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Up to recently the version of the Reiki history known in the west was more based on legend than a factual account of the development of Reiki. Research in recent years by dedicated Reiki masters such as Frank Arjava Petter, Dave King, Rick Rivard, Tom Rigler and Andy Bowling has brought to light some very interesting information on Mikao Usui and the origins of Reiki. The version of the Reiki history that is probably the most accurate comes from the Usui Memorial at Saihoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan:
Mikao Usui was born in 1865 in the Taniai village in the Yamagata district of Gifu prefecture. From what is known he was a talented and hard working student. When grown up he travelled to Europe, America and China to further his studies. He wanted very much to be successful but somehow success kept eluding him.
At some stage in his development he began wondering about the ultimate purpose of life. After some time spent contemplating this question he experienced a satori or enlightenment experience during which he realized that the ultimate purpose of life was Anshin Rytsu Mei the state of your mind being totally at peace, knowing what your lifes mission is and being bothered by nothing.
With this revelation he continued his research and finally, after three years went to his Zen master for advice on how to attain his lifes mission. The master apparently replied, If you want to know, die! Usui lost hope and decided that his life was over. He then went to mount Kurayama to start an ascetic retreat consisting of fasting and meditation. His decision was to fast until he either had his answer or died. On the 21st day he suddenly felt a large rush of energy above his head. In Usuis own words I felt the air around me in a strange way. In this instant he comprehended the truth. At that moment he also got the ability to channel Reiki.
When he first tried it on himself and his family he noticed very good results. He thus decided to make his discovery public. He moved to Tokyo where he founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (learning society) on April 11, 1922. The Gakkai was a great success and attracted students and patients from far and wide.
In September 1923 a great earthquake struck Japan. Usui travelled all over Tokyo assisting the injured. After this his school became too small to accommodate all the students. He thus moved to a new centre outside Tokyo. He was also invited to many places in Japan to give lectures and to teach Reiki. On one of his travels he stayed over at Fukuyama. It was here that he unexpectedly took ill and passed away on March 9, 1926 at the age of 60.
Usui was apparently very mild, gentle and humble by nature. He was physically big and strong, but had a very friendly disposition. However, when something happened he worked towards a solution with firm resolve. He had many talents. He liked to read, and his knowledge was very deep of history, biographies, medicine, theology (Buddhism and other religions), jinsen no jitsu (a Japanese healing method), the science of direction, ju jitsu (a Japanese martial art), incantations, divination, physiognomy and the I Ching. It is quite possible that it is Usuis extensive studies and experience that paved the way for his discovery of Reiki.
After Usui's death his Reiki society continued to grow and is currently still practicing and teaching in Tokyo. One of the students Usui trained to master level shortly before his death was a retired naval officer, Chujiro Hayashi. Hayashi opened a successful healing clinic in Tokyo where he worked with a group of healers. It is through this man that Reiki eventually found its way to the west.
In 1935, a Hawaiian lady from Japanese descent, Hawayo Takata, went to Japan to receive treatment for an incurable illness. She ended up at Hayashis clinic. She regained her health within two months and was fully recovered after about eight months. So impressed was she by the power of Reiki that she continued studying with Hayashi for another year before returning to Hawaii. In 1938 when Hayashi visited Hawaii she received the master training from him and she opened her own clinic. Initially Takata focused on treating others but a few years before her death she also started teaching Reiki. In this period she trained 22 people up to masters level. It is from this original group of 22 Reiki masters that Reiki spread throughout the western world.
After Takatas death Reiki underwent a lot of changes in the west. People started changing the basic Takata teachings, known as Usui Shiki Ryoho, and incorporated methods from other, non-Reiki systems such as Wicca, spiritual healing, Tibetan Buddhism, etc. This led to the formation of various new Reiki systems.
The method that follows is said to have been part of the Reiki system Usui himself taught. Whether this is true or not can probably never be fully verified. I have found the method to be useful and a great addition to Reiki practice anyway. So please feel free to try it out. |
