The Reiki Attunement Process and What To Expect

The Reiki attunement process is often described as a life-changing experience. It is not merely a ceremony—it’s a sacred energetic alignment that shifts your consciousness and opens the pathway for divine life force energy to flow through you.

Whether you are preparing for your first Reiki attunement or moving to the next level, understanding what to expect can provide comfort, clarity, and confidence.

In this complete guide, we will explore everything about Reiki attunement: what to expect before, during, and after the process. You’ll also gain tips from a guided Reiki professional perspective to help you prepare emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

What Is a Reiki Attunement?

A Reiki attunement is a spiritual initiation passed from Reiki Master to student, opening energetic pathways (primarily through the crown, heart, and palm chakras) to channel universal life force energy.

This process is typically performed as part of formal Reiki training at different levels:

• Reiki Level 1 (Shoden) – opens the energy channel mainly on the physical level
• Reiki Level 2 (Okuden) – focuses on mental and emotional healing; symbols are introduced
• Reiki Level 3/Master Level (Shinpiden) – empowers the practitioner to attune others and deepens spiritual connection

Each attunement level enhances your energetic capacity and intuitive abilities.

Before the Attunement: How to Prepare

Preparation is as important as the attunement itself. Here’s what you should expect and how to get ready:

1. Cleansing the Body and Mind
🌀Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods for at least 2–3 days beforehand
🌀Stay well-hydrated
🌀Practise gentle yoga or meditation to calm the mind
🌀Reduce screen time to avoid energetic interference

2. Set an Intention
🌀Why are you seeking Reiki?
🌀What do you hope to gain or heal?
🌀Write this down in a sacred journal

3. Emotional Sensitivity May Arise
You may begin to feel emotionally heightened. This is a sign your energy field is responding to the incoming attunement. Don’t suppress it—observe and honour the experience.

During the Reiki Attunement: The Experience

Now let’s address the question: What happens during a Reiki attunement?

🔮 1. A Ceremonial Setting

The Reiki Master will often perform the attunement in a quiet, peaceful space. Soft music, incense, and candles may be used to elevate the energetic atmosphere.

🔮 2. Symbol Activation

Your Reiki Master will draw sacred symbols (e.g. Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki) into your aura and chakras. This can be done physically or remotely for distance attunements.

🔮 3. Energetic Transmission

You may experience the following sensations:

• Tingling or warmth in the hands
• Lightheadedness or floating sensation
• Visual flashes of colour or symbols
• Emotional release (tears, joy, laughter)
• Deep meditative stillness

Each person’s attunement is unique, and all responses are valid.

🔮 4. Duration and Process

A typical Reiki Level 1 attunement may take 20–30 minutes, while Master-level ceremonies can last over an hour. There may be silent moments and guided breathing throughout.

After the Attunement: The 21-Day Cleansing Period

Following attunement, your body undergoes a detoxification period where physical, emotional, and spiritual shifts occur.

Here’s what to expect:

🌿 Physical

🌀Headaches, fatigue, increased thirst
🌀More vivid dreams
🌀Fluctuating body temperature

🌿 Emotional

🌀Unexplained joy, sadness, or irritability
🌀Past memories surfacing
🌀Greater sensitivity to others' emotions

🌿 Spiritual

🌀Heightened intuition
🌀Stronger connection to your inner self
🌀More synchronicities and ‘signs’ from the universe

Note: These changes are not negative. They are signs of deep energetic recalibration.

Tips to Support Your Attunement Integration

Here’s how to nourish and stabilise your energy after the attunement:

🌸 Self-Reiki: Practise Reiki on yourself daily for at least 21 days. Focus on each chakra with loving presence.

🌸 Journalling: Record your emotions, physical changes, dreams, and any intuitive insights.

🌸 Hydration & Grounding Foods: Drink plenty of water and eat grounding foods like root vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.

🌸 Avoid Overstimulation: Reduce social media, intense music or large crowds if you feel energetically fragile.

🌸 Nature Time: Walk barefoot on grass, sit near water, or sunbathe—connect with earth's natural frequencies.

Common Myths About Reiki Attunement (Debunked)

❌ “You must feel something intense or it didn’t work.”
Truth: Some feel deeply. Others feel calm or even “nothing.” Attunement works regardless of sensation.

❌ “Only spiritual people can do Reiki.”
Truth: Reiki is universal life force energy. Anyone open to healing can receive and practise it.

❌ “Attunement gives you instant powers.”
Truth: Reiki is not a superpower. It’s a path of self-discovery and inner work.

Final Words: Your Journey Has Just Begun

Reiki attunement is not the end of the road—it’s the beginning of a profound journey into self-healing, compassion, and spiritual evolution.

By understanding what to expect from a Reiki attunement, you step into this sacred rite with trust and awareness. You’ll begin to notice subtle changes in how you perceive life, your reactions, your inner peace—and over time, this becomes your natural state of being.

The energy you open up to during attunement is already inside you. The Reiki Master doesn’t “give” it—they simply unlock what’s already yours.

You are energy. You are healing. You are light.