What It Means to Practice Reiki with Integrity
I recently came across a post where someone said they don’t support Reiki anymore because today’s practitioners don’t meditate for hours like Usui did, and maybe they aren’t always working from a pure heart. That got me thinking—what does it really mean to practice Reiki with integrity today?
When Mikao Usui created Reiki, it wasn’t just about hand positions or symbols. His practice was deeply spiritual—long hours of meditation, reflection, and alignment with higher purpose. He wasn’t just “doing Reiki”; he was cultivating himself as a channel for healing energy, from a pure heart and clear mind.
Most of us don’t live in a monastery, and we aren’t meditating five hours a day. Life doesn’t usually allow it. But that doesn’t mean we’re any less capable of working with Reiki authentically. What matters more than the hours of meditation is the heart and intention behind every session. Are we present? Are we grounded? Are we genuinely holding space for someone else’s healing?
What Working from a Pure Heart Looks Like Today
Checking in with your energy before a session.
Setting aside distractions and judgments.
Intentionally sending Reiki to support the client’s highest good.
Even small practices, like a few minutes of grounding, a short meditation, or consciously releasing your own energy, can make a huge difference in how Reiki flows.
You can honor Usui’s lineage without replicating his exact lifestyle. Reiki isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence and integrity. You can show up fully for your client, no matter how many hours you meditate or how busy life gets.
If you’re a Reiki practitioner and want to feel more confident about working from a pure heart, or if you’re a student who wants to really understand what it means to channel Reiki authentically, I offer a 1:1 Reiki class and also Reiki mentoring. We explore intention, energy alignment, and practical ways to integrate Reiki into your life while staying true to the spirit of Usui’s practice. It’s tailored to your needs, your questions, and your pace.
Reiki isn’t about perfect rituals or long hours—it’s about showing up fully and honestly for the person in front of you. That’s the lineage we honor every time we place our hands with intention.
