The only way for a student to truly learn Reiki is to be directly initiated into it by a Reiki Master. This initiation is referred to as a Reiki Attunement. There are many different opinions as to how attunements should or can be passed, some schools offer long-distance attunements (in several different forms), some offer video-based attunements and others offer Internet, E-Mail or telephone-based attunements. Except for emergency situations, traditional Reiki has always advocated a direct hands-on attunement process which is generally learned in Level IV (or Level 3 in the West). Here through a rigorous series of gestures and mantras, energy channels are accessed and the ability to channel Reiki is passed from Master to Student.
What should I expect during a Reiki attunement?
The experience of a Reiki attunement varies from student to student but is generally experienced as a gentle wave of relaxation spreading through the body. I’ve had students who have experienced nothing at all, and I’ve had students with extreme reactions. One example of this is one student who couldn’t move her hands for about 10 minutes after the attunement… she said they were just too heavy. Another saw blinding bright purple vortexes swirling around his head during the attunement process. The most severe was one student who broke out in blisters all over several parts of her body the night of the attunement… she went to see a doctor who had no idea what was causing it (his suspicion was food poisoning) but kept her in the hospital overnight for observation and the next day it was completely clear (not a very pleasant experience for her, but obviously something inside needed to get out… and the doctor was baffled). My own most acute experience was that of the sensation of bubbles popping inside of me. Again… for 99% of the people, a Reiki attunement is a very gentle process, but if something more severe happens, not to worry… Reiki has NEVER been reported to do any harm.
When you get an attunement ask your Reiki teacher if they’ve had any interesting experiences in this regard… chances are they haven’t… but you never know unless you ask. 🙂
For further explanation or discussion, your thoughts are most welcome and highly encouraged, please feel free to comment below!!!
