I'm not sure if it's secret, but I've always wondered. Do they show you how to direct the energy? Or the intention? Or do they do something to you that makes it possible for you to do Reiki? Do you have to take any vows? I'm just curious; I've had a lot of Reiki in my life and it seems simple, but if it was simple more people would do it.

Generally, to become a Reiki practitioner you take a class and get attunements for each level you choose to do.

Depending upon the teacher, they show you techniques as well as hand positions that are generally used for performing a Reiki session. This can vary from teacher to teacher.

An attunement is done to open one up to Reiki and to 'set' it into a person so that the flow will always be available to the person getting the attunement.

It is an intent based energy healing and enlightenment system.

You do not have to take any vows. It is not associated with any specific religion.

It really is simple. What is normally the problem is the cost that usually comes with Reiki attunements. This varies greatly and some charge quite a lot of money per attunement/level. There are a lot of Reiki Masters out there so you do have the ability to shop around for one that is right for you.

There are a variety of Reiki forms out now.

The most common seems to be Usui Reiki, which has 3 levels (some divide level 3 into two parts for those who are becoming Reiki Master/Teachers). I think this is always a good place to start as it is just working with the Reiki energy, not adding in any other healing energies.