Reiki

First Degree Workshop Manual

M. Sean Miles Dahlen

Reiki Master/Teacher

Introduction to Reiki
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese word that is commonly translated as universal energy (Rei =
universal, Ki = Energy). It is also used to describe the system that enables us to
access this energy for healing and other purposes. Reiki energy is different from
the energy used in other systems. It is not bio-energy or Prana that is used, but
rather it is a non-polarized energy form with a definite consciousness and a
presence.
First Degree Reiki is primarily a hands-on healing system. It differs from other healing
systems in several ways. Unlike many other systems, it is not your energy that you are
using; you are simply a channel for the Reiki energy. Additionally, while most other
healing systems are used for healing others, the Reiki can also be used for self-healing
and personal growth.
The beauty of Reiki is both its power and simplicity. You dont need any special
knowledge, skills, or ability. All you need is the intention to channel the healing energy
and it flows through your hands. Intention is the key to Reiki!
The Reiki Attunement
You dont learn Reiki in the traditional sense, but rather you are attuned to it by a Reiki
master/teacher. The attunement process may be likened to tuning a radio to a particular
station. In our natural state, most of us are not tuned to the relevant frequency to access
Reiki energy. The Reiki attunement adjusts us so that we receive the energy clearly.
Another analogy is that of a tube or channel through which energy flows; the Reiki
attunement expands the tube allowing the energy to flow more freely. The idea of an
attunement increasing the flow of energy is supported by many healers who have used
other systems of energy healing prior to being attuned to Reiki. Many report that after the
attunement they feel the energy flow much more strongly and distinctly.
It is said that an attunement increases the vibratory rate of the energy field of the body.
One effect of this is that it clears out mental/emotional blockages and other impurities
from the physical, mental, and emotional bodies. In First Degree Reiki, this effect is
thought to be at a physical level, which can result in a purification process as the body
expels negative energy. This purification process can appear as minor illness of short
duration. This can take various forms such as a slight fever, headache, aches, pains,
nausea, etc. In the higher level attunements of Second and third Degree Reiki, the
purification tends to be more in the form of mental/emotional purification, although all
forms of purification can occur at any level. Many students do not experience
purification, but if you do, remember that it is only temporary and will pass quickly. If it
does occur, it will begin during the first few days following attunement. Any reaction that
does follow is simply your bodys attempt to rid itself of unwanted junk. Remember that
to purify means to make pure.

Experiencing Reiki Energy

People experience Reiki in many ways. For some, it may be a profound radiance
spreading through the body. For others, it may be a warm or cool sensation, a tingling, a
wave of energy, a sense of deep all-pervading calm, or simply a feeling of deep
relaxation.
Reiki works to deeply relax the body and relieve deep-seated stress, often producing
pronounced reduction in the symptoms of illness, and in some cases, spontaneous
healing. Reiki works on the physical, emotional, and mental levels of our being.
Where did Reiki come from?
Reiki was rediscovered in the 19th century by a Dr. Mikao Usui, a
Japanese Buddhist healer. He found the key to the Reiki healing in an
ancient Tibetan manuscript. He opened his first reiki clinic around 1903
and healed and taught many people until his death in 1926. One of those
he taught was Dr. Hayashi, who opened a clinic in Tokyo. Dr. Hayashi is
credited as the person who brought reiki to the West. He visited a former
patient, a Mrs. Takata, who he trained in the Reiki system. Mrs. Takata
subsequently trained around 20 teachers, and from these Reiki has spread around the
world.
B. How to Use Reiki
Using Reiki to treat yourself
As mentioned above, reiki can be used for your own healing and development. A
traditional Reiki treatment uses a series of hand positions that are designed to apply Reiki
energy to the whole body. Apart from healing specific illnesses or injuries, regular Reiki
treatments promote personal growth and development. You become more relaxed, things
dont seem to bother you as much. And you tend to look at the world in a different way.
Usually a Reiki self-treatment lasts around one hour. However, remember that some
Reiki is better than no Reiki. Even if you just place your hands on your body before you
fall asleep and intend that Reiki flows, then you are giving yourself a Reiki treatment.

