Is Reiki a form of Energy Healing?

Yes! Reiki is a Japanese system of energy healing.

The word Reiki comes from the Japanese words rei- universal and ki- life force energy. Ki is the energy that makes life possible. “Ki is also the essential life force of the Earth, the planets, the stars, the heavens…Everything alive contains Ki and radiates it-it is the biomagnetic energy of the aura” (Stein, 2000).

The full history of reiki is cloudy. Some sources state reiki has a long and ancient past and history. The details of which are lost to the dusts of time. The one thing all sources can agree on, is the modern beginnings (or reintroduction), of reiki.

Modern Origin Story of Reiki

The main characters for this part of the story are Mikao Usui, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi and Hawayo Takata. Mikao Usui was a devout student of buddhism (Stein, 2000). He went to the top of a Mt. Kurama to fast and meditate for 21 days (Stein, Rand). His question was: how did Buddha and Jesus heal others? Just before dawn on his final morning, a bright light came at him, striking his third eye. Usui lost consciousness for awhile. When he came to, he had his answer.

Walking down Mt. Kurama, Usui split open his toe. Instinctively he placed his hand on it. His hand got hot and when he lifted it, his toe was completely healed.

In 1922 Usui opened a reiki clinic in Harajuku, Aoyama and Tokyo. He treated patients with a wide range of ailments and taught his method in workshops (Rand). In 1925, he had to open a larger clinic to accommodate the influx of patients (Rand).

During this time, Usui met and trained Chujiro Hayashi. Hayashi succeeded Usui when he died in 1930. Hayashi a retired naval officer, streamlined Usui’s system and trained teams of reiki practitioners (Stein, 2000).

How Reiki Got to the World

Hawayo Takata was born in Kauai Hawaii. She had been sickly for most of her life. By the age of 34, she had been told if she didn’t get surgery she would die, but the surgery would likely kill her (Stein, 2000). Takata went to Japan in 1935 to inform her parents of her sister’s passing. She was admitted to a hospital in Akaska (Stein, 2000).

Within several weeks Takata was scheduled for surgery. On the morning of the surgery, she asked her doctor if surgery was the only way. His reply was if she could stay in Japan long enough, there was. She was checked into Hayashi’s reiki clinic that day (Stein, 2000). In 4 months, she was completely healed (Stein, 2000).

Takata then learned Reiki and worked in the clinic. After being in Japan for 2 years, Takata went back to Hawaii taking reiki with her. She opened several clinics in Hawaii, taught thousands of students and spread reiki to the lower 48 states, Canada and Europe. She passed away in 1980. (Stein, 2000)

Is Reiki a Religion?

No. It’s a system to chanel universal life force energy. “This life force energy is the source of life it self and far older in concept and fact than any religious philosophy” (Stein, 2000).

How does Reiki Work?

A Reiki practitioner is someone who has been attuned to this life force energy and channels it to the person being healed. This can be done through intent and light touch or with distance. Ki will always flow where it is needed most.

References

Rand, W. L. The Inscription on the Usui Memorial.

Stein, D. (2000). What is Reiki? In Essential reiki: A complete guide to an ancient healing art (pp. 13–16). chapter, Freedom, CA: Crossing Press.