I have been hoping to interview Arjava for a few years now. I continue to believe that one day I will. Meanwhile, I was happy to watch and listen to this great raconteur in the videos as presented here.
Arjava describes his formative years up to his first Jikiden seminar. Astute, profound, big-hearted. And spiced with humour.
The 6 videos (total 90 minutes) are of a quality seldom seen in Reiki circles and are the work of Andreas Wippel, and Verena Kautz, both with a professional TV background. More importantly though, they portrayed Arjava by giving him an open and inviting space creating a relaxed atmosphere conducive to a genuine and thoughtful encounter with one of Reiki’s most important and influential contemporaries.
Historic importance
Arjava would probably raise a questioning eyebrow at these adjectives. However, his first Reiki book “Reiki Fire” is of historic significance, a game-changer in the Reiki world. It continues to influence historians. The memorial stone Arjava discovered for the Reiki community is a central pillar of our current understanding of Reiki. To this day, he explores and expands his life-work and shares it generously with the Reiki community. Thus, these adjectives are quite appropriate.
Conciliatory value
The world of Reiki is complex and great diversity exists. Its expansion is rapid and current developments accelerate it. With my work I endeavour to live up to an inclusive spirit. The goal is a conciliatory and thus peaceful co-existence as mentioned in my vision-statement.
Thus far, reiki-conciliation appeared to have been focusing on so called “Western Reiki”. That in itself would be counter-productive to the stated intention. With the presentation of these videos I hope to balance the impression. I realise that for many this is at best a first insight, a get-to-know, so to speak. The longest journey starts with a step. As I said, maybe I shall have the opportunity to explore new terrain in future. In the meantime please enjoy these videos.
“frankly”, a few chapters in a rich life
There is more in the title than might meet the eye at first glance. Frank’s German name means “open”, “free”. His Sannyasin name, Arjava, echoes this spirit meaning “authentic”. This is precisely how Verena and Andreas manage to present their portrait subject.
This series of videos covers Arjava’s journey from his youthful quest for spiritual answers to the Reiki seminar he attended given by Chiyoko Yamaguchi in the year 2000, the birth hour of what today is associated with “Jikiden Reiki” which is the Reiki tradition in which the producers of the videos stand.
6 videos totaling 90 minutes
Arjava speaks in German, his mother-tongue. For the purpose of this publication, English subtitles have been added. The first video “Prologue” appeared at the beginning of the Corona-time and was followed by 5 chapters in weekly intervals. After each release I eagerly awaited the next one and I recommend to watch the playlist from beginning to end. Naturally, one can choose an individual topic and watch the corresponding video only.
Prologue (9:03)
Interview with a sandbox friend, impressions and definition of “freedom”. Arjava the biological oil-producer and the easy-rider. Reiki tickles the soul.
Chapter 1 – Childhood, School and Education (12:48)
A restless teenagehood with police brutality in the mid 70ies trigger the desire to get up and away. Books such as Carlos Castaneda’s, poems by Paul Reps and Yoga encounters fuel spiritual longing. Apprenticeship in vegetable growing. 1979: Arjava is to travel to India to see if his brother was well in Osho’s ashram in Poona.
Chapter 2 – India / Osho (15:26)
1979. Trials and tribulations with the German authorities end with a compulsory 18 months of community service with handicapped people. Back in India he tends to the ashram’s vegetable garden. Following Osho to the USA he lives there until 1988.
Chapter 3 – The path to Japan (20:33)
Arjava meets his wife Chetna, is Osho’s body guard of and finally travels to Japan in 1989. The language school in Japan keeps him very busy. Brother Raj recommends Reiki in 1992. Practically all Reiki present in Japan at this point had come from Western Teachers but only the first two degrees was offered. Arjava starts training Teachers. The existing story of Reiki’s history seemed not to be entirely compatible with Arjava’s experience of Japan’s culture. First contacts to original Reiki practitioners merge.
Chapter 4 – Reiki Research, part 1 (23:37)
“REIKI” turns out to be a refrigerator. The research begins in earnest and leads to Mikao Usui’s graveyard and the memorial stone. Discoveries of Usui’s grandson and family taboos turn out to be dead-ends for the research. But new doors open, photos and documentation emerge. A Usui trained Shihan (teacher) answers questions until his death in 1998. During this time “Fire Reiki” is published. The Usui society is discovered to exist and in 1999 “Usui Handbook” is released and eventually translated in 22 languages.
Chapter 5 – Reiki Research, part 2 (7:50)
End 1999 Arjava hears of a Hayashi student. This is Chiyoko Yamaguchi. Hiroshi Doi has the telephone number, Tadao Yamaguchi readily answers and, in the summer of 2000, Arjava learned Jikiden Reiki from Yamaguchi-sensei.
Thank you, Arjava, Verena und Andreas for these videos.
This link leads to Frank Arjava Petter’s website.
This link leads you to Andreas Wippel’s YouTube channel.
This link leads to the Website of Verena Kautz und Andrea Wippel.
