The definition of REIKI (pronounced as 'ray-key') in Oxford Dictionary is as under:

"Reiki is a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing process of patient’s body."

Reiki, the energy healing system, is based on the belief that thoughts have the power to direct energy—the underlying dynamo shaping the world. Reiki is of Vedic origin. But was lost to humanity and was rediscovered again by Lord Buddha but unfortunately lost again. It was again discovered by a Japanese Doctor MIKAO USUI, in 1800s, who further developed it in a scientific manner and named it “Reiki.

Dr. Mikao Usui, was a Japanese Christian educator in Kyoto, Japan, He was the principal of a Christian seminary. During one of his classes, his students asked him to explain the healing method used by spiritual leaders like Jesus Christ, Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Gautam Buddha, Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh, Ali, etc. He was unable to answer their question. This question led to a 10-year long quest to find and learn the skill. He wanted to learn the skill in order to heal people. Dr. Mikao Usui was unable to find the answer to his question in Japan so he traveled to the United States of America and India in search of the skill. After studying the original Buddhist Holy Scriptures in Sanskrit, he found the wisdom of healing. Dr. Usui returned to Japan and visited the different Buddhist Sects trying to find out which of them had knowledge about healing both the body and the spirit at the same time. In the Zen Monastery in Kyoto he was informed that earlier Zen monks could heal the body as well, but now were concentrating on healing only the spirit. Dr. Usui stayed at the monastery and studied Indian Buddhist Sutras written in Sanskrit. Here he discovered the means to contact a higher power that could give him healing powers.

Dr. Usui followed the instruction written in the Sutras and went to the Holy Mountain Kori-yama and fasted and meditated according to the directions given, for 21 days. On the last day Dr. Usui underwent a metaphysical experience that empowered him to use the sounds and symbols to heal. Thus he rediscovered this healing technique and called it Reiki. Dr. Usui began working among the beggar community in Kyoto healing them and helping them lead a better life. But he realized that the same people came back again and again as they had not improved their life because they thought begging was easier. Dr. Usui was very upset, but he realized that he had forgotten to teach the beggars gratitude. This helped him understand two important things - healing the Spirit and the responsibility of the recipient in the healing process.

Dr. Usui practiced and taught Reiki all over Japan for the rest of his life. He gave Master attunement to sixteen teachers one of whom was Dr. Chujiro Hayashi. Dr Hayashi developed the Usui system of healing. In his clinic in Tokyo he kept detailed records of the treatment given to all his patients. With this information he developed the standard hand positions and the three-degree system and the Reiki initiation procedures. Dr Hayashi passed on the complete teachings of Reiki to his wife and Ms. Hawayo Takata. Ms. Takata was a Japanese Hawaiian and an American citizen. She set up a Reiki clinic in Hawaii, which did extremely well. Ms. Takata trained a number of Reiki Masters in her seventies.

There are many forms of Reiki being practiced today. The two important forms are the Usui System of Natural Healing and the Radiance Technique. Reiki has proved to be useful in treating a number of illnesses.

Reiki is transferred to students by Reiki Masters through a series of attunements. During an attunement process, the Master selects a series of symbols, which represent important points located along a person's energy field, and guides them through higher vibrations of energy. This attunement process enables recipients to access the healing energy on their own—and in turn, help others to access it too.

Dr. Usui was given the Spiritual Principles of Reiki by Teachers in Spirit at this time. And in the following days he formulated the Reiki Principles:

The Secret Method of Inviting Blessings.
The spiritual Medicine of Many Illnesses.
For today only anger not, worry not.
Be Grateful and humble
Do your work with appreciation.
Be kind to all.
In the morning and at night,
with hands held in prayer,
Think this in your mind,
chant this with your mouth.
The Usui Reiki Method
to change your mind and body for the better
-- Mikao Usui

It has been proved that Reiki can help people suffering from various major and minor ailments. It is often used as a complementary conventional therapy in a number of hospitals today. Reiki has not only helped patients with physical ailments but also helped those with minor psychological problems as well. Reiki has even helped people to improve their overall personality. Some of the benefits of Reiki are as follows:

• Reiki boots and improves the immune system.
• It increases energy levels.
• Improves the confidence level and the esteem of the client.
• It reduces stress and relives stress as well.
• It helps a client in the grieving process.
• Reiki can be used as a complementary therapy with conventional therapies.
• It improves chronic an acute medical problems.
• Promotes creativity.

Reiki can be used simultaneously with other conventional therapies without adverse effects. Reiki can be used in the following conditions:

• While using medication
• While undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
• While you have a cast of plaster of Paris.
• If your physician agrees to Reiki treatment while you are hospitalized.
• Along with other forms of healing that are complementary.
• While you are pregnant.