| Founded by the Japanese Dr. Mikao Usui in 1922, | | | | his hands. |
| Reiki palm techniques transfers energy through | | | | Reiki is a holistic method; that is, it treats mind |
| the touching of the hands from the practitioner to | | | | and body. This technique's philosophy is based on |
| the client. Etymologically speaking, Reiki is a | | | | five principles: |
| Japanese word composed of two roots: Rei | | | | Only for today is the motto of the first |
| (éoeS) which means soul, spirit, divine, and | | | | principle. There is only one eternal present; living |
| miraculously and Ki (æ°--) meaning air, strength, | | | | thinking in the past or in the future can detach |
| breath, emotion, and intention. | | | | you from the truth intrinsic in the present. |
| There is a popular story that Dr. Usui, who wrote | | | | Don't get angry. You get angry when you |
| a thesis about the healings in the New Testament, | | | | experience the fear of loosing control of your life. |
| was challenged by some of his students when | | | | It is important to learn to trust in other people. |
| they disbelieved that Jesus Christ could heal | | | | Be grateful. If you are thankful and smile for |
| people with his hands. This courageous Japanese | | | | every single thing in life, the universe will reward |
| professor, who was not intimidated by the harsh | | | | you with more. |
| critics of his students, decided to began a quest in | | | | Work intensively. The daily work is important, |
| search of the "light of God" (word used in the | | | | but you should include the study of your mind and |
| Bible to describe the healing power of Christ). Usui | | | | emotions. |
| began his journey with the study of the Holy | | | | Be kind and respectful. A happy face and a |
| Scriptures but he couldn't find any answer. Then, | | | | kind attitude irradiate goodness toward other |
| he investigated the Buddhist texts; again, the | | | | people. |
| results were unfruitful. But, finally, Dr. Usui found | | | | In actuality, Reiki has two different schools: the |
| some interesting hints in the ancient Hindu books | | | | Japanese Reiki and the Western Reiki. The |
| of the sutras and, in order to find the ultimate | | | | Western school focuses on the intersections |
| answer to his journey, he undertook a 21-day | | | | between the seven chakras and the meridian line. |
| fast and meditation journey in a sacred Japanese | | | | These intersections create the spots in which the |
| mountain called Kuriyama. After the twentieth day | | | | practitioner puts his/her hands. The dissimilarities |
| of meditation, Usui was weak and discouraged, | | | | between the Western and Japanese Reiki schools |
| but just when he was about to give up, a bean | | | | are subtle. Essentially, the former uses a more |
| of light coming from the horizon, struck him in the | | | | intuitive approach when knowing where the spot |
| forehead. Suddenly, he felt how a flow of strong | | | | is. |
| energy took over his body and, surprisingly, he | | | | There is not scientific proof that this alternative |
| envisioned the same symbols that were written in | | | | medicine can cause healing; notwithstanding, |
| the sutra books. Usui, exhausted and astonished, | | | | adepts around the world have been increasing in |
| made a cut on his foot when descending the | | | | the last decades. In Germany alone, over three |
| sacred mountain; miraculously, the bleeding ceased | | | | million people use Reiki. Whether you believe in the |
| by means of the touching of his hand on the | | | | healing capacities of Reiki or not, it will not hurt to |
| wound. From then on, Usui was able to heal with | | | | try. |