More About Reiki, Evolution & Treatments

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Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing[1]. 

This form of healing was originated by Mikao Usui in 1922 at Mt. Kurama, near Kyoto Japan. Dr. Chujiro Hayashi was taught by Sensei Mikao Usui and opened a clinic in Tokyo where Hawayo Takata would eventually be treated for severe illness.[2] The practice migrated to the U.S. in the late 1930s by Sensei Hawayo Takata, a native Hawaiian and Reiki Master Teacher who brought the practice mainland.[3] 

This practice was further developed by William L. Rand, founder of the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT) who studied the original methods of Dr. Usui, Dr. Hayashi, Master Takata, and others. In 1993 he developed Karuna© Reiki and in 2014 Usui/Holy Fire© Reiki[4].  

Today, there are many different lineages of Reiki, however, the elements of the technique remain the same. 

The general meaning of “Rei” is universal, and this is how many people use the word in the current context. “Rei” can also mean it is present everywhere[5]. 

Thus, the meaning of “Rei” can be viewed as universal and present everywhere. 

The word “Ki” within the Japanese construct means “life energy” it can also mean “universal life force” or “vital energy”[6]. 

This meaning is similar to Genki in Japanese, the Chinese concept of Chi, Prana in Sanskrit, Ti or Kiin Hawaiian, and modern science’s reference to biofield energy[7]. 

While Ki, Chi, and Prana are some more common names we have been accustomed to, it should be noted this idea of life energy has permeated many cultures and been given many other names, for sake of inclusion but also brevity, all others are incorporated by reference.  

In sum, the word Reiki can mean "spiritual life energy", “universal life energy”, to include which is present “present everywhere” and in all things. 

[1] Rand, W. L. (2014). Reiki: the healing touch, first and second degree manual. Health Harmony.

[2] Id at 22-24

[3] Id at 24-25 

[4]Id. at 37-38

[5] Id. at 3

[6] Id at 4.

[7] The term biofield describes “a field of energy and information, both putative and subtle, that regulates the homeodynamic function of living organisms and may play a substantial role in understanding and guiding health processes.” citing Jain, S., Daubenmier, J., Muehsam, D., Rapgay, L., & Chopra, D. (2015). Indo-Tibetan Philosophical and Medical Systems: Perspectives on the Biofield. Global advances in health and medicine, 4(Suppl), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2015.026.suppl

Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki is a new form of Usui Reiki Ryoho that was introduced in 2014 by the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT) and was most recently upgraded in 2020. Due to the high vibration of this energy, it can be taught in-person and online.  

"It is both powerful and gentle and provides purification, healing, empowerment, and guidance." 

This is the form of Reiki that is taught and practiced as part of our Usui Reiki classes and sessions.  

The Holy Fire® energy is noticeably more refined and comes from a higher level of consciousness. 

Some of the qualities students have experienced include:

• Works continuously even when not thinking about it and spontaneously heals issues as they come up.
• Always respects free will.
• Heals deeply and quickly without distress.
• Heals relationships and interactions with others.
• Releases worry and replaces it with a sense of safety in a most pronounced way.
• Spontaneously provides guidance that is palatable for every level of life experience.
• Tends to develop all the personality traits that are healthy for a person to have such as love of self and others, kindness, patience, confidence, vitality, enthusiasm, optimism, trust, joy, peace, and so forth.
• One of the more wonderful effects is a feeling of being loved. This is a deep and refined feeling that is very nurturing.
• Once received, it continues to develop itself to be more evolved and effective.

The use of the word holy in the name Holy Fire® is not intended to have a religious meaning. The word holy has as its root meaning to be whole and complete and this is how it is used in Holy Fire®. Therefore, Holy Fire® is an energy that creates wholeness through purification, healing, empowerment, and guidance. - William Lee Rand

Laurelle Gaia, the author of four books on Reiki including "Be Peace Now", stated: 

“Holy Fire® Reiki is not so much a different energy than Usui Reiki, it expands our awareness of Divine energy. Before Holy Fire we were only aware of a portion of Divine Healing energy, thanks to Holy Fire®, we have become aware of Reiki in an expanded way."

She continues, "Usui, himself said ‘Reiki would continue to evolve’ Perhaps what was misunderstood through translation, could have been that humanity itself would evolve to understand Reiki in a greater way, perhaps.” 

Sensei Mikao Usui believed that Reiki would continually evolve. He alluded to this when he said he was "not at the top of the Reiki system, but one step below"[1]. 

Thus, the quality and practice of Reiki would continue to become more refined over time.

Usui Shiki Reiki Master, researcher, and writer, Robert Fueston, states his "definition of Traditional Reiki Practice is simple: If Mikao Usui would recognize the system you are practicing, then it is traditional.[2]"

Yet Fueston confirms, "Usui himself modified his teachings over time. Hayashi and/or Takata further modified the initiation process for greater effectiveness.[3]"

Before his passing, Usui Sensei had asked Chujiro Hayashi Sensei to open his own Reiki clinic and to expand and develop Reiki Ryoho based on his experience as a medical doctor in the Navy. Motivated by this request, Hayashi Sensei started a school and clinic called Hayashi Reiki Kenkyukai (Institute).[4]

He opines, "Hayashi’s and Takata’s modifications to the initiation process were a natural evolution, similar to how Usui himself modified his initiation method many times to increase its effectiveness.[5]"

The Western hand placements used in nearly all lineages of Reiki today were introduced by Hawayo Takata as an addition to the Usui method.

