You might be wondering, ‘Is there really one best book for Reiki?’ It really would be nice if there was just one book that included just about everything you need to know. The reality is that there are so many great books that you can learn from to get to where you desire ‘Reiki-wise’. 

With the variety of different approaches and styles plus experiences, you are bound to find something that really resonates with you. 

So if you want to deepen your knowledge of Reiki or simply are curious about what Reiki is all about, then below is a list of the 10 best books that will serve as great resources for different levels.

But before that, here is a sneak peek into what Reiki is:

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a therapy that works as an alternative form of healing based on the channeling of the energy of the universe through the hands of a Reiki practitioner. If you don’t know, our bodies are pure energy that flows like a river, and once there is a blockage, energy cannot flow through it, and life can become a hassle. 

This is where Reiki comes in, to help remove the blocks and the resulting negative effects of energy blockage such as stress and different illnesses. Reiki helps to reduce stress and promote a deep level of relaxation. This combination is said to provide the perfect environment for healing. By eliminating stress and energy blocks, your body can now do what it’s best at; achieving ultimate health.

There are 3 levels of Reiki: 

• Level 1– This is basically an initiation to Reiki. It is the beginning of opening the energy channels and practicing Reiki on oneself. 
• Level 2– Here, you begin to learn how to practice Reiki healing on other people.
• Level 3– This is the teacher’s level meaning that you’ve gained enough knowledge to teach new practitioners and perform attunements. 

Even if the books below are assigned to levels, it doesn’t mean that you cannot read them if you are on a different level. The books are more suitable for the levels but you can still explore.

Best Books For Reiki Level 1

1. The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui: The Traditional Usui Reiki Ryoho Treatment Positions and Numerous Reiki Techniques for Health and Well-Being

By Mikao Usui and Frank Arjava Petter 

This is the original handbook written by the promoter of Reiki, Dr. Mikao Usui, and is technically the best, as it has original teachings by Mikao Usui himself. Besides, it would be great to start at the source. The book was originally written in Japanese but has now been translated into English, making it easier to learn Reiki from Usui directly. 

The book includes original hand positions and is illustrated with approximately 100 photos making it practical and easy to understand. In this book, you will also find various hand positions for different health complaints, making it ideal for reference when practicing Reiki. 

The book is suitable for you, regardless of if you are a master or an initiate in Reiki. 

2. Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art 

By Diane Stein

Diane Stein, is a renowned Reiki master and teacher, with a famous 3-day workshop held in Santa Cruz. It is a perfect book for practitioners of all levels, whether students, teachers, or instructors.

The book is divided into 4 sections that gradually provide knowledge on Reiki.

The first section is about the idea that healing comes from within, and in order to heal through Reiki, you need to acknowledge that everything possesses a spiritual cause. 

The second section explains the belief in using universal energy for self-treatment. 

The third section focuses on expounding the importance of healing on all levels – mental-emotional, physical, and deep-self levels. 

The final section dives into the idea of spiritually healing your life and making use of Reiki for more than just ‘fun’.

3. Reiki Healing for Beginners: The Practical Guide with Remedies for 100+ Ailments

By Karen Frazier

The author of this book, Karen Fraizer, has an impressive history as both an author and an intuitive energy healer. She takes on a really hands-on approach to Reiki, describing the basics of the practice, such as techniques, remedies, and various explanations.

If you are looking for a book that will introduce you to Reiki, as a complete beginner and possibly get started, then what you should look for is a book with reiki practices, explanations, and techniques. This book offers just that!

The book is basically a step-by-step guidebook on how to get started with Reiki. The book includes a number of remedies and exercises that will help you unleash the full power of Reiki to attain the best healing purposes. 

The book also includes plenty of imagery, making it more interesting and easier to learn.

Best Books For Reiki Level 2

1. Reiki: Level I, II, and Master Manual 

By Lisa Powers

The author of this book, Lisa Powers, is the director of the International Reiki Organisation and is one of the most distinguished Reiki masters and teachers in the world. 

If you are in search of a well-structured book, that covers all the information a beginner would need, then this book is ideal. If you are also a practitioner or a master, this book is great for you as well. This book will also give you detailed support on how to perform Reiki on not only yourself but also on others. 

The book will also teach you how you can use Reiki as a personal growth system and a healing system while also learning how to visualize the locations of the chakras and meridians. In addition to this, the book also shows you ways to heal patterns that you might not want so that you can manifest your goals.

