The Buddhist origins of Reiki (video)

Reiki Founder Mikao Usui

Mikao Usui (1865-1926), commonly Usui Mikao in Japanese, was the founder of Reiki, a form of spiritual energy healing used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of physical, emotional, and mental diseases.

He taught Reiki to over 2,000 people during his lifetime. Eleven of these students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, equivalent to the Western third degree or Master level.

Early life, family, and education

What is our energetic aura?

He was born in Taniai village (now Miyama cho), Yamagata district, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, now located near present-day Nagoya. His ancestors were the once influential Chiba clan of Hatamoto samurai.

According to the inscription on his memorial, Tsunetane Chiba, a military commander during the end of the Heian period and the start of the Kamakura period (1180-1230), was one of Usui's ancestors.

In 1551, Toshitane Chiba conquered the city Usui and thereafter all family members acquired that name.

Usui was raised as a samurai from childhood, specifically in the martial arts techniques of aiki (合氣術) or "Way of Aiki" = Aikido.

• A Shumei member recently told us that three Japanese men all belonged to an organization called Oomoto Kyo ("Great Source"). One went on to develop Reiki, another (Morihei Ueshiba) Aikido, and a third (Mokichi Okada) Jyorei energy healing and Shumei.
• Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba developed Aikido as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. His goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attackers from injury. Aikido is often translated as "the way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the way of harmonious spirit." According to the founder's philosophy, the primary goal in the practice of aikido is to overcome oneself instead of cultivating violence or aggressiveness against others.

Although there are many stories extant in the United States that Usui earned a doctorate in theology at the theological seminary of the University of Chicago, he never attended, let alone received any degree from the University of Chicago.

Career and activities

There is a universal life force (chi or ki)

As an adult, it is believed that he traveled to several Western countries, including the Americas, Europe, and China as a part of his continued study.

His studies included medicine, history, Buddhism, Christianity, psychology, and Taoism.

It is believed that the aim of Usui's teachings was to provide a method for students to achieve connection with the "universal life force" energy (prana, esoteric energy, holy spirit, spiritus, animating force) that would help them in their self-development.

What sets his teachings apart from other hands-on healing methods is his use of attunement (reiju) to remind students of their spiritual connection.

It seems that all of his students received five principles to live by and those with a further interest in the teachings became dedicated students.

There does not appear to have been a distinction between clients and students in the beginning though this may have changed at some point.

People began coming to Usui Mikao possibly for different purposes -- some for healing and others for the spiritual teachings.

Shugendō is a Japanese mountain ascetic shamanism that incorporates Shinto and Buddhist practices [15].

The roles of Shugendō practitioners include offering religious services such as fortune telling, divination, channeling, prayer, ritual incantations, and exorcism.

Shugendo was often used by family clans to heal disease or avoid misfortune [11].

Claims of Reiki's Christian origins

Hawayo Takata, a Reiki Master under the tutelage of Chujiro Hayashi (林 忠次郎, 1880–1940), lied about Reiki's history of development to make Reiki more appealing to the West [16].

To this end she made a relation of Reiki with Jesus Christ and not with Buddhism.

Buddhist origins of Reiki

She also falsely presented Usui as the dean of a Christian school. While he had obtained the knowledge of Reiki from the Buddhist religious book The Tantra of the Lightning Flash, Takata claimed that he had been inspired from the story of Jesus Christ, who had healed with the touch of his hand.

So Usui, it was said, had come to America to learn Reiki. She told this to spread Reiki among Christians, too, believing it would otherwise be extinct.

However, in 1994, the original manuscript was found, which claimed that Reiki had originated from Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism [17]. More

• Healing in Buddhism: Part 2 (abuddhistlibrary.com)
• Original Reiki info the sources: Part 3 (stason.org)
• Reiki: Tibetan Buddhist Origins? (aetw.org)
• Reiki is not a religion: The 2003 CESNUR Conference: The "Quasi-Religion" of Reiki (Menegotto)

The origins of Reiki and the glory of India:  It's all prana (breath, spirit, spiritual-energy)

(Yogiraj SatGurunath Siddhanath) Nov. 22, 2015. Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath World Tour Schedule: siddhanath.org

• Dhr. Seven, Caroline, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly, Wiki; Yogiraj SatGurunath Siddhanath

Breathwork for pineal gland: open third eye

(The School of Breath) Breathing techniques (and bandhas or chakra locks) to activate pineal gland and open third eye (with instant results).

