All Karuna systems can trace their roots to the early work of Kathleen Milner.  What is now referred to as Karuna ReikiÒ and/or Tera MaiÔ Reiki was previously known as Sai Baba Reiki. We begin by examining the early foundations of Sai Baba Reiki and continue on with Taokan Reiki™ in our history.
 

History

The Early Work of Kathleen Milner

All the Karuna Systems started off their life in the early work of Kathleen Milner.  It's initial beginnings were from Usui Reiki. From reading Kathleen's books she reported that she learned Reiki, and began to feel that what she was taught in Reiki and Raku Kai was incomplete. I believe that she later learned Seikim at the whole life Expo in California, most likely from August Star (a student of Phoenix Summerfield). This would appear to have been several months before she began her work on the remodification of Reiki (later to be known as Sai Baba Reiki and/or Tera MaiÔ Reiki). From Seikim she would have learned the "seed" symbols of Seikim including the Infinity, the story in the pyramid that Patrick Zeigler experienced, and other elements of the Seikim Reiki (7 facet system).  Additionally, it should be noted that one very common experience of learning Seikim/SKHM, is (according to Patrick Zeigler - the founder) seeing sacred geometry or seeing symbols. Indeed T'om Seaman, Dave Lowry , and Phoenix Summerfield all saw many many symbols as they expanded Seikim. The most basic seed symbols of Seikim involve the Infinity symbol, which is a part of both the Zonar and Halu, as is the Pyramid that is part of Halu. Because of this some have recently questioned whether Sai Baba Reiki was really a form of Seikim. My opinion is that the Seikim was a formational part, but that the intent was different and thus it was a unique connection to the source energy.  To my knowledge, I am not sure that there is much acknowledgement of  the contribution that Seikim had upon the development of the early foundations of Sai Baba Reiki.  (Author's Note: Sai Baba Reiki no longer exists and was transformed by William Rand into Karuna ReikiÒ.)

According to Kathleen's books, she felt Reiki was "incomplete" and missing parts of the attunement process as passed by Hawayo Takata. According to Kathleen's writing she began to ask Father/Mother/God for the missing parts. As our story continues to unfold, after asking for this information from god, the Indian Guru Satya Sai Baba appeared to her (in a bi-located form - Sai Baba was purported to do this miracle) and to Marcy Miller (one of Kathleen's Reiki Students). It was reported that Marcy (who has since broken ties with Kathleen) reported that Sai Baba, gave her another symbol and additions to the attunement. Then Sai Baba appeared to Kathleen on the "inner planes", reviewed the attunement process and gave her a name for the symbol. Several months later Kathleen and Marcy were given the other symbols with additional instructions. Kathleen was told to tell people she was working with Sai Baba. When teaking Tera MaiÔ Reiki, She uses the new symbols, the modified attunement process any additional symbols necessary. (Again remember Patrick Zeigler's observation that people can tap into the sacred geometry of the universe and it is common to see symbols. Also it is my observation that people tend to conceptualize this spiritual force in whatever schema that is most comfortable to them. Christians see Jesus and Mary and Angels, New Age believers see ascended masters, Kathleen and Marcy would appear to have been interested in Sai Baba, and coincidentally enough they saw him.)

This  "New Reiki" system was originally channeled by Kathleen Milner and Marcy Miller in 1991. What needs to be pointed out here is that Kathleen and Marcy did not talk to Sai Baba in person or on the phone but thought they connected with him psykically. So at this point, we have Kathleen and Marcy channelling an afro haired being in Orange Robes believing it to be Sai Baba. No one contacted him in person or attempted to at this time to my knowledge. Later, when contact was sought out to confirm Sai baba's involvement, the Sai Baba organization stated publicly that they knew nothing about Sai Baba Reiki. So it would seem that this is something that has come purely though channelling.  The first three symbols (Zonar, Harth, and Halu)  was given by "Sai Baba" to Kathleen and / or Marcy.  The Attunements were given to Kathleen by "Sai Baba".  The Rama symbols was given to Kellie-Ray Marine.  Other symbols were added by others (see the section on Symbols in this manual).

