It is important to recognize that traditional knowledge is delivered by a chain of transmission from teacher to student. If we do not honor our teachers people will get the wrong idea about what we are doing. The transmission of knowledge is never perfect. There is always some degree of transformation as each new practitioner learns their own way. Nevertheless, the transmission of authentic traditional knowledge is what differentiates traditional medicine from other types of healing. It gives us confidence and grounding in what we are doing. In an ideal lineage, each student should eventually surpass the teacher in skills and knowledge. In this way knowledge will continue to expand with each generation. If the student cannot surpass the teacher it is a sign that the lineage is deteriorating. I did not receive a full transmission of lineage from any of my three main teachers, and I am in no way a superior practitioner to any of them. However, I want to honor them here so that I can never forget or take for granted the amazing gift which I received from them.