What Is Reiki and Where Did It Come From

Reiki is a gentle, yet powerful healing practice that promotes balance, relaxation, and well-being on all levels—body, mind, and spirit. At its core, Reiki is about channeling universal life energy to support the body’s natural ability to heal itself. The word Reiki (pronounced RAY-kee) comes from two Japanese words:

• Rei – meaning “universal” or “spiritual wisdom”

• Ki – meaning “life force energy”

Together, Reiki translates as “universal life energy.”

The Origins of Reiki

Floating lotus flower

Reiki as we know it today was developed in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui, a Japanese spiritual teacher and seeker. Usui was deeply interested in understanding how spiritual energy could be used to heal the body. After years of study and meditation, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening on Mount Kurama in Japan around 1922. From that experience, the Reiki healing system was born.

Usui began sharing this practice, teaching others how to connect with and channel this universal energy through the hands. Reiki spread through Japan and, eventually, to the West, largely through the work of Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who learned Reiki in the 1930s and brought it to Hawaii and beyond.

How Reiki Works

Reiki practitioners act as a conduit for universal energy. During a session, the practitioner gently places their hands either lightly on or just above the recipient’s body. The energy flows to where it’s most needed—whether that’s easing physical tension, soothing emotional stress, or restoring energetic balance.

Many people describe Reiki as deeply relaxing, warm, or peaceful. While it’s not a replacement for medical care, Reiki beautifully complements other healing modalities, supporting the whole person rather than just the symptoms.

The Spirit of Reiki

At its heart, Reiki is more than a healing technique—it’s a way of living in harmony with life’s natural flow. Usui taught five guiding principles, known as the Reiki Precepts, to cultivate peace and mindfulness:

Just for today, Do not be angry. Do not worry. Be grateful. Work diligently. Be kind to yourself and others.

These timeless principles remind us that healing begins with presence, gratitude, and compassion.

Japanese practice room

A Universal Practice for Modern Times

Today, Reiki is practiced around the world in homes, wellness centers, and even hospitals. Its simplicity and universal nature make it accessible to anyone, regardless of background or belief system.

Reiki continues to evolve as more people discover its power to restore calm, clarity, and connection—to oneself and to the energy that flows through all living things.

In essence, Reiki is both ancient and timeless—a bridge between the physical and the spiritual, the personal and the universal.