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Aug 17, 2012 Gaia rated it really liked it

Diane Stein is one of my favorite authors and this is a good starting place to learn about Reiki. She got a lot of flack from the Reiki community when she published this book because she published the secret Reiki symbols that no other Reiki master had ever revealed publicly. But Diane's perspective is that Reiki is such an important tool for the transformation of all the beings of Earth and for Mother Earth Herself, that it needs to be shared with as many people as possible and a person's wealt Diane Stein is one of my favorite authors and this is a good starting place to learn about Reiki. She got a lot of flack from the Reiki community when she published this book because she published the secret Reiki symbols that no other Reiki master had ever revealed publicly. But Diane's perspective is that Reiki is such an important tool for the transformation of all the beings of Earth and for Mother Earth Herself, that it needs to be shared with as many people as possible and a person's wealth or ability to pay for expensive Reiki training should not be an issue. The mainstream Reiki teachers have kept things secret and charged a pretty penny for the privilege of learning the system and it's various symbols.

Even though Diane writes as though she is always speaking to women, open-minded men may also enjoy reading her books. She doesn't seem like a man basher, but rather a very gentle woman focused woman.

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Mar 03, 2015 Lynne Austin rated it did not like it

I am a Reiki master, and can follow my lineage of master teachers. I am 5th in line after Usui, the originator of Reiki. In our area, we have found Reiki to be taught wrong by others who claim to have the knowlegde. Our issue is to please pass on the information correctly. I am very saddened from reading this book. Stein's representation of some of the symbols is incorrect and her method of initiation keeps me wondering. It is everyone's right to express themselves, but I do not find this book a I am a Reiki master, and can follow my lineage of master teachers. I am 5th in line after Usui, the originator of Reiki. In our area, we have found Reiki to be taught wrong by others who claim to have the knowlegde. Our issue is to please pass on the information correctly. I am very saddened from reading this book. Stein's representation of some of the symbols is incorrect and her method of initiation keeps me wondering. It is everyone's right to express themselves, but I do not find this book as helpful as it could be. All of this aside, there are those who do not need Reiki to offer healing. Their connection with Spirit and their intentions offered are full of love, so much so, that the energy flows into their hands so they may offer it to themselves and others. ...more

Oct 07, 2012 Kait rated it it was amazing

This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. As a non-traditional Reiki student who is fighting for Reiki to be free and available to everyone and all creatures, I really vibe with everything that Diane teaches in this book. It has exposed truths to me that I have known since I was a child and forgotten. Not only is it beautifully written, but Diane is an amazing, brave soul for writing it. I have had no traditional or conventional Reiki training yet as soon as I began to read this book This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. As a non-traditional Reiki student who is fighting for Reiki to be free and available to everyone and all creatures, I really vibe with everything that Diane teaches in this book. It has exposed truths to me that I have known since I was a child and forgotten. Not only is it beautifully written, but Diane is an amazing, brave soul for writing it. I have had no traditional or conventional Reiki training yet as soon as I began to read this book I started to practice Reiki effectively. I practice every day, still, and hope to become a teacher soon. Some people say that Reiki cannot be learned from a book and I completely disagree. I and others have found my Reiki to be no less effective than any other persons, trained traditionally or not. This is an excellent book for any devout and eager student who believes that all creatures have a right to this amazing gift. ...more

Jul 10, 2015 ~☆~Autumn♥♥☔ rated it it was amazing

I own this book which is lost somewhere in the basement. I sure would like to read it again. I believe about 20 years ago it was banned.

Dec 19, 2019 Dawn rated it liked it

For the most part it is a very good book. Informative with wonderful detail about the historical background of Mr. Usui. Clearly the author is very knowledgeable. It was also well written, well organized and easy to follow.

The lowered rating is due to my personal complaints and disagreements to what the author says in certain areas. I suppose we all have our individual beliefs and experiences so I did my best to set aside my prejudices and allow the author her beliefs so I could continue.

