Spiritual Coach Willowhawk

Over the years I have felt that Reiki lineage is unimportant. As a matter of fact, for a very long time I deliberately did not give my Reiki Lineage as a “protest” against what I perceived as a bogus, unimportant, and truly artificial way for some practitioners to “glorify” themselves. The main reason for this was that human nature being what it is - a small number of practitioners seem to view issues of Reiki lineage as really being issues of prestige.

Reiki here in the west is an ability conferred via initiation, each practitioner  should (theoretically at least) be able to trace their lineage back from teaching master to teaching master - right back to Usui-Sensei. In fact, the variations of the Reiki Master Symbol was the way that lineage was originally shown. There was no reason for a student/master to “show” their entire lineage, any competent Reiki Master could see which line a particular individual was from just by seeing the Master Symbol they used. In today's information age with the easily obtainable copies of the variations it has become common practice for Reiki Master teachers to show their students at least some of the variations that they themselves know as well as the one they particularly utilize.

I am speaking here from the Western Perspective, and as I have experience with the “Japanese style” as well as the 'Western Style”, I carry two lineages. In Usui Shiki Ryoho and also in some of the more recently evolved Reiki styles,
considerable emphasis is placed on awareness of ones lineage and each student is provided with lineage details as a matter of course. This actually contributes to the problem.

Lineage in itself, is of no importance. I still proscribe to the practice of offering a mini-treatment to a questioner of lineage, and if they feel a difference, or the energy, that SHOULD be lineage enough. However, in our Western specialist driven society, I feel that the lineage question should be addressed.

In the Craft of the Wise, which I am also involved in, lineage is VERY important. However, in recent discussions with the elders of my tradition, it seems that recently the “vouching” for a particular teacher is most importantly determined by other means than “seeing” lineage. Hence, why I always instructed students to “show” their lineage by the PRACTICE of Reiki.

As I reassess my opinions I have determined that for myself and my students there are at least two reasons why some disclosure is important. I do not show lineage to anyone who has not completed and actually begun Reiki III.

The first reason is that like any other Eastern Spirituality or practice, elders and teachers are respected. So, it is a matter of Respect. The acknowledgement of lineage is a way of honoring and respecting their elders.

My second reason is that with all the flavors of Reiki in existence (and with further new variations still evolving) the more aware a practitioner is of their own specific lineage in the 'Reiki Family', the more they can come to understand the various influencing factors which have shaped the teachings they themselves have received.

True, this second reason is actually part of the teaching of the style of Reiki however, it is at least a justifiable reason none the less.

Just some thoughts,

Alfred