What do you think?
Rate this book
Reiki: Hawayo Takata's Story
The most authoritative book available on Reiki, Mrs. Takata's own story is told simply and powerfully by her student and friend, Helen J. Haberly, a Reiki Master whose years of experience with this healing energy qualify her as a respected Elder in this ancient tradition. Available in English, Dutch, and German.
- GenresNonfiction
112 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1990
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 20, 2013
Reiki: Hawayo Takata's Story is one of my three favorite Reiki books, one of the ones I read over and over again, give as gifts, and recommend to students whenever I teach Reiki.
Helen Haberly studied Reiki with Takata and promised Takata she would publish Takata's story. She talks about Takata's working methods as a healer and includes Takata's own teaching stories as well as the stories of Usui (who re-discovered Reiki, the ancient spiritual healing method) and Hayashi (who organized and ran an important Reiki center in Kyoto and eventually taught Takata).
Takata brought Reiki to the United States. Haberly clearly explains Takata's thoughts about how spiritual healing works and gives examples any Reiki practitioner could use.
Helen Haberly studied Reiki with Takata and promised Takata she would publish Takata's story. She talks about Takata's working methods as a healer and includes Takata's own teaching stories as well as the stories of Usui (who re-discovered Reiki, the ancient spiritual healing method) and Hayashi (who organized and ran an important Reiki center in Kyoto and eventually taught Takata).
Takata brought Reiki to the United States. Haberly clearly explains Takata's thoughts about how spiritual healing works and gives examples any Reiki practitioner could use.
February 13, 2019
thought that it was going to be more than a biography.
Read
May 20, 2021i love the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2024
This is the Reiki book that carries the spirit and energy of Reiki. Takata was the beginning of the shift in the Reiki lineage.
December 12, 2020
A lovely little book though a little dated. I first came across this book when reading a wonderful article by Marianne Streich- https://reikiforliving.org/wp-content...
All in all I found that the article is much more nuanced and encompassing as it draws on reference from many of Takata's students, friends and loved ones to provide a fuller and more richer view of this woman's incredible life. It was after reading this article that I sought out Helen J Haberlys book to read, only to be a little disappointed with the writing and format.
The book is in two parts the first part is a short biography of Mrs Takata's early history growing up in Hawaii and how she came too travel to Japan and practice Reiki. The second part is the many treatments that she performed whilst living in Hawaii and the many maladies that she treated successfully. Nonetheless had this book not been written much would have been lost about this incredible woman.
For any one who loves to research the Reiki story its an important book that does offer subtle information about the spiritual journey. In some ways I almost feel like the biography and Takata's own teachings on the history of Usui which we now know to be incorrect reads more like a fable or a quest not unlike the hero's journey. All in all having read this book one can only still marvel in the POWER of Reiki to heal.
I do feel its important however to point out that the three stars is for how the book was written and is not in anyway reflective on Mrs Takata's teachings, The Reiki story or Reiki itself.
All in all I found that the article is much more nuanced and encompassing as it draws on reference from many of Takata's students, friends and loved ones to provide a fuller and more richer view of this woman's incredible life. It was after reading this article that I sought out Helen J Haberlys book to read, only to be a little disappointed with the writing and format.
The book is in two parts the first part is a short biography of Mrs Takata's early history growing up in Hawaii and how she came too travel to Japan and practice Reiki. The second part is the many treatments that she performed whilst living in Hawaii and the many maladies that she treated successfully. Nonetheless had this book not been written much would have been lost about this incredible woman.
For any one who loves to research the Reiki story its an important book that does offer subtle information about the spiritual journey. In some ways I almost feel like the biography and Takata's own teachings on the history of Usui which we now know to be incorrect reads more like a fable or a quest not unlike the hero's journey. All in all having read this book one can only still marvel in the POWER of Reiki to heal.
I do feel its important however to point out that the three stars is for how the book was written and is not in anyway reflective on Mrs Takata's teachings, The Reiki story or Reiki itself.
May 30, 2011
People not involved in Reiki but curious about it would find this book fascinating. Helen Haberly finds a smooth involving way to tell us not only the story behind Reiki but behind the Grand Masters: Dr. Usui, Dr. Hayashi and of course Mrs. Takata. Reiki practitioners will find in this book more reasons to continue their work as vessels of universal energy.
October 4, 2013
It doesnt provide a great insight into the Reiki way of treatment. Nor any curiosity to know more, because this is foolishly too less of information. No details anywhere as to how Reiki works or how to do it. It is written just for its sake it seems.
August 24, 2014
amazing and simple accounts of a unifying energy source. get attuned!
July 19, 2016
A short history or Reiki, specifically Mrs. Takata. Many inspiring stories of health and healing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews