When I first trained in Reiki Level 2 (Okuden), I was handed a set of keys, the sacred symbols, and told they were tools for specific jobs. “Draw this to ground,” “Use this for distance healing,” and “This one is for mental clearing.”

It felt like I had been given a remote control for healing. But over time, I realized that treating these symbols as “magic buttons” or quick fixes was actually keeping me from the true power of the practice. It was surface level change rooted in wanting a specific outcome, rather than authentic connection.

The symbols are not just external tools; they are living energies, and they are meant to be meditated upon, contemplated, and most importantly, embodied.

From “Magic Button” to Embodiment

In some Western lineages, the symbols are taught as external shortcuts. We draw them in the air to fix a headache or clear a room. But if we only use them to “do” something to the world, we miss the point of why Mikao Usui sensei created them in the first place.

Traditional Japanese Reiki teaches us that the shirushi (symbols) and jumon (mantras) are bridges. They are training wheels for the mind, designed to help us return to what the Japanese call Anshin Ritsumei, or absolute peace of mind.

When you move away from using symbols to “get a result” and begin to sit with them as a spiritual practice, the whole experience changes. You stop asking “What can this symbol do for me?” and start asking, “Who am I becoming as I embody this energy?”

The Three Gates of Okuden

When I retrained in a Japanese Reiki lineage, I was encouraged to sit with each symbol for months. Through consistency and observance, I began to feel the distinct vibration of each energy:

• The First Symbol: Felt like a deep anchor. It brought a sense of being present in the body, strong, revitalized, and focused.
• The Second Symbol: Left me feeling lighter, more intuitive, and emotionally aware.
• The Third Symbol: Brought the energy of oneness, spiritual awareness, and pure, spacious presence.

These shifts didn’t happen because I drew a symbol on my knee to stop pain. They happened because I built a relationship with them. By chanting the jumon and visualizing the shirushi consistently, I allowed the energy to transform my internal state. Eventually, you don’t just use the symbol; you become the essence of the symbol. You carry its wisdom in your daily life, not just on the meditation cushion.

Practices for Deepening Your Connection

To establish a relationship with each of the symbols and mantras, try incorporating these practices into your Reiki routine:

1. Calligraphy

Practice drawing the symbols on paper with a calligraphy pen, brush or marker. Don’t worry about perfection; let the movement of your hand be a meditation. 

2. Chant and feel the Kotodama

Chant the jumon (mantra) associated with each symbol for at least 5–10 minutes. Focus on the vibration in your throat and chest. Let the sound vibrate through your entire being.

3. Charge Your Palms

Draw the symbols on one palm using the index finger of your other palm. Press your palms together and sit in silence. Notice how the energy shifts within your own body before you ever offer a treatment to someone else.

4. Step Into the Energy

Stand and draw the shirushi in front of you three times. Then step forward into the space where you drew it. Close your eyes and receive the energy.

5. Symbols in Everyday Life

Share the energy of the symbols with your crystals, food, water, and even your pillow. Let the energy boomerang back to you as you use these items.

Observing the Symbols and their Transformation

After each practice, ask yourself:

• What is the message of this symbol?
• Where do I feel its energy in my body?
• What emotions does it surface for me?
• How does my mind transform when I connect with it?
• Who am I becoming as I invoke this symbol?

If you feel there’s more to experience with the symbols and mantras, I encourage you to build these practices into your daily Reiki routine. You may find that the symbols offer vast wisdom, serving as energetic archetypes to help us find balance. They remind us of the deeper truths of the Universe and, more importantly, they help us meet ourselves.

Interested in training or retraining in Reiki Level 2 (Okuden)? I am leading a small group, live, online training. Over six weeks, we will dive deep into the symbols and mantras, intuitive Reiki, creating a professional practice, long-distance healing techniques, and much more. Learn more about the training at the free Reiki 2 Open House on July 9th.

Article by Parita Shah

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Parita Shah

Parita Shah practices Reiki, Chakra Balancing and Akashic Record healing to help clients connect to their truest essence. Parita became interested in Reiki and Meditation when she realized that the stress of her health issues was causing more health issues. She was determined to break the cycle and find her center in the midst of health flares and life transitions. She quickly learned that her health journey was a pathway into her purpose – helping others heal through the mind and body connection. She offers energy healing sessions, training and events, both distantly and in New York. She is also the author of Chakra Unearthing: 180+ Journal Prompts for Self-Awakening.
Visit her website paritashahhealing.com to learn more.