Teaching Reiki

Traditional Usui Shiki Reiki Ryōhō in the Takata Lineages

Master Intensives: Teacher Path

Third Degree / Master

Third Degree training is commonly referred to as Master or Teacher training and is open to Second-Degree students and Reiki Masters/Teachers from other lineages. In this training, students can choose to study in either the Barbara McCullough or Fran Brown lines of Hawayo Takata’s teaching.

The McCullough lineage preserves a simpler, more streamlined initiation style that can be learned in fewer days. The Fran Brown lineage, by contrast, uses a more complex, multi-part initiation form with additional steps, hand placements, and sequencing details. Because of this added complexity, the Fran Brown initiations require more time for instruction, repetition, and supervised practice.

Path A – Takata → Barbara McCullough → Helen Borth

5 Day Intensive Master Training (Earlier, simpler Takata style)

This path emphasizes:

  • A simple, direct initiation form
  • A structure that can be learned in a focused 5-day intensive
  • Clear, uncluttered ritual that is easier to learn and retain
  • Strong emphasis on classical Takata style practice and treatment work

This training revolves around learning how to teach and initiate into the First- and Second-Degrees in Usui Shiki Reiki Ryōhō, with extensive practice in hands-on treatments, techniques, and initiations from this lineage. Students receive the initiations in this lineage.

Tuition: $5,500 paid at time of training.

Lineage circle: Usui – Hayashi – Takata – McCullough – Borth – Fueston
Lineage circle – Usui → Hayashi → Takata → McCullough → Borth → Fueston

Path B – Takata → Fran Brown → Mary Goslen

Intensive Master Training (Later, more elaborated Takata style)

This path emphasizes:

  • A more detailed initiation method, including a distinct Master initiation
  • Rich explanations, stories, and insights into the deeper structure of the system
  • Very explicit attention to energetic mechanics, teaching method, and lineage understanding

The Third Degree in this lineage is currently offered in a two-part intensive format:

  • Part 1 – First- and Second-Degree Teacher Training (7 days): learn how to teach and initiate into the First- and Second-Degrees and receive two Master initiations for this level. Tuition: $7,700.
  • Part 2 – Third-Degree Initiating Reiki Master-Teacher Training (3 days): learn the initiation methods for training and initiating other Reiki Master/Teachers and receive the Third-Degree Teacher Master initiation. Tuition: $3,300.
Lineage circle: Usui – Hayashi – Takata – Fran Brown – Goslen – Fueston
Lineage circle – Usui → Hayashi → Takata → Brown → Goslen → Fueston

How the Two Paths Relate

  • Both paths are authentic Takata line transmissions.
  • Both lead to full Master responsibility within their respective lineages.
  • The difference lies primarily in initiation style and structure, not a different “kind” of Reiki.

Serious long-term students may benefit from knowing both initiation styles. Either path, on its own, is complete and sufficient. For students who later choose to cross-train into the other lineage, tuition is not paid at the full initial rate a second time; cross-training uses its own reduced tuition structure (see the FAQ section on cross-training and pricing).

Have more questions? See the FAQ about the Master Intensives and the two Takata lineages.