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The History of Reiki
 Reiki
provides a method for anyone to work with the power of
Human Subtle Energy. It is an ancient relaxation
technique that is thought to have origins in ancient
Tibetan Buddhism. Reiki was rediscovered in 1920 by Dr.
Miko Usui.
Dr.
Mikao Usui or Usui Sensi, as his students referred to
him, was born in Japan on August 15, 1865 in the village
of Taniai. He had an avid interest in learning and
traveled extensively.
He studied medicine, psychology and religion in Europe
and China. Usui Sensei also studied fortune telling;
which is thought to be a worthy skill in Japan.
Usui Sensei became a successful businessman but in 1914
his business and personal life were failing. As a
sensitive spiritualist, Usui began spending time
meditating at power spots on Mt. Kurama; where he
received his early Buddhist training.
The Waterfall
Meditation
Later in 1914, Mikao Usui enrolled in a 21 day training
course called Isyu Guo. While we do not know everything
he did during this training; it is likely he spent time
fasting, chanting, and praying.
We also know that Usui Sensei practiced a waterfall
meditation, where the initiate stands under a small
waterfall, on Mt. Kurama, allowing the waters to strike
and flow over the top of the head; a practice which is
said to activate the crown chakra.
It was during this time that it is said the great Reiki
energy entered his crown Chakra and Usui Sensei
“rediscovered” Reiki.
With this “gift” Usui Sensei began using his new healing
ability to help others. For the next 7 years he worked
with the poor people of Kyoto.
A Passion to Help
the World
In 1922, he moved to Tokyo and started a healing society
called Usui Reiki Healing Society or Usui Reiki Ryoho
Gakkai.
After the great Kanto earthquake devastated Tokyo, in
1923, Usui Sensei felt great compassion and began
treating as many victims as he could with Reiki. Demand
for Reiki became so great, that in 1925 he built a
larger clinic in Nakano, Tokyo.
As his reputation as a “healer” grew, Usui began
traveling so he could teach and treat more people.
The Japanese government awarded him a Kun San To award
for doing honorable work that helped others. On March 9,
1926, Usui Sensi suffered a stroke and transitioned
while teaching Reiki in Fukuyama.
During his travels across Japan, he directly taught more
than 2,000 students and initiated 16 teachers.
Reiki Comes to the
West
One of the 16 teachers initiated by Usui Sensei was
Chujiro Hayashi. Hayashi is credited with being the
first to document Reiki treatments and like Usui, had
printed class manuals.
In 1935 Hayashi trained and attuned Mrs. Hawayo Takata;
who came to his clinic from Hawaii, for chronic health
problems.
Once cured, Mrs. Takata returned to Hawaii, established
clinics and gave treatments and attunements.
In 1938, during a visit to Hawaii, Dr. Hayashi
acknowledged that Mrs. Takata attained the Reiki Master
level and that she was one of 13 Reiki Masters Trained
by him.
Mrs. Takata began teaching Reiki Masters in 1970. Her
style of teaching was very expensive and restricted note
taking; relying only on memory. This was not part of the
original Usui system.
Many believe she charged high fees to create a feeling
of respect for Reiki. Before making her transition in
1980, she initiated 22 Reiki Masters and has been
credited with bringing Reiki to the West.
Today, Reiki has become widely available to learn at a
reasonable cost. Many modern Reiki Masters rely on
personal intuition; creating a more open and free
flowing learning environment; as Usui Sensei had taught.
Reiki is an
ever evolving, flexible and creative form of growth,
relaxation and development
With new information recently discovered about the
history and development of Reiki; Reiki Masters have
passed on the heritage, rediscovered by Dr. Usui, to
create a profoundly effective relaxation, growth and
creative development technique.
There are over 200,000 Reiki Masters in the world today
with well over 1,000,000 practitioners worldwide and the
numbers continue to grow.
Reiki is open to
everyone to experience and learn
Reiki Arizona teaches Reiki in the spirit of Usui
Sensei, including life expansion and Human Subtle Energy
techniques that are commonly not taught in traditional
Reiki classes.
There are no special requirements to learn Reiki, other
than sincere desire and the intention to learn.
Take the
First Step. Experience Human Subtle Energy at Work at
Our Next Reiki Training Class.
More >
Photo Credit:
Dr. Mikao Usui, Photo provided by the International
Reiki Center
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