What Is A Reiki Lineage?
A Reiki lineage describes the family tree of Reiki Master teachers and their students, dating back to the founder, Dr. Usui. For traditional Reiki the line begins with Dr Mikao Usui, and continues with one of his Reiki Masters, and then to one of theirs and so on, always passed on via Attunements. For a healing system to be called Reiki and be recognized as such, the lineage must trace back to Mikao Usui.
Mikao Usui made the rediscovery of Reiki in the late 1800s and the first person he attuned as a Reiki Master was Chujiro Hayashi. According to the Reiki history, Hayashi then attuned Mrs Hawayo Takata. Before passing over in 1980, Mrs Takata had attuned only 22 masters.
Dr Usui's healing skills must have been extraordinary, as he was renowned all over Japan, and admired as a "pioneer of restarting hands-on healing from past generations". This quotation is on his memorial in Japan.
Reiki is a wonderful gift, passed on from Master to student, and should be treasured and honoured. My deepest thanks are due to my own Reiki Master, Karen Aitken, whose guidance and care in helping me to fulfill my Reiki heritage are beyond price.
My Reiki Lineage
Dr Mikao Usui
Dr Chujiro Hayashi
Mrs Hawayo Takata
Beth Gray
John Veltheim
Helen Bolger
Karen Aitken