History of Reiki

The word Reiki is derived from two Japanese words - "rei," meaning "Universal Spirit," and "ki" meaning "life force energy." Reiki originated in ancient Tibet thousands of years ago. The Reiki calligraphy, in Sanskrit, was used in meditation in Tibetan monasteries. Reiki symbols were painted upon large wall hangings in the monasteries and acted as a the centre focus in the practices toward enlightenment by the Tibetan holy men.

What is now called Reiki was re-discovered in the 1870's by Dr. Mikao Usui. Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian teacher in Kyoto, Japan, began an extensive twenty-one-year study of the healing phenomena of history's greatest spiritual leaders. He also studied the ancient sutras (Buddhist teachings written in Sanskrit).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.

Usui then underwent a metaphysical experience and became empowered to use these sounds and symbols to heal. He called this form of healing Reiki and taught it throughout Japan until his death around 1893. The tradition was passed through several grandmasters of Reiki such as Dr. Chujiro Hyashi, Hawayo Takata, and Phyllis Lei Furumoto and, with the increase of interest in ancient healing methods, has gained increasing popularity and recognition throughout the Western world.