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In the early 1900’s, a Japanese lay Buddhist practitioner of the Jodo-Shu or Pure Land sect named Mikao Usui set out to discover Satori or “enlightenment” and Anshin Ritsumei or “absolute inner peace.”

His search led him down many avenues, but each one left him unfulfilled. Eventually, he decided to go on a spiritual quest by meditating and fasting on the sacred mountain of Kurama near Kyoto and either achieve enlightenment or die trying! In 1922, after enduring 21 days of fasting and intense meditation, Usui Sensei experienced a state of consciousness that he characterized as “One Great Reiki.”

Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a Japanese term used by Usui Sensei (the founder of Reiki Ryoho) to describe ‘cosmic energy.’ This cosmic energy has been called a variety of names by people in many countries from ancient to modern times. It is called “Chi” in China, “Ki” in Japan, in India “Prana”, in Hawaii “Mana”, etc. It is the essential energy for all beings to live healthy and happy lives.

The word “Reiki” isn’t an actual word at all, but rather a combination of two kanji. Kanji can take on different meanings depending upon what other kanji it is combined with. Possible meanings of Rei and Ki are:

霊 “Rei”: 1. A spiritual entity existing within or without our physical body 2. The soul, spirit or a ghost 3. Invisible, wondrous and infinite power, that which possesses an invisible, wondrous and infinite power, or the source of it. 4. Reverence, Sacredness, or Blessing

Along with Usui Sensei’s sudden “enlightenment” of the ‘true nature of all things’, was the understanding that this realization also awakened his natural ability to heal himself and others. What followed was the creation of a system that Usui called “Usui Reiki Ryoho.” This system was designed to lead individuals to attain the enlightened state of consciousness that he himself experienced, as well as (re)activate and enhance the innate healing ability that everyone possesses.

Ryo = Healing

In the following video Hyakuten Sensei describes the difference between Reiki and Reiki Ryoho