Sound Resonance: Feel the Vibration
Sound is a powerful tool for any metaphysician. It can be linked to colors, chakras, moods, pathways on the Tree of Life, and many other uses. Resonance is a scientific principle based on a phenomenon in acoustics. The ancients knew about resonance and understood the principle that if two bells are tuned exactly the same when one is rung, the other will also begin to ring without being touched.
If something vibrates at a specific frequency, other things with that same frequency will also begin to vibrate, providing there is air between them to transmit the vibrations. Furthermore, the secondary vibration will move back to the initial and make it begin again. The philosophy hidden in this phenomenon is deeper than the physics behind it and can reveal much about life to the industrious student.
As Above, So Below
There’s an old saying in Hermetic Qabalism: as above, so below. This axiom implies that everything that exists in the microcosm, namely you, is reproduced somewhere in the Universe, in some form or another, and vice versa.
We are a reflection of the cosmos and the cosmos reflects us.
This belief was the basis for many of the Hermetic teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus and should be a focus of contemplation and investigation by every individual. It not only makes sense but will be found to be true, over and over again, with a minimum of study.
The Mystery of Sound
Since resonance is linked to vibration and there are viable theories claiming that everything is vibrating, we could infer that there must be resonance going on at all times. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a scientific way of looking at things, but it fits beautifully in our world of the mysteries. We find ourselves in possession of a way of looking at the world that allows us to be more sensitive to what we resonate with and what makes us cringe.
Not all we sense that’s vibrational is sound, and thankfully we can’t hear or see, all the vibrations that are in our world. Can you imagine being able to hear ultrasonic or subsonic tones? It might be novel in the beginning, but it wouldn’t take long to become bombarded by the din of the cosmos. The same is true of light. X-rays, Gamma rays, and all invisible waves of electromagnetic frequencies, including radio, television, microwaves, and cell phones, are constantly before us, but luckily invisible.
This reminds us that just because something can’t be seen, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.
Our brains are complicated biochemical electrical systems, designed to transmit thought. Our eyes are designed to receive light waves. Our skin is sensitive enough to feel minute changes in temperature and barometric pressure. We are finely tuned receptors, almost invisibly aided by the autonomic nervous system, and are essentially on autopilot. The autonomic system receives constant information from the outside world and adapts to its surroundings accordingly. If the temperature drops, the body shivers in order to bring warmth.
If our body chemistry signals a need for energy and our stomach is empty, we feel hunger. It makes sense to me that we are always perceiving information in the form of vibrations, some of these are sound-based, but much of it isn’t. As we receive the information around us, some of it from situations, others from people, some from nature itself, and some from places unknown, these vibrations, what we call intuitive knowledge and raw data, is turned into valuable information – if only we actually listen.
Those things that we vibrationally resonate with, either exactly or in a way that creates harmonic chords, bring us a sense of well-being, comfort, and pleasure. When we are faced with vibrations that don’t match our own, either directly or harmonically, we feel tense, suspicious, anxiety-ridden, and even miserable.
Such stresses on our system can bring unhappiness, dissatisfaction with our lives and the world, tendencies toward carelessness or recklessness, depression, or illness. The sheer amount of vibration in the world today caused both by artificial and natural sources is staggering and mustn’t be underestimated as to their effect upon our psyches. In order to feel the best that we can, it’s helpful to experiment and find tones that make us happy or at least make us feel calmer.
Sound is often a tool used in meditation. Chanting a mantra, humming a tone, listening to a bell, whether it be mentally rung or actually, are ways of achieving a resonance that can merge with our own vibration, bringing it into harmony again, or unifying it with an energy known to be stable and supportive.
Find the Music
Years ago, I experimented with a tuning fork that I’d bought to help me tune my ukulele. It was an A-440.000Hz fork and I experienced some odd feelings when I used it. I experimented by striking it and then closing my eyes. I was startled to discover that I had a definite reaction, some of it visual. Using an electronic tuner, I experimented with other tones and combinations of notes, with remarkable results.
I discovered that some tones were completely annoying to me, even though there was nothing inherently wrong with them. I also discovered that just because some notes harmonized and made a musically viable chord, it got on my nerves. Some might be tempted to chalk this up to personal preference, but I think it has more to do with my vibrations and what resonates with me. It’s probable that you would react differently to some of the tones.
