Karuna Reiki is a specialized form of Reiki that was developed by William Rand. In this form of Reiki the Ascended Masters are invoked to assist with the healing, particularly those that embody Karuna, or compassionate action. The energy is soft and gentle yet it offers powerful assistance to heal deeply on all levels.

Karuna is a Sanskrit word translated to mean any action that is taken to diminish the suffering of others and could also be translated as "compassionate action”. Karuna Reiki is often associated with the Buddhist deity, Quan.  One of the several stories surrounding Quan Yin is that she was a Buddhist who through great love and sacrifice during life, had earned the right to enter Nirvana after death. However, while standing before the gates of Paradise she heard a cry of anguish from the earth below. Turning back to earth, she renounced her reward of bliss eternal but in its place found immortality in the hearts of the suffering.