03/09/2023
Mikao Usui, the founder of Usui Reiki Ryoho.
On March 9, 1926, Mikao Usui made his transition from this earthly life after tirelessly and diligently traveling throughout parts of Japan to teach his Usui Reiki Ryoho.
What can I possibly say about the founder of Usui Reiki Ryoho that hasn't already been said? My gratitude for this gift that he has given to the world is boundless.
One thing that has always made an impression on me is how Usui Sensei broke with tradition when sharing these profound spiritual teachings. In the Reiki Ryoho Hikkei, the handbook that was given to members of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (organization he founded to promote the practice of Reiki healing) there is a Q&A section with responses that are attributed to Usui.
In it, he says: From olden days till now, when one created or discovered an original and mystic teaching, he tended only to teach it to his own children, making the teaching a privilege of the family and claiming that the contents of the teaching should be kept confidential within the family, so as to scheme for financial security of one’s prosperity. That can be said to be an outdated custom of the last century. It is absolutely not acceptable to privately monopolize a teaching in modern times when co-existence and co-prosperity of humanity underlie happiness and also when social development is desired."
Usui goes on to say:
"My Usui Reiki Ryoho (healing art) is original, never before explored, and incomparable in the world. 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.
Because my Reiki Ryoho is a unique and original art of healing based on the power of the universe, a person first becomes healthy and then soundness of thought and the joys of life are enhanced."
Usui Sensei didn't mean that receiving Reiki healing or Reiki training should be free (he charged fees for both, or as was the custom of the day, received items in exchange) but what he was saying is that families or lineages who gatekeep or limit access to spiritual or mystic teachings to personally profit or benefit from them is socially and ethically wrong.
Usui Sensei was very forward-thinking for his time, and I revisit this Q&A periodically to refresh my understanding of the vision he had for Usui Reiki Ryoho, and also to inspire me in reorienting my own practice and mindset. As I have said before, the Reiki Ancestors are not just historical figures; they are spiritual beings who can reach across time and space to continue to guide and inspire us in our Reiki practice.
In 2023, over 100 years since the founding of Usui Reiki Ryoho, how can we look closer at issues of accessibility, gatekeeping, and other forms of exclusion of our Reiki practices and lineages?
Where are we unintentionally or unconsciously limiting access?
Are we making judgments about purity or authenticity?
Are we truly working to make Reiki practice available and accessible to everyone, or just those who have the financial means to pay for it, or the ability to be physically present?
Are we using inclusive and welcoming language? Are we committed to dismantling racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, and other forms of discrimination? How are we communicating our commitment in word and deed to potential students and clients?
Are we willing to hold space for the depth and breath of diversity that Reiki practice can and should represent?
May Usui Sensei's spirit continue to guide, inspire, provoke, and support as the practice of Usui Reiki Ryoho moves into its second century of existence. May Usui Sensei's great bright light shine for an eternity. Arigato gozaimasu.
