History Of Reiki

During the middle of the Meiji era in Japan, which covers the mid-1800's, Dr. Mikao Usui was the Dean of a small Christian University in Kyoto. This was an exciting period in Japan's history and many changes were occurring throughout society. The Japanese had only recently reopened their shores to the "barbarian" foreigners, and were quickly adopting all of the new technology of the industrial revolution. Railroads were being built, and even American baseball entered the scene. Along with the return of our diplomats, the Christian missionaries had also returned and spawned a new interest in the already eclectic Japanese (many Japanese celebrate Shinto weddings and are buried in Buddhist ceremonies). Dr. Usui however, had adopted Christianity wholeheartedly, becoming a minister and then finally Dean of a Christian seminary.

One day, during a discussion with some of his students, Usui was asked if he believed literally in the Bible. When he replied that he did, his students reminded him of the instant healings of Christ. The students mentioned that in the Bible, Christ states, "You will do as I have done, and even greater things. If this is so," they stated, "Why aren't there many healers in the world today performing the same acts as Christ? In addition, he tells the apostles to heal the sick and raise the dead. If this is true," the students said, "please teach us the methods." Usui was stunned. In traditional Japanese style, he was bound by his honor as Dean, to be able to answer their questions. On that day Usui resigned his position, and determined to find the answers to this great mystery. As most of his teachers had been American missionaries, and America was predominantly a Christian country, he decided to begin his study at the University of Chicago in the theological seminary. After a long period of study, in which he did not find his answers, Usui resolved to continue his research elsewhere.

Dr. Usui realized that Buddha was also known to have performed incredible healings, so he determined to return to Japan, and see if he could indeed find some "new" old information about more of the instantaneous types of physical healings. Even if all records of the how and wherefores of Christ's healings had been lost, perhaps he might find information about Buddha's healings in the Japanese Lotus Sutras.

Upon his return, Usui began an investigation of several Buddhist monasteries. Each time he approached the abbots of the various monasteries asking: "Do you have any records of Buddha's healings of the body?", he received a similar reply, that all focus was now placed on the healing of the Spirit. U sui was determined in his search, and after many tries he came upon a Zen monastery, where for the first time he was encouraged to continue in his search. The old abbot agreed that it must be possible to heal the body, as Buddha had indeed done, but that for centuries all concentration had been focused on healing the Spirit. He stated that "Whatever was possible at one time, can be accomplished again. Perhaps you should stay here and continue your quest," said the abbot.

Usui was greatly inspired by the abbot's enthusiasm and began a long study of the Sutras in Japanese. When the results were not forthcoming, he began an indepth study of Chinese, and later covered as much of the Chinese Sutras as he could find. Once again, with little new information being revealed, Usui determined to study the Sutras of Tibet. To do this he required a knowledge of Sanskrit, the next study, which he gladly pursued.

It is very likely that shortly after this time he made his trip to northern India, to the Himalayas. During the last century, Tibetan scrolls were found that document the travels of St. Isa, which several scholars feel was actually Jesus. Whether Usui found these same scrolls, or perhaps some other ancient scrolls with the recordings of certain healings, is not known. What we do know is that after completing his study of the Tibetan Lotus Sutras, Usui felt that he had found the intellectual answers to the healings of Christ. What he needed then was the empowennent.

Realizing that he had found the key to the healings, Usui went back to his friend the abbot to ask for advice on how to receive the actual empowerment. They both began to meditate, and together came to the conclusion that Dr. Usui should proceed to a sacred mountain about 17 miles from Kyoto, Mount Kuri Yama, and commence a 21 day fast and meditation, very much like an American Indian vision quest.

Soon after, Usui began his pilgrimage up the mountain. He came to a specific spot facing east, and gathered up a pile of 21 stones which would be his calendar. After 20 days of fasting he arrived at the predawn of the 21 st day. As it was the time of the new moon, it was quite dark when he felt around for his last stone. Nothing out of the ordinary had occurred up to this point. He prayed for the answer to come. Out of the sky he saw a flicker of light appear. It began to move very rapidly toward him. As it came closer it also got larger. Usui began to get frightened. He felt like getting up and running away. Finally he realized this must be some sort of sign. He had sought so long and hard all of those years - he just couldn't give up. He girded himself for whatever might come, and momentarily the light struck him in the center of his forehead.

Usui thought he had died. Millions of rainbow colored bubbles appeared before his eyes. Soon they became white glowing bubbles, each one containing a three-dimensional Sanskrit character in gold. They would appear one by one, just slowly enough for him to register each character.

Finally, when it felt complete, Usui was filled with gratitude. As he had been in a trance-like state, he was surprised when he awakened and it was broad daylight. In his excitement to share his experience with his old friend the abbot, Usui began to run down the mountain. He was amazed at how strong and rejuvenated he felt, considering the long fast he had just completed. This was the first "miracle" of the morning. Suddenly, in his haste, he tripped and stubbed his toe. As he instinctively reached down to grab it, he was amazed that in a few short minutes, the bleeding had stopped and it had completely healed - the second miracle of the morning. As he continued down the mountain, he came to a typical roadside stand, and proceeded to order a full breakfast. As anyone knows, who is acquainted with fasting procedures, it is quite dangerous to break a long fast with a large meal. The proprietor could see by Usui's monk's garb, and unkempt beard, that he had been fasting and meditating, and encouraged him to instead have some special broth. Usui declined and ordered the full breakfast. The third "miracle" of the morning occurred when he ate it without indigestion.