Guidelines for Self-Treatment

1. You need to practice Reiki in a place where you can feel relaxed; a place that is quiet,
and you wont be disturbed. If you have some music that you find relaxing, then play it.
Incense or aromatherapy oil can also help to induce a state of relaxation.
2. Remove jewelry from fingers, wrists, and ankles. Also, remove your belt. Jewelry and
belts can often interfere with the flow of subtle energy.
3. Some of the hand positions can become uncomfortable after a while. Use cushions to
support your arms. It is important that you feel perfectly comfortable.
4. Lie down, close your eyes, and be conscious of the contact between your body and the
surface you are lying on. Starting with the contact between your heels and the surface,
move your awareness up your body: your legs, back, shoulders, arms, and head.
5. Bring your awareness to your breathing. Each time you breathe out, completely
exhale, allowing all the air out of your lungs. Do this for a few minutes before you
commence the treatment. Also, if you find it useful, you may focus on the breathing
during the treatment.
6. Move your hands slowly and consciously to the first hand position (hands on the face).
Focus on the flow of energy from your hands.
7. Hand positions are usually held for around 3-5 minutes, but if you feel like moving on
to the next position, then do so. When you move from one hand position to another, do so
slowly and with complete awareness of the movement. This will help to maintain a sense
of calm and relaxation throughout the treatment.
8. In some positions you will find your awareness of the feelings or sensations of Reiki
energy stronger than in others. You may wish to maintain that hand position for a longer
period.
9. When you have completed the treatment, spend a short time sensing and feeling the
effects of the treatment. Remember that Reiki works on a physical, mental, and emotional
level.

Other Hand Positions

Apart from the traditional hand positions, there are several others you can experiment
with. You might also try these positions as a short healing sequence spending 5-10
minutes on each position.
Frontal/Occipital Positions: Place you right hand on the back of your head, and the other
on your forehead. This position is used for stress, anxiety, and headaches.
Head and Hara Position: Left hand is placed on the forehead, and right is placed on the
lower abdomen. This has a calming and balancing effect.
Heart and Hara Position: Right hand is placed over the heart, and the left over the lower
abdomen. Also has a calming effect useful for emotional disturbances.
Using Reiki to treat others
When you treat another person, it is important to remember that it is not you doing the
healing. You are just a channel for the energy like a rubber hose or a piece of hollow
bamboo. Just place your hands on the person and intend that the energy flows. If it is the
persons first treatment, take time to explain what Reiki is, and allow time for any
questions the person may have.
A treatment may last anywhere from one to one and a half hours, and can be as often as
daily or weekly. As a general practice guideline, it is best to give 3-4 treatments on a
daily basis. There may be no effect after the first two treatments. Remember that the
Reiki energy builds. On the other hand, there may be spontaneous healing after the first
treatment.
Sometimes you may treat a person for a particular illness or injury, and it appears not to
work apart from the person feeling more calm and relaxed. Reiki always goes to where it
is needed most, so you may treat an injured leg, and the Reiki works on a state of deep
depression or another illness that is not yet obvious. In other cases, the person may, on a
deep subconscious level, not want to be healed. If you are treating a person and you are
not getting any results, get them to meditate on being healed, and how their life would
changewhat would it feel like to be healed?
Another reason reiki does not seem to work in the way we intend is because we are too
attached to the outcome of the healing. In all cases it is important not to be too attached to
the outcome. Simply give for the sake of giving and allow the process the time it needs.

