Energy Healing Information portal

Hands that heal 2010-07-05

Reviewer: Reiki Harold

John Gray was one of the first students of Sensei Hawayo Takata, who was at that time the only Reiki master practicing outside of Japan. The author's autobiographical memories, and biographical stories of those who learned and practiced Reiki in its earliest days in the United States, are very poignant. There are a only handful of writings from those who knew Mrs Takata firsthand, biographies by Helen Haberly and Fran Brown, a book by Anneli Twan, and a very rare book by Virginia Samdahl. Alongside these works, this book is an important contribution. It shares recollections and memories of the early times of Reiki in America. The author's intentions are focused on compassionate healing, and on honoring the tradition and method of his teacher. Those drawn to Reiki will find this book fascinating and valuable.

An fascinating, well written book! 2009-05-17

Reviewer: Arthur B.

This book was an excellent resource on Reiki for both practitioners and anyone who is interested in learning about the subject. I highly recommend it.

Required for any serious Reiki student - inspiring and truthful 2009-04-08

Reviewer: K. D. Schon

After a still-unexplained loss of my voice (and my vocation) I became interested in Reiki and began searching for a Master Teacher. Bewildered and frustrated by the hundreds of "Masters" - both online and off - and the conflicting and misleading books on the subject, I became rather discouraged and decided to wait until I "found" the right Master - or they found me. On a trip to New England, I discovered that John Harvey Gray, one of the original 22 Masters trained by Hawayo Takata herself, and his wife Lourdes, also a Reiki Master, lived and taught 90 minutes away from my second home in New Hampshire. My Masters had simply been waiting for me to find them.

I quickly enrolled in their next class and am currently enrolled in their Master Practitioner program. My 15 year old son is set to begin his training this weekend. John is 92 now, still leading and teaching and giving attunements, and Lourdes is a powerful and very knowledgeable Master in her own right. Their story is told simply and directly from the heart and the Reiki information contained in this book is accurate and uncolored by the typical misinformation found in nearly every other Reiki book. Contrary to what other authors may claim, it is NOT OK to "make up" your own symbols, "reverse" them, or become attuned through a DVD or an online program. If you wish to have a taste of the source, do yourself a favor and read this book, then decide for yourself. Reiki is simple, direct, and loving - just like the authors themselves.

Great book on the history and level 1 reiki 2009-01-27

Reviewer: Michael Cummings

I had the distinct honor of studying under John and Lourdes. The book is very well written and a good handbook for the beginner and as a reference down the road after a year and a half I still refer back to it. . They are wonderful teachers!

Very valuable tool 2008-09-29

Reviewer: Nicholas Pearson

I highly reccomend this book to all my Reiki friends. It is written by one of the twenty two original Reiki masters initiated by Hawayo Takata. John Harvey Gray was the third to receive this initiation from her, and is the longest currently practicing in the west.

In addition to a nice historical context, Hand to Hand also provides photo illustrations of hand positions for a complete treatment, both for oneself and others, useful techniques and advice, and another translation of Hayashi sensei's Ryoho Shishin (Hayashi healing guide).

John and his wife Lourdes wrote a wonderful addition to the Reiki library.