THE ARJAVA PETTER INSTITUTE

FRANK ARJAVA PETTER

Frank Arjava Petter (often called 'Arjava') has been a key figure-head in the world-wide Reiki community for decades as a result of his contributions to research, historical findings and his commitment to preserving the traditional practice of Reiki and it's essence.

Arjavas was Born in Düsseldorf, Germany. In his early adult life, he spent much of his time in India, living in the Osho commune for years at a time. It was during his time with Osho that he was given the name 'Arjava'.  His experience at the commune deeply impacted his relationship with meditation and spiritual discipline that continues to be carried with him, to this day.

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After living in the USA for a period of time, he then moved to Japan where he would come to settle for 12 years.  There, he learned the language, gained a deep, 'lived' understanding of the culture and spiritual influences that impacted every day interactions and ways of being, and it was during his time there, that he formed close relationships within the Japanese Reiki community. Both he and his then-wife, Chetna Kobayashi, began exploring and researching Reiki, a passion that came to be a significant calling for Arjava.

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His research then lead him to Chiyoko Yamaguchi, an elderly Japanese woman who had been trained by Chujiro Hayashi (Usui's last Shihan student) when she was just a teenager. This connection gave Arjava access to a lineage and body of knowledge that had remained largely unseen outside Japan. Later om, Chiyoko, with her son, Tadao, would formalise the training into what is now known as 'Jikiden Reiki'.  Arjava helped translate the teachings into English.

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Following Chiyoko's death and for more than two decades, he served as a Dai Shihan (co-Principal) and the Vice President of the Jikiden Reiki Institute under the leadership of Tadao Yamaguchi in Kyoto. He travelled a taught all over the world extensively, playing a vital role in helping Jikiden Reiki reach students far beyond Japan.  Arjava helped non-Japanese students better understanding the cultural and spiritual framework that existed during the the time of Mikao Usui which expanded and deepened his student's understanding of the practice itself, something that was missing in Western systems of Reiki.

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Even after leaving Japan, Arjava continued to research Reiki, forming contacts with members of Usui's family, high-ranking members of the Usui Reiki Gakkai and uncovering historical details and cultural context that deepen our understanding of the practice. He now lives on the island of Lesvos in Greece with his wife, Georgia Bhakti and their two children, where he continues to write, practice and teach Reiki.

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In early 2025, Arjava announced his retirement from the Jikiden Reiki Institute. Leaving on warm, respectful terms, his departure marked a shift into a new chapter of teaching under the banner of the Arjava Petter Institute.

Under his new banner, he continues to share Reiki in the way it was passed to him through Chiyoko Sensei, sharing the knowledge and practices taught to him by his cherished Teacher, as well as additional traditional Reiki techniques that didn't make it into the Jikiden Reiki syllabus.  He also shares additional techniques that are practiced in the Usui Reiki Gakkai.  

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His work continues to leave an enduring mark on the international Reiki community, bridging cultural understanding and helping practitioners worldwide connect more deeply with Reiki’s origins.​