2. Chakra Healing: A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Healing Techniques that Balance the Chakras  

By Margarita Alcantara 

While this book is not directly about Reiki, it is the work of a Reiki master known as Margarita Alcantara. The book is all about helping you understand just how energy flows through the body and how to get rid of energy blockages so that you can balance out your chakras – and this is ideally what Reiki is about.

With her deep knowledge of yoga, aligning chakras, use of healing crystals, and Reiki itself, this book is versatile and ideal if you want vast knowledge of all things Reiki. Another unique aspect of the book is that even though it is well-researched, the book communicates the methodologies in a simple manner such that it is easily understandable. 

To get the most out of the book, make sure you partake in the exercises in the book about alignment and balance.

3. Self-Healing with Reiki: How to Create Wholeness, Harmony & Balance for Body, Mind & Spirit 

By Penelope Quest

This book focuses on self-healing and self-care, as the title indicates. Reiki will work for you when you learn to take care of yourself first, and this book shows you just how. When you start reading the book, you will read a real-life example of how the author healed herself using Reiki. The story is then followed by an overview of the power of energy in connecting, cleansing, and protecting. 

Generally, this book breaks down healing in the form of your emotional self, the mental self, and the physical body. This focus on self-care encourages you to take a sort of ‘Reiki retreat’ to self-heal and live a life of gratitude filled with energy. 

This is a great book, especially for level 1 students and those curious to explore what Reiki is all about. The book focuses more on healing methods as opposed to complicated techniques, which makes it easy to understand.

4. Reiki Fire: New Information about the Origins of the Reiki Power: A Complete Manual

By Frank Arjava Petter

This is a profound exploration of the transformative power of Reiki. In this book, Petter shares a collection of real-life stories and experiences that vividly illustrate the profound impact of Reiki healing.

Readers are taken on a journey through the healing journeys of individuals who have found solace, renewal, and empowerment through Reiki, making “Reiki Fire” a compelling testament to the potential of this ancient healing art.

This book serves as both a source of inspiration for practitioners and a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the profound effects of Reiki on personal well-being and spiritual growth. 

Best Books For Reiki Level 3

1. Your Seven Energy Centers: A Holistic Approach to Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Vitality 

By Elizabeth Claire Prophet

As much as this book doesn’t have the name ‘Reiki’ in the title, trust me; it will prove essential for your Reiki journey. 

The book describes all the chakras (energy centers) in detail, how they work, and how you can keep them working how they are supposed to. The approach is slightly different in teaching the human energetic system, but it is very comprehensive yet very easy to understand.

If you aim to understand more about how our bodies function not just on the physical level but also at a spiritual level, then this book is best for you. When you understand this completely, practicing Reiki becomes effortless. 

2. Reiki: The Healing Touch

By William Lee Rand

This book is written with vitality, enthusiasm, and clarity as it captures the real essence of Reiki. The book provides detailed information on the theory of Reiki as well as the practice, which includes Japanese Reiki techniques by Dr. Usui and the Hayashi healing guide. The book also includes pictures of Mikao Usui’s memorial (which is in Tokyo) and Mt. Kurama where the practice was discovered. 

This version of the book comprises new and important information regarding Reiki and must-read, whether you are just beginning or already a pro. 

3. The Spirit of Reiki

By Walter Lubeck, Frank Arjava Petter, William Lee Rand

Imagine three people from different lineages with extensive knowledge on a topic coming together to write a book. Well, this book is a result of such an amazing collaboration. 

This book covers a broad range of topics, as you can imagine, such as Reiki as a spiritual path and a scientific explanation of how Reiki works. 

The book includes a new understanding of Dr. Usui’s healing methods, an analysis of Reiki’s evolution, how Reiki is applied in Japan, and the direction Reiki will probably take in the future. 

If you are in search of an extensive book that covers both traditional Reiki as well as the developments in Reiki, then look no further, this is it. 

#4. Magick of Reiki: Focused Energy for Healing, Ritual, & Spiritual Development 

By Christopher Penczak

This book has a different mystical approach than the other books, and at first glance, you might think that the author mixes magic with Reiki- but that’s not the case! 

He explains the difference and describes what Reiki is – but be warned this book will not take you from scratch. The book helps you understand how to use Reiki; hence you need to already have the knowledge.

Final note

As you can see, good Reiki books are so many, and it can be hard to choose what to read and what not to. But remember that what matters is understanding, practicing, and applying your knowledge. 

Happy reading!

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