| There has been a great deal of discussion in the Reiki | | | | san teaches is the precepts, but these are not the |
| community over the last couple of years about 'new' | | | | same as the preceptspracticed by the system of |
| discoveries within thesystem of Reiki. These | | | | Reiki and have evolved from their own individual |
| discussions have focused on a number of topics | | | | context. The teachings themselves are taught |
| including Mikao Usui's life and Mikao Usui's teachings - | | | | one-ononeand take many, many years to learn with |
| allin relation to what is taught today as the system of | | | | the student moving from one understanding to another |
| Reiki. | | | | with the teacher guiding thepractise. The symbols are |
| This article deals with two different forms that many | | | | not used, with the exception of 1, and the teachings |
| students of the system of Reiki today consider to be | | | | are based on the student's personal |
| linked. The first formcomprises information provided by | | | | developmentthrough the use of specific meditations. |
| living students of Usui sensei about his teachings. The | | | | This is a spiritual practise that focuses on discovering |
| second is known as the system of Reikiaround the | | | | one's own true essence. |
| globe today. | | | | Echoes of Usui sensei's teachings can be found in the |
| By looking at the elements that comprise Usui sensei's | | | | system of Reiki - working with energy to heal, the |
| teachings in contrast to the system of Reiki it is | | | | precepts and reiju - butnone of these aspects are |
| possible to see a linkbetween these two forms with | | | | dealt with in the same manner. To understand how the |
| this link being Usui sensei himself. The teachings | | | | one form developed into the other it is believedtoday |
| themselves are quite separate in intention anddesign. | | | | that Usui sensei might have developed his teachings |
| Suzuki san was born in Japan in 1895 and was the | | | | with two different objectives in mind. The earliest |
| cousin of Usui sensei's wife, Sadako Suzuki. At the | | | | teachings ( approx. |
| age of 20 she began hertraining with Usui sensei. From | | | | 1912-1926), focused on personal spiritual development, |
| 1915 to 1920 she trained formally with him and | | | | were taught until his death while the later teachings ( |
| thereafter, informally, until his death in 1926. Suzukisan is | | | | approx. 1922 - 1926)were developed expressly for |
| still alive today as are 1 0 other students of Usui sensei. | | | | healing. Today the system of Reiki is a business for |
| Suzuki san is a practitioner and teacher of Usui | | | | many who use their teaching expertise to |
| sensei's teachings. | | | | guidestudents into an awareness about energy and |
| To practise the teachings of Usui sensei, as taught by | | | | healing work. Usui sensei's teachings are not a |
| Suzuki san, is to focus on self-realization. Healing | | | | business. They focus on personalwork with ongoing |
| others is a natural sideeffect of working in this manner | | | | study taking place between a teacher and a student. |
| but is certainly not emphasized within the form. Not | | | | Usui sensei's teachings, as taught by Suzuki san, have |
| only is healing not a major element of the formbut the | | | | no name but can be seen as a Method of Spiritual |
| approach to healing differs from the techniques used in | | | | Practice that was in fact |
| the system of Reiki. The teachings of Usui sensei and | | | | Usui sensei's life. The names Usui Teate or Usui Do |
| the system of | | | | are just that, names. Individuals have used them to |
| Reiki take the student on paths that are unique to | | | | represent elements of theteachings but by using these |
| each form. These paths are not the same. | | | | terms one's view of the teachings can become |
| One of the most important aspects of what Suzuki | | | | restricted. |