Feeling Sick After Reiki Attunement

Christian Stone | Standing Stones Healing

I recently had my Reiki attunement. When the attunement started I started crying and felt the urge to scream but didn’t. I know it worked because I felt it in my body and my hands get really hot from my palms out. My question is this… I know there’s supposed to be like a 21 day self healing and was told I should do about 45 min to an hour of self-Reiki. But honestly I don't feel well and have just been exhausted. I’m just wondering what if anything I could be doing wrong. Or is this normal?

Thanks for this! Yes, we can have a range of experiences during and after Reiki attunement. Some people might cry, feel sick, get angry, feel peaceful, feel heat or tingling or nothing at all. We can have a whole range of feelings during and after an attunement, including physical experiences, as well. Even if you hadn't felt anything during attunement, it doesn't mean the attunement didn't work. We don't need to feel anything for the attunement to do its thing, just like we don't need to feel anything for Reiki to work. 

1. No, you are NOT doing anything wrong.

If you feel sick during or after your attunement, have pain or want to cry or scream or feel exhausted. Or energized, happy, felaxed, or etc., it's simply your own unique experience on your own personal Reiki journey.

If you do experience physical or emotional sensations after an attunement, please be mindful that they may have nothing to do with the attunement at all. You may have simply caught a virus, are experiencing stress, or have some other external factor at play that has nothing to do with Reiki. If you are experiencing exhaustion or sickness because of the attunement, these symptoms will subside and be gone within a couple of days. Please seek medical attention if they continue, as they may have nothing to do with Reiki at all.

2. It's absolutely ok if you can't/don't adhere to the 21 days of self-healing.

Not doing the 21 days of self-Reiki for 45 minutes to an hour each day won't mess up your attunement or the Reiki flow or anything like that. During my 21 days, I kept falling asleep. Oops! haha But I turned out ok! You will, too.

Plus, 45 mins to an hour can be a lot, especially at first. I don't mean it's too much Reiki (definitely don't worry about that...we can't have too much Reiki!). I mean it's a lot of time to do anything every day that's brand new. It's absolutely ok to shorten the time frame. 20 minutes is a great amount of time. And sometimes, let's be real, we just don't have the time for 45 minutes or an hour or even 20 minutes! It's absolutely ok to simply lay your hands on yourself in one hand position, like on your heart, and set the intention to send Reiki. Even if we can do this in moments throughout the day, that adds up to a lot.

Please be gentle with yourself during this time and please know that you can't mess it up. I have a few videos that might offer some encouragement. This video on Reiki mistakes offers encouragement for honoring your own unique Reiki journey and to encourage you that you can't mess it up.  And this video explains why some people feel pain after Reiki...this includes an attunement.

You're also welcome to grab the free Reiki Kit full of Reiki information.
​Sending blessings and best wishes to your Reiki journey!