The Sai Baba Attunements and subsequent Tera MaiÔ Reiki and ancillary techniques of the Water Ceremony, and the Breath of the Fire Dragon seem to be primarily taken from Reiki Kai Reiki. It would seem, upon final inspection and in my opinion, that Sai Baba Reiki was a hybridized modification of Raku Kai Reiki, along with Seikim and the infinity symbol, traditional Usui Reiki, and the symbols and attunements received by Kathleen and Marcy.  Taokan Reiki™ retains the use of the Hui Yin, and the Breath of the Fire Dragon (Violet Breath).

It should be noted that both Marcy Miller and Kathleen Milner now admit the being who gave them the Tera Mai attunements was not Sai Baba but "a higher being." (This is my caveat with all channeled information, it is influenced by your intent and desire and conceptual framework. Ask and you may truly receive, as it were. Be careful giving your power away to anyone, physical or not. )
 

The Reworking of Sai Baba Reiki into Karuna ReikiÒ

The Sai Baba Reiki lineage started with Kathleen Milner receiving the new symbols and attunements.  From Kathleen it was taught to Elizabeth Amazon, Isabelle Dussault and to Glenn Derrick.  Glenn taught William Lee Rand who re-worked the system and developed Karuna ReikiÒ. What I find particularly interesting is that in the Karuna Materials I have seen, (and i have by no means seen all the materials out there) is that there is little or no mention of this previous history, Kathleen Milner or her contribution to the development of Karuna ReikiÒ.  (My understanding is that there was legal action involved between the two, although at present I have not heard what the outcome is.  (I am currently in the process of finding the court records, unless they are sealed, to see what the actual litigation was about and who won.)

From Rand's information, he reports that he, and other Reiki Masters who were initiated into these new symbols (Kathleen's system before she called it Tera MaiÔ Reiki), began experimenting with the symbols. He stated that the masters who had these symbols "saw the value of the system", and began teaking it as Sai Baba Reiki.  It was reported that legal difficulties came about from using the Sai Baba name, and so the name Karuna ReikiÒ was taken and used.  The name Karuna ReikiÒ is trademarked by William Rand.  There is information available about the Karuna ReikiÒ System on Rand's Site at the International Center for Reiki Studies Webpage.

William Rand says the following about the origin of Karuna ReikiÒ (from the Rand Website): "The Karuna system of Reiki has come from a number of sources. The first three symbols were channeled by Marcy Miller in 1991. It was originally thought that these first three symbols were channeled from the Eastern Indian Guru, Sai Baba. However, after checking with the Sai Baba organization, I was told that this was not the case. After working with several top clairvoyants, it has been determined that these first three symbols came directly from God. These symbols and attunement processes were passed on to me by Glenn Derrick in the fall of 1993. The system was very powerful and effective. However, at that time, there was some confusion about the origin of the system. Some thought it had come from Sai Baba, while others were stating that it contained the original Usui symbols. Research has proven both of these ideas to be inaccurate. Further research indicated that the attunements were a combination of other attunement processes.  Meditating on what to do, I was guided to make several small changes in the attunement processes. I was also guided to give the system a new name that would more accurately reflect the purpose of the system. Most people feel a significant difference between energies of Usui Reiki and those of Karuna Reiki. Once you have both, it is simply a matter of using whichever system you are guided to use or feel is appropriate for the situation."

It would appear from the preceeding paragraph, that the involvement Kathleen Milner had in the development of the system is neglible or non-existent.  Personally I find this odd, since the root material obviously comes from her.

