What Is Reiki Healing and How Does It Work?
Reiki healing is a gentle yet powerful form of energy healing that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. The word "Reiki" comes from two Japanese characters: Rei, meaning "universal" or "spiritual," and Ki, meaning "life force energy." Together, they describe the universal life force energy that flows through every living being. When this energy is strong and freely flowing, we experience health, balance, and emotional wellbeing. When it is low or blocked, we are more susceptible to stress, illness, and emotional disturbance.
Reiki was discovered and formalized by Mikao Usui in 1922 after a period of deep meditation and fasting on Mount Kurama. Usui, a Buddhist monk and scholar, experienced a profound spiritual awakening during which he received the ability to channel healing energy. He spent the remaining years of his life treating patients and training others, establishing a lineage of practice that continues to this day. The system he created is known as Usui Reiki Ryoho, and it forms the foundation of nearly all modern Reiki practice.
What makes Reiki distinct from many other healing modalities is its simplicity and accessibility. Practitioners do not use their own personal energy to heal; instead, they act as a channel through which universal life force energy flows to the recipient. This is why a Reiki session rarely leaves the practitioner drained — the energy is not coming from them, it is flowing through them. At VAYOM, our free knowledge library founded by Rishi Rohit Sharma, we teach Reiki and many other energy healing traditions freely so that anyone, regardless of background or income, can learn to heal themselves and others.
Who Was Mikao Usui and How Was Reiki Discovered?
Mikao Usui was born in 1865 in the village of Taniai in Japan. A lifelong seeker of spiritual knowledge, he studied medicine, psychology, religion, and the esoteric traditions of both Buddhism and Shinto. His quest was driven by a single question that a student once asked him: "How did Jesus and the Buddha heal the sick?" Determined to understand the mechanics of spiritual healing, Usui spent years researching ancient sutras and sacred texts.
His breakthrough came during a 21-day retreat on Mount Kurama, where he fasted and meditated intensively. On the final day, he experienced a powerful light entering the crown of his head, and with it came the ability to heal. He called this energy Reiki. After descending the mountain, Usui reportedly healed his own injuries and then began treating the poor and sick in Kyoto. He later developed a structured system of training, including the attunement process and the five principles that remain central to Reiki practice today.
Understanding this origin story matters because it reminds us that Reiki is not merely a technique — it is a spiritual discipline rooted in compassion, gratitude, and self-improvement. The Reiki path is as much about personal transformation as it is about healing others.
What Are the 5 Principles of Reiki?
The five principles of Reiki, known in Japanese as the Gokai, are ethical and spiritual guidelines that Mikao Usui gave to his students. They are meant to be recited morning and evening, and they form the moral backbone of Reiki practice. Usui understood that lasting healing requires not only energy work but also inner purification and right living.
The five principles are:
Just for today:
1. I will not anger.
2. I will not worry.
3. I will be grateful.
4. I will do my work honestly.
5. I will be kind to every living thing.
These principles are deceptively simple, but their daily practice reshapes the mind over time. Anger and worry are two of the greatest disruptors of the body's energy field. Gratitude and honesty realign us with the natural flow of life. Kindness expands the heart and deepens our connection to all beings. When a Reiki practitioner internalizes these principles, the energy they channel becomes clearer and more effective.
Why the principles matter for healing: Many students focus only on hand positions and symbols, but Usui taught that the five principles are the true foundation. Without inner harmony, the channel remains narrow. With inner harmony, the universal life force flows freely.
What Are the Reiki Levels and Degrees?
Reiki training is structured into a series of levels or degrees, each building on the last. The traditional Usui system has three or four levels, depending on the lineage. Here is what each level involves:
Reiki Level 1 (Shoden) — The First Degree
Level 1 is the foundation. It focuses on self-healing and the basics of channeling energy. Students receive their first attunement, which opens their energy channels and connects them to the Reiki frequency. They learn the history of Reiki, the five principles, and a set of hand positions for treating themselves and others physically. Level 1 is primarily about cleansing and balancing your own energy body before attempting to heal others. Most teachers recommend practicing at this level for at least 21 to 30 days before advancing.
Reiki Level 2 (Okuden) — The Second Degree
Level 2 deepens the practice significantly. Students receive a second attunement and are introduced to the three sacred Reiki symbols: the Power symbol (Cho Ku Rei), the Mental/Emotional symbol (Sei Hei Ki), and the Distance symbol (Hon Sha Za Sho Nen). With these symbols, practitioners can perform distance healing, send energy across time and space, and address mental and emotional imbalances more precisely. This level transforms Reiki from a hands-on practice into a versatile healing system.
