Lineage
Dr. Usui was a genius; he glimpsed a future dream that would see a deceptively simple healing modality spread its magical ways around the world.
And so, just as with a family, in a moment of crisis or in a moment of profound and overwhelming love, you may reach up your hand and take the hand of the lineage you have chosen to remember. This lineage is bound by its nature to respond to your call.
We are proud of our Lineage and we call upon it often. We trust you will take advantage of the close proximity to our founders that is offered to you by the Usui Reiki Centre.
Dr. Mikao Usui (1865-1926)
Born in the 1860’s in Japan, Dr. Usui became a monk, a teacher and a seeker of truth. He began his search for the truth about healing. His search was wide and varied, including studies of the ancient sutras in which he found the formula for healing, but didn’t know how to use them. This finally led him to seek the truth within his own being. He journeyed to the holy mountain Kurama 10 km out of Kyoto to meditate and began a retreat for 21 days, where he rediscovered that which he called Reiki (Universal Life/ Love Energy).
He began to work with Reiki in the beggar colony of Kyoto and some years later realized that healing without teaching… no change!
He brought forward the 5 principles of Reiki:
Just for today, Do not worry.
Just for today, Do not anger.
Honour your parents, teachers and elders.
Earn your living honestly.
Show gratitude to every living thing.
Dr. Usui began teaching, travelling and healing throughout Japan in the early 1920’s. Over a period of 6 years until his death, he gathered around him many healers and it was to one of these, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, that Dr. Usui passed the Light of Reiki to continue in his name.
Dr. Chujiro Hayashi (1880-1940)
Dr. Hayashi a retired Naval Officer, took Reiki to Tokyo and set up a clinic in 1925, with his wife, to offer Reiki to a larger community encompassing the affluent and educated. It was to this clinic that a young woman, Hawayo Takata, came in the fall of 1935.
Dr. Hayashi foresaw that it was inevitable that war would break out between Japan and America, and that he would be called to active duty. Being a devout student of Spiritual Teachings and a Reiki Master, he could not destroy life; so rather than go to war, he chose to make a peaceful transition. He passed the Light of Reiki to Mrs. Takata and then he gathered his family, went into meditation, and made his transition.
Mrs. Hawayo Takata (1900-1980)
Hawayo Takata was born on the island of Kauai, Hawaii to Japanese immigrant parents. She grew up in a simple Hawaiian village, married and had two daughters. Years after her husband’s death, Hawayo Takata’s health had declined, and she decided to go to Tokyo to undergo surgery.
Lying on the operating table she heard her inner voice which told her the operation was unnecessary and to seek an alternative. She asked the surgeon if an alternative was available and she was directed to Dr. Hayashi’s Reiki Clinic.
For 6 months, Hawayo Takata received treatment and during that time she was allowed to study and practice Dr. Hayashi’s teachings. On her recovery, she became a full time practitioner at the clinic and took her first and second levels of training. In 1937, Hawayo Takata completed her Teacher training and Dr Hayashi passed the Light of Reiki to Takata. She then returned to Hawaii.
After the war, Mrs. Takata resumed her practice and became a well known healer, with many clients travelling from the mainland United States. In 1970 she was invited to California where she practiced and taught until her death in 1980. Hawayo Takata initiated 22 Reiki Masters. One of the first of these was Beth Gray who brought Reiki to Australia in 1983.
Beth Gray (1918-2008)
A student and friend of Hawayo Takata, Beth was a powerful, intuitive teacher with a great command of the power and frequency of Reiki. She came to Australia in September 1983 and Denise Crundall was in her first class. Denise was apprenticed to Beth and travelled widely with her until she retired in 1992.
Beth Gray initiated 2 Reiki Masters, Denise Crundall and Barbara McGregor.
Denise Crundall (1946-2002) and John Crundall (1945- )
After 5 years apprenticeship with Beth Gray, Denise recognized her ministry teaching Reiki to, and working with, people living with AIDS and people Living with Dying. On the 4th of July, 1988, in Sydney, Beth announced to the Reiki community that Denise was indeed a Master of the Usui System of Natural Healing.
Denise travelled across Australia and in California teaching and administering to people with terminal illness. Reiki expanded into the wider community and in 1991 she invited John to join her on the journey and to help her to train teachers and to work with Volunteers. They offered healing and teaching to children, teens and all those attracted to the Light of Reiki and insisted that wherever she taught, a healing centre/community should be established and volunteers trained to continue this great work.
Denise brought a unique understanding to the Universal qualities of Reiki; the power of the Rei and of the Ki, and all that lies between. She knew the multi-dimensional nature of this amazing healing modality, and where Reiki fits in the world of Healing.
After Denise’s transition in 2002, John has continued with Ellen Rose to travel & teach in Her name.
Ellen Rose (1962- )
In the spring of 1994, Ellen met her teacher at a Reiki One class in Toronto, Canada. She laughed and she cried as her dream unfolded before her… a way to be of service, and to embrace her compassionate caring heart. The journey began, a group gathered, and a Reiki Centre was born, as a life’s purpose and a Soul’s intent came together that fateful weekend.
Ellen’s journey towards Mastery continued when Denise and John invited her to apprentice in Australia in 1999. Ellen lived with Den & John in their home and travelled with them as they continued teaching & healing. It was an intense & powerful opportunity to learn with the Master. She gathered the tools, skills and wisdom of the ages, which in turn brought forth her natural talents of humour, joy and her very own natural magic.
Denise made her transition in 2002. John continued the teachings and Ellen joined him on the path.
Today she stands within the Usui Reiki Lineage, and embraces not only the Reiki teaching but offers fascinating Dream Workshops, as well as Transformation, Meditation, and Akashic Record teachings.
Denise’s work continues to expand through the love and healing journey of John and Ellen as they offer classes, workshops and Retreats.