I received an email recently stating that the symbols on my website are not accurate, even suggesting that they are “distorted”. This woman also suggested that if my Master Teacher did not know her lineage that I should assume the training was not accurate.
First, I want to be clear that the symbols I share on my website are the same as those in the very well-known book, Essential Reiki, by Diane Stein. Next, I am sharing some of my response to the email in order to address what I consider to be some issues within the Reiki community in terms of Reiki symbols—their use and accuracy—and “Reiki Lineage” which pertains to whether a Reiki Master can trace their training back to either Mrs. Takata, who first brought Reiki to the United States, or one of her students.
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I wrote, “Thank you for your email. On my website I have addressed the issue of symbols here http://www.worldhealing.net/sharesymbols.html which is my response to someone who had an issue with the fact that I had published the symbols at all. Included in my response are two links that bring some greater insight into the symbols, including that it was discovered that Mrs. Takata herself modified the symbols for different students, and that Dr. Usui only started using the symbols towards the end of his practice—they are not essential to doing Reiki.
The symbols themselves are not Reiki. They are focusing tools. Reiki is Love and the Creator’s Divine Intelligence and it does not need a symbol to know what to do. That is a human-created mental construct. It’s my feeling that no human should stand in the way of what is meant to be between an individual and the Creator, and to add extra mandatory dogma that is limiting creates separation and encourages just the sort of email that you have sent, containing judgment and comparison. There are Reiki Masters all over the world who are committed to loving service who have helped many people reconnect to their birthright as natural healers—it may not look the way you think it should or your Reiki Master thinks it should, but it’s still within integrity within the eyes of the Creator.
As far as lineage, that is one of the greatest examples of ego in Reiki—as if to suggest that the lineage matters as some sort of status symbol. Human ego does not belong in Reiki. Anyone who uses Reiki within Integrity and Love, no matter who their teacher—they are not deficient if the “lineage” is not traced back to Mrs. Takata. If that is how you were taught, then you may want to take another look. Reiki is meant to heal the ego, not build it up, not build more polarity. It is meant to unify, not separate…
Reiki is alive and dynamic. Energy is alive and dynamic. Each of us as children of God are alive and dynamic. No system of healing is static. The only constant in the Universe is Love and Change.”
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I believe that there is a great benefit to learning the Reiki symbols and working with them, if it feels right. Reiki reconnects us to our inner guidance, and each individual who practices Reiki has the right to tune into that guidance and make their own choices in terms of Reiki symbols.
I will share a true story here of an attunement I did on a student way back in the beginning of my practice, in 1994. I was drawing the Reiki symbol for the second level, which is kind of intricate—the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen—the practice is to draw it in the air with your hand. I had made a mistake, and was attempting to erase it in the air (I sort of chuckle at it now 
) and I got a clear message from my inner being:
“What are you doing?”
“I made a mistake and I have to fix it”
“Whatever!! That is not what Reiki is about. I will “fix it” if you want. You should get back to the heart. Connect with your student, heart-to-heart. Remember…Reiki is Love.”
That was good enough for me. That established the way I approached Reiki from that moment on.
Reiki Is Love!
Bravo!!! That Reiki, and any practice for that matter, flows with the soul and is soft, dynamic, and [i]consciously responsive to the needs of the individual[/i], are a few of its most wonderful aspects.
At the Reiki shares that I attend, those who are unattuned are not allowed to practice on others. Recently I’ve been seriously questioning this. My inner reaction is impertinence: who is to say that we must place our sovereignty in another’s hands? Isn’t it just another form of exclusivity; albeit one with a seemingly cautious or noble purpose? I’m not sure how much the facilitators believe in this principle, though I understand that they would enforce it for the peace of mind of the group.
Well said, Erik
Yes, I believe that the facilitators may be enforcing it for the peace of mind of the group. I once participated in Reiki shares where the Reiki Master would not allow people to practice on others if she herself had not attuned them. I think there is too much fear about Reiki and a desire to control because of the fear, when Reiki is pure and meant to transmute fear.
Excellent Cindy. But why use any symbols at all?
Thanks Richard
Good question…some people like to have something to focus on…I think it appeals to the logical mind and helps to get the logical mind on board with a healing system that is not logical 
Kind of like you said to me once, Cindy, a person could produce their own symbol, and it could work just as well or better if there was personal significance.
Yes, indeed, absolutely true…thought, combined with the heart energy, creates
I’m so glad I found this site and this thread of conversation. I’ve been struggling lately with my practice because of “symbols.” I have a brain injury so memory is an issue for me and the distance symbol has been particularly difficult for me to try and get down mentally even basically and so I’ve withdrawn from any type of distance work. I would welcome feedback on my situation since it’s made me feel disconnected and “less than” and that impacts the quality of my work because I am more “in the midst” worrying rather than simply doing and being. (My clients don’t seem to be bothered by my concerns and, in fact, have the most interesting session dream experiences.)
Hi Dena, thanks so much for your comment and sharing
This is exactly why I posted this story….because people have the Divine right to approach Reiki in their own way. What makes each Reiki experience special is the dynamic, loving relationship between each practitioner and the receiver. This is more important than any mental belief system that it “should” be done only one way, or in a particular way someone might be taught it “must be”, or worrying about the symbols being “correct”, or even using symbols at all, if they don’t feel right or there is too much worry about them. This takes us away from the heart, and the heart is where Reiki is at. The mind can do only so much–but the heart is the doorway to All That Is. 
Thanks for that answer also Cindy. It used to puzzle me too as to why so much emphasis is placed on man made symbols on a phenomenon that is essentially natural.
Wonderfully shared….
Reiki is most certainly love over and over continuously amazing!
Bridget
WellnessandReiki.com
Thanks, Bridget
I really enjoyed your post…it was honest…real. Thanks for putting “ego” and “lineage” in their true places. It never ceases to amaze me when individuals boast and brag about belonging to a particular practice or community, but fail to subscribe to its most sacred principles. Let’s keep it real…is the goal to achieve love and harmony…OR to become an artist, proficient in the drawing of symbols? Which accomplishment truly adds value to one’s life?
Well said
Thanks so much for your comment…