Reiki Is Not Ancient
Reiki is not ancient.
It’s either modern (a practice started by Mikao Usui in the 1920s in Japan), or it’s timeless (if by Reiki, you mean the unified field, source, primordial consciousness, pure awareness, great mystery, whatever you call that all-pervasive, unending reality to which we connect when we practice Reiki).
Using the term Reiki without specifying what comes after it (Reiki treatment, Reiki practice, Reiki sensations, Reiki state, etc.) leads to confusion, especially when we’re addressing people who are new to the practice.
But no matter how you look at it, Reiki is not ancient.
It’s right here,
right now,
as you place your Reiki hand.
This post is available in Spanish translation, Reiki No Es Antiguo. Other Spanish translations are available at Reiki en Español.
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Oh, very nice, Pamela! I like the wording of Reiki (the state) as “timeless”. I will definitely steal that one. :0)
As for the System of Usui Reiki, I generally say that while it is modern, dating from the early 20th century, it is likely based on more established practices that formed Usui’s background: Buddhism, martial arts, and Shinto traditions, as well as the rich Japanese culture. The system may be new (relatively speaking), but it didn’t come from a vacuum. For me, at least, knowing some of the context gives the practice added depth and nuance.
And you are so right, the experience of Reiki consciousness and sensations is completely in the moment, every moment. Just thinking about that makes me smile.
Thanks for a short but sweet essay.
Alice
Thanks for stepping in, Alice.
It’s true that the practice Usui gave us didn’t come out of a vacuum. But it wasn’t a mere cultural outgrowth. Usui’s practice was unique and defined by him. It is based on initiation, which was the gift and attainment of his spiritual practice. Of course we are all shaped by the cultural influences around us.
Taoism was also a major spiritual thread in Japanese culture of the time.
Thank you Pamela for helping us to be mindful of what we are referring to when using the term Reiki, whether it is the practice or treatment…
I agree that it is important to be clear when communicating with people new to Reiki.
And I love the word timeless here…
When starting out my Reiki practice, I created a brochure that used the word “ancient”, then later in the text said that it was discovered, or developed by Dr. Mikao Usui in the early twentieth century.
Quickly revised the brochure, when a member of the public asked me how I could call Reiki “ancient” if it came into being only a hundred years ago!
Our clients, potential and actual, are our best teachers.
Thank-you so much for that perspective. It’s beautifully put.
I am always looking for words to describe this ineffable practise.
Do you suppose we cling to the descriptive term of ancient because we somehow believe it will give it more credibility?
Yes, Patsy, I think that’s exactly it.
It is quite refreshing to find someone who is in touch with the latest information about Reiki. I find so many books and websites still puporting the old “christian” myth story and, as you said, the “ancient” ness of Reiki.
During a long illness in the middle of my Reiki journey I decided to begin reading all I could get my hands on about Reiki and am quite aware of the origins of both Reiki and Usui as reported by Frank Ajava Petter, Hiroshi Doi and Chris Marsh (to name few). I have been holding lectures on this locally to get the word out to the local Reiki community. Have signed up for your blog and will be reading some more of your very informative and very well written posts. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your comment, Patty. You’ve highlighted the need for Reiki practitioners to be proactive getting credible information to the public.
I would like to note, however, that although Chris Marsh tells an interesting story, the lack of any documentation is troubling. I therefore cannot get on that bandwagon.
Really! I wasn’t aware of that. Have you read any of Taggart King’s Reiki manuals?