Reiki is simple. Hands on, Reiki on. And then the Reiki Principles. Oh and actually practicing. That’s all there is to it. Don’t worry about anything else.
When you muddy up the Reiki waters with “other” stuff you forget to keep things simple and it causes some of us not to Reiki as often as they probably otherwise would. Some of our teachers like to add so much extra stuff to Reiki that it can be overwhelming, off-putting even.
Here is a list of extras you don’t need to practice self-Reiki or otherwise. Be warned, this list might ruffle some feathers. If the list causes anger to rise I ask you to step back and ask yourself why you had such a reaction.
Now, on with the list of stuff you don’t need to practice Reiki:
You don’t have to be grounded and/or centered to practice self-Reiki. Reiki will help ground and center you. If you feel like you need to be grounded or centered you can set the intention to become grounded and centered during the session. Of course it’s nice to be grounded and centered before starting, but it’s not necessary.
You don’t have to have some kind of protective circle to practice Reiki. Remember the Reiki Principles? One of them is not to worry. Don’t worry about picking up other people’s “stuff” or giving them yours. Don’t worry about anything. If you feel you need to be protected then visually surround yourself with Reiki, but it’s not necessary.
You don’t need to be higher than level 1. Level 1 is all you need to practice Reiki. The key is to practice. It doesn’t matter if you think that level 2 will magically make your Reiki so much more “powerful”. If you don’t practice level 1 what makes you really think you’ll practice level 2? Practice level 1 long enough and you’ll be more “powerful” than a Reiki 2 or higher. Practice is always going to win out. If you’re unsatisfied with Reiki ask yourself how often do you practice self-Reiki. Not often? Then get started instead of looking for the next level or the next class or the next attunement.
You don’t have to be completely healed yourself. No one is going to be 100% healed while they are alive. There is always going to be something to heal from or work on.
The space doesn’t have to be perfect. Sure it’s nice to have a clean space to practice Reiki, but you can always practice self-Reiki wherever you are no matter the circumstances.
You don’t have to know a thing about chakras. In fact, they aren’t even a part of the Reiki system. Over the years teachers have added them. Yes, they are energy and Reiki is too. But you can practice Reiki forever and not know a thing about chakras and still have a really great experience.
You don’t have to be psychic. Sure, Reiki helps open up your abilities, but you don’t have to be psychic to have a great Reiki experience.
You don’t need crystals. I love crystals as much as the next crystal enthusiast, but you don’t need them for Reiki. Crystal grids are great, but not necessary. I do enjoy adding the energies together, but more often than not I prefer to have a plan Reiki session instead of trying to pick out what crystals to use.
You don’t have to know quantum physics. Heck, quantum physicists don’t get it either! So don’t go trying to explain it, it’s not necessary.
There you have it! My list of unnecessary extras to Reiki. All you need for really great Reiki is to practice. Nothing more, nothing less.
Have you come across unnecessary extras that someone has added to Reiki? I’d love to know what I missed!
Article by Sierra Koch
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Sierra Koch is a Reiki Master Teacher whose passion in life is spreading the joy of Reiki. She invites you to learn how to play with your Reiki practice.
Dear Ms. Sierra,
one of the best articles i seen in reiki rays. i would totally agree with all of your points. thank you so much.
Thank you Sreekanth! I’m glad you enjoyed it <3
This is the most sensible article I have ever read!
Agreed Sreekanth, lately there have been some articles have left me concerned about the validity/credibility of the blog.
A lovely read. My reiki master also teaches the same concept. No grounding, no special space, no protection etc. are required. We just need to keep practising.
Wonderful article. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Hemadri! Exactly, just keep practicing 🙂
I believe this,too, Sierra. Thanks and much Love to you.
Thank you nemracor57 🙂
Intention, intention, intention….? Thank you for this article.
Exactly Eykus! Thank you 🙂
Thank you, Sierra. Such a clear-cut that clears out the all the puzzles I have accumulated through the years encountering difference sources of reiki. I love it.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kikihana! Thank you! I know it took me awhile to go through and figure out what is and isn’t Reiki, I call it detangling the strings haha.
Simplicity… thank you! I have been hesitant on lesrning but this helped me build courage to just go for it! Thanks
Kyretica, Reiki is very simple, it’s the discipline to practice that can get hard, but don’t let it discourage you! Find a teacher that resonates with you and go for it 🙂 Thank you!
Hi Sierra, this is so reassuring..all these days I was feeling guilty of not practicing the full routine, fearing I forget the rituals etc and trying to remember so many things and end up doing nothing as it felt overwhelming….if reiki works this way so simple…it is great for people like me. thanks a ton
I’m glad it helped Jaya! Some people do like to add all the rituals and make it super complicated. Reiki is simple, hands on Reiki on and that’s all you have to do <3 Thank you!
I couldn’t agree more! Some get too caught up in Candles, and colours and angels and crystals and prayers and rituals etc etc etc…. but it’s not necessary at all! ? intention is key. Thank you for such a great article xx
Exactly! Intention and practice is everything! Thank you Nicki!
Well said.
Thank you.