Guidelines for treating others

1. The treatment space should be quiet, relaxing, and free from disturbances.
2. Soft relaxing music, incense or burning aromatherapy oils can enhance the experience
of relaxation, but make sure the person likes the music and fragrance you have chosen.
Ideally, have a choice of music and fragrances. Remember that some people can be very
sensitive to these things, and you are trying to induce relaxation.
3. Ask the client to remove belts, rings, and any jewelry from the wrists or ankles as
these may interfere with the flow of healing energy.
4. Make sure the client is comfortable. During a treatment, the persons body
temperature may drop making them feel cold. You can place a blanket over them, but
make sure it is made from a natural fiber such as wool as synthetics can often interfere
with subtle energy.
5. Ask the client to close their eyes and focus on the contact between their body and the
surface they are lying on. Move up the body asking the person to focus on the contact
between the heels and the surface, legs, back, etc.
6. Get the client to focus on their breathing, and ask them to completely exhale with each
out breath, letting all the air out of the lungs before they inhale. These last two steps are
simple, but bring the person into a state of relaxation very quickly.
7. Place the hands in the various hand positions. You can place the hands either on or
slightly over the position. In some of the sensitive areas of the body, it is essential not to
place the hands on the body.
8. Whenever you change hand positions, always leave one hand on the body. This is very
comforting to the person and lets them know you are still there.
9. During the treatment, try to keep your mind clear and focused on healing, imagining
the energy flowing through you. It is sometimes useful to imagine the energy as soft
white or gold light.
10. At the completion of the treatment, let the person know the treatment is finished. Tell
them to slowly open their eyes when they are ready.

11. Afterwards wash your hands to remove any negative energy.

Reiki Chair treatments

Simple Chair Treatment
Sometimes you may not have access to a massage table, or do not feel comfortable
working on a mat on the floor. In these cases, you can give a very effective treatment
using a chair or stool.
The most simple and common Reiki treatment is to have the person sit on a chair, stand
behind them, and place the hands on the shoulders. Ideally this treatment should last at
least 10-15 minutes.
Seated Chakra Treatment
The following positions are held for around 5 minutes. It is important not to place the
hands on the front of the body as this can be very intrusive for most people.
1. Standing behind the person, place the hands on the shoulders.
2. Place the hands about an inch or two over the persons head like a halo.
3. Move to the left side of the person, and place the right hand at the back of the head,
and the left hand on or slightly off the forehead.
4. Place the right hand at the back of the neck, and the left hand in front of the throat.
5. Place the right hand on the middle of the back, and the left hand in front of the heart.
6. Place the right hand on the back in line with the navel, and the left hand in front of the
navel.
7. Place the right hand on the sacrum, and the left hand in front of the lower abdomen.
8. Place both hands on the feet.

Polarity Pulsing
Polarity pulsing combines Polarity Therapy and Holistic Pulsing with Reiki creating a
very simple but powerful healing. Remember to always treat from the left side of the
body and stop the pulsing very slowly. Never stop suddenly as this can be very
uncomfortable and ruins the effect of the treatment. Once you have stopped, leave the
hands in place for a few minutes as this is when the flow of energy occurs.
1. Sacral Pulse: The person lies face down. You are on their left side. Place you right hand
on the sacrum and the left hand over the point where the neck joins the back. Commence
the pulsing movement with the right hand for at least 10 minutes, focusing on the Reiki
flowing through the hands.
2. Abdominal Pulsing: The person lies on their back. You are on their left side. Place
your right hand on the lower abdomen and the left hand on the forehead. Commence
pulsing with the right hand. Continue the pulsing movement with the right hand for at
least 10 minutes, focusing on the Reiki flowing through the hands.
Intuitive Approach to Healing
One of the effects of Reiki is that our intuitive ability starts to increase. Whenever we are
doing healing we are constantly being given information on what is needed, however we
are often not aware of our inner guidance, or we do not trust it. Most often it is just a
vague feeling that we should do this or that during a healing session. Learning to listen to
and trusting this guide is the basis of intuitive healing. The most basic decision is
knowing when to stay in a position and when to move on. This is the easiest way to
practice and tune into our inner voice. Just ask should I stay in this hand position, or
should I move on? and see what feelings or sensations arise. The more you practice this,
the more you become sensitive to your intuition, and the more you begin to trust it.
Scanning: Hold your hands just above the persons body, and tune into the person.
Sense your energetic connection with them. Then move your hands slowly over the body
keeping them just above the body. You may feel sensations or tingling, warmth or
coolness in certain areas, or you may be simply guided to stop here or go there. Stay
in the spot until you feel you need to move on.
Take the time to develop your intuition in healing. It will give your Reiki healing a much
more powerful and rewarding dimension.

