The Second Degree procedures introduce the tradition's distant Reiki practice, which practitioners describe as reaching anyone, anywhere, at any time — including, in the tradition's own understanding, the past and future. The Distant (Connection) Symbol is used to imagine a "bridge" between you and the person (or animal) you wish to hold in Reiki.
In the tradition, the distant Reiki connection can be "programmed" (like a video recorder) to be offered at a specific moment.
Before getting into the exact strategies for distance healing, a few things need to be clarified. To "send" Reiki, in the tradition's language, means to offer it from you to the recipient. The tradition holds that after the initial connection the recipient "pulls" the Reiki, without conscious effort, because their Higher Self chooses whether to accept it. What matters most here is the ethical point: you cannot force practice on anyone, near or far. The person or animal receiving Reiki must want it, at least in the tradition's understanding, or the connection is simply not made. That Higher-Self account is the tradition's belief about what happens energetically; it never replaces the recipient's expressed permission. Ask the person, and accept their answer.
What Is Distant Healing?
Distant healing (DH) is a term that refers to consciously offering Reiki to someone who is not physically present. Forms of distant or remote healing appear in many cultures and faith traditions, under many names, and have a long history. Reiki itself is a twentieth-century Japanese tradition and should not be conflated with shamanic or other older practices. Across the wider field of spiritual healing you will find a range of approaches, from traditional practices to modern contemplative and religious ceremonies; this page is only about the Reiki tradition's version.
The Ethics Of Distant Reiki Healing
In the tradition, distant practice is usually taught at Second Degree, though some lineages introduce simple forms earlier; follow the teaching of your own lineage. One of the appealing aspects of Reiki for many of us is that we have something we can offer others, and naturally we want to "send" healing and love to those we know are ill or in distress. Distance practice carries the same ethical requirement as hands-on practice: it should be offered only with the recipient's consent.
Consider the following: while our objectives and intentions are good while sending distant Reiki, there is a controlling element to these impulses—we want someone to "get better" or "be happy." That may be our assessment of what is in their highest and best interests. Still, we may assume we know what is in their highest and best interests, but most of the time, we probably do not.
Booking or attending a Reiki session is not, by itself, consent to every kind of touch. A person may agree to a session and still decline touch to a particular area, ask for hands to be held above the body, or stop at any point; each specific action should be offered as a fresh choice. If a practitioner asks to place their hands on someone's head, that person's permission matters, not the fact that they booked. The same applies at a distance: the individual receiving distant practice should know about it and agree to it. Otherwise, by sending Reiki to that person, you are entering their personal space without their agreement. Being ill does not mean someone cannot make or communicate their own decision; where a person genuinely cannot do so, follow the applicable safeguarding and legal requirements for your country and setting rather than assuming any particular person may consent for them, and never let a spiritual impression replace expressed permission.
Consider what would happen if someone grabbed you by the shoulders, pulled you onto a therapy couch, and immediately began delivering Reiki to you without a by-your-leave! This would constitute an invasion of your privacy and a violation of your right to choose, likewise, for distant healing. You do not have the authority to "send" Reiki to anyone, even if your intentions are pure and you wish to help. It has to be their choice.
Occasionally a well-intentioned relative or friend of a sick person will ask you to send distant Reiki to that person — but act with caution. First establish the individual's own permission; a third party's request, a family relationship, or your own sense that the person would want it is not consent. If the person genuinely cannot make or communicate a decision, follow the applicable safeguarding and legal requirements in your jurisdiction; do not assume that any particular relative or representative automatically has authority to consent. If the person has not agreed, do not send. If the Reiki seems to "return", treat that as a personal impression rather than proof that the person refused.
When I say Reiki "returns," it may seem strange — and maybe a little unsettling. In the tradition, the Distant Symbol creates a connection with the individual, and the practice can feel as though it reaches them immediately, as if time and space had folded into the present moment. If the recipient has not accepted the practice, practitioners sometimes describe the energy as returning along that connection and being felt in the heart centre, solar plexus or third eye. Treat this as a description of a meditative experience, not a physical event.
If that happens, close the connection gently and redirect your attention — some practitioners picture the Reiki flowing into the wider world, or simply return it to the earth. To close the connection, a common traditional practice is to say the mantra of the Power Symbol three times, the person's name three times, and the place once, with the intention of releasing the connection between you and the individual involved. This is a symbolic closing ritual, not a physical mechanism.
Alternatively, visualize the Distant Symbol as a long bridge connecting you and the person, with the Power Symbol gently flowing across it to strengthen the sense of connection. Then, gently and respectfully lift the end of the bridge from the person and draw it back toward you. Finally, visualize a Power Symbol above the chakra where you felt the energy return, and let the practice close there.
A consent conversation
Before a distant session, have a short, specific conversation. You might say:
“I offer distant Reiki as a quiet spiritual practice. It is not a medical treatment, and I cannot promise a particular result. I would sit quietly for about twenty minutes and hold you in mind. You do not need to do anything, and you can say no or stop at any time. Would you like me to include you? Is there anything you would rather I did not focus on? May I contact you afterwards, or would you prefer not to be contacted?”
Then record the answer, including any limits. Consent is not a one-time transaction: if the person's circumstances change, or you want to extend the arrangement to a regular schedule, ask again. A person may agree once and decline the next time without giving a reason.
Third-party requests
It is common for a relative or friend to ask on someone else's behalf. Treat that as a request to approach the person, not as permission. You can explain that you need to hear from the person directly, and offer to help them make contact. If the person cannot be reached, do not send.
Do not use a public figure, a disaster, a missing person or a news event as a distant recipient on the basis of general sympathy. A public event is not a personal consent. If you want to hold a situation in your thoughts, do so as a private reflection without describing it as Reiki sent to named people.
Capacity, children and animals
A child may agree to a distant session with a caregiver's involvement, but the child's own willingness still matters. For an adult who cannot make or communicate a decision, follow the safeguarding and legal rules that apply where you and they are; do not assume that a spouse, parent or carer can consent for everything. Keep a record of who agreed and on what basis.
For animals, the caregiver's agreement is necessary, and the animal's ability to move away remains central in person. Distant practice does not give you a way to override an animal's choice or a veterinarian's plan.
Questions people ask
Is distant Reiki the same as prayer? Some practitioners describe it as a form of prayer or intention; others keep the practices separate. The ethical requirement is the same: do not direct it at someone who has not agreed.
Can I send Reiki to someone who is unconscious? Only within the applicable safeguarding and legal framework, and only if the person's own wishes are known or a properly authorised person can consent. Do not rely on a spiritual impression.
What if someone changes their mind mid-session? Stop, close the practice, and confirm that they are comfortable. You do not need to finish a planned sequence.
Do I have to tell someone I am sending Reiki? Yes, if you are directing it at them as a recipient. A private, unnamed reflection is different from naming a person and treating them as the subject of a session.
Related topic: Distant Reiki, Two methods to do distant Reiki, Reiki distance attunement, Reiki into the past and the future, Sending to several people at once.