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Creation
Dr. Usui, the founder of Reiki, experienced profound enlightenment while meditating during a 21-day fasting retreat on Mount Kurama in Japan. He received the healing ability he called Reiki, along with the knowledge and ability to impart that to others. He believed that Reiki was meant to heal one's soul and spirituality, and emphasized using the gift to help others. -
The First Generation
Dr. Chujiro Hayashi became one of Dr. Usui's first students and later went on to write several books about Reiki and become a teacher himself. He only studied with Usui for 10 months, but his techniques have shaped Reiki into what it is today. His teachings started introducing Reiki to other areas of the world and he developed many of the more formal techniques, hand movements, and more science-based practices. -
Usui's Death
Dr. Usui dies of a stroke, but his legacy lives on. -
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The Second Generation
Dr. Chujiro Hayashi continued in the steps of Dr. Usui by opening a reiki clinic which remained open until 1940. It was at this clinic that Hayashi met Mrs. Hayayo Takata. Takata was traveling to Japan for an important surgery that she did not want to have. While searching for alternative methods, she found Hayashi. Amazed by her miraculous results, she asked him to teach her the art of Reiki. He taught her for two years just before his practiced closed in 1940. -
Reiki Master
Takata is initiated as a Reiki Master. -
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The New Masters
Hawayo Takata used her newfound knowledge to teach others the art of Reiki. In the 1970's she started training the new masters of Reiki as well as teaching its history. -
Reiki in the West
Hawayo Takata returned to her home in Hawaii where she started practicing Reiki. -
Takata's Death
Hawayo Takata passes away at the age of 79, only 13 days before her 80th birthday. At the time of her death she had taught and trained 22 new masters of Reiki. -
The Future of Reiki
After Takata's death, debates sprung up in regard to the true origin of Reiki. Takata’s granddaughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto, started the Reiki Alliance. She was regarded as the Grandmaster and, along with Iris Ishikura, dedicated her time to the spread and teaching of Reiki. They changed some smaller rules such as the price of an education in Reiki as well as implementing some new techniques from other spiritual sources. -
Reiki and Other Religions
During the new era of Reiki, other religions started having an impact on the methods and ways of teaching. More Reiki Masters started to appear and with that came new ideas. For example, Hinduism influenced the idea of chakra and Buddhism added more scientific thought processes. -
Reiki Today
Reiki, no matter the style or form, is implemented into many people's lives. It can be used in spiritual ways like therapy, but also in healthcare. More and more Reiki Professionals are being asked to perform Reiki in settings such as hostels, hospitals, and even surgeries.