Initiation
Reiki training includes initiation, often referred to as attunement. In Japanese, this process is called reiju. It is given from the hands of the teacher directly to the student as part of the training.
Initiation is not something a student performs on themselves. It is given in person, within the structure of the system, and establishes the student’s connection to Reiki in a way that allows the practice to function as it is taught.
Initiation Establishes the Connection
Through initiation, given from the hands of the teacher directly to the student, the connection to Reiki is established. This connection is direct and becomes the basis for all further practice.
After initiation, students begin working with the method immediately. They place their hands, follow the sequence, and begin daily self-treatment. The structure of the practice is already in place, and initiation allows that structure to function.
This connection is received and then reinforced through continued practice. This direct transmission is described by John Harvey Gray in Hand to Hand, where the emphasis is on the continuity of the practice through the hands of the teacher and student.
Initiation Is Part of Ongoing Training
Initiation is not limited to a single event. In Koshin Reiki, initiation is given four times during First Degree training and at least two times during Second Degree training. After this, reiju may be given at various times when the student and teacher meet as part of continued practice and training.
Each time initiation is received, it supports the student’s practice and reinforces their connection to Reiki. Students continue to practice through self-treatment, the Precepts, and hands-on work, and initiation strengthens this ongoing development. The system unfolds through the relationship between repeated initiation and daily practice, with each supporting the other over time.
Initiation and Practice Work Together
Initiation allows the practice to function, and practice allows the effects of initiation to become clear. Without continued practice, the connection established through initiation does not develop further, and without initiation, the structure of practice does not function in the same way.
Students receive initiation and continue daily self-treatment. Over time, the hands become more stable, attention settles, and sensitivity develops. These changes come through repetition, supported by the connection established through initiation.
Initiation Within the System
Initiation is one part of a larger system of training. Treatment provides the structure, practice develops through repetition, and the teacher provides guidance and correction throughout. Initiation establishes and reinforces the connection to Reiki, allowing the system to function and develop over time.