Another addition by Sensei Takata was the addition of the "Master Symbol". It's reported that those of her twenty-two Master students she trained in the mid-1970s onward received this symbol while others did not.[6] 

Wiliam L. Rand, combining Usui and Kaku Rei, introduced Usui Tibetan Reiki in 1989. Kaku Rei originated from Arthur Robertson who was taught [7] 

Between 1993 and 1995 Karuna Reiki® was introduced[6]. This master level class encompasses "compassionate action" and included additional symbols.[8] 

In 2014, Holy Fire® Reiki was introduced dropping the Tibetan styles and replacing them with the Holy Fire® symbol. Karuna® Reiki was additionally upgraded and is now taught as Holy Fire Karuna® Reiki.[9] 

Since 2014, Holy Fire® Reiki has been upgraded two times, once in 2016, and again in 2018, with increasingly refined properties. It can be taught or sent in person or online with equal effect. 

Therefore, Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki is yet another evolution of Usui's original practice, though refined and evolved. 

Usui practices have been retained while others have been refined based on the properties of Holy Fire® energy. This includes the ability to conduct online classes, Reiki meditation or healing experiences, Reiki moving meditation, and removing the need for the Teacher to conduct physical attunements. 

The latter allows for the Holy Fire®  Reiki to be completely involved in each student's process in the way best suited for them. 

Refinements in terminology have also taken place, such as referring to attunements as placements or ignitions.  

The accurate history of Reiki to present is included in all Holy Fire® Reiki classes.

References:

[2][3][5]Fueston, R. N. (2017). The history and system of Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho.

[1][4][5][6][7][8] Rand, W. L. (2000). Reiki, the healing touch: First and second degree manual. Vision Publications. 

In-Person Reiki Treatments

Some important factors to keep in mind when considering a Reiki session: 

Reiki energy will always flow to where the recipient needs healing and guides the practitioner as indicated, the practitioner does not guide the energy. Likewise, the Practitioner’s energy is not part of the session. Further, Reiki can do no harm and Reiki honors the free will of the client or patient in all circumstances. 

A Reiki practitioner gently moves their hands on or just above the client’s fully clothed body. The traditional method is by use of hand placements as specific points of the body starting from the top of the head and moving downward towards the feet, but avoiding sensitive areas, yet at all times considering the client's comfort level. 

Whichever method is used by the practitioner; the treatment works through its interaction with the client’s bio-field. The bio-field has been referred to as the chakra system in Ayurvedic medicine and meridians in Chinese medicine. 

Reiki is not the same as acupuncture, shiatsu, or reflex zone massage! Reiki is not concerned with recognizing and treating the "right" place. Instead, it is primarily important to give Reiki to the entire body so that its systems can function better and it can heal itself.[1]

[1]Walter Lubeck;Frank Arjava Petter;William Lee Rand. The Spirit of Reiki: From Tradition to the Present  Fundamental Lines of Transmission, Original Writings, Mastery, Symbols, Treatments, Reiki as a Spiritual ... in Life, and Much More (Shangri-La Series)

Reiki at a Distance vs. In-Person  

Distance Reiki treatments are just as effective as in-person treatments, allowing patients to receive healing from afar.  Distance Reiki sessions are performed for patients who are unable to come for in-person sessions. 

Second-degree and Master Reiki practitioners learn methods in which to conduct these sessions.

Distance Reiki works according to theorists by the Hermetic Law of Similarity because we are all consciousness, energy, and matter, we are part of a larger whole and therefore all connected. In recent studies from 2013 and 2020, we have begun to understand  Reiki as weak light photon energy which would follow the theory of quantum entanglement. Nonetheless, this process has worked for well over 100 years. 

As such, intending Reiki to be sent at a distance at the inception of a session allows the practitioner to direct via intention to the energetic field of the recipient.

Distance Reiki sessions can be done in several ways, such as video conference, phone, or an email request. However, for best results, it's recommended that the recipient be present and in a comfortable and quiet place in order to relax and be open to receiving the session. 

The Reiki Experience

As a recipient of Reiki, you might feel a warming or cooling sensation or a tingling during the session or nothing at all but sheer relaxation. The session should be very pleasant, relaxing, and invigorating. Often the results of a single session continue over the next several days which may manifest in healing releases of negative energy from the body. 

Each person's experience is different and each session may feel different for the same person. What is always constant is that the Reiki will always go where it is needed and works for the highest good of the recipient. Reiki can do no harm.  

Traditional Usui Reiki that has evolved to the present day was discovered by Sensei Mikao Usui in Japan in 1920 at Mt. Kurama during a period of prayer and fasting. 

Soon after receiving Reiki, Sensei Usui created the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, translated as Usui Reiki Natural Healing Method Society. 

Shortly thereafter the great tsunami and earthquake hit Japan injuring millions and killing over 100,000 people.  During this time Sensei Usui taught Reiki to over 2,000 people. 

Eleven of these students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, a level equivalent to the Western third degree, or Master level. Thanks to Sensei Usui and those who followed, Reiki made its way through hospitals in Japan, and to the West including the U.S. just prior to WWII.  

 The Five Principles of Reiki 

• Just for today, I will not get angry
• Just for today, I will not worry
• Just for today, I will be grateful
• Just for today, I will do my work honestly
• Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing

-Sensei Mikao Usui 

1865-1926