Learning Japanese Reiki with Hyakuten Inamoto

Firstly the mind must be healed, and secondly,
the body must be made sound.
If the mind is healthy, conforming to a path of integrity,
then the body becomes sturdy of its own accord.
—  Usui Mikao (1865-1926)

I recently had the privilege of learning Komyo Reiki Kai with Hyakuten Inamato, an “independent” Pure Land Buddhist monk and Reiki Master from Kyoto, Japan.  His student, Lilia Marquez, R.N., arranged for him to teach Shinpiden for Reiki Masters in New York City.  Komyo Reiki Kai is Japanese Reiki as it was taught by Chujiro Hayashi in the 1930s, with an emphasis on spiritual enfoldment leading to enlightenment.  Reiki as a system is often viewed as a therapeutic healing art, but it is also (and perhaps most importantly) a spiritual practice.  Sensei reminded us of this several times during the two-day training, “First the mind, then the body!”

Learning Komyo Reiki Kai in New York City was like coming home again twice.  I grew up in New York City, and my parents still live in Flushing, Queens.  The neighborhood where I grew up is largely Asian, and this lifelong exposure to East and West Asian cultures directly influenced my spiritual interests and zazen (Zen Buddhist) and yoga practices.  Walking to and from the train station each morning, I noticed that traditional Asian healing arts, such as acupuncture, reflexology and traditional Chinese herbal medicine are just as prominent as Western doctors’ offices.  I didn’t see any mentions of Reiki, but I bet that some form of hands-on energy healing is also being practiced in some of those offices.

Walking past all of these influences and right into the spiritual heart of Reiki was an uplifting and enriching experience for me.  Even though I’ve been practicing Reiki for years, I immediately approached Komyo Reiki Kai with “beginner’s mind” (shoshin), the idea that we approach a subject or situation with an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions, regardless of our knowledge or experience.  On one hand, the baseline concepts and practices used in Western Reiki are the same as traditional Japanese Reiki.  On the other hand, as the system made its way West, through the efforts of Hayashi Sensei and Mrs. Hawayo Takata, changes were made for reasons we can only surmise.  Some of these changes include the number of levels, the symbols (shirushi) and mantras (jumon) as well as the hand positions used for treating oneself and others.  Rather than spending too much time trying to analyze why or make judgments about what is “correct” or “better,” I decided to remain open and embrace the direction that felt the most natural to me.

What struck me about both Western Reiki and traditional Japanese Reiki systems such as Komyo Reiki Kai and Jikiden Reiki is that the pivotal lineage bearers are women.  We have Takata Sensei to thank for bringing Reiki to Hawai’i and Chiyoko Yamaguchi to thank for keeping Reiki alive in her family so that both her son, Tadao Yamaguchi, and my teacher, would eventually carry on the teachings and practices.

My first impression of Hyakuten sensei was warm, humble and beneficent energy.  I was waiting in line to receive my manual and name-tag, and when he came past us to look for something with which to light the incense he placed before Usui Sensei’s photo, I could feel his presence even before he emerged.  During the class, he presented traditional Japanese Reiki concepts in their simplest terms coupled with complete understanding.  A true Master doesn’t seek to make spiritual practice complicated and secret; rather, he or she conveys a genuine expression of compassion and direct experience.  Sensei also made it very clear that we must present only about the history of Reiki what can be verified as fact.  There is a lot of misinformation and half-truths perpetuated in the Reiki community about who Usui Sensei was and how he developed the system of Reiki.

During the weekend, we received two attunements (reiju.)  Our class was large, approximately 20 people, so he split us up into two groups.  On the first day, I was in the group that was witnessing the others receive reiju first.  As soon as Sensei began the process, I could feel a strong current of Reiki energy envelop the room.  It actually felt like we were receiving reiju, even though we were witnessing the blessing.   It was beautiful to receive Reiki indirectly while witnessing the others receive it directly.  I felt a real sense of interconnection to everyone in the room.  While I was receiving reiju from Sensei, there was a moment where I could feel his compassion flow through to me while he lightly clasped my hands.  It reminded me of an experience I had many years ago during zazen, when one of the lay priests came up behind me to adjust my posture during the sitting period.  The way she lightly made corrections was so gentle and caring, as if she knew exactly what I needed, that it moved me to tears.  And yes, I cried through the first reiju I received from Sensei.

I also appreciated the opportunity to meet other Reiki Masters (Shihans) from around the world during the Komyo Reiki Kai training.  I have gotten to know many Reiki practitioners via Facebook and other online forums, but having the chance to physically spend time in community with people from other states and countries who also practice Reiki was such a blessing.  I learned so much during my conversations and practice time with each of them. 

I’m looking forward to teaching Komyo Reiki Kai in its entirety soon.  I’ve been integrating traditional Japanese Reiki techniques into my Reiki practice and classes for quite a while, after reading The Reiki Sourcebook and The Japanese Art of Reiki, both written by Frans and Bronwen Stiene.  However, I now have the training to be able to provide students with the option to learn both Western and traditional Japanese Reiki.  As a result of this training, my practice is deepening and evolving in both very simple and profound ways.

I want to express my gratitude to my Reiki teacher, Hyakuten Inamoto, for his teaching and guidance.  I am also grateful for Lilia Marquez for arranging Sensei’s visit, and for the other students I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend with in such a beautiful space. My hands are raised together in gassho to you all.