| Reiki is a system of natural healing that was founded | | | | Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai where the word Gakkai |
| by Dr. Usui Mikao hence it is also called Usui Reiki | | | | meant Association and this was the first formal Reiki |
| after it's founder. Dr. Usui or Usui Sensei as he is | | | | association and even today it maintains the traditional |
| called was a staunch Buddhist who studied esoteric | | | | teachings of Dr. Usui Mikao. He was the first |
| ancient Tibetan and Sanskrit scrolls and meditated on | | | | president of this organization and after his death the |
| Mount Kurama on the outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. Dr. | | | | presidency was given to his best friend, Mr. Ushida. |
| Usui was also a member of the Rei Jyutu Ka, a | | | | However this was a time when the West was still |
| metaphysical group dedicated to developing psychic | | | | unaware of this method healing. Though Usui Reiki or |
| abilities and performing esoteric practices that were | | | | Usui Reiki Ryoho as it was called was the original |
| looked down upon by traditional monasteries. He was | | | | system of Reiki, over the years it has traveled to |
| said to have achieved enlightenment there and he | | | | the West where practitioners have merged this |
| synthesized the teachings of Japanese Esoteric | | | | system with other esoteric healing practices to form |
| Buddhism with Indian and Chinese medicines to form | | | | many other branches of Reiki which are practiced |
| his own brand of healing in which the Universal Healing | | | | today. Usui Reiki was bought to the West by a lady |
| Light energy was channeled and directed to perform | | | | called Mrs. Hawayo Takata who lived in Hawaii. She |
| healing. Thus Reiki does not work on merely the | | | | was visiting her realtives in Japan when she came |
| physical body but on the subtle body and at the soul | | | | upon this form of healing by a student of Dr. Usui's |
| level to bring about change. Western medicine | | | | namely Dr. Hayashi. She underwent treatment |
| treated the physical manifestation of a problem but | | | | everyday for four months for some serious ailments |
| Reiki treated the problem by correcting the energies | | | | she was suffering. After four months not only was |
| in the body or "Ki" and aligning it with the Universal | | | | she completely cures but was very impressed by this |
| energy to completely cure a disease that were | | | | form of healing. She learnt this form of treatment |
| caused by such energy imbalances in the mind, body | | | | from him and soon after an Attunement from him in |
| or spirit. | | | | 1938 she began practicing this when she returned to |
| Soon Dr. Usui's healing method became very popular | | | | America. She initiated twenty-two Reiki Masters in |
| in Japan and he traveled throughout the country to | | | | America and this list has continued to grow and |
| teach his skill and perform Reiki Empowerments. Dr. | | | | branch out and continuously evolve like a chain |
| Usui also set up a Reiki Association called the The | | | | reaction. |