Reiki: A healing practice

Reiki is a healing practice that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. It was developed by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk, in the 1920s. According to the traditional story, Usui embarked on a spiritual quest to find a method of healing similar to that used by ancient healers such as the Buddha and Jesus. After a 21-day meditation retreat on Mount Kurama, Usui claimed to have received a spiritual revelation and the ability to heal with his hands.

Following this experience, Usui began teaching and sharing his healing method. He established the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, an organization dedicated to the practice and teaching of Reiki. Usui's teachings emphasized the importance of spiritual development, self-healing, and the transmission of healing energy through the hands.

Over time, Reiki spread beyond Japan, primarily through the efforts of Usui's students. One of his notable students, Chujiro Hayashi, played a significant role in further developing and spreading Reiki. Hayashi introduced hand positions and a system of attunements, which became integral components of Reiki practice.

After Usui's death in 1926, the leadership of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai passed to Hayashi. However, due to various reasons, Hayashi eventually left the organization and established his own Reiki school in Tokyo.

One of Hayashi's students, Hawayo Takata, brought Reiki to the Western world. In the late 1930s, Takata sought treatment from Hayashi for a serious illness. She subsequently became his student and learned Reiki. Takata eventually introduced Reiki to Hawaii and later expanded its reach to North America.

Takata made modifications to the original teachings, including simplifying the hand positions and introducing a three-level training system: Reiki Level I, Reiki Level II, and Reiki Master. She emphasized the importance of passing on Reiki through initiation and attunement processes.

Following Takata's efforts, Reiki continued to evolve and adapt as it spread globally. Numerous Reiki schools and lineages emerged, each with its own variations and interpretations of the practice. Today, Reiki is practiced and taught worldwide, with practitioners offering Reiki sessions, training workshops, and certification programs.

It's important to note that the origins of Reiki and the details of Usui's life have been subject to debate and historical research. Some of the early teachings and documents related to Usui and Reiki were lost or destroyed during World War II, adding to the complexity of tracing its exact history.