Reiki The True Story

An Exploration of Usui Reiki

Don Beckett

Frog Books 2009

Reiki, The True Story is an extremely comprehensive examination of Reiki, extensively illustrated and bringing together a wide range of Japanese healing techniques which are related to the Reiki tradition.

The book combines a personal story about its origins and the real teachings of its founder Mikao Usui. It includes teachings given to his original students, many of which have not been revealed before and hence offers a birdseye view of how Reiki developed from the earliest days to now.

There is a comprehensive introduction to Reiki followed by one of the most extensive histories of this healing tradition in print. It includes information direct from many of Usui’s students and really helps us understand the true aim of Reiki.

The section on Precepts, Concepts and Empowerment explains these factors in quite some detail with significant information on degrees and empowerments as originally envisioned.

The practical sections are very information such as “Doing without Doing” which offers a fully illustrated guide to giving Reiki. Techniques and training expand on how to use Reiki with traditional Usui techniques including hand positions, the sick line, Reijo-ho and many others. Beckett also explores Usui Shoden techniques, Hatsurei-ho and others.

He then spends some time exploring the nature of Reiki and why it works. This includes reflections on the nature of Ki, the energy of life.

There is material on all three levels of training including discussions of the various Reiki symbols and modern adaptations of the system. There is also a very intriguing section on Mokichi Okada and Johrei, another Japanese healing modality and spiritual system which is not often discussed in terms of Reiki. It is certainly good to see the wider context which Beckett is able to give to Reiki.

This is certainly one of the more comprehensive works on Reiki, bringing together an extensive knowledge of its history and practise with a solid knowledge of the context in which Reiki developed i.e. the Japanese healing tradition. It includes lots of practical advice, illustrated techniques and thought provoking content which will prove of value to the new and seasoned Reiki practitioner alike.