Working with Reiki Symbols
The symbols are representations of a specific manifestation or property of the Reiki energy. They are not the energy themselves
As people progress spiritually, they find increasing levels of simplicity
It is not uncommon for people to move past the need to use the symbols and simply use the source energy directly
Symbols are a stimulus and response tool. The act of seeing them, drawing them or saying the name of them helps to focus on the act connecting to the energy in an attuned person
The symbols also teach us that there are ways that we can focus on different aspect of the energy and use them
Different systems developed from Reiki such as Seichim or Karuna are examples of using different symbols as a way to focus on other aspects of the energy
In Usui's original system called Reiki Ryoho, the symbols were taught to those that had difficulty connecting to the energy or little experience in energy work. They were a tool to be used and let go when the connection to the energy was strong and mastered.