Thank you Wendy 🙂
thanks Sierra for sharing simplicity of reiki Actually I hv been taught that self reiki is to give reiki from root chakra to crown chakra Other than this what will be the best generalised intention for self reiki PLZ GUIDE
Hi Nivedita, best generalized intention is to just intend Reiki flows. Place hands in gassho, ask that Reiki flows, and start self-Reiki.
Sierra, great article! Love your keep it simple direction. Intention is everything! In Reiki and life. Love your idea of ghasso and just let Reiki flow. Thanks for a great article.
Raphael not Rachael
Loved this Sierra! ❤
Thanks Justine 🙂 <3
thanks dear ❤️
Sometimes we just need to be reminded….. Great article…
Thank you Patricia 🙂
So happy to read this!! I love simple reiki but felt I should be psychic and develop more skills although something always comes up to move my client on their path whether health or emotions. And the beautiful relaxing feeling during and after is bliss. Thanks for cofirming the simplicity Sierra!!
Glad I could help Kathleen 🙂
Thank you, Sierra! Finally we are coming home to the true Usui Reiki!
Yes! People like to make it too complicated don’t they Kikihana Lee? Thank you 🙂
You are so right — it is too easy to get caught up in all the extra stuff, and forget what is important. Well said!
Exactly! Thank you Melisa! 🙂
Perfect timing lovely. Sometimes we need reminded to keep it simple. I have just attuned my husband He is doing great. Knowing he can make no mistakes builds his confidence..😇😇 my you tube channel is all about keeping it simple and real… spiritualtalk777… enjoyed this. Thanks xxx
Thank you so very much. I haven’t been at this a long time. Reiki feels very right to me. However, I’ve been feeling like an outsider reading of all the Reiki emblishments that I had no idea had anything to do with reiki. Talk of altars and candles and things that sound ‘dark’ to me. I’ve seen tee shirts that seemed to read as against Reiki and I have been fighting not to be put off from this.
So thank you for this article. From my heart.
Beautiful read Sierra…..Thanks a lot…God bless.
Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I have a tendency to over-think and a leaning toward perfectionism. But every time I do a Reiki session I am reminded of how perfect Reiki is all on its own.
Thank you! Long before I acquired reiki level 3, I had an interest, got a book from my local library and started practising on myself. No attunement or influences. I had never felt better, so your article really resonates with me. I love ritual, crystals , etc. , am always learning about reiki, mostly through reiki rays articles which I absolutely love. Your article is so refreshing and motivating. Thank you.
I get lost when they start “calling in” all the energies of everyone & everything from Usui & Tibetan Masters to the Palo Santo trees in South America. If you have guides or angels you work with, great. But you don’t NEED to call in any energy but your own (Reiki) energy. Beings of Light will naturally be drawn to assist you while running Reiki–that’s what I feel during self-treatment and sessions for others. The appropriate guides & assistants always appear when needed and sometimes just to observe & enjoy the Reiki.
Thank you so much for this article. I feel this is the answer to my many doubts. In my heart I believe reiki is simple, positive and helpful only. I was confused of so many advises that make it complicated! Thanks again! I am saving it.
My dear Sierra ..
Simply lived your article . The best & courageous… so as to do away with all the prejudices which few few healers spk about .. I do feel the same way .
Be sincere … honest … surrender to the eternal source in gratitude & let the supreme take care of the rest..
We are just the instruments to IT’S wish .
Love & light .
Loved your article! I do “simple” Reiki every day and am mystified as to why I would need all the other “stuff” when Reiki on it’s own is so effective.
Thank you so much for confirming what I felt. This has given me reassurance. Bless you ❤️
I’m so glad you wrote about this. When ever I see other people posts about feeling this and seeing that, I feel that I must be doing something wrong. And feel inadequate.
Thank you and you are right
The irony and truth is this so-called society has a habit of corrupting/tainting, valuable/useful resources (tangible and intangible). And is too immature to be made aware of the true extreme versatility of Reiki and hasn’t even scratched the surface of its powerful applications, well beyond hands-on healing.
Those of us who are having this human experience (and are not synthetic beings/vril/clones/empty vessels/etc.) also know that we are Spiritual Beings first and foremost, and a Spiritual battle is actually happening
(whether we know it or not or believe it or not) and Reiki is one of many healing and defensive arts that we have been blessed with and it is our responsibility to work with it as it evolves and other healing/defensive arts are activated among us.
very interesting and informative….I am also attuned t0 Reiki Master degree and my experience is really simple things work but sometimes made complicated…liked this article…thank you very much…
Sierra!
Excellent article! Down to the simple concept of Reiki.
Much love and Love!
Ruth
Insightful article. Thank You for sharing it.
Thank you for sharing this. Was the perfect timing for me to see this.
Great article, and to the point! I am an Usui Reiki Master, and a Karuna Ki Master. I took the inexpensive course. Later on I read comments, that unless you studied under Willian Lee Rand, it wasn’t recognized, and it didn’t count! Then I met an spiritual coach, Michael Mirdad whose also a healer. He taught me that regardless of all the gadgets and Reiki methods out there, there is no healing without Devine Intervention! And so it is!
Love and Light!