The True Canon of the Great Spirit

By Morihei Tanaka - Translated by Ole Gabrielsen

A foundational spiritual text connected to the early development of Reiki energy practice..

In 1911, Japanese teacher Morihei Tanaka published Taireidō Shinten following a 90-day period of silent ascetic training. In this concise and meditative work, he describes a path of inner stillness, breath awareness, and spontaneous energy flow guided by what he called the Great Spirit.

Tanaka’s teachings include core elements of spiritual healing that align closely with what later became known as Reiki. His practice, named Taireidō, shares principles such as hands-off energetic sensing, natural hand movements during meditative states, and healing grounded in alignment with universal energy.

Mikao Usui, known for formalizing Reiki in the 1920s, came after Tanaka. There are strong thematic and practical connections between the two systems. This book presents an earlier Japanese source that resonates with the foundations of Reiki and energy healing as it is known today.

This complete English translation preserves the structure and tone of the original. The guidance remains clear and accessible, as it was when first published.

The True Canon of the Great Spirit offers insight for Reiki practitioners, spiritual healers, and students of subtle energy. It serves as a quiet companion for those seeking presence, balance, and sincerity in their path.

It is a short work of approximately ten pages. It is meant to be read slowly, revisited often, and integrated into practice over time. Its simplicity supports deep reflection and quiet insight.