Copyright 2020 by Rockridge Press, Emeryville, California
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, Rockridge Press, 6005 Shellmound Street, Suite 175, Emeryville, CA 94608.
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: The Publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with the understanding that the Publisher is not engaged in rendering medical, legal, or other professional advice or services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Neither the Publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. The fact that an individual, organization, or website is referred to in this work as a citation and/or potential source of further information does not mean that the author or the Publisher endorses the information the individual, organization, or website may provide or recommendations they/it may make. Further, readers should be aware that websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read.
For general information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please contact our Customer Care Department within the United States at (866) 744-2665, or outside the United States at (510) 253-0500.
Rockridge Press publishes its books in a variety of electronic and print formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books, and vice versa.
TRADEMARKS: Rockridge Press and the Rockridge Press logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Callisto Media Inc. and/ or its affiliates, in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Rockridge Press is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
Interior and Designer: Richard Tapp
Art Producer: Janice Ackerman
Editor: Andrea Leptinsky
Production Editor: Ruth Sakata Corley
Illustration: 2020 Amanda Len
Photo: 2020 Tristan David Luciotti
ISBN: Print 978-1-64739-819-4
eBook 978-1-64739-494-3
R0
For all my Reiki students and healing partners.
Contents
Reiki exists in abundance all around us, and everyone and everything can benefit from its warm, unconditionally loving, generous energy. Ive taught and attuned hundreds of Reiki practitioners and channeled Reiki both hands-on and at a distance to thousands. It is one of my greatest joys to watch another connect with the Reiki energy and realize what a powerful tool it is to create energetic resonance and bring balance to our lives.
I originally studied Usui Ryoho Reiki because I had been interested in studying Reiki for years, and its what was available to me in my small Pacific Northwest town. I have studied many other forms of Reiki since my initiation into this healing art, but I always return to my roots of Usui Ryoho Reiki because of its simplicity, easy-to-follow system, and powerful love energy that it imparts to all who practice and receive it.
When my sensei, Howard, first taught me to channel Reiki energy many years ago, I had no idea what a major part of my life Reiki healing would become. I am now a Reiki Master-Teacher, and Reiki flows through me like blood flows through my veins. It is a practice I engage in daily, and virtually no aspect of my life remains untouched by Reiki energy.
When I travel, I send my dogs Reiki energy so they can feel its calming presence while Im away. When friends and family experience any type of energetic disturbances of a physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or situational nature, I ask if I can send them healing energy to support them in their lifes journey. When difficult circumstances arise in the world, I send Reiki energy to the people involved, as well as to the planet, to provide energetic support.
In the morning when I wake, I reflect on the Reiki principles ( ). When I meditate, I combine meditation with self-Reiki. I channel Reiki energy to my car every time I get into it to help it continue running well. I channel Reiki energy to my food, water, plants, pets, friends and family, home, and energy healing tools (such as crystals and singing bowls), as well as to the electronics I use and the world at large. Then, each night before I go to sleep, I reflect on the Reiki principles again. Finally, I fall asleep with my hands on my heart, channeling Reiki and love energy so they fill me as I sleep.
Although Reiki is ancient, universal energy that is accessible to everyone and everything, not everyone is aware it exists, nor do they avail themselves of its intelligent warmth. I believe the world needs Reiki and the loving, healing energy it provides now more than ever as we move into and through difficult times. Therefore, Ive made it one of my missions in life to make Reiki accessible to those who want to learn to work with its energy.
This book, then, is part of that ongoing mission. It is intended to serve as a guide for people who wish to learn to channel Reiki themselves, whether for personal enrichment or to support the energetic harmony of all that inhabit this planet. This book can also serve as a resource for instructors who wish to teach Reiki, as well as for people who are curious about Reiki energy and simply wish to learn more. And, although working with Reiki energy requires an attunement from a Reiki Master-Teacher to channel it, this book will tell you everything you need to know so that when you are ready to be attuned to this beautiful and beneficial healing energy, you will receive your attunement with the knowledge of what Reiki is, how it works, and what you need to do to channel it to serve the greatest good of all involved.
I practice and teach Usui Ryoho Reiki, the Wests primary system of Reiki healing since the 1940s. In Usui Ryoho Reiki, practitioners typically start their journey through the three degrees of Reiki healing by learning and receiving attunement to First Degree Reiki, something I often refer to as hands-on or friends and family Reiki. Its a gentle, intelligent, loving form of healing touch that can benefit anyone who chooses to draw it into their bodies when a Reiki practitioner places their hands upon them to channel the energy.
In this section, well discuss everything you need to know to become a First Degree Reiki practitioner, including the history of Usui Ryoho Reiki, the hows and whys of Reiki energy, and the basics of channeling the energy through a series of hand positions. To channel all degrees of Reiki energy (First Degree, Second Degree, and Reiki Master-Teacher), you must be attuned to that degree of energy by a Reiki Master. This section contains all the information youll need to understand the nuances of First Degree Reiki. Once youve finished this section, youll only need to find a Reiki Master-Teacher to provide the attunement (see the to find a Reiki Master-Teacher), and youll become part of a wide network of healers sharing Reiki with the world.