Much has been written about the various symbols of Reiki. The theory of almost everything that one needs to know is available a plenty in the form of books as well as Internet.  But what is not available so easily is the “inner knowledge” that comes only with a diligent practice.
It is this very reason that many people are not able to achieve the results that they expect - because they have not practiced sufficiently and all their theoretical knowledge is actually of no use when it comes to energy healing.
Therefore let me dwell a bit about what “Hon-Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen” - the 3rd symbol of Usui Reiki is all about.
To those who have been attuned in second level of Reiki, this is often explained how it is drawn and pronounced. 
In reality, it is much more than that.
For those who practice it merely as a ritual, it is something that will help in making a connection between you and the person who is going to receive Reiki;  but for a true practitioner of Reiki it is the key to their entire practice. 
In a Holistic manner, it is the symbol that connects our little universe (self) to the great universe (existence).
It is a symbol of multi-dimensional connectivity that aims at the existence of the sum total of energy and hence transgresses time and space. It hence encompasses all living and nonliving things of the universe.
Using this symbol empowers a Reiki healer to purify karma (first) and thereafter try to achieve distant healing. Not many Reiki maters emphasis on this aspect.
In physical terms, it has a direct effect on the Swadhisthana (naval) and the Moladadhar (root) Chakras (signifying the relationship between the “self” and the “roots”).
This symbol is therefore used for the following:

• Distance Healing
• Spanning the time and space dimensions
• Karma Healing
• Reducing Trauma
• Improving genetic constitution by altering the DNA.

Instead of using like clockwork focusing on how to draw the symbol, it should be used more as a tool to open the “windows” to move into the time and space dimensions and heal specific issues.
Sadly, most Reiki healers focus on how it should be drawn (vertical first, horizontal next etc) which in reality has no meaning.
Remember, having a key is of no use if you do not know which lock to open with that!
 

There are no special credentials required to learn Reiki. It is more about a way of life rather than something meant only for healing.
The only thing you need to become a Reiki channel is selflessness, natural compassion and a willingness to practice regularly.
And it is these very qualities that set one Reiki master apart from the other.
Unfortunately these days, quite a few Reiki practitioners are increasingly viewing themselves as health care providers and are themselves confused about the basics of Reiki.  Therefore it is not uncommon to hear - "I healed him/her of... (Problem) in just... (Days)"
In short, they have forgotten that they are just mediums for the corrective flow of Reiki and it is NOT THEM but the divine Reiki energy that heals!
Which also means that they cannot (and should not) either take credit or give a time frame for healing. All they should focus on is being humble, acknowledge the divine Reiki's healing power (not their own) and ensure that the person who comes to them goes back with positivity.
Positivity can never come if a practitioner doesn't have the compassion and a sense of oneness with the universal bond.
I have seen Reiki practitioners refusing to heal or teach someone who cannot "pay their fees".  Reiki, like air and water, belongs to no one and is free for all the living beings in this universe.
Yes, they should charge; NOT for Reiki, but just for their time and effort. And of course, never ask so much that a person cannot give. It's a positive energy exchange- which means, it should also create positivity.
So how do we evaluate whom to go for learning Reiki or for a session of Reiki healing?
Since Reiki has emerged not from schools and colleges but from the grass-roots of humanity, there are many varying perspectives as well as practicing styles. All of them are good in their own way.
While there are differences in these styles, a few common factors indicate the authenticity as well as the genuineness of a Reiki practitioner.

• Do not go solely by the possession of certificates or the photographs with the well known personalities. A true Reiki practitioner will never boast by showing how well connected he or she is!
• Ask a few specific questions before deciding upon someone to attune you or heal you.
• Look for a person who has experience in Reiki healing.  Most so called Reiki practitioners are "teaching" as opposed to healing.

This is so because Reiki is not about the amount of theoretical knowledge, which is available aplenty. It is more about development of attitude, intent and intuition.
Teaching after reading various resources is very easy. What sets a good Reiki practitioner apart is the amount he or she practices healing.
Therefore ask these questions-
Q-1.   Does he/she practice Reiki every day?     
Q-1.   Do they also hold healing sessions regularly? (Many insist that you learn Reiki from them and then heal yourself - thus shifting the onus of healing to you!).
Insist on a healing session first and see that if it makes any difference in your condition.
Stop and think!
If a Reiki master cannot heal you, what will he or she attune you with which would help you heal yourself?
Also insist on them to describe the process and structure of their class content.
Many people don't tell this on phone and insist on personal visit which means that they want to "rope you in". Many do not want to explain and “waste" their time. Such people have done more harm to the cause of Reiki than they realize.
Attunement is a very very sacred ceremony which can only be done properly if it is through a proper channel. When attunement is done properly, the development of other qualities takes place naturally.
Therefore, spending a little time and asking these questions is one of the best ways to make up your mind before you decide upon the right person to be your Reiki Master.
 
