The Founder Usui Reiki Ryoho
MIKAO USUI SENSEI – THE FOUNDER OF USUI REIKI RYOHO
“First the mind must be healed
Second, the body must be made sound.
If the mind is healthy, conforming to a path of integrity,
then the body becomes sturdy of its own accord”.
Mikao Usui Sensei (1865-1926)
Sensei Usui, the founder of Usui Reiki Ryoho, was a Japanese Buddhist lay practitioner of Jōdo-shū (浄土宗) or Pure Land School (sect). Sensei Usui was commonly known by the name Mikao, with an extra name (pseudonym) Gyohan. He was born on August 15th of 1865 in Taniai-mura (village), Yamagata-gun (county), Gifu-ken (prefecture), Japan. Mikao Usui was descended from Chiba Tsunetane. His father’s name was Taneuji but he was commonly called Uzaemon. His mother was from the Kawai family. He had 2 brothers: Sanya and Kunji, and one elder sister called Tsuru.
From his youth he surpassed his fellows in hard work and endeavour. He was by nature versatile and loved to read books. He engaged himself in history books, medical books, Buddhist scriptures, Christian scriptures and was well versed in psychology, Taoism, even in the art of divination, incantation, and physiognomy.
Sensei’s personality was gentle and modest and he never behaved ostentatiously. His physique was large and sturdy. He always wore a contented smile. He was stout-hearted, tolerant and very prudent upon undertaking a task. Despite his will to succeed in life, he got stuck and fell into great difficulties. However, in the face of adversity he strove to train himself even more with the courage never to yield.
Presumably Sensei’s background in the arts and sciences afforded him nourishment for his cultivation and discipline, and it was very obvious that it was this cultivation, discipline and self-mastery that became the key to the creation of Reiki Ryoho.
One day, in 1922, at the age of 57, Sensei Usui climbed Mt. Kurama in Kyoto, the ancient capital city of Japan, and after 21 days of a strict fasting and severe discipline (diligent trainings / meditations) he suddenly felt One Great Reiki over his head and attained enlightenment. At the same time as he attained the enlightenment, he realized that he also received a miraculously enhanced healing ability (he obtained Reiki Ryoho). First, he tried it on himself and then experimented on his family members. The efficacy was immediate. It inspired him to create the method “USUI REIKI RYOHO TO IMPROVE MIND AND BODY” or the art of hands-on healing by means of channeling the energy of the universe — Reiki, which is two-fold and consists of healing practice and spiritual practice.
Created by Usui Sensei method (art of healing) is not the result of his research, discovery or rediscovery — it is a result of his discipline, self-improvement, knowledge and self-mastery, which led him to an awakened state of consciousness and realization of the inner healing ability as a godsend bestowed upon him.
(In the Western countries, it’s been incorrectly said that Reiki healing method was rediscovered by Usui Sensei after researches in the Buddhist scriptures.)
Sensei thought that it would be far better to offer this wonderful gift widely to the general public and share its benefits than just to keep it to himself to improve the well-being of his own family members. Thus, he opened up Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai 臼井靈氣療法學會 (Usui energy healing method association) at Aoyama, Tokyo in 1922 and began teaching classes and providing sessions. Even the outside of the building was full of pairs of shoes of the visitors who had come from near and far to learn Reiki Ryoho or/and to receive treatments.
“My Usui Reiki Ryoho (healing art) is original, never before explored, and incomparable in the world.
I have not been taught this art of healing by anyone under the heavens nor have I studied in order to obtain this mysterious ability to heal. I accidentally realized that I was given the mysterious healing ability when I felt the great power and was inspired by the mystery during a period of fasting.
Therefore, it is to be made available for the good of humankind, so that anyone may be blessed with this heavenly gift, that the soul and body may be as one, and heaven-sent well-being may be realized in one’s life.”
Mikao Usui Sensei (Reiki Ryoho Hikkey)
In September 1923 there was a great earthquake Kanto that affected around 4 million people. Conflagrations broke out immediately and, due to strong wind, fire spread to different areas. Everywhere there were groans of pains from the wounded. Sensei, feeling pity for them, went out every morning to go around the town, and he healed and saved an innumerable number of people. This is just a broad outline of his relief activities during such an emergency.
In 1925 Usui Sensei moved to Nakano, a suburb of Tokyo, so as to expand his healing activities. Due to his nation-wide fame, he was very often invited to teach his Reiki Ryoho in local districts or other areas of Japan.
Usui Sensei had a spouse — Suzuki, who was also called Sadako. They had 2 children: a boy and a girl. The daughter’s name was Toshiko, and the son, who succeeded to the family, was named Fuji.
On March 9th, 1926, while traveling at Fukuyama in Hiroshima Prefecture Sensei Usui unexpectedly became ill and passed away on the road.
Usui Sensei’s gravesite and his memorial stone are located in Tokyo at Saihoji Temple of Jōdo-shū (浄土宗) or Pure Land sect of Japanese Buddhism.
(In the West, Usui Sensei is said to be a Christian minister that got his PhD at the University of Chicago and president of Christian based Doshisha University in Kyoto. There is no evidence to support this. He was a lay Buddhist from beginning to end.)
Information provided by Komyo ReikiDo with Hyakuten Inamoto permission.
“Traditionally Reiju 靈授 (initiation) is given in person; face to face.
