Reiki
(Rei – Universal/Spiritual Ki – Energy)
Reiki is a Japanese healing system rediscovered by Mikao Usui. It requires no background knowledge of philosophy, religion, medicine, or the like and can be used by any person, of practically any age. Reiki promotes self-realization, personal growth and service to others.
Wholeness is achieved by addressing one’s whole life: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. It is not enough to be focused on some areas of our life and ignore others.
One of the fundamental concepts of Reiki is that our bodies draw on energy to clear stagnant energy. This is not a system that diagnoses – all we need to know is that our bodies will draw on energy and take it where it is needed whether it’s physical healing, mental healing or spiritual healing. Reiki relies on the wisdom of the body to know what it needs.
The system of Reiki teaches you mindfulness. Mindfulness is a mind, body and energy approach which helps you to reduce stress, worry, fear, anxiety to the betterment of your wellbeing.
Mikao Usui
Mikao Usui was born August 15, 1865 in the Japanese Province of Gifu. As a child, he studied in a Tendai Buddhist monastery school, and was also a student of Martial Arts.
During his life he held many different professions: public servant, office worker, private secretary to the politician Shimpei Goto.
After he became a Tendai Buddhist Monk (lay Priest) it is believed that Mikao Usui meditated for 21 days on Mount Kurama, north of Kyoto, and after which he received the gift of Reiki. Mikao Usui taught what was called ‘Usui do’ – the way of Usui. What he practised on people would have been called ‘Usui teate’ – meaning ‘Usui hands-on healing’.
In 1922 he opened his first school/clinic in Tokyo. In 1923 a great earthquake shook Tokyo and Yokohama killing over 140,000. Mikao Usui and his students gave healing to those in need. His reputation as a healer spread quickly throughout Japan. Mikao Usui continued his practise until he passed away March 9, 1926.
Reiki outside Japan
Hawayo Takata, an American born Japanese woman, was the first Westerner to be initiated into Reiki by Chujiro Hayashi and was responsible for introducing Reiki to the West. Chujiro Hayashi’s teachings were from the latter period of Mikao Usui’s life. His medical background had a strong influence on the Usui teate as he developed a more technical and clinical approach.
Hawayo Takata had gone to Japan to have an operation to remove her gall bladder. In hospital, as she prepared for the surgery, she had a sense that the surgery was not necessary and that there was another way. This had led her to Reiki. With treatment her illness lessened and her desire to learn Reiki was sparked. She had to overcome resistance as she was a foreigner.
Because she showed deep commitment to Reiki, she was allowed to stay in Japan with the Hayashi family for one year, learning by practising Reiki everyday and being with Chujiro Hayashi. When both felt the training was completed, Mrs Takata returned to Hawaii with her gift of healing.
Hawayo Takata initiated 22 masters before her passing. One being her granddaughter Phyllis Furumoto, who succeeded Hawayo Takata in the Reiki lineage.
The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai which developed during Mikao Usui’s lifetime continued to exist in Japan throughout this time but had dwindled in size from its larger national reach in the late 1920’s/ early 1930’s. This included a hiatus in activity during the Second World War.
The following is a list of past Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai Presidents: Juzaburo Ushida, Kanichi Taketomi, Yoshiharu Watanabe, Hoichi Wanami, Kimiko Koyama, Masaki Kondo is the current President.
There is no doubt that in its relatively short history Reiki has grown in popularity world wide.
If you are interested in learning Reiki please contact Mary Anne here.