What is Reiki

Dr. Usui's transformative experience with Reiki began when he embarked on a 21-day fasting and meditation retreat on Mount Kurama, a sacred mountain in Japan. During this period of intense spiritual practice, on the last day, he experienced a profound awakening. It is said that a powerful energy entered his body through his third eye, causing him to fall into a deep state of meditation or unconsciousness.

In this heightened state of awareness, the Reiki symbols were revealed to Dr. Usui. These symbols are integral to the practice of Reiki and are used by practitioners to channel and direct the Universal Life Force Energy for healing purposes. This revelation marked the birth of Reiki as a formalized healing practice.

Spreading Reiki Across Asia

After his transformative experience, Dr. Usui dedicated himself to teaching and sharing the principles and techniques of Reiki. He traveled extensively throughout Japan and China, offering healing sessions and instructing others in the art of Reiki. His teachings emphasized the importance of living by the Reiki principles, which include ideals such as gratitude, honesty, and kindness.

The Legacy of Dr. Usui

Before his passing in 1926, Dr. Usui entrusted his teachings to Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a naval officer and one of his most dedicated students. Dr. Hayashi played a crucial role in preserving and spreading Reiki. He established a clinic in Tokyo, where he continued to practice and teach Reiki, further developing the techniques and principles laid down by Dr. Usui.

Introducing Reiki to the West

Dr. Hayashi's most prominent student, Mrs. Hawayo Takata, was instrumental in bringing Reiki to the Western world. Mrs. Takata, a Japanese-American woman, traveled to Japan in the 1930s seeking healing for her own health issues. She encountered Dr. Hayashi and experienced the profound benefits of Reiki firsthand.

After her training with Dr. Hayashi, Mrs. Takata returned to Hawaii, where she began to practice and teach Reiki. Through her dedication, Reiki gained recognition and popularity across the United States and eventually the rest of the world. Mrs. Takata trained 22 Reiki Masters, ensuring the continuity of the practice and its principles.

Continuing the Tradition

Today, the legacy of Dr. Usui, Dr. Hayashi, and Mrs. Takata lives on through countless Reiki practitioners and Masters around the globe. Each practitioner contributes to the ongoing evolution of Reiki, sharing its healing potential with new generations. As a certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher, I am honored to be part of this lineage, committed to empowering individuals to unlock their healing abilities and promote wellness in their lives and the lives of others.

Reiki is more than just a healing technique; it is a way of life that encourages balance, harmony, and the nurturing of one's inner self. By learning and practicing Reiki, you become part of a timeless tradition of healing and spiritual growth.