Excerpts from Reiki The Ultimate Guide: "Learn Sacred Symbols & Attunements" and "Reiki Secrets You Should Know." Permission granted by Reiki Master Steve Murray.
There is a belief with some Reiki schools and Masters that Reiki Symbols and Attunements, in fact, the whole process, should be kept secret -- that is, until there is an "energy exchange" (which is usually money), before the secrets are told and taught. Even then the person is instructed to keep these secrets for various reasons, including the Reiki tradition.
I do not believe in this. Traditions do evolve and need to change with the times. I believe if a person seeks information about anything, including Reiki, they should be informed. Now this does not mean I believe in free Reiki classes, sessions, and/or attunements. It means I do not believe in secrets for any reasons, including control. I also believe this secretive mentality has hurt the spread of Reiki and kept it from many people who are in need of it.
It has been said that if a person sees the symbols and knows about attunements that "negative energy" can be created so that when they decide to try Reiki, it will not work or be as strong. I believe this is all nonsense -- the life force does not work that way. A Reiki Healer or a person contemplating becoming a Reiki Healer or having a Reiki session should be fully informed if they want to be. Of course, some people do not care about the process or how it works, just that it does. Reiki will work, informed or not.
Over the years I have been told other reasons for keeping Reiki secrets, but none have ever made sense to me, especially in this day and age. What does stand out in my mind is that with some Reiki Masters, the secrecy is a control issue and some Reiki groups are like a cult with the information -- only a select few may have it. The reality is that now most of the information is out there piecemeal via the Internet, newsletters, word of mouth, books, and even a few songs, (although most of the time it is incorrect.) So, in today's world, there is no longer a need for Reiki secrets.
