Phase 2: Reiki Foundations + Ethics

Opening / Overview

In Phase 2, you will begin learning the foundational teachings that support Reiki practice.

This phase introduces:

  • what Reiki is

  • a brief history of Reiki

  • the Reiki Ideals

  • ethical practice

  • consent and scope of practice

  • energetic boundaries

  • simple energetic hygiene practices

Reiki is not only something we feel or practice intuitively. It is also something we enter with respect, humility, and awareness of the lineage, ethics, and responsibilities connected to the practice.

This phase invites you to begin asking:

  • What is Reiki?

  • Where does this practice come from?

  • How do I practice with respect?

  • What responsibilities come with sharing Reiki?

  • How do I care for my own energy while remaining open and compassionate?

Reiki Connection Practice: Six Breaths of Arrival

Begin this phase with the Six Breaths of Arrival practice.

You’ll return to this centering practice at the beginning of every phase. This repetition helps you notice how your body, breath, awareness, and relationship with Reiki shift over time.

As a reminder, this practice honors:

  1. land

  2. Reiki lineage

  3. ancestry and chosen lineage

  4. cycles and seasons

  5. the body

  6. gratitude

After the six breaths, rub your palms together, gently awaken sensation in the palms, and notice the energy between your hands.

Then practice the electric blue light visualization:

  • inhale: imagine the blue light moving from your hands, up your arms, and into your heart

  • exhale: imagine the light moving from your heart, down your arms, and back into your hands

When complete, let one hand hover over your heart and one hand hover over your lower belly.

Pause.

Notice what is present.

When you are ready, begin the phase.

Readings

Please read the following sections in your manual:

  • Reiki Level I Overview

  • Brief History of Reiki

  • Appreciation, Appropriation + Honoring Reiki’s Lineage

  • The Original Reiki Ideals

  • Code of Ethics for Reiki Practitioners

  • Energetic Boundaries + Energetic Hygiene

Practice 1: Earth + Sky Meditation

Listen to the Earth + Sky meditation recording.

This practice helps you explore grounding, connection, and your place within the larger web of life.

Afterward, notice:

  • your body

  • your breath

  • your emotions

  • your sense of connection

  • any resistance or ease

You do not need to have a dramatic experience. Simply notice what is true.

Practice 2: Reflecting on the Reiki Ideals

Read the Reiki Ideals slowly.

Choose one ideal that feels supportive right now.

Choose one ideal that feels challenging.

Spend a few minutes reflecting on both.

Rather than treating the ideals as rules to perform perfectly, consider them as invitations for daily practice.

Practice 3: Beginner Ethics Reflection

Read through the ethics scenarios in your manual.

Choose one scenario and move through the ethical decision-making questions.

You do not need to find a perfect answer.

The purpose is to begin practicing ethical reflection, humility, and discernment.



Practice 4: Energetic Hygiene Experiment

Choose one energetic hygiene practice to work with for several days.

You may choose:

  • cord cutting

  • dry bathing

  • light shielding

  • another grounding or clearing practice that feels aligned

Practice it once daily for at least 3 days.

Notice how you feel on the days you use the practice.

If possible, also notice how you feel on a day you do not use it.

This is not about proving whether the practice “works.”

It is about learning what helps you feel grounded, clear, and connected.

Practice 5: Your Personal Definition of Reiki

After reading the Reiki overview and history, write your own simple definition of Reiki.

This may be a simple 1–3 sentences.

You are not trying to create a perfect explanation. You are beginning to notice how you understand Reiki at this stage of your practice.

Your definition will likely evolve over time.

Reflection

Please submit your reflection through the Reiki Reflection Form.

  • What did you notice during the Six Breaths of Arrival practice in this phase? Did anything shift in your body, breath, awareness, gratitude, connection to Reiki, or relationship with the practice?

  • What did you notice during the Earth + Sky meditation?

  • What definition of Reiki feels most true to you right now?

  • Which Reiki ideal feels most supportive? Which feels most challenging?

  • What did you learn about honoring Reiki’s lineage with respect rather than appropriation?

  • How does learning about Reiki’s history, including racism and cultural erasure, affect the way you want to practice?

  • What ethical responsibilities feel important as you begin this path?

  • Which energetic hygiene practice did you try, and what did you notice?

  • What questions or uncertainties would you like to bring forward?


Jodie Tingle-Willis