Other Uses for Reiki

The uses for Reiki are only limited by our imagination. Wherever you want positive
healing energy to be, just place your hands there. The general rule for Reiki is that it
increases the positive and reduces the negative.
First Aid: Reiki is an ideal first aid treatment. Apart form speeding up the healing
process, it relaxes and clams the person. First treat the injury with traditional first aid
procedures, and then apply Reiki. Place the hands on or over the injury for as long as
possible, but at least 10-15 minutes. In the case of burns, imagine the energy as a cool
blue light.
Potted Plants: Place your hands around the pot for about 30 minutes.
Crystals: Crystals have the ability to absorb and hold Reiki energy, and the Reiki
enhances their effect. Cleanse the crystal by washing it in salt water, then place it
between your hands for 15-30 minutes.
Pets: Animals seem to respond to Reiki very well. For most animals, place one hand on
the chest, and the other behind the neck.
Food: Putting Reiki into your food enhances the goodness of our food. Just place your
hands over your food for a few moments before you eat, imagining the Reiki energy
going into the food. You can also include a prayer of thanks such as saying grace.
The energy of the person cooking the food is absorbed into the food: Angry cook
angry food. When eating in restaurants, for example, using reiki can remove any bad
energy from the person preparing the food. If you dont want to be obvious in a
restaurant, then just place your hands under the table below the plate.

Reiki Principles based on Dr. Mikao Usuis teaching:

Just for today, I will let go of anger
Just for today, I will let go of worry
Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings
Just for today, I will do my work honestly
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Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing

Other Resources
Books
Reiki Universal Life Energy, Bodo Baginiski and Shalila Sharamon, 1997, Jain
Publishers
Reiki The Healing Touch: First and Second Degree Manual, William Rand, Jain
Publishers
Essential Reiki, Diane Stein
Reiki Fire, Frank Arjava Petter
Internet
www.reiki.org
www.reikishakti.org Visit my teacher, David, in Rishikesh, India
sanctuaries@yahoo.com You can always reach me, Sean, here with any questions.
Or check out my site www.innerstanding.org
*This Manuals original outline D. Swann and U. Sharma, 2003*

Appendix: Hand Positions for Reiki Healing

Hand Positions for Self-Treatment

Position 1
Place the hands over the face with the
fingers at the top of the forehead and the
hands touching.

Position 2
Place the hands on the top of the head with
the fingers touching, but not overlapping.
Palms are close to the top of the ears.

Position 2B
This is an alternate position for #2. Place

Position 3
Place the hands on the back of the head
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the hands on the sides of the head over the

ears.

with the base of the palms at the base of the

skull.

Position 4
Place the right hand over the throat and the
left hand over the heart.

Position 5
Place both hands over the shoulders close
to the neck.

Position 6
Place the hands with the fingers touching
over the upper stomach just below the
lowest rib.

Position 7
Place the hands over the middle stomach
with the fingers touching at the navel.

Position 8
Place the hands on the lower stomach with
the base of the hands near or on the hip
bones and the finger tips over the pubic
bone.

Position 9
Place the hands on the middle back with
the fingers touching.

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Position 10
Place the hands on the lower back with the
finger tips over the sacrum.

Position 11
Hold the left foot with both hands in a way
that is comfortable.

Position 12
Hold the right foot with both hands in a
way that is comfortable.

