Yes, I would agree that Usui-sensei had a satori (enlightening) experience. Yes, I would also agree that he received his “attunement” all at once. But, it is important for us to remember that we in this modern age do not have the same spiritual awareness that Usui had.
Now, I am not saying that no human could ever attain what he attained, and there may be some spiritual folks who have. It is just with the gap of 70 or so years since his transition it is alittle hard to know what steps he took in order to achieve what he did.

With regards to knowing what Reiki is all about I would refer people to the Reiki Ryoho Hikkei or handbook. In this book are some questions and answers done in an interview format in which the following quotes are from.

“Usui Reiki Ryoho is an unprecedented treatment method and I believe it should be made accessible to everyone so that anyone can benefit from the divine blessings and happiness it brings. This Reiki Ryoho is a unique treatment method deriving from spiritual energy in the universe which will help people improve their physicall well-being and, in turn, will help bring them peace of mind and happiness in life.”

The article continues by saying.
“Reiki is not a synonym for hypnotism, Kiai healing, religious healing or any other treatment method. It is a treatment method I have discovered after many years of hard ascetic practices to gain spiritual enlightenment.”

When asked why does it work? ”
I was not taught this healing method by anyone, nor did I specifically pursue the gift of spiritual powers for treatment. I discovered, while I was fasting, that I had been given spiritual power to treat sick people. Therefore, it is difficult even for me as founder to explain clearly why or how it works.”

A comment in the article that the authors can relate to is.
“All livng things possess this incredible ability (healing power)- plants, trees, insects, animals, fish and humans. As humans are spiritually the highest in all creation, we have the more remarkable power. Usui Reiki Ryoho simply embodies it and makes it available to everyone.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned this healing art, an even more grateful to be able to support those I teach as they have enriched my life (not in the monetary sense) in many ways.

Anshin Ritsumei, Lorinda

While I do not deny this as feisable, there are a few considerations which give me pause, in temrs of contemplating if self attunement is the appropriate path for someone to take. And financial considerations, in my opinion, should not be primary for any choice for a Reiki process or teacher. Financial considerations can go either way. You have people who think the best Reiki is only the school or teacher that has the most levels or is the most costly, thinking it's an indicator of "quality"; as well as those who will always be looking for a bargin.

And even if the Reiki energy is ultimately "within", as is possible or even probable, that all energies are within, each person is at a particular level in their "energetic vibration" and their consciousness. Sometimes an external teacher is appropriate, and even needed to "activate" someone into an experience of energy or consciousness that lies dormat within them e.g., the various shakipats mentioned earlier.

Any spiritual teacher worth their salt will tell you that energy is a very REAL and POTENT phenomenon. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. There are reports where students of Reiki who have been attuned to the energy [and there is protocol for attunements] have decided, for whatever reason, to change part of the protocol, or to ADD something in the protocol. Either because their ego has interviened, or they perceive they have “received” some guidance within a meditation, and they consequently altered the purity of the Reiki energy being activated. Sometimes causing energetic problems for individuals. Other times a Reiki teacher is supposedly doing an attunement process and they are not really activating anything, the recipients don’t feel anything, and nothing is really shifting energetically, let alone activated.

The stories about Usui, the various writings regarding his story are just packed with variations and inconsistancies. Just because someone says something does not make it so. That includes what I’m writing. What it does seem to convey is the value and necessity for the consumer to use DISCERNMENT in their selection. This takes effort and time. In this fast paced, immediate gratification culture, taking time to reflect, investigate, get resources, referrals, and MOST IMPORTANTLY the commitment to deeply inquire within one’s own heart and integrity for why they are choosing a particular path in Reiki and the appropriate experience wtih Reiki is what will serve their highest good.

Respectfully,
A Reiki Master

One question: can you give somebody energy for 5 minutes only or it has to be between 30 to 90 minutes sessions ???

I appreciate if I can get any answers for these Questions….

Thanks a lot…

Sam bitar
sbitar@aacs.ca