We recommend the following books on Reiki and associated subjects. We've given them stars to show how useful they were for us. Five stars denotes essential reading, in our opinion.
Reiki Fire - Frank Arjava Petter
Essential reading for anyone who has just taken, or is about to take, First Degree Reiki. Petter writes in a clear, down to earth manner and dispels many of the popular myths about Reiki. This book will broaden your understanding of the Reiki ray and is extremely inspiring.
*****
The Healing Touch - William Rand
Along with Frank A Petter's 'Reiki Fire', this is essential reading for newly-attuned practitioners and there is much of interest for the experienced practitioner too. If you can only buy two books, get these two. Our own Reiki Master recommended Rand's book to us after initiation, as he said it was one of the 'most sensible'. We cannot disagree with this opinion.
*****
Reiki and the Healing Buddha - Maureen Kelly
A superbly written book, full of wise insight, common sense and enlightened thinking. Ms Kelly does publish the Reiki symbols, which some people still consider to be somewhat controversial, but this makes the book especially helpful for those having already taken Reiki II and III. The author gives a thorough study of the symbols' origins and meaning and relates Reiki initiation processes to Healing Buddha mandalas. We found this book very useful indeed and began to incorporate some of Ms Kelly's Buddhist initiation techniques into our own practices.
*****
Essential Reiki: a Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art - Diane Stein
Ms Stein's approach is refreshing and free from dogma. Again, she publishes all the symbols, and her book is especially useful for Reiki Masters as she compares different versions of them. She also discusses other energy healing rays and gives examples of symbols associated with them. There is much advice for existing and potential teachers in this book, and you only have to admire the author's stamina and commitment as she describes her Reiki weekends, and how many people she initiates during them. Her passion for Reiki is infectious and although you can appreciate that her unconventional views might ruffle a few conventional feathers, she writes from the heart and breathes fresh air into the Reiki world.
*****
Reiki: The Legacy of Dr. Usui - Frank Arjava Petter
Petter's second book, which gives more of his views on Reiki, including 'rediscovered documents on the origins and developments of the Reiki system, as well as new aspects of the Reiki energy'. We find we are in tune with the author's way of thinking and his writing is always lively and interesting.
*****
The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr Mikao Usui - Dr Mikao Usui and Frank Arjarva Petter
In this book, the author reveals Mikao Usui's original hand positions, philosophy and meditation practice. As with Maureen Kelly's work, we have adopted some of the techniques from this book and have found them to be very helpful both from a practical and a teaching point of view.
*****
Reiki: Healing and Harmony Through the Hands - Tanmaya Honervogt
A colourful, nicely presented book that is useful for those embarking upon Reiki training. This is strictly for beginners, but is inspirational and well written. It is a good book to read before taking First Degree and then to use as a reference during healing as you begin to practice.
****
Reiki for a New Millennium - William Rand
This is Rand's second book and consists of a series of articles on Reiki. Informative and interesting.
****
Reiki: a Torch in Daylight - Karyn Mitchell
Reiki: Beyond the Usui System - Karyn Mitchell
Reiki Mystery School: Transformational Reiki - Karyn Mitchell
All of Ms Mitchell's books are well-designed and full of interesting detail. She gives many useful tips and innovative ideas for Reiki practice. These books are good examples of how people can be extremely creative with Reiki.
****
Reiki with Gemstones - Ursula Klinger-Omenka
Many Reiki practitioners like to work with crystals and other stones, and this is a good book with which to start if your own interests go that way.
****
The Complete Reiki Handbook - Walter Lubeck
Reiki: The Way of the Heart - Walter Lubeck
Rainbow Reiki - Walter Lubeck
We did find Lubeck's books a bit stuffy and pompous, but the author is clearly a very experienced Master and does know his subject inside out. Sometimes a dry read, but worth looking into if you are committed to reading the most informed of the Reiki books.
***
The Subtle Energy System of the Body:
The Body of Light History and Practical Techniques for Awakening Your Subtle Body - John Mann and Lar Short
In order to work with Reiki most effectively, you should be familiar with the subtle energy system of the body. Although this book does not go in detail into the various chakras and their functions, it gives a clear overall view of the energy body and compares the beliefs and practices of different systems, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. There is a workshop section at the back of the book, which gives useful exercises of varying complexity that help you to open the chakras and feel your own body energy for yourself. We recommend you read this book first and then acquire another book that studies the individual chakras in detail.
*****
Chakras: Rays and Radionics - David V Tansley
This book discusses the chakras in a non-mystical way as frequencies of energy. These frequencies, or rays, are understood to contain different aspects and properties as wave-forms. We recommend this book as a sensible counterpoint to the many overly mystical volumes that appear on the subject. It's good have to have a rounded view of body energy.
***
Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System - Anodea Judith
We have an old battered copy of this, but fortunately it is still in print. This gives a very detailed study of the chakras: a thick book that is extremely good value for money.
****
Other Healing Energy Rays:
All Love: A Guidebook for Healing with Sekhem-Seichem-Reiki and SKHM - Diane Ruth Shewmaker
SSR is a derivative of Reiki that combines it with the Seichem and Sekhem systems. At the time of writing, this is the only book we can find that touches on Sekhem and Seichem. There is extensive discussion of the energy system and full description and pictures of the SSR symbols - some of which are awesomely complicated! It's useful if only for the full story of how Sekhem and its derivatives came about.
***
