The Reiki Sourcebook by Bronwen and Frans Stiene, Founders of the International House of Reiki, is a book that is indispensable to those new to reiki and longtime practitioners. This book is broken up into six parts. Part one, “Approaching Reiki,” teaches us about the word Reiki, reiki treatments, their benefits, and also reiki courses. Part two, “Reiki Past,” gives us a historical lineage and timeline of Reiki, along with Mikao Usui’s teachings, such as the Reiki precepts, hand positions, mantras and symbols. Part two also teaches us about Reiki in Japan and Japanese traditions. Part three, “Reiki Present,” shows us the evolution of Reiki, the different branches, and scientific studies on reiki. Part four, “Reiki future,” teaches us about reiki and global warming, and positive outcomes. Part five, “reiki techniques,” shows us traditional and no traditional reiki techniques. Part six, “Directory,” gives us a list of reiki centers and associations around the world. This is a truly comprehensive guide to Reiki and does not prefer one Reiki path over the other. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those interested in alternative healing and Reiki. I acknowledge that I received this book free of charge from O-books in exchange for my honest and unbiased review of the book. Link to my blog: https://lovetoread8.wordpress.com/2015/03/27/the-reiki-sourcebook-by-bronwen-and-frans-stiene/ Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/RLQOSSNO8Q5Y5/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm ~ Lovetoread, blog

Hello PaganPages readers. I go by Jadaja Talios on the Internet and in the pagan community. I just finished reading ‘the Reiki Sourcebook’ by Bronwen & Frans Stein. At first I had trouble getting into the book but then I did. One thing that caught my attention was confirmation of something that I have been saying for sometime now due to my experience with magick, especially after I had learned to center and ground. That something is that “All things are made of energy,” as quoted on page 6 from the source, ‘Chinese Medical Qigong volume 1’ by Professor Jerry Alan Johnson( paraphrased on my part). I’m a solitary, eclectic Wiccan and specialize in healing and protection. The first time I heard of Reiki was when I came upon a book by Christopher Penczak called ‘the Magick of Reiki’. I learned quite a bit about Reiki that I didn’t know before. The creator or originator of Reiki, Mikao Usui, lived from 1865-1926 and was 61 years old. On May 9, 1926 Mikao Usui died of a stroke. Actually I should use the proper Japanese naming convention, surname first, then first name last which would make it Usui Mikao. Usui was a Tendai Buddhist lay priest, he didn’t live in a monastery, and had martial arts training. Usui sensei (his students called him sensei not himself for it means teacher amongst other things) traveled around the world and had some training in china, possibly even in Qi gong. Reiki originally was the name for the healing energy that the ‘Reiki’ healers used not the name of the healing modality itself. Usui sensei only called it a healing method. In April 1922, Usui started teaching Reiki after spending twenty-one days on Kurama Yama, in meditation during the month of March. Also in April of 1922 Usui created the Usui Reiki Ryhoho Gakkai (which means Society of the Usui Spiritual Energy Healing Method) and was it’s first president. Usui Sensei had twenty-one teacher students. One of the more famous was Hayashi Chuijiro (Japanese convention). Hayashi taught a Japanese woman that was born in Hawaii in 1900. That woman’s name was Hawayo (named after Hawaii) Takata. She was the first person born outside of Japan to have been taught Reiki. Hayashi and his daughter went to Hawaii with Hawayo when she went back home. Hawayo taught twenty-two teacher students herself, including at least one of her sisters. In 1980, Hawayo died and her grand-daughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto, invited the other twenty-one teacher students to a meeting one and a half years later. Not all of the teacher students showed up. Of the teacher students that did show up, it was decided by those there that Phyllis Lei Furumoto be Hawayo’s successor. They didn’t know that there were still traditional practitioners in Japan and decide Phyllis was the grandmaster of Reiki. From 1980 on, there have developed many ‘traditions’ of Reiki and there are too many even to try to talk about in a simple book review. The Reiki Sourcebook has a decent bibliography and lists of various Reiki associations, centers, newsletters, and Internet sources. The Reiki Sourcebook was a pretty good book, albeit a bit too textbook like for me to truly get into like I have many other books. I think the authors have done as thorough a job as they can and they continue to do more research. They publish revised versions when they find sufficiently new information. The first edition of this book was in 2003 and this is the 2008 edition that I have reviewed. Since I haven’t read the first edition, I can’t give a comparison of the two editions at all in this review. ~ Jadaja Talios, PaganPages.org

