History of Reiki
Reiki originated from Tibet. This method was apparently lost except
for its appearance in old sacred texts.
Reiki was rediscovered by Mikao Usui towards the end of the 19th
century. Mikao Usui developed the modern method of Reiki, known
under the name of “Usui Shiki Ryoho” (Usui system of
Natural Healing).
Mikao Usui was born in Japan in 1865, at the time of the Meiji
emperor. This period was, in the history of Japan, one of great
revival, during which many changes and modern reforms occurred.
Mikao Usui entered a Buddhist monastery at a very young age. During
his life, he learned various disciplines; martial arts, healing
arts, religions of all kind including Christianity.
At a certain point in his life, Mikao experienced a moment of imminent
death. This experience transformed him, and from that moment, Mikao
Usui became firmly rooted on the path of healing.
Mikao Usui looked researched healing further by studying foreign
languages, history, psychology, theology, and the initiatory writings
including tantra. He also went on long journeys around the world.
It is said that he sought the laying-on of hands healing that was
done by Christ. Usui sought a way of curing without exhausting
his own vital energy. After many failures, Usui joined a Zen monastery,
where he was encouraged to persevere in this way.
The exact progress of Mikao Usui is not known. Usui’s quest
apparently led to the Kurama Mount, located approximately
27 kilometres from Kyoto. There Mikao Usui practiced fasting and
meditation in a way comparable to the Native American Indian vision
quest.
Usui began his pilgrimage towards the top of the sacred mountain.
Some say that he had decided to remain there until obtaining an
answer. By the time he arrived at the twenty first day of his fast
nothing unusual had occurred and he persisted in his meditation.
Suddenly, a stunning light came to him, and he received and understood
the keys to transmitting healing energy for which he had been searching.
Apparently, Mikao Usui reached illumination at that moment.
Through his studies and experience, Mikao Usui gained the capacity
to transmit energy by laying-on of hands and initiation. He immediately
went to work in the poor districts of Kyoto, applying his newly
acquired technique to the young and the old without distinction.
Usui obtained remarkable results. Eventually, Usui became troubled
by the familiar faces returning to him. Usui deepened his reflection
and realized that he had not known how to communicate a sense of
responsibility or gratitude to the people. He understood that for
any physical cure to be durable, it needed to be accompanied by
a psychic balance. The importance of an energy exchange appeared
vital to him.
Usui formulated the five fundamental principles of Reiki. He left
the poor districts to teach all over Japan. The symbols, which
had been revealed to him at the time of his vision, disclosed their
deeper meaning. He used them to harmonize his clients and enable
them to assume the responsibility of their own wellbeing. By helping
people to increase their energy, it became possible for them to
make a great step towards self-healing. When Usui had refined and
improved his method, he started to train others. Thus, before his
death, Usui initiated retired naval officer Chujiro Hayashi, who
became an important link for the dissemination of Reiki in the
West. Hayashi opened his own private clinic in Tokyo.
In 1935, Hawaya Takata, a young woman from Hawaii, with Japanese
ancestry and American citizenship, went to the private clinic of
Hayashi. Since the death of her husband she had become seriously
ill with depression, extreme weakness and a variety of organic
disorders. Just before undergoing a surgical operation, she heard
the voice of her late husband who encouraged her not to undergo
the procedure. Sharing her doubts with her surgeon, and asking
if there were any other options for her, he suggested that Mrs.
Takata try Reiki treatments. She received many Reiki treatments
and was cured.
Very impressed by these results, Mrs. Takata decided to initiate
herself into Reiki. She quickly discovered that this field was
strictly reserved for men. She was determined however, to find
a way to learn Reiki. She received the teaching of the first and
second degrees with Chujiro Hayashi in Japan. Upon returning to
the United States, Mrs. Takata practiced what she learned. In 1938,
Chujiro Hayashi and his daughter visited Mrs. Takata and Chujiro
initiated her in the master degree.
Between 1970 and her death in 1980, Mrs. Takata had trained 21
masters. From this family tree, there are now several thousands
people around the world that have been initiated into Reïki.
To this day, Reiki continues to spread worldwide.
References and sources
HORAN, Paula, Empowerment through Reiki , Ed. Lotus Light Shangrila.
MARY, Ronald, Le Reiki aujourd'hui, de l'origine aux pratiques
actuelles, Éditions le Souffle d'or.
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