History of Reiki
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Reiki is an oral tradition and there are as many
“histories” as there are traditions. Here is one
version: A scholar and Japanese Zen
Buddhist named Mikao Usui is believed to
have re-discovered Reiki in 1922. It is
believed that Reiki is originally an ancient form
of healing found in Sanskrit texts but was lost
to the sands of time.
Usui Sensei re-discovered this ancient art
after a twenty one day fast on Mount Kurama.
On the final day of his fast as he believed he
was dying of hunger and thirst Usui Sensei
received an epiphany during which he received
the sacred symbols, their use and meanings.
When he returned with this knowledge he
began to develop the healing therapy we now
associate with Reiki.
“histories” as there are traditions. Here is one
version: A scholar and Japanese Zen
Buddhist named Mikao Usui is believed to
have re-discovered Reiki in 1922. It is
believed that Reiki is originally an ancient form
of healing found in Sanskrit texts but was lost
to the sands of time.
Usui Sensei re-discovered this ancient art
after a twenty one day fast on Mount Kurama.
On the final day of his fast as he believed he
was dying of hunger and thirst Usui Sensei
received an epiphany during which he received
the sacred symbols, their use and meanings.
When he returned with this knowledge he
began to develop the healing therapy we now
associate with Reiki.
Usui Sensei drew from a number of Asian
healing methods, such as that found in Tibetan
Buddhist texts. Usui Sensei formed a Reiki
organization and trained others in his technique.
One of his students was Dr. Chujiro Hayashi. Dr.
Hayashi’s contributions to Reiki were the creation
of the three tier system of attunements and a
variety of hand positions. In 1936 , an American
woman named Hawayo Takata was suffering
from gall stones, before her surgery she was
given a message that she may find healing
without surgery. Convinced that the message
was genuine she searched out Reiki. Mrs.
Takata received therapy in Dr. Hayashi’s Tokyo
clinic. After her successful treatment she
requested to learn Reiki and was originally
denied. Later she was later permitted to train in
Reiki in order to prevent the loss of this great art
again. The war was coming and it was believed
that Mrs. Takata was granted such great honor as
being responsible for preserving the technique
but also to bring it to the western world. As such,
Mrs. Takata became a Reiki master and is
credited with introducing Reiki to North America.
Today there are a variety of Reiki types and
styles. These have descended and evolved from
this simple yet powerful beginning.
healing methods, such as that found in Tibetan
Buddhist texts. Usui Sensei formed a Reiki
organization and trained others in his technique.
One of his students was Dr. Chujiro Hayashi. Dr.
Hayashi’s contributions to Reiki were the creation
of the three tier system of attunements and a
variety of hand positions. In 1936 , an American
woman named Hawayo Takata was suffering
from gall stones, before her surgery she was
given a message that she may find healing
without surgery. Convinced that the message
was genuine she searched out Reiki. Mrs.
Takata received therapy in Dr. Hayashi’s Tokyo
clinic. After her successful treatment she
requested to learn Reiki and was originally
denied. Later she was later permitted to train in
Reiki in order to prevent the loss of this great art
again. The war was coming and it was believed
that Mrs. Takata was granted such great honor as
being responsible for preserving the technique
but also to bring it to the western world. As such,
Mrs. Takata became a Reiki master and is
credited with introducing Reiki to North America.
Today there are a variety of Reiki types and
styles. These have descended and evolved from
this simple yet powerful beginning.
