Where we left off was discussing the important question:

“Are distance Reiki attunements effective?”

If you missed that, here’s a link to that blog and my answer to that question: Are Distance Reiki Attunements Effective? – Part 1

SPOILER ALERT: Yes, distance Reiki attunements are indeed effective in my experience and opinion.

But let’s discuss why some Reiki practitioners and Teachers feel that they’re not and what you can do to make sure you avoid getting scammed, and instead get quality Reiki training.

Why Do Some Practitioners and Teachers Feel That Distance Reiki Attunements Are Not Effective?

Some Reiki practitioners and Teachers claim that distance attunements are ineffective because they are incomplete and don’t attune the student fully to Reiki, leaving some of the benefit of the attunement out.

As I’ve shared, I have NOT found this to be the truth. As a practitioner or Teacher, if you have a solid understanding of and trust in the universal, omniscient wisdom that guides Reiki, how do you think that physical proximity could impact the effectiveness of a ritual wherein you are a simply a conduit for the Divine energies that truly activate the student’s ability to practice Reiki?

What I further find odd is that these critics of distance attunements are proponents of distance Reiki sessions and distance healing attunements (a type of attunement designed to bring dramatic healing to the client, without imparting the ability to practice Reiki). They claim the distance versions of these things are just as effective as the in-person versions. So I wonder why there would be such a big difference in efficacy when it comes to practitioner attunements versus these other capacities of Reiki. Why would Reiki fall short when it comes to the most powerful benefit it offers, the attunement?

Now, while I know this isn’t the reason being given for some Teachers’ stance on the ineffectiveness of distance attunements, I do wonder if it has more to do with the training that often accompanies a distance Reiki attunement than the actual attunement itself.

Is All Distance Reiki Training the Same?

Unfortunately, all distance Reiki training is not the same in terms of quality. Of course, this is also true for in-person training.

There is no governing body that determines the quality of Reiki training, the length of the training, the topics covered in the training, the manner of teaching or the resources given to the students during training. To be clear, I feel that this is a good thing. I, like most independent Reiki Masters, feel that regulation of the industry is not a good idea. I think that it’s up to the student to decide on the training and the teacher who speaks to them, and for clients to choose the practitioners with whom they resonate.

At the same time, there is such a wide range of training available, that it can be overwhelming to know what’s best or of value. When looking at all types of training available, it ranges from year long apprenticeships to downloadable ebooks, and everything in between. I have met certified Level II Reiki practitioners, who were trained in-person, and who have received a grand total of two to three hours of Reiki training, and Reiki Masters with little more training than that. The fact that someone trained in-person does not automatically mean that they have received a quality Reiki education.

That being said, there really is far more mediocre training widely available in the distance Reiki training world. A Reiki Teacher can collect your payment via PayPal, send you a link to a PDF manual, and give you instructions on receiving your Chi Ball attunement. Then they’ll email you a certificate – or provide you with a blank one that you can fill in yourself – and call it a day. I know this to be true because after completing my quality distance and in-person Reiki training – with several different teachers, in the end – I tested out some of these internet Reiki Masters out of curiosity.

And some of these people seemed perfectly nice and well meaning. But I was left wondering:

What if I wasn’t already a well-trained practitioner and Teacher?

Would I think this is it, that this is all there is to Reiki?

Would I really be equipped to practice?

Unfortunately, I don’t feel that I could answer these questions positively.

So does that mean that you shouldn’t take distance Reiki training at all? Absolutely not!

You just need to make sure that you know how to spot quality in a Reiki training course. To be clear, this applies to distance and in-person classes equally.

How Do I Know What to Look For in Reiki Training?

These are the top things that I would consider and questions I would ask when looking for a Reiki course, either in-person or online.

How many hours of training are provided?

Absolute minimum should be:

• Five hours of training for Level I Reiki
• Five hours of training for Level II Reiki
• Five hours of training for Level IIIa/Advanced Reiki Training
• Ten hours of training for Level IIIb/Reiki Master Training

If the course is not structured in this way, just look for equivalencies. When in doubt, ask the Teacher.

For your reference, I personally feel that nine hours of instruction for Reiki Level I and 12 hours for Reiki Level II are better starting points, but everyone is different.

How many Reiki attunements will I receive? How will they be given?

There are many different ways that Teachers do this. There are some that give four attunements just for Level I, and then two attunements at Level II, followed by one attunement at the Master Level.

Then there are many teachers, although this is almost exclusively done in the distance Reiki training world, who provide one singular Reiki Master Level attunement. So that’s it. For Level I, Level II, Level IIIa and Level IIIb you only get one attunement to cover all of the levels.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide what you’re comfortable with. I’m not saying that the single Master attunement isn’t effective. It’s just not what I prefer. I prefer to let my students energy-channeling capacity grow naturally over time.

