History of Reiki

Reiki is a healing technique that has gained popularity worldwide, yet its history is fraught with controversy and ambiguity. In this article, we will examine the authenticity of this method, focusing on Dr. Mikao Usui and his spiritual heirs. We will discover how oral traditions, including those of Master Hawayo Takata, have influenced the image of Reiki in the Western world, and how research and documents can shed new light on the true history of this healing practice. Together with author Iwona Przybylska de Acosta, we will explore the legend behind Reiki and the true paths to its discovery.

(...) Everything I've mentioned so far led me to decide to write about Reiki. My decision also coincided with the fact that my Italian friend and Reiki master, Antonio Cantarelli, provided me with unique materials concerning the true history of Reiki. We often wondered about its authenticity, which is repeated identically by all masters and books.

I wasn't entirely convinced of its authenticity, but lacking any other material, I repeated it to my students. I first learned that the history of Reiki contained certain gaps and inconsistencies in a Spanish translation of a book by American Reiki master William L. Rand (Reiki - The Healing Touch - Mirach Publishing House, SL, Madrid, 1994). In it, W.L. Rand described, among other things, his journey following in the footsteps of Dr. Mikao Usui. He visited places where he supposedly stayed: Doshisha University, a Catholic school in Kyoto, and the University of Chicago. Unfortunately, there was no trace of Mikao Usui there. He was an unknown figure there.

A. Cantarelli and I also had long conversations about Mikao Usui, and we never felt comfortable labeling him as a Catholic priest. We were both delighted to learn the truth. Since there is irrefutable evidence that the story of Mikao Usui as we knew it is nothing but legend, I decided to share it with Polish Reiki practitioners. This is a true story of Reiki, supported by documents and based on facts whose veracity can be verified and cannot be disputed.

But above all, I wish to pay proper tribute to Dr. Mikao Usui and his rightful heirs. He is worthy of having the truth about his person and life revealed.