Stories and Thoughts, in Memorium, Beth Gray
John Harvey Gray http://learnreiki.org/:
My wife, Lourdes, and I have always held the greatest admiration and love for Reverend Beth Gray, and are deeply saddened by her passing. Beth and I first met in San Francisco, just one week after Pearl Harbor. We were married while I was on leave from duty in the Philippines, near the end of WWII. We first settled in Menlo Park, California. Beth had a deep desire to become a spiritual minister, studied many years to accomplish this, and then opened a church, Trinity Metaphysical Center, in Redwood City, California. It met every Sunday evening, and as a part of the services, people who were later to become leaders in the fields of metaphysics and spirituality were invited to deliver the main address for the evening. Through their lectures at the church, authors such as James Redfield The Celestine Prophecy, Helen Wambach 'Life Before Life', and Jeffrey Mishlove 'The Roots of Consciousness', first introduced themselves to the world community.
One of the speakers was Hawayo Takata, who spoke on Reiki. Beth asked Takata whether she would present Reiki classes at our house. Takata agreed and taught at least 15 classes in our home, beginning in 1973. In 1975, Takata suffered a heart attack. In 1976, she asked Beth and me whether we would like to teach Reiki. We both said “yes,” and I, in 1976, and Beth, in 1978, became Reiki Master Teachers. Both of us were taught and initiated by Hawayo Takata.
In 1979, our life’s choices and teachings led us in different directions … I, to New England, and Beth, to Australia. Beth was the first teacher to introduce Reiki to Australia and New Zealand. She held many classes there and was revered by her students for the depth and clarity of her teachings. After her stroke in 1992, former students and friends would travel from all over the world to be in her presence. Beth Gray was a deeply spiritual person, a gifted healer, and a psychic. As an old soul, her presence would illuminate the room and fill the hearts of those around her. We believe that Beth has been called into the Spirit World at this time of crisis, to return and play an even greater role in the healing of the Earth and all of its people. Although we have been separated by distance and time, we have always remained the closest of friends.
Francis Huxley:
She was not only very beautiful, -but spiritually aware.
Barbara McGregor:
(The weekend before her death), as it happened, I was conducting a Reiki 1 seminar in Sydney and was able, as always,
to display Beth's photo, alongside that of Hawayo Takata, Chujiro Hayashi and Mikao Usui, paying tribute to their role in teaching and practising reiki over the last 100 years.
Beth's memory will be continued to be honoured by the teachers in the Usui Reiki Network in Australia, Asia and Europe and their students.
When you wish, you can access our website: http://www.reiki.com.au/ and there is a link to an 'In Memoriam' in the context of honouring Beth's service in her world of Reiki and her role in preserving its traditions. In Love and light
John Crundall
Beth had incredible impact not only in my life, but also in the lives of many thousands of students that embraced the journey of Reiki through her lineage, which will continue for many years.
At each class, we share the story of Beth's journey to Australia and her first meeting with Denise... the beginning of the journey that continues 25 years later. I had the priveledge of visiting Beth last year when we were in San Francisco. It was a good visit and she seemed calm and at peace with her journey.
Love, Light and Blessings http://www.usuireikicenter.org/index_WhoWeAre.htm
Robert Rio Hahn
My first encounter with Beth Gray was in 1970 outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She came to visit her daughter Kathelin at Synergia Ranch, where I had recently taken up residence.
Beth appeared to me as a knowing, gentle, radiant spirit, and retained those qualities all her life. Our first deep and most revelatory conversation occurred one night after dinner.
Beth and I carried our conversation on into the night. Eventually she turned the conversation to her insights about me. She informed me that during the night while asleep, I traveled far and wide, making healing visits to persons in need. She encouraged me to develop my awareness of this and to refine my abilities in this area.
Later she told a number of us stories of her experiences with Reiki, including showings of amazing films from her visits to the Philippines. Eventually, she offered some of us the opportunity to learn Reiki. I found it to be a powerful practice that produces remarkable results, and have continued to use it, always feeling a connection to and drawing power from Beth, when I am engaged in providing healing energy to others.
A few days before her passing, I spoke to her on the phone, telling her stories of my recent adventures and what was going on in my life. She could no longer communicate in words, but did in emotional sounds, communicating her appreciation and ever-present warmth. I could see she was radiant and beautiful as ever, and though her body was failing her, she was strong and alive in spirit.