The one

The one thing I could not agree to at all,was the author's referral of God, Spirit, Universe etc as "she", "her" "Goddess." It was off putting. Seemed biased and left me putting the book down several times and walking away. Gender should not be forced down the readers throat nor should it matter.

It is my belief and understanding that energy is both male and female and are of equal importance.

I am at the point in my research to say that taking bits and pieces from several people are ok, but I am staying with how my Reiki Master taught me for the most part.

Keep it simple.

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May 25, 2013 Kipahni rated it it was ok

I am not a reiki practitioner. I was curious about the concept and what it was and my friend is a level 2 and said this would be a good introduction into reiki.Here are the things I question:
1st part of the book the author states that humans did not evolve but are decedents of other planetary beings and that reiki was brought from them. As of yet we have not found evidence of life on other planets and even if we did, I would highly doubt we would share the same DNA/chemical make-up as their sola I am not a reiki practitioner. I was curious about the concept and what it was and my friend is a level 2 and said this would be a good introduction into reiki.Here are the things I question:
1st part of the book the author states that humans did not evolve but are decedents of other planetary beings and that reiki was brought from them. As of yet we have not found evidence of life on other planets and even if we did, I would highly doubt we would share the same DNA/chemical make-up as their solar system and life forms may not be carbon based like our, but rely on some other element.

2nd: the only other book I have ever read that has mention Jesus going to India was Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal which was hilarious and cheeky but totally not historical. Jesus using reiki? I just don't see the connection. Also about Essene's being Buddhist, what little writing there is on the Essene are rarely trustworthy and are scanty, colored and unreliable.

3rd: There are numerous studies about placebo effect and the benefits of belief, which is what I have come to the conclusion the majority of reiki is, positive belief. This is why when I give a pain medication to a patient IV I always say in a calming voice, you should start feeling pain relief very shortly. Then I fluff their pillow, give them a sip of water, offer to put on some soothing music and follow up shortly with "feel better yes?" and 9 out of 10 will say their pain has decreased- even though I know that IV pain medication takes at least 10-15 minutes to begin to metabolize. That is because Humans are conditioned to expect relief when administered pain meds, and the expectations of relief release endorphin's in the brain which are the bodies own natural pain relievers.
I am not saying reiki is bunko, placebos have there place in medicine. And I get that people are able generate energy(static electricity, piezoelectricity) I just don't buy into all of the metaphysical connections with it.

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Sep 29, 2012 Casey Smith rated it really liked it

I found this book at the library long before my sister recommended I read it!

Throughout this book I learned the art of Reiki and healing touch natural therapy at a time when I was able to incorporate what I read into practical application. By no means am I a master and I probably learned just enough to show me that I wanted to learn more; however, I was certainly able to provide my ailing Father with comfort and loving touch in the days leading up to his death from Alzheimer's.

Since that time,

I found this book at the library long before my sister recommended I read it!

Since that time, I have found more and more caregivers are becoming aware of Reiki and are using it in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments. This book is a great first entry into this wonderful alternative healing art!

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Sep 11, 2013 Sharonk rated it liked it

This book has been mentioned to me and I have seen it cited in other books so I decided to read it. Unfortunately it left me with mixed feelings. While there is some useful information, parts of the book are speculative and Stein seems to want to marry Jesus and Reiki to Buddhism. In parts of the books Stein comes off as a bit of a loose cannon. Some of her advice makes you wonder. For example there is a table for emotional sources of disease and for migraines the source is "anger and perfection This book has been mentioned to me and I have seen it cited in other books so I decided to read it. Unfortunately it left me with mixed feelings. While there is some useful information, parts of the book are speculative and Stein seems to want to marry Jesus and Reiki to Buddhism. In parts of the books Stein comes off as a bit of a loose cannon. Some of her advice makes you wonder. For example there is a table for emotional sources of disease and for migraines the source is "anger and perfectionism, frustration" and under it advises "masturbate to stop." I believe that Stein's heart is in the right place and she is well meaning, but I take this book as her personal journey and the advice with a grain of salt. I think of it as a supplemental guide with some useful parts, but I wouldn't want to use it as a teaching guide nor would I say it lives up to the its title as a complete guide. ...more

