An Attunement is a sacred process, initiation, and /or meditation with a specific purpose and intent performed by a spiritual master. The Reiki attunement process is how one becomes a Reiki Healer. Being attuned to Reiki gives one the ability to easily access the Reiki energy (Universal Life Force) for the purpose of healing a person or situation. Only a Reiki Master can give Reiki Attunements. The attunement can be performed in person, via long distance Reiki, DVD program, phone, etc. Some people feel "in person" attunement is best, while some people feel they receive stronger attunements from other options. It really just depends on your needs, time, and circumstances. It should not matter how a person receives an attunement because it is an individual's decision.

Depending on the type of attunement, when the attunement is given, the Reiki Symbols are placed into your Crown, Heart, and /or Palm Chakras. During attunements, Chakras are opened and cleared. Reiki symbols are activated for use and there is transference of Reiki energy during the attunement. Most importantly, you are connected to the source of Reiki.

What happens to a person during and after an attunement is very unique and can vary from person to person. It can be different each time you receive an attunement. There is no "right" or "wrong" regarding what you experience. It can range from an out-of-body experience or visions to simply a relaxed, warm overall feeling. During the attunement you may feel heat or experience tingling sensations, see colors, visions, or symbols, hear voices or even experience smells. You might feel energized or some people who are preoccupied with what they are doing at the time it is sent don't feel a thing, but they still receive the Reiki. Each person will have his or her own individual experience. Your experience may be different each time you take the attunement. Sometimes it may be stronger or more powerful than other times. There is no right or wrong experience -- there is only the experience. You may have a subtle shift to a profound shift each time you receive the attunement

In the classic Usui System of Reiki there are three Reiki levels. There are three Reiki Attunements that correspond and are given with those levels. The levels are first, second, and Master. There are some Reiki Masters and schools that have four levels, but they made the third Attunement into two Attunements to have more classes, but they also limit the student's abilities. In the system of Classic Usui Reiki there are only four symbols used in Reiki and passing Reiki Attunements. There are other symbols that some Reiki Masters and schools are using and teaching, but they are not a part of the Classic Usui System. These symbols have been developed and created by different Reiki schools and Reiki Masters.

The Reiki Master and Reiki Practitioner (1st and 2nd Level Reiki Healers) can use these symbols for specific purposes when using Reiki. This will be explained in the chapter on Reiki Symbols. The symbols available for use by the Reiki Practitioner depend on the Reiki level to which they have been attuned. The four Reiki symbols are the Power, Long Distance, Mental/ Emotional, and the Master Symbol.

In the 1st Level Reiki Attunement, the symbols are used in the attunement, but none are made available to the student. In the 2nd Level, the first three Reiki Symbols -- the Power, Long Distance, and the Mental/ Emotional Symbols are attuned to the student and the student can use them. The Master symbol is attuned and passed on to the student for use in the Reiki Master Attunement. All the Reiki symbols are used in the process of giving all three Reiki Attunements.