Reiki was rediscovered in the mid 1800's by a Japanese born Buddhist monk, Dr Mikao Usui. While teaching in a college Dr Usui was asked by a student how Jesus facilitated the healing miracles that he performed. Dr Usui had no answer. The question had planted a seed and before the year was out Dr. Usui resigned from the college and set out on the destined life path to answer 'that question'. Dr Usui was determined to learn the secret of healing so that he may help others. His journey took him to many countries and for many years he attempted to trace the same footsteps as Jesus and Buddha. Unable to find knowledge of healing in translations of the Sutras, (Buddha's teachings) he sought out the original version. Here was to be found the wisdom of healing and means of empowerment.
During his journey Dr Usui visited and asked different Buddhist Sects if they could perform the miracles that Buddha performed – could they heal the body? They concentrated on the spirit and not on the body, they felt that the body and spirit were separate, and that the spirit needed to be healed, they left the healing of the body to the medical doctors. Dr Usui went to a ZEN Monastery in Kyoto, he asked the same question of the Abbot 'Do Zen Monks and Priests know how to heal the body?' the abbot answered 'Not anymore'. The Zen Abbot explained that they have been concentrating so heavily on healing the spirit they had forgotten how to heal the body.
The Abbot felt that if Dr Usui's destiny was to rediscover how Master Buddha had healed the body, it would unfold before him. So Dr Usui asked if he could stay and study at the Zen monastery, he was accepted, for all people who desire mastery were accepted in their quest.
Wanting to read the sacred books in their original language, Dr Usui had to learn Chinese and Sanskrit. It was in the Indian sutras, written in Sanskrit that he discovered a formula for contacting a higher power that could bestow healing. Dr Usui had now found the information he was looking for, simply knowing a formula did not give him the ability to heal. Talking to the abbot, they decided that all he could do was follow the practices in the formula. So he travelled to the holy mountains of Kori Yama where he fasted, meditated and followed the directions in the formula for 21 days. Dr Usui realised he had to attain a high altered state of consciousness in order to be empowered with the healing energy.
On his arrival at the mountain, he placed 21 little stones in front of him and removed one at the passing of each day as a kind of calendar. During this time he read the Sutras, and meditated. Nothing unusual happened until the last day dawned. When he saw a shining light moving towards him with great speed. As he looked at the light he realised that the light had consciousness and was communicating with him. He realised the light had the healing power he was looking for and if he was to receive what the light had to offer, he must allow the light to strike him. He was told the light was so powerful that if it did strike him, it may kill him. He was given the opportunity to decide. Would he risk death to obtain the knowledge for which he had searched so long? He decided the ability to heal the sick would be of such great value that it would be worth risking death to receive it. The beam struck him in the forehead knocking him unconscious. Rising out of his physical body, he was shown beautiful bubbles of light filled with colours. In the bubbles were symbols. As he contemplated each symbol, he received an attunement for the symbol and knowledge on its use. In this way, he was initiated into the use of the Reiki healing power.
When he returned to normal consciousness, the sun was standing high in the sky. He felt full of strength and energy and began to climb down the mountain. In his rush, he fell and stubbed his toe. He held it with his hands for a few minutes and bleeding stopped and the pain disappeared. Since he was hungry he stopped at an inn at the wayside and ordered a large breakfast. The innkeeper warned him not to eat such a large meal after fasting. Dr Usui was able to eat it all without any consequences. The granddaughter of the innkeeper had a bad toothache, from which she had been suffering for several days. Dr Usui laid his hands on her swollen face and after a while the swelling started to subside and the pain eased. She ran to her grandfather and told him that their guest was no ordinary Monk.
Dr Usui returned to his monastery but decided after a few days to go to a beggar city in the slums of Kyoto to treat beggars and help them lead a better life. He spent 7 years in the slums, treating many illnesses. He began to notice that the same faces were returning. When he asked why they had not begun a new life he was told that it involved responsibility and that it was much easier to go on begging. Dr Usui left the slums and while returning to the monastery as he walked along he was greeted in spirit by the teachers who had greeted him in Kori yama. They bestowed upon him understanding of 2 very important elements: healing of the spirit and the responsibility of the healee in the healing process. Dr Usui had realised that he had done the reverse of the Buddhists teaching by concentrating on healing the body and not the spirit. He was at this time given the spiritual principles of Reiki by the teachers in spirit.
Principles of Reiki
Just for today, do not worry, accept
Just for today, do not anger
Honour your parents, teachers/elders
Earn your living honestly
Show gratitude to all living things.
- Dr Mikao Usui