I am sure that even though her body is in the process of returning to the Earth, her presence will be with us for a long time to come.
Lourdes Gray, 21 May 2008 http://learnreiki.org/
I first met Reverend Beth Gray in 1997, about a year after I married John. We had traveled from our home in New Hampshire to visit his family in the San Francisco Bay Area. Beth and John married near the end of WWII, raised a family together, and then parted in 1979, after life circumstances and decisions guided them in very different directions. Through the years, they always remained very dear friends and
cared deeply for one another.
Although I was eager to meet my husband’s family for the first time, I felt some apprehension about meeting Beth. What would she think of me? John and I arrived at Beth’s home in Woodside, California. He led the way into Beth’s kitchen. Beth was sitting in her chair, waiting for us with a beautiful smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. Beth and I first held hands, and then hugged each other. I had never before been made to feel so welcome. From that moment on, I was totally in love with Reverend Beth Gray.
Many people have remarked how Beth’s radiance had warmed their hearts. Having experienced this many times for myself, I knew it to be true. But she did much more than illuminate a room. Through her ministry, Beth brought hope, inspiration and Reiki to thousands of people around the world. Through her kindness and amazing wisdom she healed the sick and comforted those who were suffering.
Reverend Beth Gray was blessed with special spiritual gifts. Her teachings will always live in the hearts and minds of those who learned from her. Beth will forever be remembered with honor and love by family, friends, students, and her students’ students. Reverend Beth Gray was one of the most advanced spiritual teachers of our time. My husband, John, and I believe that she has been called into Spirit at this time so that she can return as a spiritual master, to bring much-needed healing to our planet.
Soon after I became a Reiki Master, I asked Beth what advice she would have for me as I embarked on this new journey. Beth looked at me intently, smiled and said, “Keep it simple, keep the system simple.” … I will. Thank you, Beth. I promise.
Reiki Master Lorraine Hearne:
I would like to express my sadness at Beth's passing. I took Reiki 1 and Reiki 2 with Beth in 1987 in Sydney with my husband and son and daughter all following to do Reiki over the next years. My son Andrew was the youngest at that time to do Reiki 2 (14 years). I also had the honour of helping to co-ordinate Beth's classes in Sydney. After Beth's stroke I became Denise and John Crundall's co-ordinator in Sydney, due to the training Beth had instilled in me.
In 1999 I had the opportunity to travel to America and Canada with Denise and John and was privileged to go and see Beth in her apartment and then lunch together at a local restaurant. A magical day as I thought then I would never see my "TEACHER" again.
I have a lovely photo taken then that adorns my altar and brings back many, many memories of a wonderful LADY.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad/joyous time.
Gerry Linn
Sending you our love and Reiki from the Reiki community of Mackay Queensland Australia.
We are thinking of you much love and light
Marie Benton, Adv Clinical Hypnotherapist, AAH, PHWA,Reiki Master/Teacher/Practitioner, RA:
I just wanted to pass on my heartfelt respect and appreciation for all Beth brough to my life. I am a Brit living in Australia and am part of Beth's lineage, and very proud to be so.
God bless.
Jenny Winkworth
Please accept my sympathy for your sad loss. What a remarkable Master Teacher and what a blessing she has been to this earth.
Dan Imre
Please accept my condolences on your mother`s passing. Although I had never met her, I do have gratitude for the trail that she blazed to allow my journey to have greater meaning through reiki. My prayers are with your family and her beautiful spirit.
Namaste
From the Reiki students in Tasmania, Australia:
There are still a few people whom Beth taught and most of us have learned through Barbara McGregor, Keven Duff and now with the loving guidance of John Crumdall and Ellen Rose.
We join in appreciation of the teaching of unconditional love that is the essence of Reiki. We express our appreciation of all those who have taught us and brought us understanding of healing love and for the beauty in Beths' life that has transferred to us.
In Love and Light Joan Marshall, Co-ordinator, Usui Reiki Centre, Launceston Tasmania, Australia.
Robyn Tredwell, Derby, Australia
A lady of tremendous spirit, and a spirit which matched the spirit of this land. What wonderful energy and healing power- thuely ageless in that energy. I miss her even though our paths have not crossed for many years. Weve often spoken of that indomitable energy.
Good passage to Beth's spirit.
