Original Seven Degree Reiki Master

 The Radiance Technique, as it was most commonly called, was devised by Dr Barbara Ray.

Ray was a favourite student of Takata in the early years of Reiki being taught in the United States. Takata made 22 Masters, all in the three years before her death in 1980. It was thought that Ray was going to be the natural successor to Takata.

A not so commonly told story is that Takata gave Ray a task to prove her commitment, and this was to write Takata's biography. Takata gave Ray her notes and also a number of Reiki symbols imparted to her by Hayashi. At a later stage there would have appeared to have been a split between the two women during a workshop and this was never resolved. Consequently the biography was never written and Takata demanded her notes back. After some effort, which may, or may not, have involved the Georgia State Police, they were returned. Takata then promoted the idea of Phyllis Furumoto as Lineage Bearer and successor to Takata.

As a result of this Barbara Ray produced the Radiance Technique. She departed from the traditional Usui method of teaching claiming that it's teaching had become polluted. It is not known if this was directed at Takata as it is known that Takata changed some of the symbols in the system. It is certain that the Master Symbol has had a few variations during the course of Takata's teachings.

Ray developed a system of 7 Degrees, corresponding to the 7 Chakras. She has claimed that it is she, not Furumoto, who holds the full Usui system. All of Ray's literature states that the Radiance Technique is the only authentic system of Reiki taught. This may be because it is believed that Takata was given 12 sacred symbols and these may have been transmitted to Ray with Takata's notes. Furumoto maintains that she is only in possession of 4 symbols from Takata. This is odd because reports suggest that Furumoto does indeed share further symbols with other Masters during intensives. If it is the case that Takata's symbols were not passed to Furumoto, Ray may be correct with her claims.

This system as taught first came into existence in Europe. It includes seven attunements which correspond with the seven major chakras.  

Prerequisite Usui Reiki Master