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| Home > Reiki > Origin of Reiki
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| | Origin of Reiki
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Reiki is known to be an ancient technique developed by seers in Tibet several thousand years ago. Knowledge seekers in the Orient studied energies and developed a system of sounds and symbols for universal healing techniques. Interestingly, it is this rich heritage of India that has transcended various healing system. Spiritual practices being common, the study of energetics were applied in yoga, ayurveda, martial arts and many more. Many different cultural manifestations emerged from this single root system. Unfortunately, the original source of Reiki itself was forgotten. Many people believe Reiki to be originated from Gautam Buddha.
Introduction of Reiki in Modern World
Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian educator in Kyoto, Japan, was also a Tendai Buddhist. In the end of the last century, he undertook many years of intensive search in the writings of the disciples of Gautam Buddha. Usui studied in a Buddhist monastery. By studying ancient sutras, he discovered ancient sounds and symbols that are linked directly to the human body and nervous system, which activate the universal life energy for healing.
Another story conveys that after a subsequent 21-day period of fasting and meditation, he was given an initiation into this art through universal life forces. From this point of time onwards Dr. Usui possessed the ability to transfer Reiki energy and assist other human beings to become channels of Reiki energy. In this way, Reiki is said to be rediscovered in the mid to late 1800s. Usui then underwent a metaphysical experience and became empowered to use these sounds and symbols to heal. From hereon, he began an extensive twenty-one-year study of the healing phenomena of history`s greatest spiritual leaders. He called this form of healing Reiki and taught it throughout Japan until his death around 1893.
There are many forms of reiki being practiced now. The two principal ones are: "the Usui System of Natural Healing" and "the Radiance Technique." The Usui System of Natural Healing balances and strengthens the body`s energy, promoting its ability to heal itself. However, some schools of Reiki believe that Usui was pursuing knowledge of healing as the studies undertaken of traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Qigong and Yoga.
The tradition was passed through several grandmasters of reiki such as Dr. Chujiro Hyashi, Hawayo Takata, and Phyllis Lei Furumoto.
One of his disciples, the naval doctor Chujiro Hayashi, stressed physical healing and taught a more codified and simpler set of Reiki techniques. Hayashi`s contributed for his self developed set of fixed hand positions to be used in the course of a treatment. Usui himself preferred a method called scanning, through which he detected imbalances, and said that the hand positions were for beginners. Hayashi initiated and trained Mrs. Hawayo Takata,who brought Reiki to the USA. Reiki was introduced to the Western world in the mid-1970s. Since then its use has spread worldwide in a dramatic fashion.
Hawayo Takata claimed that, after developing the Reiki methodology, as well as receiving the spiritual ability to practice it, Usui went to the slums of Tokyo to attempt the healing of beggars. However, after several years of very little success, he claimed that even after repeated "treatment", it was their mindset that kept them ill. Usui then decided that there should be an "energy exchange" in return for a Reiki treatment. This "energy exchange" may take the form of cash payment, or a trade of some sort. The idea is that the patient is expected to regard the treatment as having a value up front and is prepared to invest himself/herself in the healing process.
Reiki in India gained its momentum in early 90`s. Since then its popularity and followership has been phenomenal and quite substantial. Today there are about 1,000,000 practitioners in India.
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