Center of Living Light™ Reiki

Home

History – the Traditional Usui System

The word Reiki, pronounced “Ray Key” in Japanese, and pronounced “Leiki” in Chinese, originated in Tibet. In Japanese, the top ideogram Rei means bringing forth supernatural knowledge or spiritual essence. It is the energy of knowledge and wisdom, created at the moment the universe began. The Chinese ideogram, Lei, means subtle influences, the force, ethereal, supernatural power. The Tibetan characters themselves, evolved from the words Raku-Kei, where Raku is a vertical energy flow suggesting the flow of cosmic energy from the far reaches of the universe to the physical plane, while Kei is the horizontal flow implying the flow of energy throughout physical plane entities.

The Japanese Ki and the Chinese Chi refer to individual Life Force, the element vital for the existence of life itself. Ki and Chi are also known as Qi, Prana, Vital Force, etc. It is the energy inherent to all things, circulating in, around and through it. Ki is that part of Universal Life Force that manifests uniquely within every being, yet remains part of the universal whole. It animates the body, and provides the primary energy of our emotions, mental processes and spiritual advancement. The more vibrant the body, the more vibrant the energy. The Life Force of a human is more energetic than that of a plant or mineral.  As long as this vital life force flows freely, health and vitality are maintained. If the Life Force is low or blocked, stress is placed on the basic energy system of the body, making it vulnerable to dis-ease.

Reiki, then, is the flow of the cosmic conscious, Universal Life Force - Rei, influencing and guiding the Life Force of the individual - Ki. Reiki implies integration of particular aspects of Universal Life Force with that of the individual. Reiki can be defined, therefore, as spiritually guided Life Force. Which particular aspect of Universal Life Force connects with the individual depends upon each person’s qualities, intent, and use of various “tools”.  There are many ‘teachers’ of Reiki from all walks of life, and although use of the system varies, the following conclusions are universal:

·       All energy modalities are valid. What is important is to connect with the system that works best for you, and has the greatest impact on your consciousness.

·       Some ‘teachers’ are more powerful than others, even when teaching the same techniques.

·       Some ‘students’ are more receptive than others, just as others are more perceptive

Reiki was an ancient Tibetan healing art, originally practiced by holy men. It is believed that its roots lie in a Tibetan Buddhist healing technique called the Medicine Buddha. It is similar to Reiki in that it involved the laying on of hands, and the ability to administer Medicine Buddha healing was transmitted through an empowerment given by the ‘teacher’. Today, we call the empowerment process an Attunement. There are other spiritual lineages in Tibetan Buddhism that involve the transmission of ability or value through empowerments. Since Tibetan Buddhism is the only form using empowerments, it is likely that Reiki was formerly a Tibetan technique that had been lost. Reiki was rediscovered and began its evolution in the middle of the 19th Century by  Dr. Mikao Usui. Since no written data has been found, the only source of information comes from the verbal instructions that the third Reiki Grand Master, Hawayo Takata, passed on to her students.

Reiki is a generic term in Japan, used to describe many types of healing and spiritual work. It is not exclusive to the system of healing we practice. The Reiki system we use evolved from Dr. Mikao Usui’s method, called the Usui System of Natural Healing or Usui Shiki Ryoho. Dr. Usui passed the secrets and the practice to Dr. Chijiro Hayashi who established the first Reiki clinic in Tokyo. Hawayo Takata was first a patient and then a student of Dr. Hayashi.

The practice of Reiki has evolved since it was brought to the West by Hawayo Takata in 1938. After World War II, Madame Takata was the only practicing Reiki Master, the clinic in Tokyo having been destroyed.

Reiki utilizes symbols, having minute piezo-electrical energies that emanate from them. Second Degree symbols have a more powerful effect on the body-mind-spirit network. The Third Degree Symbol has an emanate quality of its own. Symbols are impacted by the practitioner’s skill, intent and focus.

Reiki is not only a healing modality, is also a spiritual discipline. However, it is not a religion and does not require a specific belief system. It compliments all religions and non-religious beliefs. Many find that Reiki puts them more in touch with their individual spiritual practices, and enhances spiritual experiences.