143 years ago today

Mikao Usui, the founder of the system we know today as Reiki, was born on August 15, 1865. Would he recognize the 21st-Century practice, in its myriad styles and branches, as the Usui Reiki Ryoho -- Usui spiritual energy healing method -- that he began? We have so many questions we'd love to ask him, but they'll just have to remain unanswered. Here are a few:

Did Usui know anything about the chakra system (from the Ayurvedic healing tradition of India, grafted onto the system of Reiki in the west after it became disconnected from its Japanese roots)?

Did he consider it a form of massage?

Did he ever want to be called a doctor?

Did he even imagine that one day, his healing method would be practiced in every country in the world?

Can we ever fully express our thanks to him for developing this simple yet profound system of healing on a spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental level?