“Online initiation for 5,000 rubles”: why initiation through a screen is not initiation
After the first two articles, several readers wrote to me about the same thing: “But many masters conduct initiations online — and people say that they feel the effect.Isn’t this proof that it works?”This is an honest question and it deserves an honest answer.
The answer is no.And here’s why.
What is initiation into reiki really?
In the Usui tradition, initiation is calledReiju(霊授) — literally «gifting of spirit» or «transfer of spiritual power.»This is not a metaphor or a symbolic gesture.In the Komyo Reiki Do system, Reiju is a specific sequence of actions of the master around the body of the student, including:
- Working with the crown center (sahasrara) as an entry point
- Activation of palm centers —Hoshi(星), literally “stars” — special points on the palms through which energy will pass when working with a client
- Activation of the centers of the feet — for grounding and fullness of the channel
- The intention and presence of the master in the physical space of the student
Pay attention to the last point.Physical space— This is not a technical nuance.That’s the point.
💡An analogy from the Buddhist tradition:The transmission of dharma from master to student in Zen is calledisshin denshin— «transmission from heart to heart.»It cannot happen through text or image.She requires presence.That is why students for thousands of years went to the masters through the mountains, and did not write letters to them asking them to “transfer the realization in absentia.”
What proponents of online initiation say — and why they are wrong
Argument 1: «the telecommuting symbol means that distance does not matter»
The Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen symbol is used forsending reikiat a distance — for example, for a remote session to a client.This is not the same as initiation.A Reiki session and Reiju are fundamentally different actions.A session is a flow of energy to the client.Reiju is a change in the energy structure of the student.Mixing them up is like confusing a surgical operation with a remote telephone consultation.
Argument 2: “students feel warmth — this is proof”
Feelings of warmth, tingling, relaxation and altered states are the effects of meditative absorption that occur in a personwaitinginitiation.This is a well-studied phenomenon —expectation effect, powerful and repeatable.It is not proof that energy transfer has occurred.
⚠️Test question:If you ask a person to lie down, close their eyes, turn on meditative music and say “the master is now giving you initiation” — without performing any initiation — a significant portion of people will feel a warm and tingling sensation.This is not proof of initiation.This is proof of the power of the placebo effect.
Argument 3: “reiki is everywhere, which means it can be given from anywhere”
Usui said that Reiki (with a capital R — as the principle of universal energy) permeates everything.But he never said that this is why the master may not be present at the initiation.This is a logical error: from “water is everywhere” it does not follow “that means I don’t have to water the plant, it will drink on its own.”
What exactly is lost during online initiation?
| Element of initiation | Live broadcast | Online format |
|---|---|---|
| Working with the student’s physical body | The master works with real points on the head, arms, legs | Impossible — only visualization by a master |
| Master’s space | The student is in the energy field of the master | None — video only |
| Checking and correcting the condition | The master feels and corrects in real time | Impossible without direct contact |
| Transfer by touch | Reiju Key Element | Absent completely |
| Supportive environment | Physical space prepared by the master | Random student room setup |
💡Analogy:An online initiation into reiki is roughly the same relationship to a live transmission as an online swimming lesson is to actually being in the water next to a trainer.The instructor can explain the movements.But you can’t teach how to float through a screen.Water is needed physically.
Where does online initiation come from and why do masters need it?
Honest answer:economics and scalability.Living initiation requires physical presence, a limited number of students at a time, the time of the master, and premises.Online initiation removes all these restrictions.You can “dedicate” 50 people at the same time to Zoom — and get 50 times more money in the same time.
Additional factor: many mastersthemselveswere initiated online — and therefore sincerely do not understand the difference.They have not received living initiation and have no point of comparison.
What does the Buddhist tradition say about transmission?
In esoteric Buddhism (Tendai, Shingon) there is a concept«three secrets»: The body, speech and mind of the master must be coordinated and present during the transmission.Without the physical presence of the master’s body, there is no transmission.In the Tibetan tradition, initiation (jenang) and permission to practice (lung) via video conference are not even discussed there — this does not fit into the very concept of what happens during initiation.
When reiki is taken away from this Buddhist context and becomes a “product” that can be sold online, it loses exactly what reiki made it.
What to do if you have already received online initiation
It’s not a disaster.Daily Reiki practice in itself — Gassho meditation, self-healing, working with principles — has independent value and works regardless of the quality of initiation.
But if you are serious about reiki, find a living master and receive Reiju in physical presence.This is not a repeat “purchase” of the same course.This is a qualitatively different experience.
✅Practical criterion for choosing a specialist:The master who conductsonlyonline initiation — regardless of its other qualities — demonstrates either a misunderstanding of the nature of Reiju, or a conscious compromise for the sake of scaling income.Both options are reasons to ask questions.
Resume
- Reiju is the physical work of a master with the body of a student.She requires presence.
- Subjective feelings during online initiation are an expectation effect, not evidence of transmission.
- The telework symbol is for sessions, not initiation.
- Online initiation is an economic solution, not a spiritual innovation.
- The Buddhist tradition from which reiki originated excludes transmission without the physical presence of the master.
In the next article: what really happens after initiation — and why daily practice is more important than a master’s degree.