Tuesday, December 20, 2005

What is the history of Reiki?

Reiki's tradition and history is oral and generally passed from Reiki Master to student during training. Some of the writings tell the story of how Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian educator, discovered the ancient healing art in Japan in the late 1800's. His revelations paved the way for its emergence in the United States and the rest of the world. There are stories about the life and work of Dr. Usui or "sensei"(teacher) as he is affectionately called. Recommended readings for the history of Reiki include: "Reiki Fire" by Frank Arjava Petter and "Reiki, The Healing Touch" by William Rand.
Based on ancient Buddhist and Hindu teachings, Dr. Usui evolved a system of healing through study, research, and meditation. He practiced and taught this method of natural healing using the laying on of hands. In the traditional Reiki lineage, he trained Chujiro Hayashi to continue his work after his death. Dr. Hayashi then opened a clinic and school in Tokyo where he trained his successor, Mrs. Hawayo Takata, who brought Reiki to the mainland of the U.S. Between 1945 and 1970, she was the only living Reiki Master in the world. Between 1970 and 1980, she trained twenty-one Reiki Masters. Mrs. Takata's granddaughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto, is the currently the Grand Master of the Usui System of Natural Healing (Usui Shiki Ryoho).

Reiki is based on five spiritual principles:

Just for today do not worry.
Just for today do not anger.
Honor your parents, teachers and elders.
Earn your living honestly.
Show gratitude to everything.

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