Michelle Rabara, Massachussetts USA
I come each year to California to visit my sister, to volunteer for Reiki classes being taught by John Crundall, and to visit Beth Gray. This year I visited her a few days before she made her transition. She had just returned from being in the hospital, she’d had her 90th birthday the month before. I walked into her room and she looked at me and said, “Oh, I Love You!” I was so surprised, not that she loved me but that she was so clear in her speech.
I had come this day to ask her questions that I still needed answered and we spoke as we often had in the past…Teacher to Student – Student to her Reiki Master. I spoke of the classes that had been held in San Diego, Santa Barbara and Palm Springs taught by John Crundall. I spoke to her of Denise Crundall and of her lineage. I told her of students whom were one day to be teaching within this lineage, students of Denise’s and now of John’s. I said she was always honored at all of the classes and by hearing this there was great Joy in her eyes. She and I talked for some time and then she asked me questions.
As I was getting ready to leave I told her that I was going back to Cape Cod, where I now live but would come to see her again on Monday. She asked, “why?” I said, ‘why am I going back to Cape Cod? (she nodded), then immediately I asked teasingly, ‘or why am I coming back to see you?’ It was our chance to share a great laugh together.
As I got to the door to leave, I turned to look at her and she raised her hand in the air and called me back. I sat down next to her and she held my face, stroking it gently, and touched the top of my head and took my hand in hers. I sat there and felt as I did when Beth first touched me when I took Reiki I.
On Tuesday, May 13th I received the phone call telling me that Beth had made her transition 2 hours before. I called Beth’s room and her daughter, Kathelin answered. I told her who I was and asked if there was anything I could do for her? On Wednesday morning I went to Beth’s room and Kathelin greeted me. She immediately said that I could go into the room where Beth’s body was to lay in rest for 24 hours. I walked in and saw how beautifully she was dressed and on the bed were 2 Tibetan bells, one on each side of her and her crystal dagger on her right. Later there were red roses and Japanese incense burning. It was all so perfect. She looked absolutely gorgeous, magnificent and still so powerful.
Her son, John, and his wife, Heather had arrived soon after and throughout the day they packed and I sorted through boxes of cards and papers. I sat on the balcony and faced the window that looked directly into Beth’s bedroom and could see Beth as she lie there. I still felt her presence.
The ceremony of that day:
Her daughter, her son, his wife and myself on separate occasions would go into her room. The door was always closed and our time together was private. Kathelin knew intuitively when the timing would be right for Beth’s body to be removed from her apartment and she made the arrangements. When the time came we again each took turns spending our last moments with her. Heather first, then John who rang the bells for a couple of a minutes and placed a red rose on her. Then it was my turn to go in and I rang the bells for just a moment and I kissed her, thanked her and bowed to this Master.
Then this incredible experience unfolded….Kathelin went in and rang the bells what seemed like eternity. The sound went through the walls and it was suddenly like hundreds of bells were ringing all at once. I then knew that Kathelin was not in there alone. 21 OMs, as during retreats, when this sound reached the frequency that calls on the choir of the Seen and Unseen.
I stood at the door and felt as I did when Beth would do an attunement. A sacred blessing was taking place. A daughter sending her mother off with the sounds of bells, a familiar sound Beth used in her attunements, a sound that would call Beth beyond the Bardo to what would be her next attunement. A daughter sounding the way for her mother. A Mantra was being written. I was honored to be in the presence of this grace.
Later, I sat with a box of photos, a lifetime of Beth Gray. Memories that told their own stories through the eyes captured at these various moments. I found myself smiling at how she loved the camera. The “glam shots”, the 13-year-old violinist, the mother with her children, the teacher with her students, eyes that penetrated you. And that beautiful smile that asked you to listen for the laughter. A love of life captured here. And then there was another box of photos and another teacher, Hawayo Takata, Beth’s teacher. A reminder of where this all began. Then another box of photos of yet another teacher, Denise Crundall, who carried this lineage up the mountain beyond her own teacher’s expectations.
I sat there looking at the lineage and the power of these women who took it upon themselves to come into our lives, to share with us their stories, their journey, their understanding. They came to teach us and to love us.
I was reminded of how deeply I love this lineage.
Thank you, Beth Gray, for teaching me how to live with Reiki. For making sure that I always returned and thank you for holding that place for me in your heart. When a bell rings I pause, mindful to chant your name.