The History Of Reiki

The History Of Reiki There are some controversies about Dr. Miako Usui, his credentials and for some even his existence. Even if the tale told here isn't completely accurate, it is the original legend of how Reiki was rediscovered after 1,000s of years. It is also the story that is told by 100s, if not 1,000s of Reiki Masters in their classes. So which ever you chose to believe, we at least hope you enjoy the original story.   The Rediscovery of Reiki, by Dr. Miako Usui. Dr. Miako Usui was a ministerial professor at a well known university in Japan. During one of his classes a missionary student asked how Jesus could heal the sick with his hands. Dr. Usui couldn't answer this question and if he was to be a teacher of Christ's messages, he felt he should understand the How as well as the Why.   Dr. Usui spent the next several years researching the answer to this question. His study took him to Chicago then back to Japan. He researched Christian, Jewish and Buddhist texts, many dating back 2,500 years, but he found no answers. Finally he reviewed an ancient Sanskrit writing that discussed hand positions and thought patterns used by Jesus. Through his research, he had found references that Buddha had taught Jesus how to heal, so this was a link worth pursuing. Dr. Usui went to several Buddhist monasteries for help, but few were able to. One suggested he try to seek his answers from an ancient Buddhist monastery that was dedicated to maintaining the ancient ways. Dr. Usui decided to travel into the deep countryside and asked these monks if they could help him find the answer he was seeking.   While staying at the mission, Dr. Usui research many age-old texts. But few added to his search. One day, a monk suggested the Dr. try the Buddhist ritual of meditation and fasting upon a sacred mountain to ask Buddha for some answers. Dr. Usui decided to undertake the experiment. So he went up to the top of Mount Kura-Yama to fast, meditate and pray. He told the monks that if he didn't return in 20 days to send out a search party for him. When he reached the mountain, Dr. Usui gathered 20 stones and laid them out on the ground. With the passing of each day, he threw away one stone. At the end of the 19th day, Dr. Usui thought he would never receive an answer to his prayers. He only had enough water left for one more day and he contemplated leaving the mountain. As he sat in thought, a brilliant white light appeared far off in the distance. It was very bright and moved very quickly toward him. Dr. Usui knew the light was going to hit him, so he braced himself for the impact. As the light struck his body, Dr. Usui fell backwards unconscious.   When he awoke on the 21st day, Dr. Usui gather his belongings and left the mountain. He felt changed somehow. He remembered the light, and some Japanese character symbols, but he wasn't sure he had the answer to his prayer. He traveled down a dirt road until he saw a small red bench. In this part of the country, a red bench means there's a "food bar" near by. Dr. Usui sat down and soon a man came to him. Dr. Usui asked for some food, but the man recognized the signs of a man who had just been on a fast and sabbatical to the mountain. He tried to talk the Dr. into a nice mild gruel so as not to upset his stomach. But Dr. Usui insisted he would be fine and requested that the man bring him what he asked for.   Within a few minutes, a young woman brought Dr. Usui his meal. Her face was swollen and she was obviously in pain, so Dr. Usui asked her what was wrong. She told him she had a tooth ache, but she couldn't get away to the dentist until her mother returned to help her father. Suddenly Dr. Usui felt the need to place his hand on the young woman's cheek. His hands became warm and after a few moments, the young woman's pain had vanished. The young woman was very grateful and the Dr. was sure he had found his answer.   He opened a school in Japan and began to teach his laying on of hands healing method to who ever was interested. Many years later, Chijuro Hiyashi, M.D. was one of the students to attend this school and become a Reiki Master. He integrated this form of healing into his traditional medical practice and documented the amazing results. As a Reiki Master, Dr. Hiyashi had the knowledge and authority to teach Reiki to others until his death in 1941. One of these people was one of his patience, Hawayo Takata.

Source: 1, h5, h6, h7, h8, h9, h10 Created:   03/28/1999       Updated: 03/10/2008