Reiki originated in Japan in the early 1900's. It may or may not have been based on ancient knowledge and practices, then synthesized by Usui into what is now known as "Reiki". As a practice, however, it is relatively new.

Although from Japan, Reiki only began its spread in earnest after Mrs. Takata, an American, brought it to Hawaii and began practicing and teaching a system characterized by simplicity. She called this system "Usui Shiki Ryoho". She openly taught those wishing to learn unlike her counterparts in Japan, who resisted teaching foreigners (non-native Japanese).

Mrs. Takata used the word "initiation" to refer to the ceremony, held within a class, whereby the student becomes a Reiki channel, or is taken to the next Reiki level. ("Attunement" was a term coined later by another.)

For years after Mrs. Takata's death in 1980, "Traditional Reiki" referred to the system taught by Mrs. Takata and "non-traditional" to systems which deviated from the "original" in significant ways.

Reiki as practiced and taught in the "West" (outside of Japan really), in both traditional and non-traditional forms, developed strong supporters. People in all walks of life, of diverse beliefs, rational and intuitive, found it to be beneficial to physical, mental and emotional health as well as to spiritual development. Reiki was so simple that (almost) anyone could learn to do it, even children.

Traditional Reiki was often regarded as too simple - many practitioners (and teachers) after learning the fundamentals appeared to be asking, "What's next?".

Non-traditional Reiki teachers have played an important part in making Reiki affordable and helping its spread throughout the world - and eventually back to Japan.

The Internet has made our world seem smaller, and allows almost instant exchange of information. Recent books, classes and seminars purport to present Reiki as originally practiced and taught (by Usui). Some of the information and history presented conflict with each other.

With so much "new" (old) information apparently coming out of Japan, the country of Reiki's origin, many teachers have begun questioning the Reiki they were taught and have been passing on to their students. Many have wondered if they should retrain and some have even considered giving up teaching altogether.

In the not-too-distant past, practitioners were encouraged to remain a "clear channel" ("hollow reed") for the energy. It was a passive process. When giving treatments, there was no place for ego; i.e., the practitioner should take neither credit nor blame for any results. During a full-body treatment and without the practitioner directing it, the energy would go where needed. Two alternate explanations were offered:

1. The energy was said to have an "intelligence" of its own and would work for the recipient's highest good.
2. The recipient (client) draws the energy and "knows" what to do with it - but not on a conscious level.

These days, more practitioners seem to want to direct the energy (and results) when giving treatments.

The way I choose to reconcile the Reiki that I practice and teach, relative to other forms (both older and more recent), is to recognize each as a different "system".

Each teacher brings something of her/himself to the classroom. The subject matter is not cut-and-dried as is Mathematics or the physical sciences. Reiki by its nature is personal. (Each practitioner perceives differently when giving treatments. Each person receiving a treatment may feel something different.)

Mikao Usui founded a system of Reiki. Chujiro Hayashi practiced and taught a little different system. Mrs. Hawayo Takata practiced and taught yet another system.

[In 1882, Jigoro Kano founded a system he named "Judo". It was based on the ancient Japanese art of jujitsu, from the samurai days. Kano in creating his system, changed the emphasis from martial art (jujitsu) to "way of life" (the "do" in "Judo"). Judo eventually spread throughout the world and is today better know than jujitsu, the original form... But I digress... :]

Mrs. Takata trained 22 Masters (teachers) and these made numerous other teachers. Some attempted to adhere to what they believed to be the traditional form, while others consciously changed the systems passed on to them. It doesn't really matter, each practitioner, each teacher, uses a system which seems customized for her/him.

Recently many Reiki practitioners are incorporating what they have been told are techniques and practices taught by Usui, even non-traditionalists are doing this. Most seem to be "adding-on" Japanese terms and techniques to the Reiki they already know and love. Few are willing to begin from scratch and adopt Japanese techniques exclusively.

Even among the writers of books presenting Japanese Reiki, I see a blending of what is tried and true (for them) and what has been researched as original Usui. As for what has been researched, these are often colored by the writer's interpretation.

There is nothing wrong with using techniques one feels are beneficial - of incorporating parts of one system into another, thus creating still another system.

Put in perspective, however, Western Reiki is better known and has logged many more "practitioner-hours" (number of practitioners times number of hours of use) than "original Usui". Traditional and non-traditional forms of Western Reiki have been in use for decades now (a fairly long time given Reiki's recent introduction) and have been found to work well.

In a modern world, we are already experiencing information overload. With family, work and other activities vying for limited time and attention, many in the general population do not have the temperament to learn Reiki at all, much less systems with extended learning curves and which encourage teacher dependency.

Traditional Western Reiki was (is) a simple yet effective system, complete in three steps. From the first level, the student is permanently connected to the source. Self-empowerment is encouraged. Teacher dependency is minimized.

A recent trend is for more levels, more techniques - a longer learning curve. Repeated reinitiations (reattunements) are encouraged, as is teacher dependency.

Intent has much to do with how (well) Reiki works. It is my intent that the system of Reiki that I practice be enough, that it is a complete system.