Developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, Reiki is a spiritual practice that started life as a technique calledpalm healing.Using various symbols Reiki practitioners can transfer healing energy in the form ofkithrough their palms. It is now an accepted form of complementary and alternative medicine.

There are three main levels or degrees of Reiki. The First Degree is used to heal the self and others. The Second Degree is used for distant healing. The Third Degree or Master/Teacher is used to teach and attune others to Reiki.

The traditional way of learning Reiki involves the student being given the First symbol, usuallyCho Ku Rei. The student will then spend weeks (at the very least) practising drawing, chanting and channelling this symbol. When the master is happy that the student is strong enough in theCho Ku Reienergy he will then give the Second symbol, probablySei Hei Ki. Once again the student will have to spend weeks practising drawing, chanting and channelling this symbol. This same process would also be used for the Third symbol, usuallyHon Sha Ze Sho Nen. Once the student has mastered these basic symbols they would then move on to practising healing others.

The student would experienceCho Ku Reibeing most effective for physical healing,Sei Hei Kibest for emotional healing, andHon Sha Ze Sho Nenbest for mind or mental healing (also known asdistant healing)for people far away,.

A typical Reiki treatment will begin with the Reiki practitioner instructing the recipient to lie down and relax usually on a massage table. To calm themselves in preparation for the treatment the practitioner will usually meditate.

The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing their hands on various parts of the recipient's body using the various symbols to channel healing energy. Practitioners can also use a non-touching method of healing where the hands are held a few inches away from the body.

Reiki can also be used fordistant healingusing symbols likeHon Sha Ze Sho Nen.With permission from the recipient the practitioner will calm themselves as if the recipient were in the room with them and then, while holding the intention of healing the recipient, channel thedistant healingenergy.

As long as you have a computer with an internet connection and the time to study Reiki techniques can easily be practised and learned at home. Reiki master Robert Bourne has written three books about learning Reiki and has now made the accompanying audio CD's and video DVD's available for free. Please see the links below for more information.

To download the Free Reiki CD's and watch Reiki practitioner videos, please visit