The Gift of Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese practice for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Learning Reiki is an amazing skill that anyone can learn. It helps us to feel balanced, peaceful and encourages healing. There are 3 Reiki levels – Reiki Level 1, 2 and Master Level. On completion of Reiki Level 1, you have the skills to do Reiki on yourself, family members, friends and even pets.
People decide to learn Reiki for many reasons, often triggered by a life-challenging event, feeling overwhelmed or wanting to help someone they know who is struggling or experiencing difficulties. However, we do not need a reason to start our Reiki journey – Reiki does not discriminate: its wisdom and healing energy is there for everyone at any time in their life.
When we do Reiki – we are aligned with the experience of the ‘divine’ in union with the healing life energy. The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects are all enriched when working with Reiki energy. The energy flows intuitively to where it is needed and we feel connected to the flow of life, balanced, and peaceful. In this state we are receptive to healing.
It is heartening to see Reiki becoming more integrated in mainstream therapies in Australia and is now seen as a valuable complementary method in reinstating wellbeing. Crusoeden Body Wellness Centre offers Reiki workshops because we know the difference it can make in the wellbeing of our community. For those who are ready to embark on a wonderful journey, our weekend Reiki workshops at Crusoeden Body are relaxing, enjoyable and life changing; no perquisites required just a willingness to learn and an open heart.
Reiki Level 1 Workshop
This workshop allows you to understand the foundations and history of Reiki, learn about the chakras and energy systems, hand systems and meaning and philosophy. It is the start of a healing journey that sets the precedent for your whole life. Learn more >
Reiki Level 2 Workshop
This workshop provides further training and allows the Reiki student to extend and move more profoundly into their practice. This workshop is also helpful for those who are considering becoming Reiki practitioners or requiring prerequisites for other modalities needing certificates in energy healing. Learn more >
Reiki Master Level Workshop
This workshop expands our skills even further and deepens your experience and knowledge of philosophies and the values of Reiki teachings. For more details, contact us here >
The History of Reiki
Mikao Usui (1865 – 1926)
The Japanese practice of Reiki is said to have began in March 1922 on Mt Kurama in Kyoto, Japan. During his meditation practice, Mikao Usui experienced a spiritual event, which filled him with healing energy. He felt healing energy flow from his hands and understood that he had received the gift of healing.
He found that he could heal illnesses within himself and others. Usui practiced this new ability with his family and developed a healing system, Usui Reiki Ryoho (Usui Reiki Healing Method) by incorporating skills and information based on his previous study of Buddhism, philosophy and spiritual disciplines.
It is important to keep in mind that ‘hands on healing’ had been around for many thousands of years. What Usui did, was develop a spiritual system integrating ‘hands on healing’. There are two other important people we must also acknowledge both who were instrumental bringing Reiki to the rest of world, Dr Chujiro Hayashi and Hawayo Takata.
Chujiro Hayashi (1880 – 1940)
Dr Chujiro Hayashi, a student of Mikao Usui, was influential taking Reiki out of Japan and turning it into a less mystical practice.
Dr Hayashi was a former naval commander but also a medical doctor. He came to learn Reiki with Mikao Usui in 1925 and had reached Shinpiden (Master Level). It is believed that Dr Hayashi was one of the last Reiki Masters trained by Usui. Before his death, Usui had asked Dr Hayashi to open his own clinic and expand Reiki Ryoho based on his previous experience as a medical doctor. Dr Hayashi opened a clinic and a school named Hayashi Reiki Institute. During this time he kept detailed records of illnesses and conditions of the patients who came to see him. He also kept records of particular Reiki hand positions that worked best to treat each patient. Based on these records, he created the Reiki Ryoho Shinshin (Guidelines for Reiki Healing Method). He also developed a new and more effective way of teaching Reiki. During his life work with Reiki he initiated about 17 Reiki Masters including Hawayo Takata.
Hawayo Takata (1900 – 1980)
Hawayo Takata was born on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. She travelled to Japan to receive help for her health problems which is where she met Dr Hayashi.
At the Reiki clinic, she began receiving treatments and progressively her health improved. Overwhelmed with the results, she decided she wanted to learn Reiki. However, it was explained that Reiki was Japanese and that it was intended to stay within Japan and thus could not be taught to an outsider. Hawayo Takata convinced Dr. Hayashi to allow her to become his student and learn Reiki. In 1936, Mrs. Takata received First Degree Reiki. She worked with Dr. Hayashi for one year and then received Second Degree Reiki.
Mrs. Takata returned to Hawaii in 1937. She was soon followed by Dr. Hayashi to help establish Reiki in Hawaii. In the winter of 1938, Dr. Hayashi initiated Hawayo Takata as a Reiki Master. She was the thirteenth and last Reiki Master Dr. Hayashi initiated. She, in turn, initiated 22 Reiki Masters.
Mrs Takata played an important role bringing Reiki to the Western world and in her lifetime trained 22 Reiki Masters. In a relatively short time the practice of Reiki has spread to many countries, millions of lives have been transformed as a result of these three dedicated early pioneers – Mikao Usui, Dr Chujiro Hayashi and Hawayo Takata.