Position 13
Hold the right foot with the right hand and
the left foot with the left hand in a way that
is comfortable.

Position 13B
Hold the right foot with the left hand and the left foot with the right hand in a way that is
comfortable.
Hand Positions for Treating Others:

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Position 1
Hands are together with thumbs touching.
Carefully curve the hands so that the palms do
not touch the eyes or eyelashes. Slowly place
the base of the hands on top of the forehead
with the fingers gently resting on the cheeks.
If your hands sweat, place a tissue over the
eyes.

Position 2
Place the hands on each side of the head cupped over
the ears with the fingers pointing toward the feet.

Position 2B
This position can be used in addition to, or
instead of position #2. Let your intuition guide
you. Place the base of your hands together,
and rest them on the crown of the head with
the fingers extending toward the ears.

Position 3
Gently cradle the head in your hands. The hands are
touching and the fingers are at the base of the skull.

Position 4
Place the hands over the collar bone with the

Position 4B
This is an alternate position. Add it if there is a

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fingers pointing toward the feet and the

thumbs under the neck.

problem in this area, or if your intuition guides you

to use it. The hands are under the chin and over the
throat. One hand is over the other. Use very light
pressure.

Position 5
Place the left hand under the neck and the
right hand over the heart

Hand Position for Abdominal Section

Place the fingers of one hand at the back of the other
hand; either hand on top is ok.

Position 6
Place the hands on the upper stomach along
the ribs.

Position 7
Place the hands on the middle of the stomach across
the navel area.

Position 8

Position 9
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Place the hands on the lower stomach across

the hip bones.

Hold the right foot with both hands in a way that is

comfortable for you.

Position 10
Hold the left foot with both hands in a way
that is comfortable for you.

Position 11
Hold both feet in a way that is comfortable for you.
You may feel guided to place your palms on the
bottom of the feet.

*If you have used 3 to 10 minutes for each position, the session will have lasted between 45 minutes and an hour and a
half up to this point. Continue with the back if the client has back problems, or if your intuition indicates to treat the back.
Remember: Reiki directs itself and will often flow to places beyond where your hands are positioned. The back often
receives Reiki when treating other parts of the body, especially when treating the feet.

Position 12
Place the hands on the upper back.

Position 13
Using the same hand alignment for the stomach as
illustrated, place the hands on the upper back.

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Position 14
Place the hands on the middle back.

Position 15
Place the hands on the middle back.

Position 15B
This is an alternative position and can be used if you feel guided to use it. Place the right hand on the
back of the heart and the left on the base of the spine. You may also be compelled to place the right
hand on the crown of the head.
Hand Positions for Aura Treatments
A complete treatment can be given to yourself or others with the hands 1-4 from the
body using the standard hand positions. Because the hands are in the aura, the reiki first
treats the aura before entering the physical body. Illness exists first in the aura before
manifesting in the physical body. Treating through the aura will help prevent physical
illness before it develops.
The Reiki energies will act in a different, often more powerful, way when using this
technique. They will easily travel through the aura to other parts of the energy field; often
flowing through and surrounding several areas at once, filling them with warm, loving,
nurturing energy before entering the physical body at the places it is needed.

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Many people find this method to be more effective, while others prefer physical contact.
You can use one or the other or mix the two. Simply allow your intuition to guide you in
deciding where to use physical contact and where to treat through the aura.
In some areas, one must be a licensed medical doctor or have a massage license in order
to touch the physical body. If that is the case and you dont have a license, then it is
recommended that you do the complete treatment without touching.

Position 1
If holding your feet is difficult, beam Reiki
to them.

Position 2
This is similar to position #2. Try the other
positions and notice the difference.

Position 3
Use this position to beam Reiki to your
head, neck, and shoulders. You can direct
the beam by changing the angle of your
hands. In addition to healing your upper
body, it will also sill the upper aura with
vibrant, healing colorsvery powerful!

Position 4
Healing the connection between Crown and
Solar Plexus Chakras.

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