Attunement Method Variations

Here's an interesting question a Reiki friend asked about why people seek out different Reiki forms. I think it's worth some discussion so I've posted it here.


Hi Lydia,

It sounds like you have done a lot more chi and healing work than me already. One thing I dont understand thoug is why so many people take so many different style attunements? Most of the systems I have been studying involve self-training. I had presumed the attunements are quick way into healing using external energy source with psychological anchoring / association to quick-start the healing capabilities which must then be further developed and turbo charged anyway? Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong - I am still learning after all:)



Now here's something my Reiki teacher gave to me about this topic. I think it addresses the question quite clearly and succinctly.

Attunement Method Variations

We have found that there is not just one way of doing anything. As Reiki masters, we were taught an attunement method and as we became more comfortable with it, we intuitively added, subtracted, or changed aspects of the initiation. That was the intelligence of Reiki communicating with us - a gift from Spirit. If we then taught our newly improved version of the attunement process to our students, it would no longer follow the original teaching. We have found that different attunement methods connected to different frequencies of energy. Some are very etheric in nature, others very earthy, yet others more heart centered. Because of the differing sensitivities of each person, there is probably one attunement that is more strongly felt by them over all the others. It is our experience that most students are drawn to a particular teaching master according to the amount of energy they feel emanating from them, and not necessarily because of the advertisements for classes. Energy is the key to understanding this plane of existence, and we are all in the process of becoming more sensitive to greater frequencies; one day we will understand Reiki and other modalities of energy work; until then we will keep searching and practicing.

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There has been controversy amongst the Reiki community about the validity of the newer Reiki forms. The way some Traditional Usui Reiki masters would decry the practices of independent masters is sad and often a reflection of closed minds, fear, and politics. Patrick Ziegler put it best when he says "let the energy be the teacher". No one owns Reiki. It is a universal energy source that exists everywhere and no one can claim that their way is the true way to practice Reiki. I think the ways in which people use Reiki and attune themselves to this healing energy is evolving in the same way that kung fu or chi gong has. Or any martial art for that matter. You could say kung fu and chi gong have as many variations of practice as there are people practicing them.

Bruce Lee, in his day, developed Jeet-Kune-Do to free his followers from clinging to any style, pattern, or mold. The total picture Lee wanted to present to his pupils was that above everything else, they must find their own way to truth. He never hesitated to say, 'Your truth is not my truth; my truth is not yours'.

Jeet Kune Do was not an end in itself for Bruce -- Nor was it merely a by-product of his martial studies; it was a means to self discovery. JKD was a prescription for personal growth; it was an investigation of freedom. Freedom not only to act naturally and effectively in combat, but in life.

I believe people who seek out and practice various Reiki forms are doing so with the same intent: personal and spiritual growth.