A bandha (Sanskrit बंध) is a kriyā [simple action] in Hatha Yoga, being a kind of internal mudra [disposition or pose] described as a "body lock" [1][2].

It is done to seal or lock the vital energy (prana) into a particular part of the body, such as the area of one of the spinal chakras or energy wheel centers. Bandha literally means bond, fetter, or "catching hold of" [3][4][5]. More

Mindfulness of breathing is letting go of control

Mindfulness in Plain English

It is easy to misunderstand and mistakenly think that we are being "mindful" of the breath by controlling (holding it in, exhaling out, making it long or short or like a bellows). This is completely wrong. To be mindful, we radically allow, accept, and observe it as it is, however it is. There is no attempt to control it. By watching it with great interest but noninvolvement, not wishing for it to do anything different than it is doing, we radically accept it and remain observant. This kind of watching, observing, keen interest will bring us to stillness (right-concentration, samma-samadhi, coherent all-togetherness of mind, super consciousness).

Uddiyana bandha in a Western yoga class (wiki)

Breath work, on the other hand, is manipulation of the breath (retention, expulsion, tightening, speeding up, bellowing, etc.) for some other purpose, such as wrestling it, forcing it, extending it, and so on in the play/work of yoga (union with spirit or spiritus, the "holy spirit" that is the subtle breath sometimes called pneuma or prana).

When it is time to practice mindfulness (satipatthana) of it, just watch. But keep watching no matter how fine it gets, even when it seems to disappear for stretches. Remain at the tip of the nostrils waiting for it, like a shepherd who has no need of going out to find wandering livestock, knowing that simply waiting by the waterhole, such livestock will surely return of their own accord. This sort of watching of the breath is then broadened to other parts of the

1. body
2. feelings
3. mind
4. phenomena (dhammas, not the Dhamma or Dharma).

All of this is spelled out in detail in the "Discourse on the Fourfold Setting Up of Mindfulness," popularly known as the "Four Foundations of Mindfulness Sutra" (Satipatthana Sutta), of which there are two, one a little longer than the other.

• The School of Breath, YouTube; Yogi Dhr. Seven and Yogini Amber Larson, Wisdom Quarterly

A Christian awakens: Love Covered Life

They never even have bothered to learn my real name, yet they claim they love me.

"Hear me out: Christianity [as practiced by most people in the USA and Europe, particularly in Rome] is just another Satanic cult." This is not a joke. Here's why. By the end of the video, what the correct path of Christianity, the steps Jesus (Yeshua, Issa, Kristos, the Annointed One, Christ) actually followed and advocated are covered. Hearing is believing, even though facing up to having been deceived for so long and to be so wrong will likely be impossible for most "Christians." For as it is said, a comforting lie is far more attractive than any bitter truth.

• (Love Covered Life Podcast) The brutal truth about blood sacrifice in Christianity
• American Kim Iversen takes a look at an alleged growing trends of people turning to Christianity...whenever the economic and political condition of a country starts looking hopeless.

Americans are turning to God?

(Kim Iversen) Americans are turning to God, others to ChatGPT...for sex

• Morgue Official is an ex-Christian intent on exposing the Church and revealing the true teachings of Jesus Christ as understood for thousands of years in a body of literature called the "Gnostic texts." They are not one set of books but rather are buried secrets the official Church tried to stamp out, ban, censor, alter, and eradicate along with killing anyone possessing such knowledge.

Gnostic: On the Origin of World

The real reason God is trapping souls on Earth | Banned by the Church

Connecting with Universal Consciousness

(Gaia) Connecting with Universal Consciousness [or Source]

Can we become angels (devas) by meditating?

Feeling a pull towards deeper understanding and greater connection with the Universe? This could be signs of an impending spiritual awakening, a profound shift that changes our understanding of self and reality.

This post may help in understanding everything we need to know about this transformative experience – from recognizing the early signs to navigating challenges and enjoying its benefits.

Ready for an [Eastern, more Hindu than Buddhist] enlightening journey? Let’s dive in, beginning with this guided meditation.

Key points

• A spiritual awakening is a transformative experience where we become aware of our "true selves" and connect to a higher power.
• Signs of spiritual awakenings can include feeling disconnected, reevaluating beliefs, having vivid or lucid dreams, experiencing shifting relationships, and increased intuition.
• Each person’s spiritual awakening journey is unique and personal, guided by one's own beliefs, experiences, and inner wisdom.
• During a spiritual awakening, individuals may also experience a strong connection to nature and have physical symptoms. More
• Tibetan Meditation Music; EnhancedApp.io, Spiritual Awakening: Everything to Know; Gaia.com on YouTube; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen B. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Who cares about the Moon? Vanity does

Who cares about the waxing and waning Moon?