I began using these sounds as the foundation for my mantra meditations, finding that the exact same mantra, given a different note, rendered unique results. I also experimented with bells. My favorite is a lovely set of Tibetan bells, known as Tingsha. Further experiments with the Tingsha proved them to be remarkable at sensing energetically dead spots in houses, malefic energies, and even dishonesty in others. This particular set of bells resonates well with me. When I bought them, I tried every set in the store, much to the chagrin of the shopkeeper, until I found my set, the one I felt the most comfortable with.
It’s important to discover what brings us comfort and to work with it and on it. You can bring positive sound resonance, also known as good vibes, into your world. Here are some suggestions as to how to do just that.
Experiment with Different Musical Tones
Electronic Tuners are readily available at music stores and on the Internet. You can find tone generators online for free that will allow you to create notes, usually for the tuning of a particular musical instrument. However, you find them, start with any note and decide if it resonates with you. Listen to it for a while, then allow it to vibrate in your mind. Do this three or four times and then switch to actually humming that note with your eyes closed.
It won’t take long for you to decide whether or not the tone has positive, negative, or neutral effects upon you. The benefit of this is being able to use a tone at any time, through the use of a tuning app or a pitch pipe, allowing it to help ground you, center your energies, and bring you back to a place of feeling good. The more tones you try, the better off you’ll be. Soon you’ll be building a library of vibrational tones that can help you to sleep, perk up, study, think more clearly, enjoy yourself, meditate, or any other of the personal activities that sound vibrations can enhance. This is a powerful and often neglected tool. I can’t suggest it to you enough.
Try Feeling Other People
When I say try feeling other people, I mean their vibrations, as you’re liable to get yourself into a lot of trouble otherwise. It’s important that you not judge someone based upon their appearance or your preconceived notions. Luckily we live in a society where shaking hands, although at times unsanitary, can also put you in direct contact with the vibrations of the person in question.
I’m sure you’ve met someone and instantly liked them, while others you’ve met have left you ice-cold. One of the most amazing aspects of all of this is that people can be vibrationally sensed over long distances, even through photographs. I’ve been using the technique for decades and have found it to be uncannily accurate. Imagine being able to say no to an online date profile based solely on the photograph and the vibrations you feel.
There will be those who scoff at this concept, but it works and if you try it, you’ll be hooked. Don’t be surprised if you feel great warmth and love coming from the most unsuspecting individuals. Likewise, never ignore your vibrational intuition when you sense that someone is not at all what they seem to be and may be hiding something. Forewarned is forearmed.
Get Some Bells
Almost every culture uses bells, in some form or another. Experiment with anything you find and see how it makes you feel. The vibrations from a Tibetan Singing Bowl will be completely different than those of a crystal bell. One bell may make you feel at ease and put you in contact with benevolent energies that surround you. Another may bring you to a state of anxious trepidation and make you break into a cold sweat.
Pay attention to what does what, and don’t neglect to note your responses. With practice, you’ll be able to feel these energies in the presence of others, which can give you a good idea as to what’s actually going on beneath the surface. There are very few people who can masquerade their vibrations as one thing when in fact they’re different. Use this fact to your advantage.
Consider Playing a Musical Instrument
You don’t have to be a good musician to benefit from making music. I love musical instruments and have collected them all my life. When it comes to vibration, I’m especially fond of playing the Didgeridoo. One of the most amazing experiences of my life occurred when I communicated with a dragonfly while playing a 7-foot long Didgeridoo.
The dragonfly landed on the end of the instrument and moved its wings in time to the vibrations I was putting out. Stunned, I stopped playing and it flew away. The instant I resumed, it once again lit on the end of the Didgeridoo, moving its wings to the exact rhythm of the notes I played. I sped up and so did the dragonfly.
I slowed down and its wings kept time. Through vibrational resonance, I communicated with an insect, which I consider to be one of the most astounding accomplishments of my life. As I mentioned, don’t worry about playing well; just play. Whether it be a flute, concertina, organ, piano, pennywhistle, ukulele, drum, violin or any other of the thousands of instruments used by humans to bring sound to the world, use it. It isn’t important to strive for mastery, for the joy is in the experience and the energy. Mastery will come if you pursue it.
My hope is that someday we can all harmonize with each other, making the world a much softer, more loving place to be. Remember, it begins with us.
I wish you all peace and love.
About the Author
Reiki Symbols: How Many Are There and What Is Each One For
In Reiki practice, symbols are tools that practitioners use to give shape, structure, and greater effectiveness to the treatment. Each of these symbols has a specific function, and their application depends on the practitioner’s therapeutic purpose. In this article, we explore how many symbols exist, how they are used, and what role they play in the energetic practice of Reiki.
