The 21 days after an attunement

After an attunement you are asked to give yourself Reiki every day for twenty-one days. This is not homework set by the course — it is a settling period.

Where does the number come from?

From Usui's own story. Going up the mountain he gathered twenty-one stones to count the days and threw one away each morning. The moment Reiki came was the dawn of that twenty-first day.

The tradition kept the number. It is commonly explained as the seven chakras clearing in three stages — physical, emotional, mental. Take that as a frame rather than a measurement.

What happens during it?

Everyone experiences it differently. Commonly reported:

• Changes in sleep — some sleep very deeply, others are restless for a while
• Unexpected emotions: sadness with no cause, an old anger, the urge to cry
• Forgotten memories coming to the surface
• Dreams becoming vivid
• Short-lived tiredness or a mild headache
• Sometimes nothing at all. That is normal too, and not a shortcoming.

How the daily practice is done

It does not need to take long: 1–1.5 minutes in each position, 15–20 minutes in all. Sit or lie down somewhere quiet, place your hands on yourself and state your intention. The example intention I give in my manual is this:

“I send Reiki, in the way that is best, strongest and most beneficial for me, for the clearing and balancing of the physical, psychological and spiritual negatives in my life, and for the raising of the quality of what is positive.”

You can form your own intention; ending it with “… I send Reiki for this” is enough.

One rule: once you have said “Let Reiki flow”, do not take your hands off the body. When you change position, one hand stays in place while the other moves — like walking. If you lift both hands at once the flow stops; if you do not notice, your hands are resting there for nothing. If both hands have come off, place them again and say “Let Reiki flow” once more.

What if I miss a day?

Nothing happens. You do not need to start again and the attunement is not undone. Carry on the next day from where you left off.

These twenty-one days are not an examination but a period for building a habit — and the habit itself is the real gain.

What makes it easier

• Drink plenty of water. The body wants it while it clears.
• Pick the same time each day — before bed works well for most people.
• Write down briefly what you experience. What you see looking back on the twenty-first day may surprise you.
• Stay away from heavy meals and alcohol as much as you can.

Afterwards

When the twenty-one days are over you may move on to the next level — or you may not. There is no benefit in hurrying; what changes you is working at a level, not passing it.

If a symptom persists or worries you, see your doctor. A clearing period is not a reason to postpone medical care.