Reiki Course Guide: Levels 1, 2 and Master Explained

A reiki course is traditionally taught in three stages. Level 1 introduces self-practice and the basic hand positions, Level 2 adds the symbols and working with other people, and the Master level deepens your practice and prepares you to teach. Each stage builds on the one before, with time to practise in between.

What Reiki is, and what it is not

Reiki is a Japanese practice associated with Mikao Usui, who taught it in the early twentieth century. The word is usually translated as universal life energy. In practical terms it is a quiet, structured way of placing the hands on or near the body while resting your attention there.

It is passed from teacher to student, which is why practitioners speak about their lineage. It is a practice and a tradition, not a medical service, and it is not a substitute for advice from your doctor. People come to it for stillness, for a daily routine of reflection, and sometimes as the first step in a career working with others.

How a reiki course is traditionally structured

Most schools follow three degrees, often known by their Japanese names:

• Shoden, the first degree or Level 1.
• Okuden, the second degree or Level 2.
• Shinpiden, the third degree or Master level.

Two features are common to all three. The first is the attunement, sometimes called an initiation, which is a short ceremony carried out by the teacher at each level. The second is practice. Reiki is learned through the hands far more than through notes, so every level expects you to keep practising after the class ends.

Teachers differ in how they arrange the material. Some divide the Master level into two parts, and some combine the earlier levels. Neither approach is wrong, but it does mean you should read each course description closely.

Level 1: the first degree

Level 1 is for complete beginners. No previous experience is needed, only willingness to sit quietly and practise. A traditional first-degree class usually covers:

• The history of Reiki and the lineage of your teacher.
• The five Reiki principles, which begin "just for today" and invite you to let go of anger and worry, to be grateful, to work honestly and to be kind.
• The Level 1 attunement.
• Hand positions for self-practice, from the head down to the feet.
• A simple way of sharing Reiki with family and friends.

The focus is on you. Many students stay at this level for a long time, using Reiki as a daily personal routine, and that is a complete path in itself. If your interest is calm, self-awareness and a steady habit of reflection, Level 1 may be all you want.

Level 2: the second degree

Level 2 widens the practice from yourself to other people. It is often described as the practitioner level, because this is where students learn to offer a structured session to someone else. Traditionally it includes:

• The Level 2 attunement.
• Three Reiki symbols, with their names and how each is used.
• Distance practice, which means offering Reiki to someone who is not in the room.
• How to prepare a space and guide a full session with another person.
• Ethics: consent, confidentiality, clear boundaries and honest language about what Reiki is.

That last point deserves emphasis. A responsible practitioner does not make claims about results and never advises anyone to set aside professional advice. Learning to speak about your work plainly is as much a part of Level 2 as learning the symbols.

Most teachers ask for a period of regular self-practice between Level 1 and Level 2. The gap is useful. You arrive with real questions instead of theoretical ones.

The Master level: the third degree

The word "master" can sound grand. In the Reiki tradition it simply means someone who has received the full teaching and has committed to living with the practice. This level usually brings:

• The Master attunement and the Master symbol.
• A deeper personal practice, with more time given to meditation and the principles.
• Instruction in how to give attunements to others.
• Guidance on teaching: structuring a class, supporting students and holding a lineage with care.

Where the level is divided, the first part is often called Master Practitioner and the second Master Teacher. The first deepens your own work. The second is for those who wish to pass Reiki on.

It is worth being honest with yourself about why you want this level. If you hope to teach, look for a course that includes observed practice and support afterwards. If you want depth for its own sake, say so to your teacher and ask how the course serves that.

How to choose the right level and teacher

If you are new, begin with Level 1, whatever your long-term plans. If you trained years ago with another teacher, ask whether a refresher is suggested before you move on. Then put a few direct questions to any teacher you are considering:

1. What is your lineage, and who taught you?
2. How large is the class, and how much hands-on practice is included?
3. Is the attunement given in person or at a distance?
4. What support is there after the class, such as practice circles or follow-up sessions?
5. What does the certificate represent, and what does it not represent?
6. How do you talk about Reiki with the public?

A good teacher answers all of these without hesitation. Fees, dates, class length and certification vary from one school to another, so always check the current course page instead of assuming.

Building a practice between levels

What you do between classes matters more than how quickly you collect certificates. A few simple habits carry most students a long way:

• A short self-practice at the same time every day, morning or evening.
• Reading the five principles aloud before you begin.
• A notebook for what you notice, kept without judgment.
• Regular practice exchanges with fellow students.
• Returning to your manual every few months, because you will read it differently each time.

There is no deadline. Some people move through all three degrees in a couple of years, while others take a decade. The tradition has room for both.

If you are thinking about Reiki as part of a future career, this in-between time is also when you find out whether you enjoy the work. Offer practice sessions to friends, ask for honest feedback, and notice whether you look forward to the next one.

Your next step

If Reiki has been on your mind for a while, the simplest move is to look at what each level involves in practice and choose your starting point. You can see the current Reiki courses and their details on the courses page, including what each level covers and how it is taught.