Time Tested From a Heart of Love - Usui Fire Reiki

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to be trained in Usui Fire Reiki. There are so many messages out there about various modalities of metaphysical work and spiritual healing. Frankly, some have validity and some do not. Some are an updated version of old work, and some are created with no history or credible resources. As a fifth-generation practitioner of spiritual work, history and reliable chain of ownership are important to me. That is why I chose to be trained in the 150-year-old proven results of Usui Fire Reiki.

Mikao Usui was born in 1865, Gifu province, Japan. His father was a businessman who sold timber, grain, and charcoal. His grandfather owned a saki factory. His ancestors were descendants of the samurai clan of Tsunetane Chiba. Mikao’s family were Buddhists and his education was at a Zendo-Ji temple. As a young adult Mikao moved to Tokyo to advance his spiritual training. This included Kiko, a form of energy work involving meditation, breath work, and movements similar to Tai Chi and Chi Kung. He also studied shugendo, a blend of Taoism, Buddhism, Shinto, and shamanism, as well as other forms of Buddhism including Zen and Tendai. 

He worked in journalism, prison ministry, social work, as a missionary for a Shinto group, and as secretary to a prominent Japanese statesman. This exposed him to many different peoples and belief systems, as well as different forms of healing modalities and spiritual practices. This work allowed him to open his own business. He married and had two sons. Economic issues world wide caused his business to sag and the crisis allowed Mikao to pursue his spiritual aspirations.  In 1919 he started meditation retreats at a Zen temple in Kyoto. He decided to do a fasting retreat on Mt. Kurama, a sacred mountain near Kyoto. After 21days, he realized a significant spiritual experience where he described a “great light” entering the top of his head and filling his entire being with intense light, as well as an energy attunement that he decided to call Reiki. 

From this experience Mikao experienced four “miracles” of healing himself and others and found his energy was not depleted when he did healing work. He decided he had a responsibility to train others in this energy work. In April, 1922 he moved to Tokyo to found the Usui Reiki Healing Method Society. In September, 1923 a devastating earthquake hit the Kanto area and destroyed several cities, including Tokyo. Mikao and his students were called upon to assist the injured, and he found he could treat five people simultaneously due to the massive number of injuries and those in need. By the time Mikao passed in 1926 he had trained over 2,000 students and 20 Reiki teachers. His work was carried on in Japan after his passing by teachers he had trained, including doctors. 

In 1935, a Hawaiian woman, Hawayo Takata came to Tokyo for surgery. She had heard of one of Usui’s students, Dr. Hayashi, and his Reiki clinic and decided to take treatments there instead of having surgery.  She traveled back to Hayaki’s Reiki clinic to complete her Master and Teacher training in 1927, and in 1938 Hayashi travelled to Hawaii to help Takata establish her own Reiki program in Hawaii. 

During WWII the Japanese government was suspicious of peaceful organizations such as Reiki groups, and made it difficult for them to practice. Reiki was nearly wiped out in Japan during the war. At the same time, Takata was taking Reiki to the mainland US while growing her program in Hawaii. By the time of her death in 1980 she had initiated 22 Reiki Masters. It was not until the 1990’s that American and Japanese practitioners started to communicate to bring Reiki back into development. 

Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki – created five principles – also referred to as precepts, that help you lead a healthier and happier life.

                                                Just for today: Do not worry

                                                                        Do not anger

                                                                        Be kind

                                                                        Work honestly

                                                                        Be grateful

    There are guiding principles in Usui Fire Reiki that every student, Master, and Teacher follow. 

These five principles were adapted in the west as:

                                 The Five Reiki Principles for Happiness and Spiritual Healing

                                              Kyo dake wa –   Just for today
                                             Ikaru na –           Do not be angry
                                             Shin pai suna –  Do not worry
                                             Kan sha shi te – Be grateful
                                             Gyo-o hage me – Take responsibility and fully do what

                                                                          you’re here to do
                                             Hito ni shin setsu ni – Be kind to others

These principles have been Westernized/modernized in the US as:

                                                    Just for today I will let go of anger.
                                                   Just for today I will let go of worry.
                                     Just for today I will give thanks for my many blessings.
                                                Just for today I will do my work honestly.
                             Just for today I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing.