Reiki :: Universal Energy
The word Reiki appeared in 1001 AD at the time meaning “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign".
It is combined of two components
Rei :: Spirit, Soul, Divine
Ki :: Qi, life force, like prana in the hindu tradition
Reiki Japanese Symbol — Kanji
This healing method was developed by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui in 1922. It is important to note that they were/are many other systems of Reiki.
In his search for realization, Usui Sensei discovered An-shin Ritsu-mei :: a peaceful state of consciousness that allows the seeker to understand the purpose of life and how to achieve it.
One way to achieve this state is through Zazen meditation, knowing this he sought out a teacher and when he found that teacher, the latter told him one should be willing to die to achieve this state. Showing the ultimate surrender in this life to be blessed with this state of pure consciousness.
Usui Sensei decided to get ready to die and relinquish the hold of his body. In february 1922 he went to Kurama yama, a sacred mountain north of Kyoto. Preparing himself for the next world, he fasted and meditated until one day after passing out from a feeling of being struck by lightning he awoke with a sense of complete peace and wisdom.
He was overjoyed and started running down the mountain to tell his teacher, on his way down he stubbed his toe and instinctively like many of us do, he placed his hands on it, by doing so a flow of healing energy was channelled and healed his toe.
What started out as a soul searching for the purpose of life emerged on the other side as channeling healing energy.
Later that year, he developed his gift with a spiritual Reiki practice which then led to creating the Shin-Shin Kai-Zen Usui Reiki Ryo-Ho :: The Usui Reiki Treatment Method for Improvement of Body and Mind or more simply the Usui Reiki Ryoho :: Usui Reiki Healing Method.
reference: reiki.org
…A century later, here we are with more than a 1000 Reiki Masters around the world and thousands of practitioners.