I’m excited to share with you this round-up of all the articles about Reiki that I’ve written on this site over the years! This compilation begins with entry-level lessons for those who’ve never tried this type of energy work before (including posts explaining about Reiki pronunciation, what to wear, and how many Reiki sessions are needed).
The list then moves on to intermediate concepts, such as Reiki chakra balancing, then concludes with complex analyses of advanced, practitioner-level concepts like Reiki symbols. I’m always adding more to this series, so bookmark this to stay updated!

What is Reiki?
Reiki is a gentle Japanese form of touch healing that is deceptively simple, but wonderfully powerful in promoting wellbeing. During a Reiki session, the practitioner softly places their hands on or above the recipient’s body, moving through a series of hand patterns, and avoiding sensitive areas.
This comforting touch guides the recipient into a relaxed meditative, dream-like state, which allows energy to better flow, thus reducing stress. The body can then begin to process blockages, and promote healing. The word “Reiki” roughly translates from Japanese to mean: “Universal life force energy.” Practitioners use symbols such as Cho Ku Rei and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen to help focus energy and intentions.
Sessions are done fully clothed, and are usually around an hour — though shorter and longer durations work, too. While Reiki is no substitute for medical treatments, this energy work is so well-documented in promoting mental, emotional, and physical healing that it is used around the world in prominent institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins.
Why Trust These Articles?
Before sharing the round-up of my Reiki articles, let me give some background about my credentials and experience. My name is Lillie, and I run a Boston Reiki and Chakra Balancing practice in Massachusetts called Healing Touch “L.” I started my formal Reiki training in 2018, completing Levels 1, 2, and Master Teacher Level of Usui, Kundalini, and Holy Fire Reiki. I currently provide energy work to more than 30 clients a month.
In addition to being a Reiki practitioner, I am also an artist, writer, and teacher. That, paired with my years of practice doing energy work with a diverse array of clients helps me create the articles here, based on honest personal experience, developed over time. This background information is important, because many online articles about energy balancing are written by copywriting interns with no direct experience in the field. That is not the case here!
As more background, during my Reiki sessions, I give hands-on energy work instead of hovering my hands above the body, and my particular specialty is that I can see colors during meditation and Reiki that correlate with chakra colors. Seeing these auras helps me understand where clients’ energy is blocked, and how it can be cleansed and balanced.
My sessions feature a conversation before and after to support clients on their path to happy and healthy energy flow. Had enough background? Let’s move on to the Reiki articles!
Reiki
Want to learn more about Reiki? This round-up of articles by a certified, experienced Reiki practitioner helps give information about energy healing and chakra balancing for all levels.
What to Wear for Reiki
To get the most out of a Reiki session, it's important to come in clothing that facilitates energy flow. See detailed examples here.
Reiki Pronunciation
How do you pronounce "Reiki?" Here's the surprising answer, with regards to the Japanese origin of the word.
Reiki Chakra Balancing
Chakra clearing, healing, and balancing is a key part of a Reiki session. This article explains everything from how to prounce "chakra" correctly, to what it is and how to do it.
Reiki Principles
The 5 Reiki principles (each of which starts with "Just for today...") provide beautiful guidance for living a better, kinder life.
Reiki Meditation
What does the term "Reiki Meditation" mean? There are actually four different interpretations -- each of which is a different beneficial method of relaxing and integrating energy.
Crying During Reiki
What does it mean if you start crying during a Reiki session? It's actually a really good thing! Learn why here.
How Many Reiki Sessions Are Needed?
If you had a good Reiki session, how often should you go back? Here's an honest and clear answer, based on what clients have said and experienced.
Purple Aura Meaning
During an energy work session (including acupuncture and massage, but certainly Reiki), you may see colors. In particular, seeing a purple aura han an important meaning. Learn about it here.
Aura Colors
Curious to know the meanings of other aura colors you might see as a Reiki recipient or giver? See the full list here, with illustrations to demonstrate what they might look like behind your closed eyes.
Reiki Symbols
Now we are getting to a more complex section in this Reiki articles list. Trained and attuned Reiki practitioners use a series of Reiki symbols to help focus and channel energy. This article is an overview of five of them.
Cho Ku Rei
The first Reiki symbol is the Power Symbol, Cho Ku Rei. Learn why it's drawn as it is here, plus its use and significance.
Sei Hei Ki
The second symbol used in Reiki is Sei Hei Ki, the harmony symbol, which serves to balance mental and emotional healing. It has a unique shape, and several ways to draw it.
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen
The third Reiki symbol, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, is the Distance Healing symbol -- and is the most complex of the four. See more about it here.
Raku Reiki Symbol
There are four main Reiki symbols in the Usui system, but did you know there are several others, including some from Tibet? The beautiful Raku symbol is one of my favorites, and is highly useful. See more here.
Zonar and Halu Symbols
The Karuna Reiki system has a set of beautiful symbols beyond Usui's four. This article explains the Zonar and Halu Reiki symbols.
Feeling Tired After Reiki
Have you ever experienced feeling tired after a Reiki session? This article explains one very easy -- but important -- way to fix it, plus another cause.
Yay for Reiki!
I hope you found these articles about Reiki meditation useful. Which most stood out to you, and what questions or reflections do you have after reading them? I’m always adding to this article collection, so feel free to request another topic for me to cover in a future post. Do share!
Want more? Learn about the Dai Ko Myo symbol, and the various ways to draw it, and the peaceful Shanti symbol.

The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009), TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010), and ReikiColors.com. Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!