Usui Reiki
History of Usui Reiki
Dr Mikao Usui - Usui Sensei 1865 - 1926
Dr Mikao Usui rediscovered Reiki in the early 1900's, during a period of meditation on the Kurama mountains. He discovered that he had the ability to heal, without depleting his own energy.
He found that the healing techniques worked well on various ailments and in April 1922 he opened his first school/clinic in Harajuku Tokyo. His school/clinic was formed not just for the spiritual teachings but it was also a way for people to obtain healing. The Usui teachings included teaching people how to heal themselves (a very central point still in Reiki of today). Healing would be given to them, then they were taught how to heal themselves.
Dr Usui found that people would often return to him after they had been healed - either with a reoccurrence of the original problem, or a similar issue. He recognised the important connection between our way of thinking, or state of mind, and our physical health. He came up with the Reiki principles (Gokai) in order to help people think healthily, creating a healthier mind and body for themselves.
It is reported that he had taught his system of healing to well over 2000 persons, and around 15 teachers (now called Reiki Masters). One of these people was Dr Hayashi.
Dr Chujiro Hayashi 1878 - 1940
Dr Hayashi had been a Naval Doctor and learnt Reiki from Usui Sensei in 1925. Following his training with Usui, he started a clinic in Tokyo and expanded on Usui's healing methods. It is believed that he created the hand position system which concentrated on the head and torso, covering the body's major energy centres.
Dr Hayashi compiled a manual on how to use the hand positions for certain ailments, which may have been give to his students. He also initiated around 15 Reiki Masters, including Mrs Takata.
Hawayo Takata 1900 - 1980
In the mid 1930's Mrs Takata had travelled back to Japan and was suffering from poor health. She heard of Dr Hayashi's clinic which offered an alternative treatment for illness. She attended his clinic and within months of receiving Reiki treatments was completely healed.
She wished to learn Reiki and after a years training received First Degree Reiki (Shoden) in early 1936, then before returning to Hawaii in 1937 she received Second Degree Reiki (Okuden).
Mrs Takata established the first Reiki clinic in the West, in Hawaii, with the help of Dr Hayashi. She was initiated as a Reiki Master in 1938, yet did not initiate any Reiki Masters until the 1970's. It is believed that she initiated 22 Reiki Masters.
Reiki today
Since the 1970's Reiki has spread rapidly in the West and East there are now thousands of Reiki Masters and millions of people practicing Reiki throughout the world.
Reiki has become an accepted vocabulary for a technique of channelling universal energy for the benefit of yourself and others.
The secret art of inviting happiness
The miraculous medicine of all diseases
Just for today, do not anger
Do not worry and be filled with gratitude
Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.
Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer.
Pray these words to your heart
and chant these words with your mouth
Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind
The founder , Usui Mikao