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The secret art of inviting happiness. The miraculous medicine of all diseases. Just for today, do not anger. Do not worry and be filled with gratitude. Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.

Mikao Usui

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The Miraculous Medicine

Topic: Self-Cultivation & Health

The secret art of inviting happiness. The miraculous medicine of all diseases. Just for today, do not anger. Do not worry and be filled with gratitude. Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people. Every morning and evening, join your hands in contemplation. Invoke these words to your heart and chant these words with your mouth.

Mikao Usui

Mikao Usui (August 15, 1865–March 9, 1926) was born in Taniai (now Miyama-chō), Gifu Prefecture, Japan. His education drew on Tendai Buddhist practice and a broad range of studies—history, medicine, Buddhist and Christian scriptures, psychology, and Taoism. Accounts based on his memorial stone note that he traveled within Japan and abroad to China, Europe, and America. He married Sadako (née Suzuki), and they had two children, Fuji and Toshiko.

In 1922, after a 21-day discipline on Mount Kurama near Kyoto—fasting, meditation, and prayer—Mikao Usui reported a breakthrough in spiritual insight he called “One Great Reiki.” He soon offered treatments to family and neighbors, then opened a teaching and treatment center in Harajuku, Aoyama (Tokyo) in April 1922, organizing what became the Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai. He placed the daily precepts at the center of practice: do not anger; do not worry; be grateful; work diligently; be kind to others.

After the Great Kantō Earthquake of September 1923, Mikao Usui offered relief treatments in Tokyo and continued teaching as interest grew. The memorial records that more than 2,000 people learned from him. While traveling to teach in western Japan, he died of a stroke in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 9, 1926, at age 62. He is buried at Saihō-ji Temple in Tokyo. His emphasis on daily practice, ethical precepts, and hands-on healing shaped a lineage that continued through his senior students.

(1865-1926) Science and Spirituality
The Original Reiki Handbook

Usui, Mikao. The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui. Translated by Frank Arjava Petter, Lotus Press, 1999.

Mikao Usui


Theme: Healing

About Mikao Usui’s Quotation [Commentary]

Mikao Usui’s quote, “The secret art of inviting happiness. The miraculous medicine of all diseases. Just for today, do not anger. Do not worry and be filled with gratitude. Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people,” captures the essence of his teachings on Reiki. Usui viewed Reiki not only as a method of physical healing but also as a path to emotional and spiritual well-being. The phrase “secret art of inviting happiness” highlights the transformative power of Reiki, which, according to Usui, can bring profound joy and contentment into one’s life. By addressing the root causes of distress and imbalance, Reiki promotes holistic healing that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit.

In the context of the Five Reiki Principles, Usui’s teachings emphasize mindfulness and ethical living as essential components of healing. The directive “Just for today, do not anger. Do not worry and be filled with gratitude” encourages practitioners to cultivate a state of inner peace and gratitude, which are crucial for both personal well-being and effective healing practice. By advising individuals to focus on the present moment and release negative emotions, Usui underscores the importance of mental and emotional health in the healing process. This daily practice of mindfulness and gratitude serves as a foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life.

Furthermore, Usui’s advice to “Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people” highlights the importance of dedication and compassion in the path of healing. By encouraging practitioners to commit to their work and treat others with kindness, Usui reinforces the idea that personal and communal well-being are interconnected. The practice of Reiki is not only about individual healing but also about fostering a compassionate and supportive community. Through consistent practice and a focus on positive principles, Reiki practitioners can enhance their own spiritual growth and contribute to the healing of others, embodying the true essence of Usui’s teachings.

Additional Mikao Usui Quotations [And Brief Commentaries]

“Reiki is the art of inviting happiness, the miraculous medicine for all diseases.”

—Usui, Mikao. “Reiki is the art of inviting happiness, the miraculous medicine for all diseases.” Know Yourself. Accessed May 31, 2024. https://knowyourself.co.za/reiki-energy-healing-explained-through-quotes/.

“Just for today, do not worry. Just for today, do not anger. Honor your parents, teachers, and elders. Earn your living honestly. Show gratitude to every living thing.”

—Usui, Mikao. “Just for today, do not worry. Just for today, do not anger. Honor your parents, teachers, and elders. Earn your living honestly. Show gratitude to every living thing.” Reiki Healing Association. Accessed May 31, 2024. https://reikihealingassociation.com/reiki-quotes-about-reiki-healing/.

“Everything in the Universe possesses Reiki without any exception.”

—Usui, Mikao. Petter, Frank Arjava. The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui. Lotus Press, 1999. [Petter, Frank Arjava. The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui. Lotus Press, 1999].

“Spiritual awakening is to know truth and reach eternal joy. A true awakening is an intuitive understanding by Shinga (soul, higher-self) and to complete the unity with truth.”

—Usui, Mikao. Doi, Hiroshi. Iyashino Gendai Reiki-ho: Modern Reiki Method for Healing. Vision Publications, 2014. [Doi, Hiroshi. Iyashino Gendai Reiki-ho: Modern Reiki Method for Healing. Vision Publications, 2014].

“The ultimate purpose of life is to accept your fate and live in peace. Know your fate and accept it and maintain peace of mind and not worry.”

—Usui, Mikao. “The History of Reiki.” Satya Center, www.satyacenter.com/blogs/health/the-history-of-reiki. Accessed May 31, 2024. [“The History of Reiki.” Satya Center, www.satyacenter.com/blogs/health/the-history-of-reiki. Accessed May 31, 2024].