Oct 12, 2010 Ken rated it really liked it

I've been reading this off and on for the past 3 years, so I can't claim it's a fast read (for me), but I found the material very useful. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Reiki, even if it is mostly written for women. What I need to reconcile going forward is whether her system of one attunement fits all is the approach for me, and which versions of the symbols - particularly her radically different dai-ko-myo - strike a chord with me. One small complaint is the certainty or near-certa I've been reading this off and on for the past 3 years, so I can't claim it's a fast read (for me), but I found the material very useful. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Reiki, even if it is mostly written for women. What I need to reconcile going forward is whether her system of one attunement fits all is the approach for me, and which versions of the symbols - particularly her radically different dai-ko-myo - strike a chord with me. One small complaint is the certainty or near-certainty with which she addresses certain things, such as Jesus having been to India or Tibet. ...more

May 01, 2012 Linda rated it it was ok

Fiercely feminist, and with techniques that deviate greatly from traditional reiki, this book should be read as a supplement to your education, not as an original source. She angered a great deal of people when she printed the symbols, and some people refused to teach her because of this and also how she changed Usui reiki into something that is similar, but maybe not quite reiki.

She also goes quite woo-woo at times, e.g., speculating on how reiki might have come from another planet, which makes

She also goes quite woo-woo at times, e.g., speculating on how reiki might have come from another planet, which makes it very hard to take the book itself seriously.

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Oct 31, 2012 Erin rated it it was ok

Recommended to Erin by: Pam Halton

This book did have some good tips about Reiki and using the symbols, but there is something about the book I don't like all that much. I'm not sure what it is exactly, except maybe that much of it is opinion-based, and I don't necessarily agree with that opinion. I think a book that delves deeper in to the origin of Reiki is what I need. This book did have some good tips about Reiki and using the symbols, but there is something about the book I don't like all that much. I'm not sure what it is exactly, except maybe that much of it is opinion-based, and I don't necessarily agree with that opinion. I think a book that delves deeper in to the origin of Reiki is what I need. ...more

Jul 15, 2016 Marnie rated it did not like it

This book is very opinion based and left me with more questions than answers. The opinions given are not always relevant to Reiki which can just confuse the reader. There was a lot of worthwhile information but nothing that is not available through other sources. I know it is usually looked upon as the 'go to' Reiki handbook but it would not be what I would recommend. This book is very opinion based and left me with more questions than answers. The opinions given are not always relevant to Reiki which can just confuse the reader. There was a lot of worthwhile information but nothing that is not available through other sources. I know it is usually looked upon as the 'go to' Reiki handbook but it would not be what I would recommend. ...more

May 25, 2008 Car rated it really liked it

Wow! She's a total pioneer in Reiki. Interesting read. Also goes against what I have learned (sharing symbols prior to attunements). However, I like her philosphy of giving everyone healing and attunements, regardless of whether they can afford it. Controversial for sure, bold and I love it. Wow! She's a total pioneer in Reiki. Interesting read. Also goes against what I have learned (sharing symbols prior to attunements). However, I like her philosphy of giving everyone healing and attunements, regardless of whether they can afford it. Controversial for sure, bold and I love it. ...more

Oct 02, 2010 Rift Vegan rated it really liked it

I re-read this book every couple years. I am a Reiki 1, and an atheist, so much of this book does not apply or interest me. But I do need a reminder as to why I do Reiki, and Diane Stein is a very passionate lady. :)

Nov 14, 2011 Linda rated it it was amazing

A good beginning for anyone interested in learning about Reiki

Jun 19, 2014 Amy Cohen rated it did not like it

This i book is more for practitioners. I was hoping is was a book that explained the process.