Table of Contents
- What Are Reiki Symbols And What Are They Used For?
- Origin And Evolution Of Reiki Symbols
- How Many Reiki Symbols Exist?
- The 5 Main Reiki Symbols And Their Function
- How Symbols Are Activated And Used In A Reiki Session
- Can Symbols Be Used Without Being Initiated Into Reiki?
- The Energy Behind The Symbols: Why Do They Work?
What Are Reiki Symbols And What Are They Used For?
Reiki symbols are energetic tools used by practitioners to channel and direct vital energy during a session. Each symbol is used with a specific purpose, such as balancing the body, calming the mind, or facilitating emotional healing. They are incorporated into the practice through visualization, hand-drawn gestures, or mental focus, and they assist in the healing process according to the goal the practitioner seeks to achieve.
Each of these symbols serves a specific function within the system. Some are designed to enhance the energy flow, others to release emotional blockages, relieve mental burdens, or even send Reiki to people who are not physically present. This functional diversity allows each session to be adapted to the recipient’s needs, working on different levels as required by the situation.
In addition to being support tools, the symbols give structure and direction to the therapeutic process. They are not used automatically but as part of a practice that requires attention, presence, and intention. Their strategic application allows the practitioner to guide the session more clearly, effectively, and with greater organization, deepening the effects of Reiki and facilitating a more holistic experience.
Origin And Evolution Of Reiki Symbols
The origin of Reiki symbols dates back to the late 19th century, when Mikao Usui developed this healing system in Japan. Usui integrated teachings from various spiritual traditions and meditative practices, from which the first symbols used in Usui Reiki emerged. These were transmitted privately, only to students who received direct initiations with the master.
Over time, the symbols began to spread beyond Japan thanks to Usui’s disciples and, later on, to the work of teachers like Hawayo Takata, who brought Reiki to the West. In this process of diffusion, the symbols were adapted, documented, and shared with a wider audience, which allowed Reiki to become established as a global practice.
Today, Reiki symbols are part of a path that has expanded far beyond its original lineage. Some contemporary schools have introduced additional symbols, either through channelings or personal adaptations, with the intention of broadening the possibilities of the practice.
How Many Reiki Symbols Exist?
The traditional Reiki system, known as Usui Reiki, is composed of four main symbols that are transmitted across different levels of training. Over time, a fifth symbol was added, which eventually became consolidated in many modern schools as part of the essential set.
In current practice, it is considered that the five essential symbols are: Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, Dai Ko Myo, and Raku.
Beyond these five, various branches have added their own, derived, or complementary symbols, resulting in a wide range of approaches. Nevertheless, the symbols of Usui Reiki remain the most widely taught and used around the world, as they represent the original structure on which most Reiki systems are built.
The 5 Main Reiki Symbols And Their Function
In Usui Reiki, five symbols are used to represent essential aspects of the practice: power, harmony, distance healing, mastery, and energetic closure. Each one plays a specific role and is integrated at different points in the therapy to enhance energy flow, balance emotions, work with consciousness, and complete the healing process in an orderly way.
Cho Ku Rei is the symbol used to intensify and concentrate vital energy. It is applied to reinforce any treatment—whether physical, mental, or emotional—and is often used at the beginning of a session to increase Reiki’s strength. Its spiral shape acts as a channel that directs energy toward the area where greater intensity is needed, working as a force amplifier.
Beyond its role as an enhancer, it is also used to cleanse and protect spaces, as well as to seal the energy in the receiver at the end of the session. Thanks to its versatility, Cho Ku Rei is considered an indispensable resource that complements the action of the other symbols and provides safety and stability to every practice.
Sei He Ki is related to the balance between mind and emotions and is used when the goal is to release internal blockages that generate tension or discomfort. Its shape represents the union of the brain hemispheres and promotes integration between the rational and the intuitive, making it an effective tool to achieve states of calm and mental clarity.
This symbol is especially helpful in cases of anxiety, stress, or recurring thought patterns. It is also used to enhance memory, improve communication, and harmonize personal relationships. By balancing the inner planes, Sei He Ki allows energy to flow more freely, creating a state of holistic well-being.
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen allows Reiki to be sent to people or situations regardless of physical distance or time. This makes it a key tool for distance healing, as it connects the practitioner with the recipient without the need for physical presence. Its energy is also used to work on past memories and experiences that still affect the present.