I reviewed the original Reiki Sourcebook before and I didn't think one could improve on perfection, but they have succeeded admirably in this 434 page revised edition. The authors state that Reiki has been shifting and in many ways returning back to it's tradition roots. I also was impressed with the Reiki Past, present and future format, it helped me to see the flow of the energy for myself. As before, there is a lot of well presented info about many aspects of the healing modality, even the various controversy surrounding Reiki. I loved the graphs and flow charts they really helped me to gain a better understanding of where Reiki came from and where it is going. I feel that anyone at any stage of their connection to Reiki would deeply benefit from reading this book, and using it for a reference in the future. Being a Reiki Master myself, I am sure I will be returning to this spiritually inspired teacher over and over again. Thanks you two, for continuing to help bring Reiki to the world. ~ Riki Frahmann, Mystic Living Today

The Reiki Sourcebook is a great general resource that should be on every Reiki practitioner’s bookshelf. Topics explored range from basic information and the history of Reiki through courses and an explanation of the complexity of lineages to specific Japanese and Western Reiki techniques. ~ Tami Brady- TCM Reviews

As its title suggests, " The Reiki Sourcebook " is an excellent compilation of up-to-date information, techniques and contacts in the world of Reiki - an absolutely indispensable resource that everyone involved with practical Reiki will want to own... ' ~ Nevill Drury, author

What an incredible work from Bronwen and Frans' hearts. There is so much I would want people to read. Suffice to say it is a must for all Reiki people. Now there is an informative practical book that covers all the different branches and levels of Reiki. This book brings us into a relationship with Reiki that is centered. In this center where love and respect are we find "the fuel that gives ultimate structure and purpose in life, Reiki." Well done! I applaud you both. ~ Mari Hall, author of Practical Reiki, Reiki for Common Ailments, Reiki for the Soul and Reiki a practical way to Harmony

The Reiki Sourcebook is a gift to humanity. It declutters and demystifies so many misconceptions about Reiki. From the perspective of the vulnerable, susceptible would-be client they can easily find out what Reiki is and also what not to expect. To course participants it presents clear info and advice on many things beyond the tutors basic remit. For master-teachers this is also a valuable reference tool for all to share. If Reiki is to become part of mainstream integrated healthcare and be professionally accepted The Reiki Sourcebook is also 'a must' for fellow healthcare practitioners. Thanks so much to Frans and Bronwen for this inspired work. ~ Neil Anthony, UK Reiki Federation Chair 1997 - 2002

You will find EVERYTHING you would like to know about Reiki in this book, for this is the most updated and extensive work. This book will be highly appreciated and treasured. ~ Hyakuten Inamoto, Founder of Komyo Reiki Kai

It is time that such a book be written. ~ Australia Yoga Life

The definitive manual for teacher, student and general reader alike. ~ Adyar Book News

The most comprehensive book on the system of Reiki ever produced. ~ Nature & Health Magazine

In this invaluable resource you will find a chronological history of Reiki, treatments, techniques, branches of Reiki and so much more. There is something for everyone between the humble pages of this book, for beginners, teachers and everyone in between. I feel that this is a must have for anyone who is seeking the rewarding and enlightened path of hands on healing. ~ PlanetStarz

If you are a Reiki practitioner who learned the art anywhere outside Japan, there are three things you need to do right now: 1) Sit down. 2) Get these books and read them, footnotes and all. 3) Revise your understanding of Reiki and you practice accordingly...much of what you learned about this gentle healing art is about to be shaken right down to its foundation. You can choose whether to sway like a Tokyo high-rise or crumble in response, but either way, you're in for some shock waves. If you practice Reiki, you need to read these books. ~ The Reiki Digest

I recently purchased Bronwen and Frans Stiene's book The Reiki Sourcebook and have only put it down to sleep (actually it fell out of my hands when I couldn't fight it any more). I am a Reiki Teacher, however, anyone who has ever had any interest in, or curiosity about Reiki would benefit greatly from this book. ALL of the info on ALL of the branches and every method, Japanese history, western history, documented history, created history, every technique, website, association, newsletter and more! All served up with no prejudice, ego or slant whatsoever. The Stiene's have tirelessly researched, interviewed and documented to be able to give us "everything we ever wanted to know about Reiki but all of the answers were never in one place...until now!" (which I think should be the sub-title of the book). This book is my new best friend and I'm sure will be the most used reference book in my library. In fact, I can probably donate 20 or so of the other books I have on Reiki as all of the info is in one place now. (Available @ Amazon.com) Thank you Bronwen and Frans! The Reiki world owes you many gasshos. ~ Healing Alternatives Newsletter