CONTINUED FROM PART 1

When they open, strap your seatbelt and hold on.

What does the Moon matter? O, shining Chandra, glowing Soma, ever changing Luna...

Well, once upon a time in East Hollywood at Dharma Punx on Melrose Avenue, across from Los Angeles City College, I met a beautiful meditator. Let's call her Vanity Lycan. This is her saga, about how she traveled to India and had an experience of enlightenment, sort of.

We became friends, and she so trusted me that she asked me if I wanted to accompany her to India. She was going, among other places, to Dharamshala (the Dalai Lama's abode in the Himalayas).

Heavens yes, I thought as I said, "Hells yeah!" Sadly, this being LA, something came up that could not be put off, and she could not change her round-the-world ticket. So we vowed to stay in touch online so I could guide her from on high. There might be pitfalls along the way for a Western gal on a solo-travel adventure that she didn't think of but that I could solve.

Oh, Moonglow, elfin magic

I remember one email then radio silence. It was a about year later as I was sitting at the weekly meditation meeting. When it opened up for shares, someone started to talk and cry. Imagine my astonishment, being hypervigilant and too easily annoyed by anything I notice and ignore while trying to sit still. It was her!

I hadn't noticed. I had forgotten even to wonder what had happened to her since it had been so long. There she was a few feet away on a cushion, crying. No one much listened to what she was trying to say.

But I thought I understood -- a lone girl wandering around at night in a strange country with strangers and men being what they are (though they didn't used to be like that in most of India in the times that I was there, which was a big surprise). She kept telling me that I didn't understand. Something had happened to her on the trip. I really thought that for once I did get. I didn't need it spelled out. I should have been there to prevent it.

What does one who knows say?

I was wrong. It wasn't a case of [S.A.] like 99% of people would have guessed and not been surprised to hear.

She confessed she had become "enlightened." Of course, it's not real Buddhist enlightenment (bodhi, liberating insight, thorough comprehension of the Four Ennobling Truths, touching nirvana, comprehending anicca, dukkha, and anatta by direct experience of the ultimate truth). It was nothing like that at all.

• My Kundalini Awakening turned into a nightmare after too much energy went to the brain...now barely functional...How do I recover a mind and nervous system that feel destroyed? (Quora)

What was her "enlightenment," not having a better word for the spiritual, psychological, entheogenic madness that was now going on? Her chakras had spontaneously opened, and with that come the powers of each chakra. It is not the real thing but that thing that happens to many Western travelers every year.

Was Wicca wise to the ways of the Moon?

Argue until you're blue in the face that she didn't know what she was talking about. But I had seen this before and heard about it from one superwoman who not only experienced it but survived and studied it academically to help others undergoing the premature experience, calming and closing those chakras up again until ready to move kundalini energy up the spine for good rather than all of the out of control pains, visions, and raving madness that could accompany them.

The most amazing thing she talked to me about, holding Western meds forced on her before she was thrown out of India into the arms of her family (who if they had not taken her out she would have been institutionalized, forcibly drugged with Thorazine or similar antipsychotics, warehoused, and forgotten there, she claimed) was how much the opalescent MOON now governed her moods, actions, and future. She had become "unmanageable" by consulate rules, so she had to be neutralized or sent back to the USA.

Triple moon symbol as gold charm

She feared it. She knew it even if she were to never see it again. I asked what she meant. She explained that the Moon has a profound effect on us on this planet, governing things (estrus, the ability to awaken, as with Siddhartha awakening on the evening of the full moon). It is more than Earth's calendar, making the months and seasons, not reflecting golden sunlight as we are told but emanating its own different kind of silvery light. The Zetetic scientists of the past proved this beyond on a doubt with demonstrable, reproducible, experimental published research.

She was not clear if the Moon was only a goddess, a sentient entity with powers, or a hollow world with beings in it directing their surveillance and energies at us from it. But when it waxed and rose, she was altered. She might dance naked like Shiva Nataraj with a message for the world embedded in postures and mudras, possessed as she would become by that spirit of Shiva, which she claimed was a real, literal being (blue extraterrestrial), not simply some historical or mythological figure.

