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

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 (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.
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.
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