Mikao Usui

About the Author

Mikao Usui (1865-1926) was a Japanese scholar, educator, and spiritual healer who founded the Reiki system of energy healing, drawing from ancient Buddhist and Shinto traditions to develop a method for channeling universal life force energy. Born in Gifu Prefecture, Usui pursued extensive studies in theology, medicine, and philosophy, traveling to China and Europe before experiencing a profound spiritual awakening on Mount Kurama in 1922, where he attained enlightenment and formulated the principles of Reiki. As a principal of Doshisha University in Kyoto, he integrated his healing practices into daily life, emphasizing self-discipline, meditation, and the five Reiki precepts for ethical living. Usui's legacy endures through his teachings, which promote holistic well-being and inner harmony, influencing millions worldwide in the practice of energy medicine.