you to the foundation and techniques of Reiki. Put simply, if you are interested in self-healing and basic energy work, you should prefer the first level.
Further, if you feel drawn to Reiki and want to deepen your understanding and healing abilities, getting started with level 2 can be a feasible step for you.
Finally, Reiki level 3, the Master level, is for those who have a strong dedication to Reiki and aspire to teach and attune others.
Conclusion
Ultimately, I have put my understanding and analysis about the different levels of Reiki, in front of you.
The statement I included above is not necessarily important to follow. If you want to know which level is for you, I highly recommend consulting with an experienced Reiki master.
Each level has its importance and requirements that you must make sure of, before participating in them.
Now, which level are you going to choose? Comment below.