Reiki Tracker

in and around
the Hudson Valley, NY

 
Ongoing Reiki Classes held in Lagrangeville, NY.

Practitioner gatherings (dojo-style practice.)

Albany classes by appointment.

 

 
Women's Martial Arts Classes

Learn in a safe, fun atmosphere. All ages and backgrounds welcome!

more information

 last update 4.9.07

NOTE: I am constantly researching Reiki, it's roots and traditions. This section will change over time as my knowledge evolves. In general, I'm trying to present the most central truths about Reiki history that I come across. By no means do I claim to be an expert, or even well read in this history.

Traditionally, Reiki is attributed to Dr. Usui of Japan, brought to North America via Dr. Takata. How it came and what actually came of Reiki has been in doubt for many years, and will most likely continue to be until the barriers of language and superstition are gone completely between the cultures involved.

These days, there are Reiki groups, organizations and schools around the globe, all working toward a common goal of bringing these teachings (each according to their fashion,) to the world.

The history of Reiki is well documented on other web sites. Use a search engine such as Google and search on 'Reiki history' to find more information than you can read in a lifetime. In time I may add links and history here. The more I research, and follow the research of other Western Reiki practitioners, the more convoluted it tends to become. If you are pursuing learning Reiki for yourself I can not stress enough that you should follow your own heart when coming to understand history. With that in mind...

In brief

It's said that Dr. Usui, a Buddhist, through seclusion and meditation, experienced an enlightenment that led him to develop his own style of Reiki. He never claimed, apparently, to have the only form of Reiki. For the last 4 years of his life (1922 - 1926) he practiced and taught Reiki, believing it should be available to everyone because it was a necessary tool for the world to be able to live together in harmony.

Hayashi learned Reiki from Usui. Hayashi split from Usui's school and began his oww, altering Usui's teachings. Takata learned Reiki from this school, then brought it to Hawaii where she lived at the time. Recent readings of mine (see the book 'The Spirit of Reiki', by Walter Lubeck, Frank Arjava Petter and William Lee Rand) lead me to believe Mrs. Takata, teaching a Japanese tradition out of Hawaii during the second world war, had to alter much of her teaching to gain acceptance and avoid prosecution and internment. For better or worse what we in the west learn of Reiki comes through that filter. Reiki in the West has since evolved into many different 'flavors', but with the same core truth.

Each person traveling this path will encounter their own enlightenment via teachers, self study and meditation. All of it is equally valid if it comes from truth.