From Awakening to Teaching: The Journey of Brian Brunius 🕊️

A Transformative Beginning

In 1993, Brian Brunius experienced a profound, near-death spiritual encounter in a hospital, which led to both physical healing and a clairvoyant sensitivity to the energy fields of illness.
Inspired, he walked into a Reiki class a few months later and embarked on his lifelong path in Usui Shiki Ryoho.

Mentored by the Masters

That same year, Brian was guided to learn Reiki under John Harvey Gray, a direct student of Hawayo Takata.
 By 1995, he completed Reiki I & II, began evening and weekend treatments, and in 1997 launched Loving Heart Reiki, working part-time while continuing a media career.

NYC Reiki Center: A Home for Healing & Learning 🌱

Since its inception, the center has served as a flagship of traditional Reiki in New York City. Under Brian’s leadership:

• 4,500+ students trained in Usui Shiki Ryoho.

• Nine new Reiki Masters initiated through his in-depth program.

• A schedule featuring weekly classes, ongoing mentoring, meditation and precepts workshops, plus monthly student circles.

What sets the center apart is its commitment to lineage, daily practice, and holding space evident in glowing client and student testimonials

Building the Reiki Community

Reiki Alliance Board Member

Brian joined the Reiki Alliance in 2011. He’s since contributed as a regional rep, organizing support lines, and most recently as Finance Administrator, demonstrating both his leadership and stewardship.

Founding Reiki Centers of America

In 2013, he co-founded Reiki Centers of America, a nonprofit to Support the development of Reiki Centers.

 Highlights include:

• Hosting Phyllis Lei Furumoto’s final NYC appearances in 2018, honoring Reiki’s lineage

• Leading pilgrimages to Reiki’s roots in Japan (Mount Kurama and Usui’s memorial stone in Tokyo

• Translating and republishing linchpin texts like Kaiji Tomita’s works and the Grey Book in English and other languages

Publications & Legacy Projects

• Walk in Power, Live in Prayer (2014): a spiritual guide exploring deeper prayer practices

• Reiki: The Grey Book reissue (2022): an authentic replica of Takata’s original journal in English & Japanese, plus free multilingual access via ReikiGreyBook.com

• Reiki and the Benevolent Art of Healing: Tomita-Style Hands-On Therapy (2023): Co-produced and edited this translation of Kaiji Tomita’s Reiki to sono Zen-teki Ryoho (1933), making one of the earliest Japanese Reiki texts available to the global community, with added historical commentary and context.

Approachable Expertise

Brian’s healing style blends intuitive listening, thoughtful conversation, and focused treatment a synergy praised by both clients and students.

Testimonials describe him as “grounded, authentic, and deeply present” truly “the real deal”.

In addition to his private practice and teaching, Brian helped develop and oversee the Certified Reiki Practitioner (CRP) program at NYC Reiki Center. This program offers structured guidance and rigorous standards for Reiki professionals, supporting their journey toward ethical and effective practice in diverse settings including healthcare, wellness, and community service.

Why Brian’s Work Matters

Brian Brunius embodies a rare balance of:

• Lineage integrity: Rooted in the Takata line and committed to preservation

• Educational excellence: Structured programs, deep mentorship, immersive Master training

• Community service: Nurtures practitioners through organization, pilgrimage, texts, and mentorship

• Depth of practice: Daily personal engagement with Reiki and ongoing student support

Join the Reiki Journey

If you’re drawn to traditional Usui Shiki Ryoho style of Reiki, deep lineage, and a supportive community grounded in depth and authenticity NYC Reiki Center and Brian’s work offer a trusted and heartfelt path.

👉 Explore classes and treatments via the center’s website.
👉 Follow Reiki Centers of America for lineage events, pilgrimages, and community news.