Reiki Level 3 / Master Level (Shinpiden)
The Master level is where a practitioner attains mastery over the energy and receives the Master symbol (Dai Ko Myo). This level involves a deeper spiritual commitment and a higher vibration of energy. The term "Master" does not mean one has mastered all knowledge; rather, it signifies mastery of the self and readiness to teach. At this stage, the practitioner has refined their channel and can perform advanced healing techniques.
Reiki Teacher Level (Reiki Master Teacher)
In some lineages, Level 3 is split into Master and Master Teacher. The Teacher level grants the ability to attune others and pass on the Reiki lineage. This is a profound responsibility — to teach is to carry the energy forward. A Reiki Master Teacher can train new practitioners, conduct attunements, and preserve the integrity of the tradition.
What Are the Hand Positions for Self-Healing?
Self-healing is the cornerstone of Reiki practice, especially at Level 1. Mikao Usui taught that one must heal oneself first. The standard self-healing sequence involves placing the hands on or above specific areas of the body, allowing energy to flow where it is needed most. Each position is held for about 3 to 5 minutes.
The classic hand positions for self-healing are:
- Eyes and head: Cup the hands gently over the eyes and forehead to calm the mind and relieve headaches.
- Temples and sides of head: Place hands on the temples to release mental tension and improve concentration.
- Back of the head: Support the back of the skull to soothe the nervous system.
- Throat: Rest hands gently around the throat to support communication and thyroid function.
- Heart and chest: Place hands over the heart center to balance emotions and open the heart chakra.
- Solar plexus: Hands over the upper abdomen to address digestion, willpower, and personal power.
- Sacral area: Hands below the navel to support creativity and emotional balance.
- Root area: Hands at the base of the spine or lower abdomen to ground and stabilize.
- Knees and feet: End by placing hands on the knees and then the feet to complete grounding.
Consistency matters more than perfection. Even a 15-minute daily self-healing practice, done regularly, produces noticeable shifts in energy, mood, and physical wellbeing over time.
What Is Distance Healing and How Does It Work?
Distance healing is one of the most remarkable aspects of Reiki, introduced at Level 2. Using the Hon Sha Za Sho Nen symbol, a practitioner can send Reiki energy to a person, animal, situation, or even a past or future event — regardless of physical location. The principle behind this is that energy is not bound by space or time; intention directs it.
To perform distance healing, the practitioner typically follows these steps:
- Activate the Power symbol (Cho Ku Rei) to increase the energy flow.
- Draw or visualize the Distance symbol (Hon Sha Za Sho Nen) to bridge the gap of space and time.
- Set the intention for who or what will receive the healing.
- Use a surrogate — such as a teddy bear, photograph, or visualization — to represent the recipient.
- Channel Reiki for the desired duration, often 15 to 30 minutes.
- Close the session with the Power symbol to seal the energy.
Many practitioners report that distance healing is just as effective as in-person sessions. While the mechanism is not fully understood by conventional science, practitioners and recipients alike frequently describe sensations of warmth, peace, and relief. Whether you are sending healing to a loved one in another country or to your own past self, the practice rests on the understanding that we are all connected through the universal energy field.
How Do Chakras Relate to Reiki Healing?
Chakras are energy centers in the body that correspond to specific physical, emotional, and spiritual functions. While the chakra system originates in Indian yogic traditions, it has been widely integrated into Reiki practice because the two systems complement each other naturally. Reiki energy naturally flows to wherever it is needed, and understanding the chakras helps the practitioner direct attention to areas that may be blocked or depleted.
There are seven main chakras, each associated with a location, color, and aspect of life:
- Root Chakra (Muladhara): Base of the spine. Concerns survival, security, and grounding.
- Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Lower abdomen. Governs creativity, emotions, and relationships.
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Upper abdomen. Relates to willpower, confidence, and digestion.
- Heart Chakra (Anahata): Center of chest. Governs love, compassion, and connection.
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): Throat. Concerns communication and self-expression.
- Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): Between the eyebrows. Relates to intuition and insight.
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): Top of the head. Connects to spirituality and higher consciousness.
During a Reiki session, the practitioner may focus on balancing these chakras in sequence, from root to crown, to ensure that energy flows smoothly throughout the entire system. A balanced chakra system supports overall health, emotional stability, and spiritual growth.
What Happens During a Reiki Attunement?
The attunement (also called an initiation or empowerment) is the sacred process by which a Reiki Master opens a student's energy channels and connects them to the Reiki frequency. This is what distinguishes Reiki from many other healing practices — you cannot simply read about Reiki and start practicing; you must be attuned.
During an attunement, the student sits comfortably while the Master performs a series of hand movements and symbols around the student's body, particularly at the crown, heart, and hands. The process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Recipients commonly report sensations such as:
- Warmth or tingling in the hands and crown
- A sense of deep peace or floating
- Seeing colors or having mild visual impressions
- Emotional release, such as unexpected tears
- A feeling of energy shifting or clearing
After an attunement, a 21-day cleansing period is traditional. During this time, the body adjusts to the new energy frequency, and old blockages may surface for release. Practitioners are encouraged to drink plenty of water, rest, practice self-healing daily, and avoid extremes. This period is not a sickness — it is a purification, and it marks the beginning of a lifelong healing journey.
