Where Did Reiki Originate ?
Mikao Usui (Dr. Usui) developed Reiki energy therapy, in the early 1900’s in Japan. He received the ability to perform Reiki and teach it during a three-week meditative period at Mt. Kurama in Japan. He formed a school – the Usui Reiki Gakkai Ryoho – where he taught many students, including 16 Reiki Master/Teachers who continued the practice. A Japanese woman living in Hawaii, Mrs. Hawayo Takata became a Master/Teacher while visiting in Japan. Upon her return to Hawaii, she taught Reiki and performed treatment. She is credited with introducing Reiki to the Western World.
“Rei-ki” is a Japanese word consisting of two kanji characters. A literal translation reads: “Spiritually guided life force energy.” Reiki Ryoho (its proper name) is most likely a very old hands-on healing technique, probably dating back thousands of years to India and/or Tibet. There are references to something similar in very old documents written in Sanskrit. After many years of study, Mikao Usui, a Japanese businessman turned Buddhist monk, rediscovered the technique during a twenty-one day fast on a sacred mountain in Japan (Mt. Kurama) in 1921. He was not an ascetic he was a very practical person who wanted to help others. Usui (who had already been a healer for many years) opened a clinic in 1922, healed thousands of people and taught thousands of students his methods. He was honored by the Emperor of Japan and trained many officers in the Japanese Navy. His original school still exists in Tokyo (though they will not talk to “western” teachers). The first person to teach Reiki o
