| Bronwen and Frans Stiene, founders of the | | | | It is believed that this will be a valuable resource for |
| International House of Reiki, were continually coming | | | | anyone interested in the history of Mikao Usui, his |
| across hints that suggested there was more to the | | | | teachings, Reiki and related practices. It is also for |
| system of Reiki than meets the eye. Historical | | | | beginners or those who feel lost and confused by the |
| discrepancies, symbol variations and changed | | | | myriad of choices that are presented to them as Reiki |
| attunements suggested that the system had become | | | | in today's society. |
| somewhat like a game of Chinese whispers. The | | | | This is an attempt to create unity rather than |
| inability to verify much of the 'new' historical material | | | | dissension. Until now no book has tackled these |
| was also causing disillusionment amongst many | | | | questions from such a practical and analytical |
| practitioners. On travelling to Japan they realised that | | | | standpoint. If we can see where we came from - we |
| traditional Japanese Reiki communities with ancient | | | | can see clearer where we are heading. |
| practitioners were slowly opening their doors to | | | | The system of Reiki is decidedly Japanese though |
| Westerners and many of Reiki's unknown secrets | | | | there is sure to be a similarity between all healing |
| were gradually being divulged. | | | | techniques throughout the ages. The 4 traditional |
| This journey stimulated Bronwen and Frans to write a | | | | symbols were introduced in the later stages to Mikao |
| book tracing the history of the system through to the | | | | Usui's teachings and were for those who had difficulty |
| modern day. To help clear confusion in the Reiki world | | | | connecting to the energy. They originate from the |
| this book also includes lists of branches, schools and | | | | Japanese culture. In the West the symbols have often |
| organizations throughout the world. There is a | | | | been mystified giving them the 'power' rather than |
| comprehensive lineage chart, timeline, extensive | | | | seeing them as training wheels. Mantras and |
| glossary and general information for novices and | | | | meditations on the other hand were taught in Mikao |
| practitioners of all levels. This book is due out in | | | | Usui's teachings from as early as 1915. |
| December 2003 and is called The Reiki Sourcebook. | | | | The West did not 'discover' Mikao Usui's memorial |
| Reiki's treasure is its ability to re-fuel you with your | | | | stone until the mid-1990s. Mikao Usui's students erected |
| own life giving energy. It is generally accepted that this | | | | it in temple grounds in 1927, one year after his death. |
| speeds up physical and emotional healing, gives clarity | | | | Overlooked by the West for 60 years, this was truly a |
| and added perception, brings about spiritual fulfilment | | | | Reiki treasure. On translation this memorial stone |
| and will return you to your true path in life. | | | | answers many of the questions that have arisen in the |
| To learn the system of Reiki is simple and yet today | | | | Western Reiki community. Mikao Usui was not a |
| the processes vary considerably from school to | | | | doctor or physician - instead he had worked as a |
| school. Mikao Usui created the teachings in the early | | | | businessman, was an administrator and security guard |
| 1900s and they came to the West via Hawaii in | | | | to the Major of Tokyo as well as being a lay monk. |
| the1940s. Here it seems the system was quietly | | | | Bronwen and Frans met Hyakuten Inamoto, monk and |
| altered to adapt to the turbulent times of World War II. | | | | Reiki Master in Kyoto. He introduced them to his |
| The consequences are that for the last 60 years | | | | teacher, the 85-year-old, Chiyoko Yamaguchi who had |
| Western Reiki students have been unaware that there | | | | been taught by Chujiro Hayashi, a student of Mikao |
| was a more traditional and spiritual side to Reiki. After | | | | Usui. In Tokyo they met with two Reiki Masters, one |
| the death of the Western Reiki Master Hawayo | | | | who was a member of the 'secret' Usui Reiki Ryoho |
| Takata in 1980, the system took on many new faces | | | | Gakkai. Here they found out that this society uses two |
| and there are likely to be over 1000 different branches | | | | manuals. One includes original statements from Mikao |
| of teachings available today. | | | | Usui. Today this manual is printed in modern Japanese |
| Some of these new branches have channelled | | | | and includes beautiful Japanese poetry to stimulate the |
| information, others claim to have 'the only true | | | | mind as well as a healing guide for beginning |
| teachings'. All in all there have been innumerable | | | | practitioners. The Gakkai uses techniques to stimulate |
| inconsistencies in the stories that Reiki Masters have | | | | the meridians helping practitioners to sense the energy. |
| told their students. Some believe the system of Reiki is | | | | Once they have accomplished a set of exercises they |
| Egyptian, Tibetan, or even linked to Shambhala. | | | | then move on to the next level. Receiving that level |
| Questions have arisen such as; was Mikao Usui, the | | | | does not mean that you have completed it but that |
| founder of Reiki, a doctor or not? Did he charge $10, | | | | you have only just begun... |
| 000 dollars to become a Reiki Master? Did he use | | | | Yes, Mikao Usui's teachings have many treasures - |
| manuals to teach? Was he a Christian? | | | | some well known and others just now returning to the |
| The intent of The Reiki Sourcebook is to look closely | | | | light. Suzuki san, a 108-year-old nun and student of |
| at all these questions and to link together information | | | | Mikao Usui, is surely one of these great treasures. |
| that has been spread far and wide by time and | | | | Frans also flew to Florence, Italy to study with her |
| circumstances. By capturing the results of this | | | | Western student. There he learnt that there are said |
| systematic global research, it aims to share the | | | | to be 12 students of Mikao Usui still alive aged |
| information and to promote and stimulate discussion in | | | | between 98 and 112. |
| the global Reiki community. It is not entirely about 'new' | | | | This system is about to change. It will not become |
| information but the bringing together of histories and | | | | more complex or difficult or contain more jargon as |
| anecdotes to create a cohesive understanding of | | | | has happened in the past. It will simply return to its |
| what has happened to and been said about the | | | | simplest, highest form and its practitioners, as individuals, |
| teachings during the past 100 years. | | | | will blossom taking their communities with them. |