I use a method of attunement that lets me give one attunement each at Level I, II, IIIa and IIIb for a grand total of four attunements.

By giving individual attunements to each level, spread out over a longer period of time, the students’ energy channels are able to grow more naturally, and I surmise, perhaps better than when given a single Reiki attunement. I feel that this allows my students to adjust to the flow of Reiki through the layers of their energy system, as well as providing them with the benefit of receiving multiple attunements.

You see, each attunemnet is a tremendous healing opportunity, allowing unhelpful energy patterns to be cleared and, often, profound spiritual growth to occur. This can lead to big meaningful changes in a Reiki students life, so I don’t feel like it’s the place to skimp.

Teachers that give the single Master attunement feel that Reiki, in its infinite wisdom, will always and only give the student what they need, preventing energetic overwhelm. And maybe that’s true. While I do know how to perform the single Reiki Master attunement, I have never once felt guided to use that process with a student. But I never know how I’ll feel in the future!

Now, I’d like to point out that some of the Teachers using this single attunement method propound the idea that the only reason to give more than one attunement is to charge more money. I find this to be…illogical, (to put it nicely).

I do not ever charge my students for their attunements. I charge for my energy and the comprehensive training that they receive. The attunements are technically at my discretion and are included in the course tuition. I choose to give four attunements simply because it’s better for my students, even though it may take a little more time, they are in no way directly charged for that.

Like I said, I also prefer to give all of my attunements in real-time. Once again, that’s up to you. Other methods of attunement delivery do work, I believe. But as a Teacher, I like to connect with each of my students in that personal way that can only be accomplished in real-time. It’s such a sacred act, why cut corners?

What will I be qualified to do at each level of training?

Usually, Level I Reiki should allow you to practice Reiki on yourself, and friends and family, including any fur or feather babies.

Level II Reiki should prepare you to practice Reiki professionally with clients.

Reiki Master Training should equip you to teach Reiki.

What kind of resources are provided? Will I get a manual?

Ideally, you should get a comprehensive, fully illustrated manual, and recommendations for further reading.

How is the class taught? Will all techniques be demonstrated, ideally via video?

Lecture is definitely important in Reiki training, but so is practice. There should be a nice balance between the two.

And I personally feel that some things can’t be learned by reading about them. They need to be demonstrated. That’s where demonstration videos can be really helpful in the context of distance Reiki training.

Will I have access to a community of Reiki practitioners?

I feel that community support can be truly invaluable as you walk your Reiki path. But do keep in mind plenty of amazing Teachers aren’t able to provide this and there are others ways to find a Reiki community, both online and via in-person Reiki shares. Heck, you could even start one yourself! So I wouldn’t consider this a dealbreaker, just something to think about.

Will I have access to you as the teacher if I have questions? If so, for how long?

I feel that a Reiki Teacher should be there for her students for life. It’s a sacred duty to be a Reiki Teacher, and one I don’t take lightly. As I tell my students, I’m your Teacher for life. No matter where I go, I’ll make sure that you can always find me (i.e., moving, changing my phone number or email).

That being said, it doesn’t mean your Teacher can be there to walk you through everything that may come up as a student. If it’s training related, it’s her job to answer your questions – absolutely. Of course, only if she can. A good Teacher is okay saying “I don’t know, but I can look into it/ask around.”

Now, if it’s healing related, that’s borderline. When my students have stuff come up, I do my best to be there for them, but – especially if it becomes a continual thing – I’m very active and I can’t give free counseling for life. I don’t know any Reiki Teachers that can. (That’s also why I love building communities so we can all pitch in and help each other.) Remember, a healthy Teacher has healthy boundaries and knows how to say “no.” And a respectful student honors her Teachers time and energy.

This is where self-care needs to be a priority as a Reiki student. (I told you that Reiki can change your life and how you live it!) So, in addition to giving yourself daily Reiki sessions, and possibly joining a Reiki share or group, see if there’s a way that you’ll be able to schedule Reiki healing sessions with your Teacher for ongoing support, if needed.

Do you encourage self-Reiki as the foundation of practice?

This might be the most important question, in my opinion. Daily self-Reiki sessions should be strongly encouraged, with the beginning of the practitioner training focused on establishing that pattern. After all, you can’t help others until you put the oxygen mask on yourself first. The most important type of healing is self-healing. It’s only as you work on your own healing can you really be there to help others with their healing. That’s not to say you have to be fully healed or perfect in order to be a Reiki practitioner or Teacher. That couldn’t be further from the truth and, to be honest, then I wouldn’t be writing this sentence right now if that were the case. 😉

The goal is to just be committed to your own healing. Then by all means get out there and practice and teach what you know!

