About Reiki by Barbara our expert in Lahochi Healing

Reiki is an energy healing practice that finds its roots in Japan at the beginning of the

20th century. Its founder, Mikao Usui (1865-1926), developed this method after an

intense spiritual experience he is said to have had during a meditation retreat on Mount

Kurama, near Kyoto.

Origins and Context

The history of Reiki is closely linked to Japanese spiritual and cultural traditions. Mikao

Usui, from a samurai family, showed an early interest in spiritual practices and healing.

After studying various philosophies and healing approaches, including Buddhism,

Taoism, and more modern methods, he still felt a sense of emptiness in his search. It

was during a 21-day spiritual retreat that he is believed to have received, according to

his accounts, a revelation in the form of universal healing energy.

What Usui is said to have discovered is described as the ability to channel a universal

spiritual energy (Rei) to promote healing (Ki). The term Reiki is thus composed of two

Japanese words:

 Rei: meaning "universal" or "divine spirit."

 Ki: the vital energy that flows through all living beings.

Development of Reiki

After experiencing and mastering this energy, Mikao Usui began teaching his method.

He founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, an association dedicated to the teaching

and practice of Reiki. In his teachings, Usui emphasized that Reiki was not only a

method of physical healing but also a spiritual approach to achieving inner peace and

serenity.

The Five Principles of Reiki, given by Usui, guide the practice of Reiki and its

philosophy:

1. Just for today, I will not be angry.

2. Just for today, I will not worry.

3. I will be grateful for all the blessings received.

4. I will work honestly.

5. I will be kind to all living beings.

Expansion and International Influence

Reiki quickly gained popularity in Japan and then spread around the world through Reiki

students and masters who passed on this teaching across various countries.

A key figure in this diffusion is Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who

studied Reiki in Japan in the 1930s. She played a major role in spreading Reiki in the

West, particularly in the United States, where the method rapidly gained traction after

World War II.

Over time, different schools of Reiki have emerged, each with its own variations on

techniques, symbols, and original teachings. However, the essence of Reiki, which

involves using universal energy for healing, remains the fundamental principle of this

practice.

Contemporary Practice

Today, Reiki is practiced worldwide and is recognized as a form of complementary

therapy.

Practitioners use their hands to channel energy toward the patient, with the intention of

improving physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Although Reiki does not replace traditional medical care, it is often used alongside

treatments, notably to reduce stress, relieve pain, or promote relaxation.

Conclusion

The history of Reiki is a testament to the human ability to tap into spiritual resources to

enhance health and well-being.

Its founder, Mikao Usui, opened the way to a holistic approach to healing, where the

spiritual dimension is at the heart of the care process.

As it has evolved over the centuries, Reiki continues to touch millions of people as a

practice of wellness and self-healing, uniting body, mind, and soul.