There is no belief system in Reiki and anyone can learn to give Reiki. This ability is activated when a Reiki Master initiates or attunes a person thereby opening their channel through which the Reiki flows. The energy is released through the hands, and being an "intelligent" energy the Reiki goes where it is needed without having to direct it. The practitioner's own energy is not used as it is only Reiki that is being channelled. Once a person has become a channel for Reiki, they retain this ability throughout their life and the more one uses Reiki, the stronger it becomes.

Each person is unique and will experience Reiki in their own individual way with there being no right or wrong way.