Rating: 
Summary: Reiki at its best
Review: I recommend this book to ANY Reiki Practicioner -either just starting or quite advanced. After reading the book, Diane Stein held a Reiki Master Class close to my home, where she taught for a full weekend. Diane is a wonderful person, one whom I admire and respect - not just for her Reiki ability, but for her spirit and love of all that surrounds her. The book is written in easy to understand terms, and is a great reference book should you need it. Buy the book...its the next best thing to her class!
Rating:
Summary: A great overview!
Review: I bought this book after taking a Reiki class and found it to be very thorough. It is a great guide on the theory and practice of this ancient tradition. I do think, however, the best way to learn about reiki is to attend a class from a master and have a reiki treatment. If you are new to this scene it will come across as being very bizarre! If you are familiar with it, it will be a great reference for your home library.
Rating:
Summary: The best Reiki book available to date
Review: I have bought dozens of books on Reiki during the last few years, but this one is without doubt the best. It goes through every facet of Reiki and gives a thorough grounding at all levels. It gives both traditional and non-tradidtional views and also shows all the symbols. It is written in a down to earth manner without continually harping on "God" and religious spirituality as some authors do. Diane Stein's "religion" is Wicca, but this is mentioned without being pushy. I would recommend this book to anyone starting out in Reiki or equally to a long standing Master. There is something for everybody to learn. It can be used by the beginner as a very thorough manual. She de-mystifies the whole process.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Source for Reiki Energy
Review: This is one of the two books I, as a Reiki Master, recommend to my own Reiki students. I suggest this book for those who are more advanced or more curious than those who are only experimenting with a New Age healing modality, or are merely looking for a spiritual practice to replace a Western Judeo-Christian paradigm. Diane Stein thoroughly researches (& sometimes debunks) the Reiki legend while preserving the essence of Reiki philosophy. Her controversial book has offended many Reiki traditionalists because she exposes the Reiki secret symbols & attunement process. If you are looking for an integrative explanation of how & why Reiki healing works, then this is the best book your money can buy. If you choose to see Reiki as an exclusive healing modality to be ranked in preference to other healing modalities, then you will probably be offended because this book definitely does not present Reiki as a religious practice. Marvelous integration of historical fact, divergent philosophies, & esoteric practice.
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Summary: Don't let the controversy stop you from reading this book!
Review: I can understand why Diane Stein's Reiki teachings are so controversial; they fly in the face of those who would like to keep Reiki commercial and exclusive. I found Diane's stated goals for the book to be very honorable and nothing that should offend the true healers in our midst. She writes very clearly and with great compassion. Nowhere does she say someone can receive distance Reiki attunements. But when her teachings diverge from traditional Reiki, she says so, which gives the reader a full opportunity to take her "apocryphal" teachings or leave them.As a non-lesbian, I found nothing offensive about Diane's repeated use of feminine pronouns. She certainly says nothing anti-male, and she includes the male versions of the Chi Kung exercises. I don't know that I accept Diane's version of Christ's life, but it's such a small portion of the book and has no bearing on her Reiki teachings. In my opinion, Diane's most powerful teaching is that true healing, whether Reiki or not, depends on healers who aren't afraid to use their own intuition, which might mean diverging from accepted practices sometimes.
Rating:
Summary: The only Reiki book you need.
Review: This book has everything you need, whether you are merely interested in what Reiki is really all about (not just a fluffy synopsis like you usually get), or you are a Reiki master like myself. The author includes every Reiki symbol, carefully drawn, both in the traditional Reiki style, and her own "modern" versions she prefers. She includes lots of additional information that is not traditional Reiki, but it is very helpful, and interesting, and clearly marked! Whenever she is giving you information that is not traditional Reiki practice, she says so. She doesn't claim at all that you can attune yourself. She clearly states that you must be attuned in order to perform a Reiki healing. I think some traditionalists are thrown off by her experimentation, and intelligence. She is a full Reiki master/teacher, and has been attuned fully several times. This is a wonderful, informative and interesting read. It is a definite, definite must. I have read many, many, many Reiki books that were opinionated and overbearing. This book is honest, straightforward, and useful. I highly recommend it... you won't regret buying this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Opinionated, much of it wrong, poorly written
Review: Diane Stein was not properly attuned to Reiki and was self taught. Therefore much of her defensive,repititious, rambling book is misleading. She randomly combines unrelated techniques that are not even Reiki. For want of publicity she resorts to exposing something previously kept secret and thrives on the sensationalism. This book is not authentic material, rather guesswork and opinions from an unsecure woman with a not-so-hidden agenda. Be careful with using her information.
Rating:
Summary: Full of misleading information, not true Reiki at all.
Review: I am a traditionally trained Reiki Master/Teacher. I was initiually intrigued by Stein's book (despite the controversy it engenders). But I was sorry to discover that it is filled with inaccuracies, and contains a mish-mash of information, some of which is false. I too was offended by the overtly feminist tone. I was concerned by the addition of Chi Gung techniques being portrayed as Reiki (I have taken Chi Gung classes myself). I was dismayed at the idea that she promotes that one can attune oneself to Reiki. Please be clear on this, one cannot attune oneself, and one cannot receive attunements from a person who is not with you (distant attunements do not work, period). Perhaps you are accessing energy if you do so, but it is most assuredly NOT Reiki. I do applaud the idea that Reiki should be for everyone, as as a practitioner and teacher I try to work things out with students and clients so that everyone can get the Reiki they need, either through barter, sliding scales, or just plain gifts. A Master/Teacher I know explains Reiki like this: energy used for healing is somewhat like radio waves. There are many kinds of energy, just as there are many different bands on the radio. When you tune in a station on a radio, some come in clearly, some come in faintly. Energy, Chi or Ki, is like that as well. There are many types of healing energy, but only one pure Reiki. I think it's marvelous that so many people desire to learn to heal, but it's a process that is best done with a teacher and other students to work with. I would never attune someone and then just leave them alone, the bond between teacher and student is important, and something that the student knows he or she can count on. My advice for anyone looking to learn Reiki is, find a reputable teacher, speak to other of his/her students, find someone you can be comfortable with. Don't try to learn something this important from a book, on your own.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, but not for everyone.
Review: Dianne's book is an excellent book on Reiki. My teacher recomends it. I, as a new Master will recomend it. A note of warning, if you have anything against wicca or pagans you might want to find a different book to learn from. If you can put your religious and/or personal beliefs about 'feminism' aside, then this is a good book to get.
Rating:
Summary: enjoyed reading this book.
Review: I read through the book quickly to get a rough idea of what Reiki is about. After I had gotten in contact with several Reiki teachers I know they were all different. And I agree with the author about the different ways it is taught. It is about money for many people. It should not be the only motive. If it's as good as the books say I will know after I experience it come the weekend. I am going to a free workshop about Reiki. Having read the book I will know what to expect and if I don't get it I'll keep searching for the right teacher. I know people who are reiki masters but they are not about to help anyone for free, not even a demo to prove the goodness of it.I believe any healing practices should be shared.
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