The 8 Main Types of Reiki | Differences | symbols

There are currently many different types of Reiki, which creates confusion for a person who wants to get started and start practicing.

With the widespread dissemination of Reiki throughout the world, numerous different systems emerged: Usui Reiki, Essential Reiki, Stellar Reiki, Shamanic Reiki, Tibetan Reiki, Egyptian Reiki, Osho Reiki, Karuna Reiki, among many others.

Want to know more about how Reiki works? Find out here!

What are the different types of Reiki?

First, you must remember that all types of Reiki utilize the same energy from the universe and are based on the Usui System of Natural Healing, all of which are efficient and beneficial to people.

The difference between them is not in the Reiki principles themselves, but in some other details, such as adding different Reiki symbols, dividing the levels or using other tools together, such as mantras, crystals, etc.

Usui Traditional Reiki

This type of Reiki is nothing more than that taught by the father of Reiki, Mikao Usui and has a strong philosophy, based on the principles of Reiki and the poems of Emperor Meiji. The course is divided into 4 levels:

• Level 1 – Shoden;
• Level 2 – Okuden;
• Level 3 – Shinpiden;
• Level 3B – Gokukaiden.

Usui Tibetan Reiki

The biggest difference from Tibetan Reiki is its different types of healing, such as psychic surgery.

In addition, it has unique Tibetan Usui Reiki symbols such as the Tibetan Dai-Ko-Myo.

Image source: active reiki

For those who want to practice, it is necessary to go through 4 levels: awakening, transformation, realization and mastery.

Reiki Karuna

Another well-known type of Reiki is Karuna, which, like all types of Reiki, is based on the Usui system and channels the same energy from the universe, however, as a differential, it uses a wide range of symbols in addition to the three traditional ones.

Karuna Reiki Symbols

Image source: Pinterest

Karuna Reiki Level 1:

• Zonar – represents connection to the source and infinite compassion
• Halu – widely used in cleansing energies
• Harth – one of the pillars of karuna reiki, represents love and compassion
• Rama – The Connector with Earth and Reality

Karuna Reiki Level 2:

• Gnosa – symbolizes wisdom through consciousness
• Kriya – also known as Cho Ku Rei double, assists in manifesting goals
• Iava – represents the expansion of the Higher Self’s will and personal power
• Shanti – helps to find inner peace and harmony

Shamanic Reiki

In the case of Shamanic Reiki, the base and essence once again come from Mikao Usui’s traditional Reiki, but with a shamanic approach, more experiential and using, for example, crystals as instruments and some sounds as stimuli.

In this article on Shamanic Reiki, you will learn more about its benefits and its connection to indigenous traditions.

Essential Reiki

Unlike Traditional Reiki, Essential Reiki is divided into 3 levels: I, II and III. The practice is less systematized, more intuitive. Another difference from Traditional Reiki is that the philosophy is not based on the poems of Emperor Meiji.

Stellar Reiki

Stellar Reiki is based on the system of Reiki master and founder Mikao Usui, but he adds his own things to his methodology, such as different energy cleaning and protection techniques and the use of the vibration of colors through the rays of light.

Osho Reiki

Also known as Osho Neo Reiki, it is based on the Usui system of Reiki and Osho’s teachings.

egyptian reiki

Also known as Seichim or Sekhem, this modality is an integration of Reiki with the Ancient Egyptian healing system.

How to choose between the types of Reiki that exist?

Anyway, there are many types of Reiki that exist, but the vital and universal energy is common to all of them, so there are no better or worse systems, just different in some details from each other.

To choose, you must trust your intuition and your heart, and you will see that the Universe will direct you to the best option, whether for personal healing or learning.

If you are looking for a Reiki modality to study, it is important to find out about the Reiki system adopted at that institution.

This information must be documented and included on your certificate, delivered at the end of the course.

There are some quotes that help us to clarify this dilemma about the different types of Reiki. Think about them a little:

When the student is ready, the Tutor appears

In other words, this is a natural and spontaneous process, which depends exclusively on your moment in life and on your “wanting to evolve”, and then the most suitable Reiki Master will naturally be forwarded to you.

God does not choose the able, he equips the chosen. To do or not to do something just depends on our will and perseverance.

The author of this sentence was none other than the brilliant scientist physicist Albert Einstein.

Finally, we have a summary from the master and founder Mikao Usui himself on what Reiki is and how it works:

Reiki is the secret art to invite happiness and spiritual medicine for all ailments of body and mind

Learn about the benefits of Reiki and how they can improve your health and quality of life!