Likewise, this symbol is used to project energy toward future goals or situations, bringing clarity and balance to the path ahead. By transcending the barriers of space and time, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen expands the reach of Reiki and opens the possibility of working in more subtle planes of existence.
Dai Ko Myo is considered the master symbol in Reiki and is associated with deep healing and spiritual connection. It acts on a high level of consciousness, allowing it to release deeply rooted patterns and support personal transformation processes. It is used both in therapeutic practice and in the initiation of new practitioners.
Its energy is primarily directed toward strengthening the spirit and integrating body, mind, and soul. Working with this symbol stimulates energetic regeneration and reinforces connection with one’s life purpose. For this reason, Dai Ko Myo is seen as a tool for inner expansion that fosters personal evolution and openness to a higher state of harmony.
Raku is the symbol used to conclude a Reiki session, as its main function is to seal and stabilize the energy received by the recipient. Its downward shape helps to anchor energy in the physical body, ensuring it remains grounded and does not dissipate after the session ends. In doing so, it brings a sense of completion and balance following the work done.
During initiations, Raku plays an important role in consolidating the energy transmitted from master to student. It also establishes a clear energetic boundary that protects both the practitioner and the recipient after the session. Thanks to this closing function, the Raku symbol ensures the integration of the therapeutic experience in a stable and organized way.
How Symbols Are Activated And Used In A Reiki Session
During a Reiki session, symbols are activated through the practitioner’s conscious intention. This can be done by visualizing the symbol in the mind, drawing it in the air with the hand, or mentally projecting it toward the area to be treated. What matters is not the precision of the drawing, but the connection established with the symbol’s purpose.
Once activated, the symbol integrates into the Reiki energy flow and directs the corresponding vibration to the specific body area, emotion, or situation being worked on. For example, some symbols are applied at the beginning of the session to enhance the energy, while others are used at specific moments to address emotional blocks or promote relaxation.
The use of symbols is not rigid—it depends on the practitioner’s preference and sensitivity. Several symbols can be used in combination during the same session, depending on the recipient’s needs. This gives flexibility to the treatment and allows the practice to be personalized for a deeper and more balanced effect.
Can Symbols Be Used Without Being Initiated Into Reiki?
In Reiki, initiation is a process in which a master transmits to the student the ability to channel and work with vital energy. In most courses and books, it is taught that without this step, symbols do not function as simple drawings that just anyone can use. According to this view, their effectiveness is linked to the initiation, which opens the conscious connection with energy through them. Without this activation, the symbols are considered to be only graphic representations without the same therapeutic strength.
However, some believe that anyone can benefit from meditating with the symbols, even without having received formal initiation. From this perspective, they are seen as forms that contain their own resonance field, capable of influencing the practitioner’s mind and emotions. While their impact may not be as deep as in traditional Reiki, they are still recognized as useful tools for finding calm and personal focus.
In truth, how their use is understood depends on the school, the teacher, and the practitioner’s experience. While some insist initiation is essential, others argue that the symbols are accessible to anyone who approaches them with respect and awareness. Both perspectives agree that they are not mere decorative drawings, but intention-charged expressions that can influence the inner experience of the one using them.
The Energy Behind The Symbols: Why Do They Work?
Reiki symbols work because they act as keys that allow access to specific energetic frequencies. Each one is designed to focus the practitioner’s intention and connect with a particular aspect of vital energy—whether to amplify, harmonize, or direct it remotely. This interaction between form, intention, and energy is what gives them effectiveness in therapeutic practice.
From an energetic perspective, symbols operate as patterns that organize and channel universal vibration. When used, the practitioner does not create the energy, but facilitates its flow toward a specific goal. This explains why combining the symbols with conscious intention can lead to perceptible effects on the body, mind, and emotions.
Their function can also be interpreted through more modern frameworks of understanding. Sciences that study energy and consciousness suggest that symbols work as bridges between the mind and the energetic reality around us. In this sense, they are not only spiritual tools but mechanisms of interaction with subtle fields still under exploration.
This principle can be related to contemporary approaches investigating the nature of energy and consciousness. In the series Quantum Effect, available on Gaia, Randy Veitenheimer explores how we live in a vast energy field and how consciousness influences our reality. His teachings offer a complementary vision that helps explain why tools like Reiki symbols can have an impact on our everyday experience.
