Insights on the Legendary Life Path of Usui Sensei

At the recent Swiss Reiki Congress, themed On The Path of Usui Sensei, organized to honor one hundred years since the passing of Usui Sensei, there were beautiful tables set up representing important times in Usui Sensei’s life.

The Tables

There was a table for his childhood Village of Taniai, then Mt. Kurama where it is said he received the healing powers of Reiki, and his final resting place at Saihoji temple.

There was also a table with a large portrait of Usui Sensei along side a photo of his master students representing Yverdon, Switzerland where the congress was being held.

Each table was adorned with photos of each place, some tangerines and a vase of flowers. 

Why the tables?

At one point during the congress, we were told that we would walk the path of Usui Sensei via these tables.

When it came time for this part of the congress, we were given a feather, a stone, and a flower.

We were told to leave one of these objects on each table.

Before this activity we were instructed to write our wish for Reiki in the world and leave it on a table as well. 

My Impressions of this Experience

I was surprised how impactful this activity was for me and how much insight into Usui’s life I received.

Immediately afterward, I wrote down my impressions, which I share below.

It should be noted that, for me, it felt as though Usui was sharing what he wanted to convey at each table through subtle awareness. 

As I walked the path of Usui Sensei

…. upon his childhood home in Taniai, I felt light and smiled big.

There seemed to be an inner laughter. I could feel myself as Usui, or, rather, saw him playing with a small ball and stick.

He asked for a feather here, I had thought to leave a stone. 

At Mount Kurama, I felt sadness, difficulty, and pain in my lower right pelvis and hip, it was not comfortable.

It took time to find a smile as Mt. Kurama seemed steeped with difficulty (this surprised me).

I was asked (by Usui) to leave a stone. I, myself, had imagined leaving a flower.

Standing there, with time, I felt a smile and close to a lightness arrive.

However, still a view of a world around me, including the few years before, filled with darkness, pain, no, more like a heaviness within my (Usui’s) chest. 

Heading to death, Usui’s final resting place in Saihoji Temple, I hesitated, like a reflection point.

Then at the gravestone, I felt the lightest in my body and felt the most joy.

Even before arriving, I felt like leaving a flower, as though it was Usui’s happiness, or, rather, a blossoming moment.

A moment of expansion and renewal from the suffering of his life.

Standing there, as I looked back on the path I had just come down (Usui’s path from childhood to Mt, Kurama, basically, his life), here, at his death, I (he) was ready and happy to leave it (his life) behind. 

(This also surprised me, but the feeling here was so comforting, no fear, more like finally freedom.)

I felt such reverence, and truth as I descended Usui’s path.

There was a palatable difference from being on his path (walking along the tables), and being in the conference room.

I did not bow at each point as I saw some others do.

Instead, I felt, I experienced and I saw as though I was Usui. 

This was extraordinary. 

What a thought to walk someone’s path as them in retrospect.