This is still on my shelf, a couple of decades after being the first reiki book suggested to me and studied by me. I rarely practice my reiki (a pity) and haven't referred to it in years, so I'm going off old memory, but I remember it as being clear, practical and readable. If I riffle through it again any time soon (and now I want to) I'll adjust the stars if necessary. But I've never read one I liked better. This is still on my shelf, a couple of decades after being the first reiki book suggested to me and studied by me. I rarely practice my reiki (a pity) and haven't referred to it in years, so I'm going off old memory, but I remember it as being clear, practical and readable. If I riffle through it again any time soon (and now I want to) I'll adjust the stars if necessary. But I've never read one I liked better. ...more

A very good preamble to prepare you for attending a Reiki workshop. The book is an excellent guide that introduces you to all the major concepts, symbols, and background you'd need to be successful. Unfortunately, it is only an introductory guide that emphasizes the need to go to a retreat to be able to use the techniques (which makes perfect sense).

I guess I have some unfair expectations when it comes to these kinds of healing practices since the scientific literature is nonexistent with them.

I guess I have some unfair expectations when it comes to these kinds of healing practices since the scientific literature is nonexistent with them. I will say that I do fear a lot of the impact could be placebo, but I'd have to attend a retreat just to make sure haha.

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Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art by Diane Stein is a must-have for any Reiki or reiki practitioner. Diane's book is the first Reiki book to "break the secrecy" behind the powerful Reiki Symbols, which previously cost the average Reiki Master $10,000 -- the equivalent of $56,100 in 2012 -- to learn.

Diane's presentation of Reiki information is 100% accurate for the time it was written in, and therefore represents a significant turning-point in Reiki History. You may or m

Diane's presentation of Reiki information is 100% accurate for the time it was written in, and therefore represents a significant turning-point in Reiki History. You may or may not agree with some things that are said in the book, but it accurately reflects the way Reiki used to be taught.

Historical significance aside, the book also contains many useful exercises to help a person become more psychically aware of spiritual energies within themselves, and their environment.

I highly recommend Diane Stein's book Essential Reiki, and hold a tremendous amount of respect towards her as an author.

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This was a very courageous book for Diane Stein to write and publish at the time. Although I am skeptical about the channelled information that she presents regarding the origins and history of Reiki, her passion and dedication to Reiki is clear. (The verifiable facts of what we do presently know about Mikao Usui and how he created the Reiki system can be found in the works of Bronwen and Frans Stiene.)

I learned some interesting things in this book that were not shared with me by either of the

I learned some interesting things in this book that were not shared with me by either of the Reiki masters that I studied with, and I certainly value the new insight that I have gained from this book. I agree completely with Diane that Reiki should be accessible and affordable to all.

When I began my Reiki training I was motivated by a strong desire to heal myself and others, including animals. This book has encouraged and inspired me to consider becoming a Reiki teacher as well. I am grateful to Diane for publishing this book!

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a wonderful book explaining not only the history of Reiki the author also shares here personal experience and philosophy with regards to using and sharing the healing method. Those interested in learning more about Reiki and/or expanding your personal healing skill set reading this book is a great place to start.

It's a wonderful book explaining not only the history of Reiki the author also shares her personal experience and philosophy with regards to using and sharing this healing method. Thos

It's a wonderful book explaining not only the history of Reiki the author also shares her personal experience and philosophy with regards to using and sharing this healing method. Those interested in learning more about Reiki and/or expanding your personal healing skills reading this book is a great start.

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Apr 06, 2012 Ron Campbell rated it really liked it

Stein's book I find to be very helpful in understand some of the history of Reiki and in the Reiki Symbols. It is with this book that I started by 5 years of studying Reiki.

Most of my issue's with Stein's book is her philosophy of both Reiki and of the process of Healing. Although there is much in the way of positive information in the book, Stein does need to take a share of the responsibility in how Reiki has been so commercialized over the last decade or so.

Stein's book I find to be very helpful in understand some of the history of Reiki and in the Reiki Symbols. It is with this book that I started by 5 years of studying Reiki.

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Jan 15, 2014 5 Track rated it it was amazing

This book takes what you may call a defiantly non-traditional approach to an ancient healing art.

I've seen & felt Reiki work, so whether it exists or has a use is not a question for me. Therefore, this book was a welcome & lucid summation of What It's All About. An open mind and a little patience with the author's mostly-charming quirks may be required. Or just treat it like speculative fiction if that's easier for ya :)

This book takes what you may call a defiantly non-traditional approach to an ancient healing art.