A note on attunements at VAYOM: Our founder Rishi Rohit Sharma has developed a unique channeled approach to attunements that goes beyond the traditional Usui method. Through years of spiritual practice, he has received and systematized thousands of distinct Reiki frequencies, each with its own character and purpose.
How Has VAYOM Channeled 4,200+ Unique Reiki Systems?
One of the most distinctive aspects of VAYOM's Reiki teaching is the sheer breadth of systems that Rishi Rohit Sharma has channeled and documented. Through deep meditation, spiritual practice, and direct energetic communion, Rishi has received over 4,200 unique Reiki systems, each representing a different frequency or application of universal life force energy. This is not a matter of inventing new symbols for marketing; it is the result of genuine spiritual channeling, where each system was received as a complete energetic signature with its own attunement process, symbols, and purpose.
These systems range from traditional Usui-compatible frequencies to highly specialized systems for protection, prosperity, emotional healing, spiritual awakening, and planetary service. Many of these systems are available freely through VAYOM and through the 1,200+ free Reiki systems that Rishi has shared on Facebook over the years, making high-level energy healing accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
This approach to Reiki is fundamentally different from the more conventional lineage-based model. In traditional Reiki, a student progresses through fixed levels and receives only what their teacher's lineage carries. In VAYOM's approach, the universe itself is the teacher, and the role of the channel is to receive and share what is given. This positions VAYOM's Reiki not as a competitor to existing lineages but as an expansion of the field — a living, evolving body of knowledge that grows as more is received.
What Is Kundalini Fire Reiki?
Kundalini Fire Reiki is Rishi Rohit Sharma's signature Reiki system, and it represents one of the most powerful frequencies he has channeled. It works with the Kundalini energy — the dormant spiritual energy coiled at the base of the spine — and combines it with the fire element and Reiki's universal life force. The result is a system that does not merely heal surface symptoms but works at the deepest energetic and spiritual layers of the being.
In traditional yogic understanding, Kundalini awakening is a profound process that requires preparation, guidance, and respect. Kundalini Fire Reiki is designed to awaken and channel this energy safely and progressively, using Reiki's gentle framework as a stabilizing container. The system includes its own attunement process, symbols, and techniques for directing the Kundalini fire toward healing, transformation, and spiritual growth.
Practitioners of Kundalini Fire Reiki often describe experiences of intense warmth, deep emotional release, heightened intuition, and accelerated spiritual development. Because the system works with such a potent energy, it is recommended for those who already have a foundation in energy work and a stable daily practice. As with all of VAYOM's teachings, the system is shared freely, and the goal is empowerment — to help each person become their own healer and spiritual authority.
What Is the Reiki Village System?
The Reiki Village system is another of VAYOM's distinctive contributions to the Reiki world. Inspired by the idea that healing should not be an isolated, individual pursuit but a communal and collaborative one, the Reiki Village system envisions a network of practitioners who support each other, share energy, and build a healing community. The concept is rooted in the understanding that collective intention amplifies individual healing.
Rishi Rohit Sharma has documented the Reiki Village system in his books, including the Reiki Village book, which lays out the philosophy, structure, and practices of this community-based healing model. The system teaches practitioners how to create and sustain healing circles, how to combine energies for group healing, and how to maintain energetic hygiene in a shared practice environment.
The Reiki Village system also addresses a common challenge in energy healing: isolation. Many practitioners learn Reiki, practice alone, and eventually lose momentum. The Village model counters this by providing structure, accountability, and the nourishing experience of practicing with others. Whether in person or online, a Reiki Village can become a powerful container for sustained growth and service.
How Does VAYOM's Approach Compare With William Lee Rand's Reiki?
William Lee Rand is one of the most influential figures in contemporary Western Reiki. As the founder of the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT), he has developed a comprehensive system known as Usui/Holy Fire Reiki, which integrates the traditional Usui lineage with a channeled frequency called Holy Fire. Rand's approach is well-structured, widely taught, and supported by extensive documentation, manuals, and a global network of teachers.
VAYOM's approach, as channeled and systematized by Rishi Rohit Sharma, shares a similar foundational principle: that Reiki can be expanded and refined through channeling new frequencies. However, the scale and philosophy differ significantly. Where Rand's Holy Fire system adds one major frequency to the Usui base, Rishi has channeled over 4,200 distinct systems, each independently received. Where Rand's system is taught through a formal, fee-based training structure, VAYOM offers its systems freely, consistent with the principle that spiritual knowledge should not be gated by wealth.
