Reiki comes from the teachings of a Japanese Buddhist called Mikao Usui (1865-1926), who taught a "method to achieve personal perfection", based on Buddhist, Taoist and Shinto teachings, in the early 20th century. The healing aspect of this system was only a minor part of his teachings, the purpose of which was to achieve enlightenment or satori. This state, known in Japanese as Anshin Ritsumei, or Dai Anshin, is the state where you know your true purpose in life and are perfectly at peace, bothered by nothing.

It was late in Usui's life that the Reiki system as we know it began to appear. In 1925, some Naval Officers arrived at Usui's dojo (training hall) and took a great deal more interest in the healing aspects of Usui's system than the spiritual aspects as they were looking for a form of "first aid" that would be a cheaper alternative to the drug-based medicine used on board the ships.

After Usui's death, some of these naval officers started a Reiki Society, the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, in memory of Usui. It is largely through members of this society, and other students of Usui that the system of Reiki has survived.

Click on a picture below to see more information about some of the people who played a part in shaping the Reiki we know today.