Reiki Level 1 vs Level 2: What’s the Difference?

Reiki is a simple practice where natural energy is used through your hands that helps to calm, heal, and balance yourself and others. You can learn this technique at different levels, from beginner to advanced. As each level adds new skills, you should understand the difference between Reiki Level 1 and Level 2.

Difference Between Reiki Level 1 vs Level 2

Also Read: How to Know if Someone is Doing Reiki on You

Reiki Level 1: The Foundation

You start your Reiki practice from Level 1, where you are taught the ABCs before you can write sentences.

Purpose

The level 1 foremost aim is self-healing. It basically helps you to know how energy flows through your body. At this stage, you learn how to feel and understand energy within yourself.

Training Content

The training process is quite simple, but it is powerful at level 1.

• Hand positions: You learn where to place your hands on your body or someone else’s.
• Energy awareness: You start noticing how energy feels: maybe warm, tingly, or calming.

Attunement

The meaning of “Attunement” is that your teacher helps you connect to Reiki energy for the first time. Consider it as turning on the Wi-Fi connection, you are now able to tap into energy anytime.

Practice Focus

After this level, your main focus is:

• Healing yourself: This practice helps you to build your confidence and stay balanced.
• Helping close friends and family: You can try it on your loved ones to gain the experience.

Reiki Level 2: The Next Step

After practising Reiki Level 1, you now feel comfortable and ready to move to the next level. That’s where Reiki Level 2 starts.

Purpose

The main motive of Reiki Level 2 is expansion. As you have tried this practice on yourself, now it is time to help others with your advanced Reiki skills, even from a distance. It is like unlocking the next level in a game where new abilities become available.

Training Content

Reiki Level 2 training introduces you to advanced techniques:

• Symbols: You learn special Reiki symbols that make energy stronger and more focused.
• Distance healing: You learn how to send healing energy across space and time, even to someone in another city.

Attunement

Your Reiki teacher gives you a second attunement that makes your energy connection stronger, like boosting your Wi-Fi to a faster speed.

Practice Focus

After this level, your focus shifts to:

• Healing others: You can now help not only friends and family but also people you don’t know.
• Boosting energy: With the symbols, your Reiki becomes more powerful and flexible.

Also Read: What is Reiki and How Does Energy Healing Work?

How Is Reiki Level 1 and Level 2 Different from Each Other?

Even though both levels connect you to Reiki energy, the experience and skills are quite different.

Scope of Healing

• Level 1: Mainly about yourself and the people close to you.
• Level 2: Goes beyond, others, even at a distance, can benefit.

Use of Symbols

• Level 1: No symbols, just hand positions.
• Level 2: You use symbols to give Reiki more power and clear direction.

Energy Strength

• Level 1: Gentle, beginner flow.
• Level 2: Stronger, deeper, more advanced energy flow.

Practical Application

• Level 1: Mostly touch-based and presence healing.
• Level 2: Covers hands-on healing, distance healing, and starting professional work.

Which Level is Right for You?

So, how can you tell if it is time to stay at Level 1 or go to Level 2?

When to Start with Level 1

• If you’re completely new to energy healing.
• If you want to focus on your own self-care.
• If you want to learn slowly without pressure.

When to Progress to Level 2

• If you want to start helping more people.
• If you want to explore deeper skills with symbols.
• If you’re interested in offering Reiki professionally or volunteering to help communities.

Reiki is like a journey, and each level is a stepping stone.

• Level 1 is about self-healing, learning the basics, and connecting with energy.
• Level 2 opens the door to helping others, using symbols, and practising distance healing.

What are the three levels of Reiki?

Reiki has three main levels (sometimes four). At every level, there’s a special ceremony called attunement, where a Reiki teacher helps open your energy so it can flow better.

Three Levels of Reiki

• Level 1 (Shoden): You learn how to heal yourself using simple hand positions. You can also practice on close family and friends.
• Level 2 (Okuden): You learn secret Reiki symbols and how to send healing energy to others, even if they’re far away.
• Level 3 (Shinpiden) or Master: This is the highest level, where you can also teach Reiki and pass it on to others.

You don’t need to rush. Reiki is personal, and everyone grows at their own pace. Some people stay at Level 1 for years, while others move quickly to Level 2. The most important thing is to listen to yourself and take the step that feels right for you.

Also Read: Difference Between Oracle and Tarot Cards

FAQs:

Q1: What is the difference between Reiki Level 1 and 2?

Ans: Reiki Level 1 is for healing yourself, Reiki Level 2 is for healing others.

Q2: What do you learn in Reiki Level 2?

Ans: In Reiki Level 2, you learn special symbols and how to heal people even from far away.

Q3: What is the highest level of Reiki?

Ans: The highest level is Master Teacher, where you can also teach Reiki to others.

Q4: How much does Reiki Level 1 and 2 cost?

Ans: In Indian Rupees, Reiki Level 1 and 2 usually cost ₹16,600 to ₹37,350, depending on the teacher.

Q5: What is Reiki 2 called?

Ans: The name for Reiki 2 is Okuden, which means “learning inside.”