The History of Reiki

Reiki is perhaps one of our most ancient
known methods of healing.

Healing through energy is known to have existed in various forms in many cultures throughout history.

There is some speculation about the origins of Reiki, although the general consensus is that it  was discovered in the nineteenth century by Dr. Mikao Usui (1865-1926), a Japanese monk.

Usui was born into a class system and received a privileged education.  A keen student of medicine, philosophy, theology and religion, Usui was able to travel extensively in order to further his education.  Usui later became very successful in his business and made some very strong connections in the business world.  However, it was when his business and personal life began to fail that Usui enrolled in a training course in Isyu Guo at the holy mountain of Mt Kurama.  Usui had previously travelled to the mountain many times to meditate. It is not known how long Usai spent on the mountain, but some accounts suggest it was around 21 days.

It is believed that during his experience on Mt. Kurama, Usui gained empowerment of the universal healing energy. Through his prior learning and spiritual attainment, he formulated a system of healing which evolved to become what we now know as Reiki.

Spreading the Art of Reiki

After Usui’s sudden death from a stroke in 1926, the master teachers he’d trained carried on his work in Japan. One of these, Dr.Churijo Hayashi, trained the woman who would bring Reiki to the West. Her name was Hawayo Takata, who was born in Hawaii in 1900 to Japanese immigrants. Mrs. Takata passed in December 1980, having initiated 22 Reiki Masters.

Karuna Reiki® was developed by Reiki Master, William Rand. William received the Reiki master level of training from five Reiki masters. He made many trips to Japan to research Reiki and also received Reiki I and II training from Mrs. Yamaguchi who received her master or shinpiden directly from Dr. Hayashi.

It is through the teaching of these disciples, who have since passed on their knowledge to many others, that the incredible benefits of Reiki are now available around the world.  It is estimated that there are now approximately three million practitioners of Reiki around the world.

The Original Reiki Ideals