WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki as written in Japanese kanji
Reiki is a Japanese natural healing technique.
Japanese kanji (or characters) are not easily translated to English, as they are complex and represent concepts as opposed to words. However, “rei” in Japanese generally translates to soul and “ki” translates to energy (together soul energy, or often, universal life force energy).
A practitioner of reiki has no healing power on his or her own. Reiki is guided by a higher spiritual intelligence which knows exactly where to go to respond to the needs of the particular client.
The practitioner merely acts as a facilitator by channelling universal life force energy which is accordingly directed to promote healing of the client’s mind, body and spirit.
How did it start?
Reiki was founded by Dr. Mikao Usui, who was born into a wealthy Japanese family in 1865. Dr. Usui studied Buddhism, martial arts and other ancient Japanese meditation and healing techniques.
Dr. Usui sought to understand his life’s purpose and achieve a state of enlightenment so he joined a monastery. After a few years without any progress, he expressed his frustration to the Abbot, who advised that his final task was to fast and meditate for 21 days at the sacred Mount Kurama and allow himself to physically let go. On the 21st day, he felt a surge of energy through his body and he lost consciousness. The following day, he felt a vitality and energy that he had never experienced before.
Dr. Mikao Usui
As he came down from Mount Kurama, he injured his toe, and by laying his hands on the injury was able to completely heal himself. He also healed others in the days after. Dr. Usui realized that his purpose in life was to be a healer and to teach others his healing technique.
Dr. Usui established a clinic in Tokyo and became known for his technique, characterized by the ‘laying on of hands’. In 1923, he dedicated himself to developing a system to pass on the technique, which he subsequently taught to many persons, including up to the level of Master Teacher. Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a medical doctor and naval officer, was one of those Reiki Masters. He further developed the technique and trained more Reiki Masters, one of whom was his client, Mrs. Hawayo Takata. Mrs. Takata eventually brought Reiki to the West, where it continues to spread and gain prominence as an alternative healing technique.