A few years before Usui’s death he initiated a retired naval officer, Dr Chujiro Hayashi, in the Reiki method and declared him his successor. Hayashi opened a private clinic in Tokyo where people were trained in Reiki and patients treated. The Reiki healers worked in groups round the clock and went out to patient’s homes for visits.

PHYLIS LEI FURUMOTO in 1883, was recognized by the Reiki Alliance as the Grand Master of Reiki. Takata died leaving no successor named.

Through Takata and the Reiki teachers Furumoto had initiated, Reiki became known in the Western world. Today, Reiki is known in every country and there are thousands of Reiki Masters.

Because ofthe 2nd World War we lost contact to Japan amd its Reik practices. In the decade since Mrs. Takata passing, Reiki has spread rapidly. It is now practiced throughout the world. There are now an many thousands of Reiki Masters with hundreds of thousands of people practicing Reiki throughout the world

Today there is growing variety within the reiki healing method and many schools, particularly in the west. Some Reiki Masters have formed themselves into organizations such as The International Association of Reiki Practitioners, The Global Reiki Association, The International Centre for Reiki Training, The Reiki Alliance, and many others, while many others work independently. The traditional Reiki systems still exists, and thanks tothe publications of many including Diane Stien's Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art, William Rand, Walter Lubeck, Frank Arjava Petter's The Spirit of Reiki, Lubeck and Pette's The Complete Reiki Handbook, Rainbow Reiki and Reiki Best Practices. Recently we have been fortunate to have Bronwen and Frans Stiene publish the indispensable resource The Reiki Sourcebook which provides a clear and up to date look at the chronological history of Reiki and a look at both Western and Japanese techniques and practicesas they represent the form and the content of the teachings in line with the original lineage of Usui and others teaching different techniques, styles, symbols.

Reiki is now recognized as a global wellness art with many schools of practice. It is important for all of us to work together and do our best to express the truth that is Reiki energy and not allow our individual concepts or structures to become a means to divide the Reiki community. We are local and we are global, and we act as channels of loving healing energy. It is up to each of us to stay focused on the intent of Reiki and lead in the way of peace.

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Just for today I will give thanks for my many blessings.