| Reiki was first created in the 20th century by Mikao | | | | taught by the founder Mikao Usui. In contrast, the |
| Usui, who was a Tendai Buddhist. He spent a large | | | | independent schools teach Reiki in a way that differs |
| amount of time meditating and fasting, and it was | | | | greatly from that which was used by Usui. |
| during these activities that he discovered Reiki. He | | | | Ironically, Reiki is rare in Japan, the country from which |
| wrote that he had learned of the practice through a | | | | it originated. It is much more popular in the West, and |
| mystical experience. The knowledge that he gained | | | | has become popular in a number of hospitals. One |
| would allow him to harness and apply the powers that | | | | notable example of Reiki being used by the healthcare |
| are attributed to Reiki. By using initiations, he would be | | | | industry is the National Health Service in the United |
| able to help people gain access to energy. When | | | | Kingdom. |
| patients participate in these initiations, they may | | | | In recent years, a number of changes have occurred |
| become a more powerful channel for the energy, and | | | | with Reiki schools. Many of them are now moving |
| this can help them receive better treatments. | | | | towards independent forms that can allow the |
| Some of the ideas for Reiki are quite similar to the | | | | treatment to be more widely available to a larger |
| concept of "qi." Usui also studies subjects such as | | | | segment of the population. Some have even begun |
| Yoga, Ayurveda, and classic Chinese medicines. Mikao | | | | merging Reiki with a number of New Age practices or |
| Usui would go on to train a number of students, who | | | | beliefs such as channeling and Wicca. A number of |
| went on to become his disciples. One of his most | | | | symbols and new procedures have been added. |
| prominent disciples was Chujiro Hayashi, who went on | | | | The vast majority of changes that have been made in |
| to teach and spread the Reiki techniques. The variation | | | | Reiki are a result of the harm that adherents believe |
| that he taught was much more simple than the | | | | Hawayo Takata brought to the practice. While her |
| techniques that had been promoted by Mikao Usui. It | | | | methods were strict, the methods that are used for |
| was Hayashi who first developed a collection of | | | | Reiki today are much more loose. One element that |
| specific hand positions. This was a sharp contrast to | | | | some schools have added to the practice of Reiki is |
| Usui, who preferred more mystical methods for | | | | called Seichim energy, and will alter the experience and |
| treatment. | | | | practice of channeling. The independent Reiki |
| Hayashi trained Hawayo Takata, and she would go on | | | | movement has made it popular with a larger segment |
| to introduce the practice in the United States. While | | | | of the population. |
| she claimed to be a Grandmaster, the term is not used | | | | To learn more about the History of Reiki and the story |
| in Japan. As the practice of Reiki spread throughout | | | | of Mikao Usui, Reiki Master Stephen Leigh has written |
| the world, the practice became split into two | | | | a fascinating book entitled 'Discover-Reiki'. Not only is |
| categories, and these are independent school and | | | | the history of Reiki explored and discussed but the |
| traditional school. The traditional schools were devoted | | | | book is a step-by-step guide to learning Reiki from |
| to teaching Reiki in the same manner that it was | | | | home, in just 7 days! |