Reiki History & Lineage

Reiki is said to have originated from a Tendai Buddhist monk named Mikao Usui who lived in the mid 19th/early 20th century in Japan.

Mikao Usui's early years exposed him to a number of traditional Japanese martial arts for which he became renowned for his expertise and proficiency.

In his married life he experienced a variety of occupations including the diplomatic service during which he had the opportunity to travel to other countries. He was a talented student and extended his knowledge in a wide range of subjects including medicine, psychology and the theology of religions as well as par-taking in numerous healing and spiritual groups.

Usui was an outspoken and controversial man who became motivated to seek out his life's purpose and use his acquired knowledge to fulfil this endeavour.

The enlightenment he was searching for was said to be to experience "Anshin Rytsu Mei" - the state of your mind being totally in peace, knowing what to do with your life, being bothered by nothing". Whilst Usui attempted this for three years, he sought the guidance of a Zen master who replied "if you want to know; die!" with which Usui lost hope, went to Mount Kurama and decided to fast until he died.

With this he began a 21 day meditation and fast called "The Lotus Repentance"during which he is said to have experienced "satori" or enlightenment that led to the development of Reiki.

Whether this is the true story we do not know as Usui performed this meditation a number of times during his lifetime and was using a system that had its roots in a number of existing traditions but we do know that in Usui's time, his teaching did not bear the name Reiki, which is thought to have been a later development. At this time it was referred to as "Usui Do" or "Usui Teate" (Usui hand-application).

Usui taught a large number of students in his lifetime; giving them empowerments (so they were connected to Reiki permanently) and teaching them to treat themselves. Amongst these were a number of Buddhist nuns, Naval Officers and a friend of Usui's named Eguchi. One of these Naval Officers, Dr Chujiro Hayashi was responsible for teaching Mrs Hawayo Takata who brought reiki to the West via her teachings in the USA.

The Reiki Precepts

The Reiki precepts (or principles) are a "set of rules to live by" that are an important part of the system that Mikao Usui taught.

They have been presented in the West in various forms, some closer to the original than others.

The entire text of the Reiki precepts is as follows:

The secret of inviting happiness through many blessings

The spiritual medicine for all illnesses

For today only: Do not anger, Do not worry

Be humble

Be honest in your work

Be compassionate to yourself and others

Do gassho every morning and evening

Keep in mind and recite

The founder, Usui Mikao

NOTE

The phrase "many blessings" seems to refer to Reiju, a Reiki empowerment process designed to "boost" energy flow.

The phrase "be honest in your work" really means "be honest in your dealings with other people".

Gassho means "hands together" and refers to a stage in the daily Reiki meditation and energy strengthening process.

My Reiki Lineage

All Reiki practitioners can trace their "spiritual lineage" following a trail of Reiki teachers back to the originator of Reiki.

The Reiki training I have received is via a Reiki master who has integrated both the traditions of the original Usui methods and the accepted Western-styles.

In doing so, I am able to supply both the traditional Japanese  "Reiju" style and standard Western lineage.