Experiencing Western Usui Reiki
This post is about how I perceive Western Usui Reiki as a practitioner rather than a client. Therefore, the information included here is most relevant if you are interested in learning Reiki as a healing practice. Western Usui is the form of Reiki healing most commonly taught in the USA. Consequently, it’s the most commonly practiced as well.
Crucial to note from the outset is each individual’s perception or experience of healing energy varies slightly. Therefore, consider this information as a subjective narrative rather than a universally applicable description.
Moreover, your perception of any type of energy healing will likely differ between when you receive a Reiki session and when you offer one to someone.
What Is Western Usui Reiki
As said Western Usui Reiki is the type of Reiki people first learn. The majority of people continue through Level II. Those who want to become Reiki Masters take the level III class as well.
To study Sekhem-Seichim Reiki (SSR), you must first take Usui Reiki level I. And, to study Karuna, you must first be attuned to Level III/Master level Usui. The same is usually true for Eastern Usui and Gendai.
How Usui Reiki Feels
In the beginning, Usui Reiki was hard for me to perceive. My first attunement was not like some kind of lightning bolt at all. But I was just then opening up to the whole idea of Reiki and energy work in general.
Even now after many years of working with it, I perceive Usui Reiki as very light like air. It’s like a soft breeze moving through my hands. Sometimes it’s a bit cool, sometimes it’s a bit warm. But, typically the sensation in my hands is a subtle light breeze or movement.
Just because Usui Reiki is soft and gentile, doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful and effective. It’s very effective. Still, I tend to complement my use of Usui Reiki with other forms. I do this because other forms have specific symbols that work very well in certain circumstances and for certain intentions (see the Sekhem-Seichim (SSR) blog post).
Special Uses of Usui Reiki
Usui is lovely for times when you want to be gentle and gradual and as noninvasive as possible. Because of its subtlety, Usui is very good for animals and plants. For example, SSR is a bit too much for squirrels.
Giving Usui Reiki Attunements
Giving attunements is a bit like floating on air. This can be compared to the trance-like, ritual nature of SSR attunements or the complex form of Karuna attunements. I feel like I’m nurturing or nourishing people when I give them the Usui attunement.
Remember, this is my personal experience. Others can perceive or experience Western Usui Reiki quite differently.
How Western Usui Compares to Other Types of Usui Reiki
If you have questions about the different forms of Reiki, please see my website page What is Reiki. This is where you’ll information on seven types of Reiki.
Updated August 2, 2022
