Reiki's Birthplace, A Guide to Kurama Mountain (Paperback)

by Jessica A. Miller (Author), Barbara Mayer (Editor), Ian Shimkoviak/Alan Hebal (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"When I journeyed to Japan in 1997 to research the history of Reiki I would have loved to have had a guidebook like this. Not only is this a great guide for those planning a visit to the mountain, it is an excellent educational resource for anyone interested in Reiki, and a lovely way to sense the essence of Kurama Mountain." --Laurelle Shanti Gaia, author, Reiki Teacher, Dirrector of Peace Place in Sedona AZ, PeacePlaceSedona.com

I am a native of Kyoto, the ancient capital city of Japan, founder of Komyo Reiki and a Buddist monk. I have guided many tours of Kurama-yama (Kurama Mountain) for Reiki people from around the world. Now at long last, we Reiki people are fortunate to have an indepth book on Kurama-yama, the birth place of Reiki, thanks to the time consuming work of Jessica. I trust this book will take you to the very original place of Reiki and make you feel you are back home with the founder, Usui Sensi. This book is informative even to the Japanese people. I do hope there will be a Japanese version of the book in the future. --Hyakuten Inamoto, Komyo Reiki Kai

It reads like a travel guide and yet when you have dreamed, as I have, of retracing the steps of Usui and touching the birthplace of Reiki, you are transported to Kurama Mountain through words and beautiful photos. The bonus is that you are alos given such wonderful tidbits of wisdom along the way. Ancient spiritual traditions, Usui's experiences and modern understanding are blended together and our hearts and souls are richer for reading this book. --Mari Hall, author "Reiki for the Soul, the 11th door"

Product Description
"Reiki s Birthplace, A Guide to Kurama Mountain." This book is a beautiful way to experience the essence of the mountain, and to learn more about the birthplace of Reiki .

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Infinite Light Healing Studies Center, Inc.; 1st edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967872146
• ISBN-13: 978-0967872148
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #338,100 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Reiki Practitioners & Interested in Japan Culture.. get this book, May 27, 2007

By	Jessica Miller (Sierra Madre, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Heartful, beautifully designed, illustrated & bound, this is the result of
thorough research and personal experience gained on 100+ pilgrimages to Mount Kurama, just north of Kyoto City. Kurama is in many ways like hundreds or thousands of others in Japan- studded with little shrines and temples, a popular outing for city dwellers and the site of a festival of regional fame. From this modest introduction, the author proceeds to show the reader how and why this place captures her and why it holds an important place the hearts of Japanese and visitors, whether they are interested in its many spiritual traditions (Reiki being only one), or simply wanting a getaway from the urban buzz.

This no-nonsense spiritual guidebook has the quality of a Miyazaki Hayao anime like Princess Mononoke- historical and spiritual facts interwoven create an overall picture of reality that is much closer to people's actual experience than any purely mythical or historical account could ever be. I love the timeline that presents the arrival of Commander Perry (from the US) and the arrival of Tengu (from Planet Venus) with equal gravity (not a technique recommended for highschool textbooks, but highly appropriate for a book that traces a spiritual history).

While written by an outsider to Japanese society, it succeeds at representing many of the myths and stories in the same way and quality that Japanese people know and think of them. At the same time, it has solid advice to help the non-Japanese speaking visitor navigate food, toilets and trains (no doubt many insights gained in painful trial and error) as well as the finer points of energy dialogue with trees and rocks, explained in the same down-to-earth language.

This is a book any visitor of Kyoto or fan of Japanese culture should have, whether they are interested in Reiki or not. For the person interested in healing, it is an excellent introduction to the author's unique approach,
refeshingly free of new age-y fluff. Perhaps the most comprehensive book on any spiritual place in Japan writen for a popular audience.

(This review was submitted to the author's website: ReikiMastery.com
by a friend in Japan who asked me to post it here.
The website has a free e-newsletter, Reiki class schedule, articles and more on Kurama & Reiki)

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun guide for all, August 25, 2008

By	Nicholas Pearson "shadowsong" (DeLand, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am very grateful for such a guidebook to Kurama mountain. The entire book is richly illustrated with photographs, and it is brimming with great cultural and historical information to enrich any Reiki practice. Although what we can piece together about Usui-sensei is largely speculative, it is easy to get a feel for the inception and formalization of Usui Reiki Ryoho from an adventure on Kurama.

As a travel guide, the book is very specific in blazing the path, and it contains many tips for both the lay traveler and the Reiki practitioner. Dotted throughout are "ki notes" that indicate changes in energy, sacred spaces, and places for connecting with Spirit.

The book also contains info on the neighbouring towns of Kibune and Kurama, travel information about Japan in general, and contains reference sections on the energy, deities, and history of Kurama.

This is a wonderful way to deepen your Reiki practice, and it serves to prepare me for my upcoming trip to Japan.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wondrous, Informational, Dreamy and Practical, August 18, 2007

By	indiefilm "filmguy" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

I've been fortunate enough to have Jessica Miller as a Reiki teacher for the last couple of years and I'm delighted that she has written this amazing book for the masses. Not only is it wonderful introduction to Reiki, it's also a wonderful historical document about Kurama Mountain. Not only do you learn about the history of Kurama Mountain and the energy points on the mountain, you learn about the temples, the Deities, as well as basic travel information such as train schedules, food, amenities and other important practical information for the first time traveler to Kurama Mountain.

Although I've not yet been to Kurama Mountain, this book makes me feel like I have an insight into the Mountain and its history.

If you do get the chance, I highly recommend visiting Kurama Mountain with Jessica during her annual visit. More info at ReikiMastery.com.

Buy this book, you won't be disappointed.