Jul 10

Jul 10 Reiki & The West: How a Japanese energy healing practice came to Orange County

You may already be aware that I am not Japanese. So how did I come to not only be a student, but a provider of reiki, a practice born in Japan from Buddhist healing teachings? Well, back in 2016, I went to a new yoga studio. The class was restorative yoga with reiki and sound healing. I know I like yoga, but I’d never heard of the other two things. But this class was one of the studio’s top classes, so I figured I might as well see what everyone else was on about.

To say that the class changed my life sounds like an exaggeration, but as I sit here now in my office as a reiki provider, it’s simply true. The feelings of calm, peace and comfort that came over me during that first class made me a weekly devotee. From there, I began working with the instructor in private sessions and as my learning and experience evolved, I grew more and more interested in being able to do this practice myself.

Reiki is passed from teacher to student through the process of attunement, a special initiation into this intentional practice. There are different lineages and multiple levels within many of the lineages. More about that can be found here.

But you came here for the origin story, so if you’ll indulge my inner history nerd for a moment…

The roots of reiki in the west come through Hawaii from Hawayo Takata, a student of Chujiro Hayashi who was the last student of the founder of Usui Reiki, Dr. Mikao Usui. Dr. Usui grew up in 1860’s Japan. A Tendai Buddhist, Dr. Usui was deeply interested in Western science, befriending Christian missionaries that were also US medical students and being open-minded to cultural exchange. After a near death experience, Dr. Usui’s interests led him to pursue healing arts in Shingon Buddhism, a move that caused a massive falling out with his family.

During a meditation journey to Mt. Kurama Yama with texts dating back to the founding of Shingon Buddhism, Dr. Usui distilled a method for intentionally influencing energy to promote healing and health. After practicing on those close to him, he began to take his energetic practice to people on the street with little access to help. As his methods were refined, Dr. Usui took on students who could continue his healing work after his death. Through these students, reiki continued not only to spread, but to grow. Some students went on to found their own lineages, while others began to teach. Some began to practice, channeling the energy for those who did not have the same ability or desire to study but always wanting to see this work live on.

It is through the continued teaching and exploration of reiki that it moved it away from its roots as a Buddhist healing ritual into its current place as a universal energy practice. When one student, committed to honoring her teachers and the work of the practice, began to open it up to all people with a willingness to learn, reiki went worldwide.

Now, this practice has spread to many countries, as well as being increasingly available across the US. Here in Orange County, I hope to spread the idea of reiki as a complementary practice with therapy. Healing on multiple levels for the win!