I said to her at some point that "I want this." She said, "No, you don't! It's painful, it's horrible, it's unmanageable." "Yes, well, I'd manage it better with Ashtanga Yoga" (the "Eight Limbs of Union" with the holy spirit, prana, or subtle breath). "You think you would, but you can't. It's not to be managed. You think I want to take pharmaceuticals?" "No." "Well, I would rather take them than undergo what will happen to me without [chemical tranquilization]."

Oriental MS Indic beta, Wellcome

"But this awakening of the serpent Kundalini to rise from the base through the spine, energizing the chakras and gaining the siddhis or magical powers and samadhi, piercing and transcending the moving 'wheels' along the way, it seems to me that that's the whole point of our yogic aspirations." "What the hell are you talking about?" After arguing good/bad back and forth, I finally asked her, "Look, all right, I don't want it. But HOW did you do it? How did you get it to happen?" She shocked me with her answer.

You don't want sudden chakra openings

She looked at me like I was crazy and stress, "I didn't 'do' it. The Mountain did, somehow in connection with the Moon." "The 'Mountain,' what mountain?" "The Himalaya," she said and started crying to remember how she had gotten to Dharamshala and went off to sit under the full moon. And some guy had come along. "Aha! And then he attacked you?!"

"He didn't attack me. We talked, and I left, wanting to be alone. Then it happened. And I was aware of the Moon as it happened, and I knew the Moon was [or the beings in it were] aware of me [like a panopticon]." "And by Himalaya do you mean Mt. Everest or K2 or Kailash or Mt. Meru? Is there a special place for this one might go to?" I asked full of hope.

"No, you don't want this to happen to you." Foolishly, and I knew it was foolish, I kind of still did.

• Kundalini awakening
• Amethyst Moon Goddess Necklace: Sterling Silver Wiccan Jewelry - Etsy
• History of the Shotgun House | Santa Monica Conservancy

World Brain Day: the 'Buddha's Brain'

• 6 things to do when waking up for better cognitive function, recommended by neurologists
• WORLD BRAIN DAY - July 22, 2025 - National Today

Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom is an Audible audiobook (unabridged) by Dr. Rick Hanson, PhD. He is the author and narrator and has 4.7 out of 5 stars with 1,984 ratings.

Change your brain, change your life with this essential classic from New York Times bestselling author Dr. Hanson—now celebrating 15 years in print with more than 500,000 copies sold.

Great teachers like the Buddha, Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, and Gandhi were all born with brains built essentially like anyone else’s—and then they changed their brains in ways that changed the world.

Neuroscience now reveals how the flow of thoughts actually sculpts the brain. More and more, we are learning that it’s possible to strengthen positive brain states. By combining breakthroughs in science with insights from thousands of years of mindfulness (sati) practice, we too can shape our own “Buddha’s Brain” for greater happiness, love, and wisdom.

Buddha’s Brain draws on evidence-based neuroscience to show how to stimulate our brain for more fulfilling relationships, a deeper spiritual life, and a greater sense of inner confidence and self-worth.

Using guided meditations and mindfulness exercises, readers learn how to activate the brain states of calm, joy, and compassion instead of worry, sorrow, and anger. Most importantly, they will foster positive psychological growth that will literally change the way we live our day-to-day life.

This book provides an essential intersection of psychology, neurology, and contemplative practice, and is filled with practical tools and skills that anyone can use every day to tap into the unused potential of the brain and rewire it over time for greater well-being.

PLEASE NOTE: Purchase of this title is accompanied by a PDF in the Audible Library along with the audio. More: Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom by Dr. Rick Hanson, PhD, and Daniel J. Siegel, MD, with foreword by Dr. Richard Mendius, MD and contributor Jack Kornfield for preface (Brilliance Audio)

Alex Grey's Full Moon Gathering, NY

Full Moon Gathering with Alex and Allyson Grey, Joey Mercedes: Wappinger, New York

Inspiration over perspiration.

Alex Kenton Grey Velzy (born in Colombus, Ohio on Nov. 29th, 1953) is an American visual artist, author, teacher, and Vajrayana Buddhist practitioner.

He known for creating spiritual and psychedelic artwork such as his 21-painting Sacred Mirrors series [1].

He works in multiple forms including performance art, process art, installation art, sculpture, visionary art, and painting.

Sanskrit Vajra (Tibetan dorje): thunderbolt

He is on the board of advisors for the Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics and is the Chair of Wisdom University's Sacred Art Department.