At this point, a discussion of the term "reiki" in Karuna ReikiÒ is in order.  Reiki is a term used generically for both the "system" Reiki in Usui Reiki,  and for the energy.  These days there are more Reiki's than I can even name.  The connection to Usui Reiki and these systems is both intimate and diverse.  The connection with Usui Reiki and these systems, as previously outlined, has come via Usui Reiki, Raku Kai Reiki, and Kathleen and Marcy's Channelled Symbols.  The attunement processes are modified Reiki attunements.  The Breath of the Fire Dragon technique is modified from the Breath of the Fire Dragon in Raku Kai (Rand's modification is the Violet Breath).  There is little similarity to Usui Reiki past these techniques. All these symbols will work.  It is a question of intent, and simply using the symbols.  You do not even need to be attuned to them to use them.  (If you doubt the voracity of this statement I suggest you try using them.  Also keep in mind that no one attuned the developers of these systems to these symbols......)  Having said that, one might wonder of what necessity it is to learn additional "reiki" systems.  That is a legitimate question that needs answering.  (And boy do I not have a good answer!) My responce is that each "system" represents a slightly different way of concpetualizing, connecting to, and using this universal life energy that comes from the divine source.  Different systems give us different ways of using and experiencing this energy.  Taokan Reiki™ are methods to access the total loving compassion of the source.  It is no better or worse than any other method of doing this.  It is, however, different.  You might ask, "couldn't I do this with plain old vanilla type Usui Reiki?".  My answer is absoultely.  When using or meditating with Usui Reiki, concentrate on compassion and love and do this focusing on the Dai Ko Mio Symbol.  Try it and you will understand what I mean.

In summary of our History (and remember history doesn't repeat itself, Historians merely repeat each other!), we have examined the evolution of this unique system of "Reiki". We see that it evolved from Kathleen Milner in what appeared to be a hybrid of Usui Reiki, Raku Kei Reiki, and Seikim, along with her and Marcy Miller's channeled symbols. William Rand learned this system from Glenn Derrick as Sai Baba Reiki and developed Karuna ReikiÒ.

In the Taokan Reiki™ System, Vincent Amador has redesigned and incorporated new developments in a manner that hes personally feels resonates better with him and the Loving Compassionate Energy.  He has designed new meditations, new uses for the symbols, and new attunements.  Taokan Reiki™ is a unique creation that is seperate and different from the Sai Baba Reiki and Karuna ReikiÒ that came before it.  These days, there are many claims by some systems being "higher frequency", "faster healing" and "better than Usui Reiki". It must be noted that the Taokan Reiki™ System makes none of these claims.    Taokan Reiki™ is offered as a healing art and spiritual practice.  No other claims are made than that.  As the founders of these styles of Karuna, which we have called Karuna Ki Reiki, Karuna Ki Do, and Taokan Reiki™, Jason Storm and Vincent Amador acknowledge that meditation and practice of any energy system or art has the effect of increasing your capacity to handle energy as well as your own personal vibration.  That includes consistent practice with Usui Reiki or personal meditation.

Karuna ReikiÒ is trademarked by William Rand. It has been said, that the trademark was to ensure that the attunements and symbols stay the same, are taught the same to all students and do not suffer the splintering that Usui Reiki did. The licensing and new Karuna reiki (tm) requirements can be seen at  New Karuna ReikiÒ Registration.

At this point in time, it would appear that a "splintering" of Karuna ReikiÒ is occurring as happened in Usui Reiki following the death of Mrs. Takata.  From what i have observed some practitioners now openly call what they practice "Karuna (pre-Trademark Style)", "Karuna ki", or simply "Karuna". I have also heard a number of masters talk of being quite annoyed to shocked that they must register and follow these new practices.  One might imagine that they would feel betrayed that they are now told they cannot teach something they were certified in and paid for in the manner that they choose.  Taokan Reiki™ is not registered with the center, and in no way am I affiliated with the center.  For those who wish to be Center Certified in Karuna ReikiÒ, then Taokan Reiki™ might not be for you, and I encourage you to visit the International Center for Reiki Studies Website for further information.