Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing art unlike any other. Passed down through the generations by Reiki masters, Reiki involves no physical touch. Instead, practitioners lay their hands over the body and use energy healing techniques to balance the energy field and clear blockages. But most people don’t understand the ins and outs of Reiki – like a process called Reiki attunement.

Let’s explore what Reiki attunement is, its benefits, and what you can expect when receiving attunement.

What is Reiki attunement?

Reiki masters and teachers explain Reiki attunement as a process that transforms a person into a “vessel” to receive and transmit universal life force energy. It sets Reiki healing apart from other modalities of energy healing.

During the attunement process, a trained Reiki master opens the chakras – or energy centres – in your body, allowing healing energy to flow unhindered. It happens during a Reiju (Ray-joo) ceremony, part of Reiki training.

People who go through attunement describe it as a spiritual experience.

Why is attunement required?

According to Reiki, we are all energetic beings with energy – known as “qi” or qi energy – that flows through meridians in our bodies. It is your life force. Unfortunately, your energy field is heavily affected by your lifestyle and the environment. It’s susceptible to blockages from stress and unwanted energies.

Reiki attunement removes these blockages and opens your energy channels and chakras. It matches your energy frequency with the frequency of the universe and protects you from negative influences.

If you become a Reiki practitioner, you must undergo this process to sensitise your innate intuition and awareness. But you don’t need to be a reiki practitioner to go through Reiki attunement!

How does the Reiki attunement process work?

A Reiki attunement is a sacred experience guided by a Reiki master and teacher, usually in a small group of students.

Here is a summary of what you can expect:

• Preparation: You are led through a meditation exercise using relaxing music, breathing, and visualisation to enter a deep state of relaxation. This makes you more receptive to the process.
• Opening your energy field: The Reiki master walks up to you, opening your palms and sending energy into your hands. This makes you more sensitive to giving and receiving energy healing.
• Imprinting: The teacher imprints the Reiki healing symbols into your energy field by drawing the sacred symbols onto each of your chakras with their hands. There are five Reiki symbols representing a different “pattern” of energy.

People who experience attunement for reiki healing swear by its effects on mental, emotional, and physical health.

How long does attunement last?

Reiki attunement sounds like a long process, but it’s short and sweet. It lasts less than 15 minutes. And it doesn’t wear off – once you’ve experienced an attunement, your ability to channel Reiki energy is with you for life!

Can I have an attunement from a distance?

Reiki attunement is a powerful process that requires focus and quiet. So, it’s advisable to receive a attunement in person with a Reiki master. However, if this is not possible, you can arrange to have a distance attunement if you have a quiet space to enter meditation.

How should I prepare for an attunement?

Some people prepare for attunement by eliminating caffeine, alcohol, animal products, sugar, and junk food for a few days. They may also avoid TV and social media and spend more time meditating and being contemplative. The idea is to remove stress and negative energy from your environment, making you more susceptible to attunement.

How will I feel after Reiki attunement?

Every person has a different experience after an attunement. It’s common to feel lightness, tingling from head to toe, deep peace, dizziness, more energy, a greater connection with yourself and others – and everything in-between! Colours may seem brighter, emotions heightened, and sounds sharper. However, if you don’t feel any of these shifts, it doesn’t mean the attunement hasn’t worked.

You’re encouraged to drink water, rest, and eat well after the process as your body and mind adjust.

Closing thoughts

We hope this has made you feel more prepared for the attunement process.

With the help of a trusted Reiki master, this process gives you access to the universal life force energy that you carry with you forever. All it requires is an open mind and a willingness to heal!