“Touch” (the laying-on of hands) plays a pivotal role in Reiju process; a series of things we do in order to achieve a particular result. Touch in the form of the laying-on of hands is to impart the healing energy and information to Reiki Ryoho students. There is an unbroken succession of Teachers and Shihans, linked by the sacred touch of Reiju ritual, right back to the founder, Usui Sensei.
Reiju with “touch” — a visual symbol of an unseen transmission of not just of the healing energy but also of the information. Touch is a means of communication, an expression of unity, a bonding of people. It is a key to giving and receiving information and to help us bond.
Is “distant (online) Reiju “possible?
Theoretically it seems possible, for there exists a distant healing in Reiki Ryoho systems. And yet we need to understand that sending Reiki energy from a distance to someone and passing (imparting) Reiki energy and the information on to another is a different story, and that the distant Reiju does lack an important and pivotal factor, that is, “TOUCH.” The pivotal factor of a good old tradition: “in person Reiju” and “touch” must be maintained.”
Hyakuten Inamoto Sensei’s statement from July, 2020.
Komyo ReikiDo© All rights reserved.
Komyo ReikiDo dis-allows on-line Reiki classes with distant Reiju & will not recognise certificates issued by these classes.
Komyo ReikiDo follows, preserves and keeps IN PERSON Reiju tradition alive with the highest respect to the Founder of the Japanese Healing Art, Usui Mikao Sensei.
Online Reiju is not allowed by Inamoto Sensei and is not recognized in the Komyo ReikiDo standards of teaching and practice.
Komyo ReikiDo Ukraine
Victoria Romanova
During Reiki Ryoho (Japanese Healing Art) sessions, some practitioners can be more sensitive than others, some may even feel byosen before a treatment starts. Some have psychic abilities and are able to hear, see or sense things that most people do not. If we experience all that, naturally we are tempted to think that we are doing the healing. We start to analyse what we feel, hear and see. We try to work out where the energy should go and what would be the best way to cure a disease or malfunction of the recipient – all because we sincerely want to help.
Often the question arises: What should we do when we became so sensitive, when we see and hear things, or feel pain in our body or strong hibiki in our hands?
Inamoto Sensei says: “It is all very personal, some people are more gifted than others, more sensitive or skilful. Not everyone has to have such gifts or abilities. It can be very helpful to sense imbalances or health disorders in recipients, but basically, we don’t need anything like that. We are here just to place our hands.”
Hyakuten Inamoto Sensei reminds us that: “Japanese Healing Art of Reiki Ryoho is not about doing or thinking. It is about SURRENDER 100% to the Universe. As Reiki Ryoho practitioners, we DO NOTHING and THINK NOTHING in the way of healing. Reiki knows where to go and how to heal for the highest good of the person. We need to be the purer (cleaner) Reiki channel (conduit) possible. Less ego, more room for love — the healing energy of the Universe.”
Inamoto Sensei’s advice to us is: “Do not get attached to your sensations. Your ego and self-clinging are an obstruction in the channel for Reiki healing energy to travel through. Keep your practice simple: Place your hands, surrender and smile. Reiki Ryoho is the art of surrendering.”
Author: Victoria Romanova
Certified Komyo ReikiDo Teacher / Shihan
Komyo ReikiDo© Ukraine. All rights reserved.
We welcome you to share this article among Reiki People with the reference to the source.
To learn more about the Japanese Healing Art of Reiki Ryoho or to sign up for seminars with Inamoto Sensei, please contact us directly by email: komyoreikido@ukr.net ; komyoreiki.ua@gmail.com
and/or mobile: +380683167077 (WhatsApp/ Viber)
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, people all over the world have been struggling with all kinds of health issues and mental, emotional and spiritual disorders. Naturally, as Reiki Ryoho (Japanese Healing Art) practitioners, we want to do all we can to serve and support others. We may now be offering distant Reiki healing more often, individually or as part of a group.
Questions often arise around permission and distant healing. Are we allowed to do distant healing without permission? Should we inform recipients? Is it appropriate to send Reiki to someone without asking them? Could it cause bad karma?
Actually, the answer might be quite simple. Hyakuten Inamoto Sensei always says: “Reiki is the energy of the Universe. It is Reiki that does the fine job of healing. Reiki always works for the highest good of recipient”.
Inamoto Sensei reminds us that we do nothing in the way of healing. As Reiki Ryoho practitioners, we put our ego aside and just surrender to Reiki.
When asked about his own practice, approach, Inamoto Sensei usually answers: “I do distant Reiki healing with permission and without permission. Sometimes we cannot get it, especially when the person is in a coma or emergency room or just simply uncontactable”.
His advice to us is: “Follow your heart — your kokoro. If you feel more comfortable with permission, please ask for permission. But if it’s not possible to get a permission, remember that Reiki always works for the highest good with permission or without permission. Trust Reiki”.
Author: Victoria Romanova
光明靈氣道 Komyo ReikiDo© Ukraine
To learn more about the Japanese Healing Art of Reiki Ryoho or sign up for seminars with Inamoto Sensei, please contact us directly by email: komyoreikido@ukr.net; komyoreiki.ua@gmail.com
and/or mobile: +380683167077 (WhatsApp/ Viber)
Sincerely and Gassho,
Certified Komyo ReikiDo Teacher / Shihan — Victoria Romanova
The Founder of Komyo ReikiDo® Ukraine, official representative of Inamoto Sensei.
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