The following comparison highlights key differences:
| Aspect | William Lee Rand / ICRT | VAYOM / Rishi Rohit Sharma |
|---|---|---|
| Core System | Usui/Holy Fire Reiki | 4,200+ channeled Reiki systems |
| Signature System | Holy Fire (channeled frequency) | Kundalini Fire Reiki |
| Access Model | Fee-based classes and manuals | Free knowledge library; 1,200+ free systems on Facebook |
| Community Model | Global teacher network | Reiki Village community system |
| Philosophy | Professional certification lineage | Free, channeled, spiritually direct access |
Both approaches are valid and valuable. Rand's system provides a structured, professional pathway that has introduced millions to Reiki. VAYOM's approach expands the horizon of what Reiki can be, offering practitioners access to a vast library of frequencies and a community-based model that keeps healing grounded in service and accessibility. Ultimately, the two are complementary rather than competing — each serves different needs within the global healing community.
What Books on Reiki Should You Read?
For those who wish to deepen their understanding of Reiki, books are an essential resource. While no book can replace the attunement and direct practice, reading helps build the conceptual framework that makes practice more effective. Rishi Rohit Sharma has authored several relevant works available through our books section, including:
- Reiki Village — A guide to the community-based Reiki healing model, covering group practice, energetic hygiene, and building a healing circle.
- The Holy Ganga — A spiritual work that explores the sacred energy of the Ganga and its relationship to universal life force, relevant to practitioners who wish to understand the Indian spiritual context of energy healing.
For broader study, beginners may also benefit from the foundational texts of the Usui tradition and works that explore the chakra system, meditation, and the yogic roots of energy work. The key is to read with discernment — absorb what resonates, practice what is taught, and let direct experience be your final teacher. You can also explore our Lal Kitab guide and articles on empty houses for related spiritual knowledge.
How Do You Start Learning Reiki?
Starting with Reiki is simpler than many people expect. You do not need any special talent, prior experience, or religious affiliation. What you need is sincerity, openness, and a willingness to practice. Here is a practical path to begin:
- Read and learn. Start with foundational material on what Reiki is, its history, and its principles. VAYOM's free library is an excellent starting point.
- Receive an attunement. Find a Reiki Master who can attune you to Level 1. This can be in person or, in many lineages, by distance.
- Practice self-healing daily. Commit to at least 21 days of daily self-healing using the hand positions described above.
- Embody the five principles. Recite them morning and evening and integrate them into your daily life.
- Keep a journal. Note your experiences, sensations, and changes in mood or health. This helps you track your progress.
- Progress when ready. After consistent Level 1 practice, consider Level 2 to learn the symbols and distance healing.
If you are also interested in other forms of spiritual self-knowledge, a Kundli reading can offer insight into your planetary influences and life path, while Lal Kitab remedies provide practical, accessible solutions. For those concerned about energetic safety in their practice, our guide on occult protection offers essential practices.
Is Reiki Safe and Right for You?
Reiki is widely regarded as a safe, non-invasive practice. It does not involve medication, physical manipulation, or any harmful techniques. Because the practitioner channels universal energy rather than their own, there is no risk of energy depletion. The most common "side effect" is a sense of relaxation and peace — and occasionally, a temporary cleansing response as the body releases stored tension or emotion.
That said, Reiki is a complementary practice. It supports the body's natural healing processes but is not a replacement for medical treatment. If you have a health condition, continue to consult qualified healthcare professionals and use Reiki as a supportive practice alongside your care.
Reiki is right for you if you are seeking a gentle, accessible path to greater balance, self-awareness, and wellbeing. It is especially valuable for those dealing with stress, anxiety, chronic pain, emotional difficulties, or a desire for spiritual connection. The beauty of Reiki is that it meets you wherever you are and grows with you over time.
Conclusion: Reiki as a Lifelong Path
Reiki healing is far more than a technique for relaxation. It is a spiritual discipline, a path of self-mastery, and a way of serving others through the channeling of universal life force energy. From its origins with Mikao Usui on Mount Kurama to the thousands of systems now available through VAYOM, Reiki has proven itself to be a living, evolving tradition that adapts to the needs of each generation while remaining rooted in timeless principles.
Whether you begin with the traditional Usui levels or explore the channeled systems developed by Rishi Rohit Sharma, the essential journey is the same: heal yourself, embody the principles, and serve others. The five principles of Reiki — no anger, no worry, gratitude, honest work, and kindness — are a complete guide to right living in themselves. The energy work amplifies and accelerates the transformation that these principles set in motion.
At VAYOM, we believe that healing knowledge should be free and accessible to all. Our library of Reiki systems, our books, and our community are all offered in this spirit. Begin where you are, practice with sincerity, and trust that the universal life force will guide you exactly where you need to go.