The Origin of Reiki and the Story of Mikao Usui
Many people describe Reiki as something ancient and universal, a gentle force that feels as if it has always existed. Yet the method we practice today was shaped through the life path and spiritual dedication of one man, Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki.
Usui was born in 1865 in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture. From a young age, he showed a deep curiosity for spiritual teachings, philosophy, and the nature of human well-being. Over the years he studied Buddhist literature, Shinto teachings, martial arts, Chinese philosophy, and elements of Western thought. Those who knew him described him as someone who searched for understanding rather than recognition.
This search eventually led him to Mount Kurama, a sacred mountain near Kyoto known for its long spiritual tradition. In his mid-fifties, Usui felt an inner call to step away from everyday life and devote himself fully to meditation, fasting, and prayer. His intention was to experience the essence of healing directly rather than through theory.
According to traditional accounts, on the final morning of his twenty-one day retreat something extraordinary happened. Just before sunrise a strong light appeared before him, filling him with clarity and a profound sense of insight. In that moment Usui experienced the ability to facilitate healing through a universal source of energy. He understood that this was not personal power but a natural flow of life energy moving through him.
This experience became the foundation of what we now call Reiki.
After returning from the mountain, Usui noticed that when he placed his hands gently on someone in pain, a natural and intelligent flow of energy moved to where it was most needed. From this discovery he developed the method known as Usui Reiki Ryoho, a simple and accessible approach that allows anyone to channel universal life energy for healing and balance.
Usui believed that Reiki should be available to ordinary people and not reserved only for monks or advanced practitioners. In 1922 he opened the first Reiki clinic in Tokyo, offering treatments to people from all backgrounds. After the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 he and his students provided healing widely, and Reiki spread quickly across Japan.
By the time of his passing in 1926, Usui had taught more than two thousand students and established a living lineage that continues today. Millions of people practice Reiki around the world because of his willingness to share this method openly.
The story of Reiki’s origin is more than a historical background. It is a reminder that healing can be simple, gentle, and available to everyone. Reiki continues to carry the essence of Usui’s vision, offering people a way to reconnect with peace, clarity, and the natural intelligence of their own energy.
