Reiki Origins

Hi Andy,

I think, when people talk about Reiki originating from these things it is due to the belief (true or not we may never really know for sure), that Usui sensei travelled a lot and studied a lot of different belief systems/philosophies in his search for true understanding about his own spirituality (for want of a better way of putting it). It is know that he practiced a form of Qigong from childhood and that he, probably like a lot of us now, saught to find the connection between energy, himself and the universe around him. Some of the things he would have likely studied would have been eastern philosophies, such as vedic teachings, originally in sanskrit (but whether he actually read and interpreted the sanskrit himself or he had it translated for him who knows?). Likewise, some of his practices and teachings would have originated from various areas, possibly including tibetan beliefs.

However, as you say, "Reiki" itself, originated from Usui. He is the founder of the system that is called Reiki. His time meditating during his retreat on Mt. Karuma would no doubt have allowed him much time for contemplation of all the things he had learnt and the stilling of his mind though meditation now doubt allowed him to have that moment of enlightenment that was his realisation of how all the teachings hang together and how to live and breath the Reiki way of life. It was, I believe, this realisation (Self realisation?) and sudden understanding that he put together as his system of spiritual healing/growth and thus Reiki was born.

So, yes, Reiki does originate from Usui sensei, but it is also true that it was born from ideas, teachings and understandings that go back far further than Usui himself; back into the teachings of other cultures and understandings.

At least, that is my understanding.

All Love and Reiki Hugs

p.s. forgot to say,

I understand where you are coming from as I too have read people's sites where they pretty much state that Reiki comes from tibet etc. which is somewhat misleading in itself.

😉

However, as you say, "Reiki" itself, originated from Usui. He is the founder of the system that is called Reiki. His time meditating during his retreat on Mt. Karuma would no doubt have allowed him much time for contemplation of all the things he had learnt and the stilling of his mind though meditation now doubt allowed him to have that moment of enlightenment that was his realisation of how all the teachings hang together and how to live and breath the Reiki way of life. It was, I believe, this realisation (Self realisation?) and sudden understanding that he put together as his system of spiritual healing/growth and thus Reiki was born.

So, yes, Reiki does originate from Usui sensei, but it is also true that it was born from ideas, teachings and understandings that go back far further than Usui himself; back into the teachings of other cultures and understandings

I agree with you, based on my own research and intuition. Yes, his own development, like any one on a path of spiritual growth, will involve the expansion of understanding and awareness. I think there are some Universal truths that can be found by any one that seeks them. What Usui-sensei did, as you have said, is develop his Reiki Ryoho based on his understanding and awareness of these truths and his own intuition and knowledge.

Because Usui-sensei had awareness of spiritual and religious systems from various cultures, is it fair to say that his Reiki originated in one or more of those systems? I personally do not think so, I have found no evidence of Usui Reiki Ryoho before Usui-sensei's development of it. Obviously, the idea of hands-on healing and energy healing is not new or unique, but Usui Reiki Ryoho as a system is. I see it in the same way as fighting has been a part of human existence since humans existed, but a martial art such as Aikido is unique and has only existed since the founder developed it. Yes, some of the knowledge of Aikido is based on existing teachings, but Aikido is unique.

I hope it is alright for me to share some thoughts that I do have, for I do think about this lots and lots.

Mikao Usui said that his Reiki was unique to him

None of us here can possibly recreate and live exactly the same way that Usui did, so that already creates a difference before any of us get to the way to allow healing.

There are differences because we are different!

The way I see it, Usui got to a place where he could allow the energy combination that is uniquely him.

That shares with me the possibilities of what can be for any of us....
the possibilities of our uniqueness

and I think that it is not about to try to recreate to do things exactly the same way because that isn't actually possible, but to try to allow the glory of the possibilities that exist for each of us.

Obviously, the idea of hands-on healing and energy healing is not new or unique

I believe that the unique energy combination that is you is different to the unique energy combination that is me and each time we allow healing it is new because each situation is different...

Who attuned Usui?
It was a momentous event wasn't it?

I have had it said to me that because we don't live the same way and because we don't go up mountains and meditate the same way...
that we can't access what Usui did....
and what was that?
He was attuned.

He became at one with the Universe.

I have had it said to me, that it is because Usui spent a life-time of searching and that he devoted himself to his search.... that he earned that attunement.
The next inference that has been said to me is, this, .. that we cannot receive the same way because haven't worked for it the same way.

We live in different times now.
I sometimes think that these times of now of our searching are just as much a struggle as the then times of others searching in their past times that we read about.

The heart and the soul of our being that searches within our times
also climbs our inner mountains and crosses the deserted sandy plains of our inner searching
and then when the river refreshing thirst quenching place is discovered,
it is just as much a time of
our search
our discovery
and the allowing of our ultimate connections within our landscapes of our being,....

And I see this as being the key....
the unique energy combination that is us,
is just as much an exploration of the possiblities for us
as it was for Usui then.

I share knowing that this is just how it may seem for me and that, as I travel, the passing landscapes are different because every moment that we live is different and there is always the constant opportunities for the constant renewal and refreshement of ourselves within our unique living opportunities.

Because Usui-sensei had awareness of spiritual and religious systems from various cultures, is it fair to say that his Reiki originated in one or more of those systems?

There were many forms of Ki healing practiced at the time Usui-sensei, the big difference is that Reiki is embraced in the west and other forms remained in Japan.

While I don't think students of Reiki should study the greater context of the Maiji period an overview would certainly help understand what was happening around Usui-sensei at the time. There are things that have been written about Usui-sensei which are improbable because of the massive cultural changes going on in Japan around him.

It apears to me that the rewriting of Reiki history has more to do with control than fact. Reiki is in itself simplicity and I don't think we need to go looking for some holy grail or extended history.

It's about intent and what's in the heart. Everyone has Ki and everyone can be attuned to it, either through external stimulus or through meditation. Then we can do Reiki/Ki healing and that's what it's about, .

The essences of ki is; Live life, have fun and find love.

Myarka.