As translated from Dr. Usui’s own writings in Japanese:

The secret of inviting happiness

The spiritual medicine for all illness:

Just for today, do not get angry,

Do not worry;

Express your thanks.

Be diligient in your work and be kind to others.

Do gassho* and repeat them in the mind at the beginning and end of each day.

Usui-Reiki Ryoho-

Improve your mind and body.

*In Reiki, there is a meditation called Gassho Meditation— it is used to enhance focus and increase teh Reiki flow of energy and is done while holding hands in prayer position. Translated, gassho means “two hands coming together.”

The healing method known as Reiki was developed in Japan by Mikao Usui (1865-1926).

Usui was a seeker of knowledge and spiritual understanding. He studied subjects such as history, religion, medicine, psychology, and spirituality. He also learned more through his travels to Europe and China. Although there were challenges in life, he moved through them. Students described him as a smiling, kind, gentle and humble man.

(See Founder of Reiki – Mikao Usui, picture A)

Reiki tradition tells how Dr. Usui received the energy and knowledge now known as “Reiki” in 1922 when he traveled to the sacred Mount Kurama in Japan. He went there to study, meditate and pray, as he was seeking a hands-on healing method such as Christ and Buddha used. Usui is said to have indeed received the healing method now known as Reiki, as well as his enlightenment.

Although Usui declared Reiki to be a spiritual method of healing, it is not dependent upon nor affiliated with any one religious belief or any doctrine. The beautiful energy of Reiki is open to everyone and practiced by people of many beliefs and cultures.

Usui Sensei established clinics in Tokyo and traveled throughout Japan healing the sick and teaching his healing method. He became known throughout the country for his compassionate service to the injured following the massive Tokyo earthquake of 1923. Usui initiated more than 2000 students into Reiki and trained twenty Shihans (teachers) prior to his death in 1926.

(See Dr. Chujiro Hayash, picture B)

One of the Master teachers Usui Sensei trained was Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a medical doctor and retired naval officer. Hayashi established a clinic in Tokyo after Usui’s passing, and continued to develop his mentor’s healing method, and trained thirteen teachers prior to his death in 1941.

(See Hawayo Takata, picture C)

One of Hayashi Sensei’s students was Mrs. Takata, who was a Hawaiian of Japanese descent, and received Reiki at Dr. Hayashi’s clinic where she was healed of several serious illnesses. She studied with Hayashi, and returned to Hawaii. She established a clinic in Hilo, Hawaii, and practiced in Hawaii for many years before bringing Usui’s healing method to the mainland U.S. in the early 1970’s, then to Europe and Canada. She taught Reiki to countless people, and trained twenty-two Reiki Masters before her passing. Because of her, Reiki practitioners number in the millions around the world. Reiki has become a creditable complementary healing practice in numerous clinics, hospitals, and hospice programs, and is the subject of scientific research.