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Feb 28, 2014 Joanne rated it really liked it

I am a Reiki Master myself, and I find the information (pertaining to reiki itself) to be reliable. There are parts of the book where I am skeptical as to where she got the information (i.e. Jesus in India), but as with any book, take everything with a grain of salt. If it sits well with you, great, and if it doesn't, don't believe it. We are created with a brain to decide for ourselves what we will accept and what we will not, so use it. I am a Reiki Master myself, and I find the information (pertaining to reiki itself) to be reliable. There are parts of the book where I am skeptical as to where she got the information (i.e. Jesus in India), but as with any book, take everything with a grain of salt. If it sits well with you, great, and if it doesn't, don't believe it. We are created with a brain to decide for ourselves what we will accept and what we will not, so use it. ...more

Apr 23, 2009 Libby rated it really liked it

The inclusion of the attunement process itself is a bold and controversial move. The process is fully explained from the view of the receiver as well as the one providing the attunement. However "against the rules" this may be I found this less disturbing than Ms. Steins attitudes towards men in this book...an interesting addition to the literature on Reiki.
The inclusion of the attunement process itself is a bold and controversial move. The process is fully explained from the view of the receiver as well as the one providing the attunement. However "against the rules" this may be I found this less disturbing than Ms. Steins attitudes towards men in this book...an interesting addition to the literature on Reiki.
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Aug 11, 2011 Silas rated it liked it

It was a good book, informationally, though I might have prefered a bit less channeled material, and the writer's style didn't make me very comfortable. It's very oriented towards women, almost to the point of disregarding men as reiki practitioners. Still, the information's all there, but if you're looking for a first book on the subject, I might try elsewhere. It was a good book, informationally, though I might have prefered a bit less channeled material, and the writer's style didn't make me very comfortable. It's very oriented towards women, almost to the point of disregarding men as reiki practitioners. Still, the information's all there, but if you're looking for a first book on the subject, I might try elsewhere. ...more

Apr 19, 2007 Becky rated it really liked it

A very folks-y approach to Reiki. Lays out what it is, how it works and what you can (and can't) do with it. The author does interject a lot of Wiccan ideas and some man-hating rises to the top, but overall, a very informative book. A very folks-y approach to Reiki. Lays out what it is, how it works and what you can (and can't) do with it. The author does interject a lot of Wiccan ideas and some man-hating rises to the top, but overall, a very informative book. ...more

Apr 10, 2008 Michelle rated it it was amazing

I re read this one every time I teach another Reiki class. I do not agree with everything that Stein writes but I do believe this book is a must have reference for Reiki practitioners and teachers. It contains a solid foundation of practical, fundimental Reki knowledge.

Mar 31, 2009 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Every paragraph is a study all it's own. I've read it cover-to-cover several times, and every time I pick this book up, I learn something new! It's been an invaluable reference on my journey as a Reiki Master in Diane Stein's tradition. Every paragraph is a study all it's own. I've read it cover-to-cover several times, and every time I pick this book up, I learn something new! It's been an invaluable reference on my journey as a Reiki Master in Diane Stein's tradition. ...more

Apr 13, 2009 Barbara rated it it was amazing

This was the first book I read when I became interested in Reiki. Reading it spurred me on to learn more and eventually to take classes and become certified. I am still an occasional fan of western medicine for certain ailments, but do seek alternatives for life living events. I

Diane Stein (1948 - Present) is a natural healer and teacher of women's spirituality for thirty years. She is the author of thirty-three books on healing, natural remedies, metaphysics, women's spirituality, and the Goddess. Diane lives in Florida with her dogs. You may also find her at: Facebook.com/DianeSteinAuthor Diane Stein (1948 - Present) is a natural healer and teacher of women's spirituality for thirty years. She is the author of thirty-three books on healing, natural remedies, metaphysics, women's spirituality, and the Goddess. Diane lives in Florida with her dogs. You may also find her at: Facebook.com/DianeSteinAuthor ...more