The history of Reiki is both beautiful and inspirational. There are several different versions of the "true" history of Reiki because it crossed continents and cultures as an oral tradition. (Reiki is still considered an oral tradition by its traditional Usui practitioners.) Despite the differences in the stories, some aspects of Reiki's history remain undisputed.
Dr. Mikao Usui, (or Usui Sensei, as he is known in Japan), is considered the re-discoverer of Reiki. All sources agree that Reiki is an ancient healing art somehow lost to mankind before recorded civilization. Reiki as we know it today was revealed to Dr. Usui in 1914 while he was on a 21-day fast at the top of Mt. Kurama. During his fast, Dr. Usui experienced what has been described as a transcendental state of super-consciousness, where he reached heightened awareness and became intimately connected with life's energetic source. It was in this moment that he realized humans could heal themselves and others using universal life energy, saw its symbols, and understood how to access the source energy's healing power. He called the way of accessing life energy: "Reiki."
Reiki was brought to the United States by a woman named Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American who lived in Hawaii and had traveled to Japan to find a cure for her severe illness. Mrs. Takata was completely healed through Reiki and became a Reiki Master under the guidance of Dr. Chijiro Hayashi, who was taught by Usui Sensei himself. All practitioners of Traditional Usui Reiki in the United States should be able to trace their lineage back to Mrs. Takata, and therefore, Dr. Usui. Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki is considered the most traditional form of Reiki in the Western world because it keeps to the Usui tradition as established by Mrs. Takata. In 1981, The Reiki Alliance was formed to establish guidelines and preserve the integrity of Usui Reiki in the midst of developing branches and combinations.
Today, there are many different types of Reiki, including forms of Reiki that involve additional symbols and levels of certification that were not a part of the actual practice created by Dr. Usui. These symbols and types of Reiki have been created by modern reiki masters, some of whom have chosen to trademark or copyright their particular brand. In Japan, there is a strong Reiki tradition carried forward by the Japanese Reiki Masters taught by Dr. Usui before his death in 1926.
There have always been many different types of energy or hands-on healing techniques throughout the world. Traditional Usui Reiki is unique in that it taps into source energy and does not rely upon or use the individual's own energy for healing. The founder of Chiyu Center chose to be of the Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Tradition because she felt drawn to honor the integrity of a powerful tradition. She also understands human nature, finds it both tragic and amusing, and trusts in evolution.
At Chiyu, we believe all forms of energy healing and medicine are valuable. Together, they contribute to the all-important evolution of our world.
