Through a series of attunements, part of the initiation process for new Reiki practitioners, a Reiki master employs the ancient sounds and symbols that attune an individual's nervous system to a higher level of energy. A level is reached in which the students , neither highly trained nor especially gifted, can experience more energy flowing through their hands, giving them the power to heal themselves and others.

Reiki is taught in three levels or degrees. In Level I or First Degree, the participant receives attunement or initiation to the Reiki energy by the Reiki master. This permanently guides the person to greater healing power. The student learns how to do full body treatments on self and others.

In Level II or Second Degree, the participant receives attunements which increase the strength of the practitioner's Reiki energy. This primarily involves learning the sounds and symbols which are used in advanced Reiki bodywork and absentee healing.

In Level III or Third Degree, the participant receives third-level empowerment and the ' final symbol'. It is taught mainly for personal growth. A person who has completed the third level is able to give the Level I Reiki attunement.

Practitioners study with Reiki masters to learn how to access ki and become a channel for its transmission. Students learn basic healing patterns and the "laying on of hands" for themselves and others. More advanced practitioners may use absentee healing-which involves practicing Reiki on someone from a long distance, such as a different part of the country- or goal-oriented healing to address specific problems.