Reiki is a Japanese energy healing method as well as a personal method for spiritual growth and transformation. Reiki must be passed down from Master to Master in a lineage, creating a type of family tree that traces back to the person who brought Reiki into our world from spirit, through an intense initiation process, Dr Mikao Usui. Every Reiki practitioner of today should be able to trace their lineage back to its origin.
Dr. Mikao Usui (as above) was born in the village of Taniai on August 15, 1865.. his ancestors had lived on Taniai land for eleven generations. Dating back to the Chiba clan, who were an influential Samurai family. Family of Dr. Usui also belonged to the Tendai Buddhism sect, here he received an early childhood education at the Tendai Monastery.
At the ripe age of 12 Mikao was taught martial arts and attained high levels of skill in many forms of discipline, he was a very educated man, well versed in many languages and skills. He held much knowledge of medicine, theology, divination, spirit, incantation, physiognomy and much more. Although he was a spiritual man and a Buddhist teacher, he had a keen curiosity for western science and medicine and he educated himself greatly on the subjects.
Living in Kyoto during his early adulthood, Mikao became involved in a group called ‘Rei Jyutsu Ka’ this group was centered at the base of a sacred mountain named Kurama Yama, North Kyoto. Kurama is considered a very sacred, spiritual place.
It is said that Mikao Usui founded the art of Reiki in the 1890’s, during his intense meditation retreat on Mt Kumara, the tribes people say he spent 21 days there, fasting and completing advanced meditation techniques, it is said that during this retreat he gained enlightenment and knowledge of how to heal using energy. He was recognized as an important figure, in April 1922 Usui moved to Tokyo to work as ‘Secretary of the Prime Minister’
Mikao was also awarded the ‘Kun San Tu’ award from the Emperor for his extensive healing skills in Reiki during the Kanto Earthquake in 1923, he and his students helped rebuild the people of the society and heal them after the destruction.
His work for the Prime Minister at the time allowed him to open his first Reiki Clinic in Harajuku, here he taught Reiki to over 2000 people, although he was careful with who he attuned to the master degree, with only 21 students receiving the Shinpiden level (masters degree)
He then went on to open bigger clinics and travel Japan sharing his knowledge, he worked tirelessly until March 9th, 1926. During a teaching tour in Fukuyama Mikao died from a fatal stroke, he was 62 years of age. His ashes were placed in a sacred temple in Tokyo and a memorial stone was created for him at the Saihoji Temple.
Churijo Hayashi (left) Hawayo Takata (right)
Reiki was to be passed down in its lineage to those called to use its qualities, Usui shared it with the world around him to the best of his abilities, he had many memorable students, two most notable students are Dr Churijo Hayashi and Hawayo Takata.
Churijo was the first student to open his own reiki clinic and try and enhance the abilities in Reiki with his knowledge on energy.. He worked with great effort until his passing in 1940.
Hawayo Takata is the woman recognized for bringing Reiki to the west, she first began teaching Reiki in the 1970s in America. Hawayo traveled much of the world to share knowledge of Reiki, she desperately wanted to heal the world as far as she could as Reiki had healed her own illnesses.
Today Reiki is globally recognized as a healing art, in many countries even some western, doctors will recommend Reiki as a safe, natural wellness method.