As it turned out, the old man's granddaughter who served Usui, was in dire pain. She had a severe toothache and her jaw had been swollen for days. Her grandfather was too poor to take her to a dentist in Kyoto, so when Usui offered to try and help, she gladly accepted. After he put his hands on the sides of her face, the fourth "miracle" occurred, as the pain and swelling began to disappear.

Dr. Usui then continued on his way back to the monastery. He found the abbot in great pain with a bout of arthritis. While Usui shared his experiences with the monk he laid his hands on the arthritic areas, and very quickly, the pain disappeared. The old abbot was truly amazed.

Usui sought his advice as to what he should do with this new found ability. He was again encouraged to meditate, and finally after some discussion, he decided to go and work in the Beggars Quarter of Kyoto. He hoped to heal the beggars so that they could receive new names at the temple, and thus be reintegrated into society.

When Usui entered the Beggars Quarter, he set about immediately, healing young and old alike. The results were remarkable and many received complete healings. After about seven years of this work, Usui began to notice familiar faces. One young man, who looked especially familiar, drew his attention. "Don't I know you?" he asked.

Why certainly!" he replied, "I'm one of the first people you healed, I received a name, I found a job, and even married. I just couldn't stand the responsibility. It's much easier to be a beggar."

Usui soon found many similar cases. In despair he wept. Where had he gone so wrong? It finally dawned on him that he had failed to teach them responsibility, and most of all, gratitude. He then realized that the healing of the Spirit was every bit as important as the healing of the body. He saw that by having given Reiki away he had further impressed the beggar pattern in them. The importance of an exchange of energy became clear to him. People needed to give back for what they recei ved or life would be devoid of value.

At this time, Dr. U sui created the five principles of Reiki. He left the Beggars Quarter and began to teach throughout Japan. It was also at this time that the purpose of the symbols he had experienced in his vision became clear. He would use them to attune people so that they could take responsibility for their own well-being. By helping them amplify their energy, they could take a bigger step toward their own mastership.

As the old dross was cleared away Usui began to train other teachers, young men who would join him in his travels. Shortly before his death, around the turn of the century, Usui charged one of his most devoted teachers, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a retired Naval officer, with the responsibility of carrying on the traditions of Reiki. Dr. Hayashi founded the first Reiki clinic in Tokyo.

In 1935, Hawaya Takata, a young Japanese-American woman from Hawaii appeared in Hayashi's clinic. She was very ill with a variety of organic disorders, and also lacking energy due to depression over the death of her husband a few years earlier. Having been on the verge of surgery while visiting her parents who had returned to Japan, she heard the voice of her deceased husband urging her emphatically to avoid the operation. After conferring to the doctor her reservations about the upcoming surgery, he recommended that she try the Reiki clinic, and it was there that she began to receive treatments, and was finally healed.

Takata was understandably impressed with Reiki and decided to learn it herself. Reiki had become a man's domain, and that meant hands-off to women. Takata was a typical determined "Gaijin" (alien) woman and did not give up easily. Her persistence ultimately paid off, and she was finally instmcted in both First and Second Degree techniques. Later Takata returned to the U.S. and began her practice. In 1938, Dr. Hayashi and his daughter came to visit her. Soon after, Takata was initiated as a Master and the Hayashis retumed to Japan.

Dr. Hayashi was a powerful mystic. He could sense that a war was coming with the U.S. and began to make preparations. Mrs. Takata sensed his concern and decided to return to Japan. Dr. Hayashi immediately warned her of the coming trouble. He already knew what the result of the war would be. He knew that Japan would be destroyed and that many of the men would die. He warned Mrs. Takata of the preparations she would need to make in order to protect Reiki.

Not wanting to be drafted to participate in the violence of the coming war, Dr. Hayashi decided to make his transition. One day in the late 1930's, in full ceremonial dress, and amidst friends, Hayashi consciously left his body. Mrs. Takata stayed for a Short time to help with his funeral arrangements, and soon returned to Hawaii, where she fortunately escaped the incarceration of Japanese-Americans during Would War one. In addition, this gutsy little lady pursued the teaching of Reiki in post-war America during the McCarthy era, a very closed-minded period of America's history.

In the 1970's Mrs. Takata began to train other Masters, and at her death in December of 1980, 21 had been trained. Today there are over 700 Reiki Masters teaching around the w orld.

My own goal as a Reiki Master is to assist each of my students to "fine tune" the vibratory level of his or her physical and etheric bodies, which in turn facilitates the development of higher consciousness, ONE. As more of us take the responsibility to raise our conscious awareness, the earth in turn will also be fine tuned to higher levels of Emanence.

, Uma