He and his wife Allyson Grey are the co-founders of The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM), a non-profit organization in Wappingers Falls, New York [2]. More

Love is a Cosmic Force by Alex Grey (alexgrey.com)

Earth Witness by Alex Grey (See the Buddha's 'earth witness mudra')

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Vajrayana Buddhism

Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, Entheon, 2021 (alexgrey.com)

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Dissectional art for Tool's Lateralus CD

Vajrayāna (Sanskrit वज्रयान, lit. "vajra vehicle"), is also known as Mantrayāna ("mantra vehicle"), Guhyamantrayāna ("secret mantra vehicle"), Tantrayāna ("tantra vehicle"), Tantric Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism.

It is a Mahāyāna ("great vehicle") Buddhist tradition that emphasizes esoteric practices and rituals aimed at rapid spiritual awakening [or some deluded facsimile, replacing what the historical Buddha considered liberation for what previous Vedic, Hindu, esoteric teachers called moksha].

Vajrayana artist Alex Grey, 2013

Emerging between the 5th and 7th centuries CE in medieval India [1], Vajrayāna incorporates a range of techniques, including the use of

• mantras (sacred sounds),
• dhāraṇīs (mnemonic codes),
• mudrās (symbolic hand gestures),
• mandalas (spiritual diagrams), and
• the visualization of deities and [cosmic] buddhas.

Sakka (Indra) with vajra, lotus

These practices are designed to transform ordinary experiences into paths toward enlightenment, often by engaging with aspects of desire and aversion in a ritualized context.

A distinctive feature of Vajrayāna is its emphasis on esoteric transmission, where teachings are passed directly from teacher (guru "master" or vajrācārya "teacher of vajra") to student (chela) through initiation ceremonies [2].

Tradition asserts that these teachings have been passed down through an unbroken lineage going back to the historical Buddha (circa 5th century BCE)... More

Full Moon Gathering, CoSM, July 12, 2025

CoSM, Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (@chapelofsacredmirrors) • Instagram

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Facebook, July 12, 2025

(AlexGreyCoSM) 🌕 You’re invited to CoSM’s July Full Moon Gathering! Hosted by @alexgreycosm and @allysongreycosm

📍 Where? @chapelofsacredmirrors (CoSM), New York. 🗓 When? July 12, 2025. 🎵 Featuring After Party music by Joey Mercedes 
@joey_mercedes_.

Come early for the full experience of our Full Moon Workshop: Transmuting the Veteran Narrative 
led by @Visionaryveterans @Veronikarose.art and @cp_Flow_ with special guests @burgandyviscosi and @the1sam__juan. See you there! 💕 Secure TICKETS: 🔗 in @chapelofsacredmirrors.

• CoSM, Chapel of Sacred Mirrors
• 46 Deer Hill Rd., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590-3911
• Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (2025) (Before going reviews)
• Entheon at CoSM: 2025 Day Pass - Universe
• Alex and Allyson Grey, Wappinger, NY, July 12 / X
• Alex Grey Full Moon Gathering, July 12, Facebook
• Alex Grey (@alexgreycosm) • Instagram
• (Disclosure Project) Road trip: Full Moon Gathering with visionary artist Alex Grey, CoSM, New York, Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:00 AM | Meetup
• (Nature Center) Road trip: Full Moon Gathering with visionary artist Alex Grey, CoSM, New York, Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:00 AM | Meetup
• (PasaDharma) Road trip: Full Moon Gathering with visionary artist Alex Grey, CoSM, New York, Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:00 AM | Meetup
• Alex Grey (alexgrey.com); Dhr. Seven, Ekaterina Sky (ekaterina-sky.com) (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

My spiritual EGO (real spirituality?)

"Living is easy with eyes closed." Wake up. Don't hate me b/c I'm beautiful. Hate me for my ego.

Irah Morffi (@irahmorffi) • the most enlightened girl on internet (I mean "metaphysics researcher" who totally does not love herself and everybody's jealous of, totally not that).

• Irah Morffi (@irahmorffi) • Threads, Say more
• Irah Morffi (skool.com)

Einsturzende Neubauten Yü-gung (Fütter mein ego) [German "Feed My Ego"]

I'm a limited liability corporation in Florida.

IRAH IS NOT A DOCTOR OR A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. No, really. She is a for-profit spiritual life coach who focuses on self-improvement. Dealing with emergencies or medical situations? Please seek medical help from professionals. The company [that is the future Irah Morffi, Inc] was founded in 2020 under LLC NYARAH INC in Plantation, Florida. (Registration number 221041595397).

High vibration living now?

The bliss (piti) of meditation as samadhi (calm meditation with absorption)

Happiness (joy) is the way to meditation: meditationsteps.org