 

Reiki is not something new or something that started with Dr Mikao Usui; it existed much before that.  But it was only after Dr Mikao Usui started using it as a methodology for healing it gained some prominence.

​Since then, we have seen it evolving too many levels in many forms. 

Some of well known variants are the Tibetan Reiki, and Seichem Reiki which are ancient forms of healing.  But there are other new forms of Reiki too that have evolved after Dr Mikao Usui’s Reiki. 

While quite a few are just a selling gimmick in the form of USP,   quite a few of them have been universally accepted.

One of them is Karuna Reiki. It has been started by William Lee Rand, who received his Reiki Mastership (in traditional Usui Reiki) in as late as 1989 from one of the students of Hawayo Takata of the Mikao Usui linage.

Many people are confused between the procedures and symbols taught in various lineages of Reiki and some of them think they are different!
In reality they are not.
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To understand this, there are a few things that you should know about Karuna Reiki.  These are -

• Karuna Reiki has evolved out of Usui Reiki and hence, it is not to be practiced in isolation but as a continuance of Usui Reiki.  This also implies that only a person who has been attuned and has been practicing Usui Reiki can proceed with Karuna Reiki as an "add on".
• Reiki Grandmasters are expected to attune their students for Karuna Reiki ONLY if they have attained the Usui Reiki Masters level.
• Unlike Usui Reiki where all the symbols are used for healing and/or meditation, in Karuna Reiki, the symbols are used selectively and each one of them has a special sound effect. Therefore, while you can practice Usui Reiki as a form of silent meditation or healing, Karuna Reiki involves. Karuna Reiki is all about vibrations and compassion.
• The Karuna Reiki symbols are a mix of Japanese as well as Indian traditional meditative techniques. The word Karuna itself has its origin in Hindu scriptures.
• While carrying out a session of Karuna Reiki for healing, it is important first to use all the Usui Reiki symbols and follow up with the specific Karuna Reiki symbols AND vibrations as an additional tool to achieve a higher purpose and better results.

Cho Ku Rei is one of the most important symbols in Reiki because it is like a switch that opens the flow of energy.  

It is very important in the practice of Reiki as it boosts the energy that is channeled and is associated with protection, empowerment and a focused flow of energy.

There are many ways to use this symbol while carrying out Reiki treatments as well as initiations. Reiki practitioners start and end their sessions with this symbol as it enhances the energy flow and takes the entire proceedings to a new level.

However, there are quite a few contrary views about how to use it.  Some practitioners (even those who have done their third level) often raise these two most common doubts, so I thought I put it down here so that everyone who wishes to seek similar clarifications benefits from it.

What if I don't use Cho Ku Rei or any other symbol? Will it affect my practice?

Well, the answer is simple.  While Cho Ku Rei and symbols enhance the power of Reiki and helps it flow in a more focused manners, not using it will in NO WAY be a hindrance. 

After all, these symbols are taught only in the second level and you would see many a miraculous results even in the level 1 treatment.  It all boils down to the sincerity of effort. Symbols are just the keys to open the doors but what if the doors are already open!

Using Cho Ku Rei and other symbols after you have done your level 2 only goes to give a boost to the entire process of healing by making you focused. I have seen many practitioners are able to focus very well even in the first level and get better results than those who do not practice regularly despite being attuned to higher levels.

What if I draw the Cho Ku Rei symbol clockwise instead of anticlockwise?

There is a lot of confusion regarding this, because every Reiki master teaches his own way and their linage often continues in that manner.

The traditional Usui Reiki method teaches Cho Ku Rei as drawn anticlockwise but there is no harm if you use it clockwise.

Some of them even teach it in both ways saying one is to draw out energy and the other is to fill in.

While they may be right in their own manner, I personally feel that it is best to do it the way you have been taught by our own Reiki teacher. 

This is because everyone has different experiences while practicing Reiki AND most importantly, it is the way your initiation has been carried out that makes all the difference.
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Therefore, do not get confused by various texts and advices. Just remember-

• The manner in which you were initiated by your Reiki teacher is the right way (for you).
• These rituals have no meaning; what finally makes the entire difference is the SINCERITY & INTENT.