What can you tell me about yourself?

It’s important to get to know your potential Teacher and see if you resonate, if you vibe, with her. Then you can follow your gut and feel if this is a good fit. Even if your potential Teacher answered all of the other questions fine, it’s okay if it doesn’t feel right. Reiki training is a big deal and it’s okay to be picky.

By the way, if you’d like to know more about me, you can find out more here: About The Reiki Guide and here: Finding My Path: My Reiki Healing Story – Part 1.

How Do I Know If My Distance Reiki Attunement Was Effective?

If you subscribe to the black and white theory that the attunement was either effective or it wasn’t, then there’s only one question to ask yourself:

Am I able to share Reiki, both with myself and others?

If you don’t have any Reiki experience, you may be wondering how you can tell.

Once you’ve received your Reiki attunement, when you lay your hands on yourself or another being with the intention of healing or offering support, Reiki will begin to emanate from your hands.

This can feel like:

• A sensation of heat
 or warmth
• A sensation of cold

• Vibrations
• A feeling of your hands melting into the recipient (including yourself)
• A feeling of fullness and pressure (This especially happens when you feel drawn to share Reiki, but don’t do so.)
• Electrical impulses
• Itchiness
• Pins and needles

• Sometimes pain or aching

It can lead you to feel:

• Peace and joy
• Deep relaxation
• Meditative

These are just some of the things that you are likely to experience. In general, I suggest, that you don’t worry about or get hung up on the sensations. At different times you will feel different things. And sometimes, you may not feel much at all. You may also experience completely different feelings and sensations than the ones I listed here. It’s all perfectly “ordinary” for this to happen. In regards to Reiki, whatever is right for you in each moment, is exactly what will happen.

If you’re still really not sure if you’re channeling Reiki, find an experienced Reiki practitioner. She should be able to tell if you’re flowing Reiki, either through holding your hands in hers or by having you give some Reiki to her.

Am I Still a “Valid” Reiki Practitioner or Master if I Received My Reiki Attunement Via a Distance?

There is only one person that gets to decide if you’re a “valid” Reiki practitioner or Master and if your training was “valid:” YOU. You don’t have anything to prove or anyone else to be other than yourself. Reiki helps us connect with and embody our True selves, helping everything else to fall away. There is no way to be an invalid version of yourself. Someone judging your training, especially when you didn’t ask their opinion, says way more about them than it does about you.

If you’re enjoying your personal Reiki practice, if you’re out there working with clients and/or sharing Reiki with your friends, family and animal companions, and if you’re teaching others how to do these things for themselves, then you rock! Plain and simple.

But if you’re still experiencing doubts about the quality of your Reiki training, that’s another story. I’m a big proponent of training with multiple teachers. It can help you to get a well-rounded Reiki education, as well as help you to avoid becoming too dogmatic – something that has no place in Reiki practice.

If you’re looking for quality, comprehensive and credible Reiki training, check out The Reiki Guide Academy’s Certified Reiki Master Course here. It’s provides a level of training that I honestly haven’t found before – including from in-person Reiki training options. And we’d love to have you join us!

Are There Any Advantages to Distance Reiki Training?

You betcha!

With quality distance Reiki training you:

• Take away the anxiety (and cost and carbon footprint) of travel or of being in a classroom setting
• Get to receive your attunement in the comfort of own home (such a powerful experience)
• Get to learn slowly over time which leads to better integration of the material and the development of a solid Reiki practice
• The opportunity to complete longer term, more comprehensive assignments and case studies, anchoring in your learning and setting you up for professional practice
• Get tons of resources – including videos – that you can reference forever (No post-Reiki-class-weekend amnesia here!)
• Get access to a community of other Reiki healers to share the journey with – and Reiki – over time
• Easy access to your Reiki Teacher

I know I’m a bit biased, but when done correctly, I strongly recommend quality online Reiki training. Once again, if this speaks to you, then check out The Reiki Guide Academy’s Certified Reiki Master Course here.

Thank you so much for reading this blog series! Remember, if you missed Part One, you can find it here: Are Distance Reiki Attunements Effective? – Part 1 I hope I’ve answered your burning distance attunement questions.

In the end, these are just my thoughts, opinions and experiences.

What do you think? Have you received a distance – or in-person – attunement? What was your experience? If you’d like, please share in the comments below. I look forward to hearing from you!

So Reiki ON, my dear Reiki friends!

Wishing you peace and love and many Reiki blessings,

Tarin Rataic, The Reiki Guide