"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and science.
He to whom this emotion is a stranger,
who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe,

 is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."
Albert Einstein.

What is a Reiki Attunement? 

Reiki practitioners are said to be "attuned" to the Reiki energy. The "attunement" is similar to helping someone tune in a radio station, but in the case of Reiki it allows the student to "tune in" more efficiently to using Reiki energy. Everyone is to some degree attuned to the same energies used within Reiki. Teaching Reiki Masters give initiations to better connect each student with the energy channels and to ensure that energy passed through will not be from the student's own reserves. Teaching Reiki Masters go through considerable training to learn how to make efficient "attunement" as well as how to impart the Reiki teachings. After each attunement students are given a series of exercises for twenty-one days or longer to ensure those students are from then on permanently attached to the Reiki Energy they learn. 

What is the difference between attunement and initiation? 

An attunement is an individual energetic transfer of energy. Initiation refers to the whole process, including oral instructions. In the first Reiki degree for example, four attunement and the instructions for the use of Reiki make the initiation complete. 

What happens in a Reiki initiation? 

The initiation into Reiki reminds you in both very subtle and very powerful way of your innermost energetic nature. It is not that the Reiki teacher opens your internal channel- this channel is open in each and every one of us already. If it were closed we would not be able to live. 

Our greatest shortcoming is unawareness. And with the Reiki initiation our attention is drawn to the energetic aspects of consciousness. Take a moment to contemplate this and let’s try out a little experiment: focus your attention on the tip of your nose for a few moments. You will suddenly feel it, as if it had not been there before! But the truth is that you were simply not aware of it before, it has been there as long as you are! The same is true for the energy that runs in our bodies: the moment we become aware of it, it begins to be felt. 

The more attention we give it, the more we feel it. The more we feel it the more we connect to the energy that surrounds us. And in this circle of energy we realize the one-ness with all beings, sentient and insentient. 

Remember that a Reiki initiation will not instantly turn you into a more spiritual being. Reiki is not a magic pill; you still have to do the work yourself. And enjoy it too! 

Who can Learn Reiki by distant attunement technique? 

Everyone! - How is this possible? Because Reiki is not learned in the traditional way we understand learning. The ability to work with Reiki is transferred to you by a Reiki Master during an initiation ceremony. Everything is done for you. All you have to do to experience the magic… is to bring the desire. 

What should I do after an attunement? 

 It is very important to do reiki either on yourself or another person immediately after receiving the attunement. This gets the energy flowing. It is also important that you do reiki every day for the next few weeks to strengthen the connection and get the energy flowing smoothly.  

What are the effects of attunement? 

Attunement are the very core of the Usui method of natural healing that makes this system unique from other systems of healing.  Universal life force energy flows through every living thing.  However, through a series of initiations, a Reiki Master will transmit this energy in an amplified state to the student, thus opening a channel within them through which the energy can flow in its purest form.   

The attunement is very precise and can only be transmitted by a Reiki Master, who has been trained to carry them out.  The levels or degrees have been designed around the attunement and an individual’s ability to take on the energy amplification received in the initiation. 

The attunement will affect each person very differently, depending upon your vibratory level at the time you receive them.  The energy moves into the body in a clockwise spiralling movement and begins to move us into the next level of our evolution.  Consequently, if you have for example, spent considerable time and energy on your personal development through inner work prior to the attunement, you are more likely to move up your spiral of development quickly and notice a quantum leap in your awareness following the attunement.   

If you have done very little or no work on yourself, then the consequent development and expansion of your consciousness may be much more subtle and assist you in moving through your changes at a much gentler pace.  In short, the expansion of energy will be relative to the level you start at.  An important consideration to bear in mind here is that you can continue to increase your vibratory level after the attunement by simply using the energy regularly. 

There is no limit to the amount of attunement you can receive. Your Reiki can improve by receiving additional attunement for the same level you already have.  Even though you need only one attunement to have Reiki for the rest of your life, extra attunement for the same level you have will further refine and strengthen your Reiki.   

Attunement Issues and Concerns 

Here are some notes about attunements in no particular order. These are practices that you can do during attunements that you may be led to do, or issues regarding the process.
   

1. Do the principles before starting.  Say them several times.  Have the person say them with you.  They remind us, to "not worry", to do our work with appreciation, to be grateful and humble.  It is a wonderful way to begin.  

2. All attunements are unique. They are individual. Sometimes you will have feelings to do something or another that might not be in the "script". Trust your intuition and do them.  

3. It is the energy that you share.  The symbols set the intent and mindfulness.  

4. Some teach that if you feel blockages or the hands not heating up, you can place the person's finger tips against your palm and send the energy up to the heart, or blow up from palm to heart to open the channel.  

5. Some like to use the Raku Symbol after attunements to "disconnect" from the other person, or make sure to "mentally" disconnect from the other person by intent.  

6. Remember that Intent is the key for a "perfect attunement". You are just a channel, sharing the oneness of reiki with the recipient.  You cannot mess up! Forgetting a step or action is not going to matter. The reiki source will make sure that it is right and trust that it will.  

7. When you finish giving an attunement, it is likely that you will feel exhilarated. You should not feel drained. Make sure you separate yourself from all expectations. Do the attunement with the intent that the person be perfectly attuned to Reiki. Let the Reiki do the work. Do not strain, or try to put your own energy into the process. Do not use your energy; let the Reiki do the work. It has been my experience that when people first do attunements, that they tend to be concerned that they will do it "right" or that it won't work.  Some may feel the need to prove it works when they first attune others.  My suggestion is to keep your intent clear.  It is also my experience that when people try to make sure it works, they tend to push and thus push their own energy.  Stay in the moment, attention on the attunement.  The symbols help you keep mindfulness.  

8. The easiest way to perform the attunement is for the student to sit on a chair with their feet on the floor. Have the students held their hands with palms together at chest height (namaste or Gassho (lotus) position), and tell and show them where you will touch and what you will do with their hands.  

9. You can do the Attunements without symbols.  Only attempt this if you have sufficient experience with the energy and with doing attunements.  The empowerment that Usui used was called Reiju and was a symbol-less attunement.  The level one attunement of the Alliance that I was taught is done without symbols.  Usui's reiju is done without symbols.  

10. Do not use your own energy.  We do this when we are attached to outcome.  When we worry if we are doing it "right", when we bother and worry that it won't work, that people will be disappointed in the result, we are attached to the outcome. People who want to ensure that the attunement "takes" or "works" are likely to push.  This push is not reiki; it is your own energy.  You can deplete yourself doing this.  Detaching from outcome means intending to pass the attunement and then keeping right mindfulness while doing it.  Stay focused totally on what you are doing, moment by moment.