There is an interesting story about Dr. Usui that I never grow tired thinking about concerning his carrying a torch in the middle of the day. There have been many interpretations of its significance, most of which I disagree with, but I think the gist shines through… if you’ll pardon the pun. 

A Torch In Daylight

The generally accepted version of the story is that Dr. Usui used to travel with a burning torch and on one occasion Dr. Hayashi was drawn to it and that led to his study of Reiki. There are dozens of versions of this story each involving someone asking Dr. Usui why he carried the torch in daylight when it was not necessary. Here are some of the accounts of his reply:

• When people told him he didn’t need a torch in daylight, he answered was he was looking for the few who are interested in improving themselves.
• That is because I am hunting for people who do not want illness in a home, who do not want to have a lot of big doctors’ bills, who want to learn how to live in a good funfulfilled life.
• He replied that he was searching for people with a heart full of love and with enlightened hearts, but who are sad and sorrowful and do not know the true Light.
• When asked why he stood in the streets with the torch, he said he was looking for people in search of the TRUE LIGHT – people who were ill and oppressed and longed to be healed.
• Anyone who asked why he was carrying a torch in the middle of the day would get invited to a meeting that evening where, he said, they would truly learn about light.
• People would laugh at him and point out to him that it was already daylight, and there was no need to carry a lighted torch. Usui would reply that if they were interested he could teach them how to have more light, enjoyment and health in their lives.

I must admit I find some of these rather amusing, especially in light <there it is again> of the fact that, when I first encountered them, they seemed so deep and real. 10 years on, they seem like another misinterpretation/mistranslation and/or just another one of Mrs. Takata’s embellishments.

My Torch In Daylight

Let’s take a look at my own understanding now and see if it sheds any light on the subject.  First let’s break it down…

For all intents and purposes we basically carry a torch “to light up the darkness and/or otherwise light the way”, “to illuminate that which cannot readily be seen”, and/or “to make ourselves more visible to others in the dark”. I believe these are more along the lines of what Dr. Usui may have been thinking if such a thing actually occurred. That is to say that something was obscured in darkness and in need of illumination.

A torch seems the perfect symbol for Reiki, being first and foremost the spiritual path to enlightenment that it is… and certainly signifies a great deal more than a simple attention getter. I’m sure the enlightenment aspect of the torch would not have gone unnoticed and would have played a large role in its inception.

My own interpretation of events is more along the lines of this… people who are ready to see the torch for what it is, will, while those that aren’t ready will simple see a foolish man walking with a lit torch in the middle of the day. Those who are looking for and ready for illumination, enlightenment, understanding will have an immediate and profound reaction to the situation and will have a satori (glimpse of enlightenment) as a result. For those who are ready, a fire deep inside will be kindled… and it is that flame that is responsible for the unbridled passion many of us have in regard to Reiki.

Please read that last paragraph again. Does it resonate with you? Can you feel it? If so, than you have truly been called to Reiki. If not, there’s always barber college. 

If you are truly interested in Total Reiki Mastery, than this Reiki calling is a must. Reiki is a feeling deep down in your soul that connects you to the infinite. And through Reiki there is a genuine understanding of how the universe is here to support us and will unselfishly do so if we only invite it to. There is no limit to the wonder that is Reiki and if you look deep enough into the flame you will see that.

So the next time you chuckle at the thought of the foolish man walking with the torch in daylight, or the foolish man stumbling in the dark without one, remember that they may in fact be the same man, who, just as yourself, is only looking for understanding.

For further explanation or discussion, your thoughts are most welcome and highly encouraged, please feel free to comment below!!!