The passing of our lineage bearer

I just learned that at 7:10 AM PDT, March 31, 2019, our lineage bearer Phyllis Lei Furumoto made transition at her home, surrounded by love. The community will miss her!

I met Phyllis shortly after becoming a Reiki master, at the 1991 NW Reiki gathering at

Phyllis lei Furomoto 2019

Breitenbush Hot Springs. It was a wonderful immersion into the International Reiki community, Phyllis and the other Masters and attendees shared stories, laughter, tears and healing. 

We divided into small groups where we shared more personally, and exchanged Reiki. I was blessed to attend several gatherings, and played harp for a meditation Phyllis led one year.

Phyllis' path with Reiki was uneven. As a child, her grandmother Hawayo Takata initiated her in Reiki, and as a teen, into second degree. 

Phyllis commented that though her own mother grew up with Reiki, she was quick to grab the aspirin or other pharmaceutical remedies, rather than offering Reiki! After second degree, Grandmother would ask Phyllis to send her Reiki at a certain time, and let her know her response. 

Grandmother Takata wanted to initiate Phyllis as a Master, and asked her several times over the next decade + ...to no avail. Phyllis just wasn't ready for that ... Then she turned 30. 

Phyllis went up on a hill, and thought about being 30 ... While we were growing up, the cold war was going on, and we were taught to hide under our desks during drills! ... 

Here she was, 30, and she was still here! Our country was still intact ... And what was she going to do with the rest of her life? 

Hmmm ....

Hawayo Takata 1900-1980

Maybe it was time to take grandmother up on her offer, and be initiated as a Master! So she talked to Takata, who was very pleased! (Finally!) 
Phyllis was initiated at the beginning of April, 1979, and traveled with her grandmother over the next year and a half. During those travels, she met many in the Reiki community, and after Takata's death in November 1980, was recognised as the lineage bearer. 

After her grandmother's passing, Phyllis and another Master who worked with Takata those last few years, Paul Mitchell, to share teachings and insights. Paul was recognized as the keeper of the discipline, and Phyllis, the lineage holder. . I also met Paul at those gatherings in the early 90s, and my dear friend Sheila King was my small group leader in 1992.

The past several years, I've enjoyed watching the Global Reiki Webinars, full-featured by Rachel Greenberg and Phyllis Furomoto. Last year, I participated in a small group call with Phyllis and Rachel, and a half a dozen masters from around the globe. At the beginning and end of each call, we'd do self Reiki, and then "send" to each other and the greater community. 

For the last 40 years, Phyllis has been a way star for the Western Reiki community. She traveled to Japan, and connected with that part of our global community as well. I am so grateful for her presence and guidance, for her honesty and dedication to her own path, and trusting Reiki. 

Blessings and thank you, beloved Phyllis, as you journey on! 🙏