Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art

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Summary: The most complete revelation of Reiki available
Review: Diane Stein's book will give ou the most comlete information on Reiki power, what it is, how it is used and how it is assumed. No other book will be as complete in revealing to you the complete inside and hitherto secret information regarding its initiation, its action and its symbols. This wonderful healing ability is simple to acquire and simpler to perform, and will someday be a standard ability for everyone. This book will tell you and show you how to add the amazing Reiki power to your life, and how to use it. Diane Stein's book is, indeed, The Essential Reiki book to buy.

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Summary: A must for all Reiki Channels
Review: I was introduced to this book at about the same time as I did my Rieki 1, and found it to be exactly what I needed at that time to help clarify the amazing things that were happening to me. I went on to do my Reiki 2 and am now an apprentice master. I have lent my copy of this book to several Reiki friends who in 9 out of 10 cases have gone on to buy their own copies. The information is clear, easy to understand and of great benefit to not only those considering Reiki, or those new to Reiki, but also those who are starting to teach Reiki, it covers the whole range, and does it very well. The reason I have not given this book the full five points, is due to the overly heavy emphasis on incest, wicca & feminism, these subjects are out of place in this Essential Reiki book, there are other arenas for discussing and dealing with these subjects.

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Summary: [e-mail] April 13, 1999 La Palma, California
Review: I read Diane Stein's book before I received my attunements. It was highly suggested by my Master Teacher. I found it to be a very comprehensive study and well illustrated. I was delighted to find the symbols for all 3 levels of Reiki and a complete explanation of her workshop sessions. I have 6 books on Reiki with their own style of writing, some more comprehensive than others on healing animals and varied information on the history, and healing techniques. Though I like them all (traditional), Essential Reiki is the most complete reference book that I have found. I am not wiccan, and I'm not a feminist. My background is Christian. The meta-physical side of me embraces the Truth in all religions. I am a Reiki Master in the non-traditional sense. Personally, I would exclude the power exercises in the back of her book, and refrain from the feminist slant that her book promotes. For this reason my rating is a 4 instead of a 5. At the same time I'm grateful that she had the courage and knowledge to write this book! The main difference I find between Diane's book and traditional Reiki is...non-traditional isn't secretive, and isn't exclusive because of cost. I teach in a workshop setting and give Reiki treatments. I am open to travel, and teach other self help workshops. You are welcome to contact me for further information.

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Summary: It's a very good book
Review: I am sick and tired of the quarelling between traditionalists and independent Reiki-practioners about who has " The Wisdom ", even on this site.Ms Steins book combines different things, witch may be confusing indeed for beginners.But I found the book very usefull and honest.I am a traditionalist I and an independent II and feel fine with it!!

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Summary: Comprehensive Overview of All Three Levels of Reiki
Review: I am a Reiki Master and recommend her book as a good comprehensive Reiki book. It is one of the very few which teaches all three levels of Reiki. Many Reiki teachers have not written comprehensive manuals because they wish to keep certain information secret. I agree with Diane Stein that the information just needs to get out there and help heal the world now, and that keeping the information secret no longer serves humankind. The book, however, does mix in a lot of information from a lot of sources. Much of the information is still interesting, but is not essential to understanding what Reiki is. My concern is that it may make Reiki seem more technical and complex than it is. I would people to know that there is a simplicity to Reiki in that it is a way of sending universal loving energy to people for their healing.

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Summary: A great book for someone new to Reiki!
Review: A well written, well researched book. The subject is new for me, and the book did a good job of explaining Reiki's origins and history. Now, if I can only find a master to teach me this ancient healing art...

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Summary: Needs to be more clear on what is reiki and what is not
Review: Diane does both a great service and disservice all at once with this book. One the plus side, she brings reiki out in the open so it is accessible to all. My problem with the book, is that she presents alot of material that is not reiki and is not always clear on what is and what is not reiki. Her Chi Kung exercises, are not reiki. Chi Kung is a seperate discipline that needs to be taught by a trained instructor, and can be potentially harmful without a competant instructor. Her history of reiki with a lineage back to christ, while amusing, is historical fiction and should be labelled as such or a the bare minimum labelled as her opinion only. There is also a decided Wiccan feel to the book, and while wicca is a wonderful time honored tradition, it is also not reiki. Her feminist writing style was amusing, and i actually enjoyed that.

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Summary: Militantly feminist
Review: Diane Stein has done a great service in publicizing Reiki for all. Unfortunately she tends to exclude males. Of all the reviews of her book here, I've seen only 1 positive one from a male. She is always going to Women's Music Conferences & I, as a professional musician, have to ask: what is Women's Music? Do they write it differently than men? Do they use different symbols? If not, whatr's the difference? Is all other music "Men's" music? Out of 150-odd pages she devotes about 4 to men. Her comment: "I particularly salute the men who are developing spiritually in this era of the changing earth." is particularly degrading. What are we, some kind of inferior race? This is precisely the same as saying "Some of my best friends are men/Jews/Negroes" & she doesn't see it. Talk about a lack of sensitivity! No, I give the book 3 starts for its work and information, but for its decidely anti-male tone, I give it a MINUS FIVE!

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Summary: Adequate information
Review: I received my Reiki (Pronounced Ray Key) Master/Teacher certificate last year, and am a member of the GRMA (Global Reiki Masters Association). I started reading Reiki related books in hopes of finding one or more Reiki Related books that I could recommend to students that come my way. This is the only Reiki book I recommend as of January 10, 1999 However; I do have problems with some of the material in this book. This book does have the following things going for it. 1. The history of Reiki 2. adequate hand positions. 3. Included the symbols used with Reiki 4. Directions for passing all levels of Reiki attunements. Ms. Stein has done a good job at demystifying Reiki, and bringing it out of the shadows. If you have questions about Reiki feel free to contact me by E-Mail.

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Summary: essential reading for reiki practitioner
Review: I have done Reiki I (1988) and Reiki II (1994) here in Switzerland. I found the Diane Stein book the most informative and most comprehensive book on Reiki I have come accross in English and in German. The book gave me a better understanding of the use of Reiki for self-healing and healing other and the use of Reiki for maintaining sound body, spirit and mind. I assume that many Reiki masters in Europe object to the disclosure of the Reiki symbols. I agree with Diane Stein that the time has come to open up and to make Reiki known and available to any and all that want to learn and use it. The books has a few slants I do not agree with. But then in the true Reiki and Christian spirit we must forget and forgive. The overall content of the book and they way it is written gives it a high ranking among its kind. Diane Stein has done the world a service and I congratulate her for it. I can recommend the book highly.