REIKI PRINCIPLES
The Reiki Principles can be used as a guide to living in harmony with ourselves and others. Trying to live by these principles "Just for Today" and in the current moment is all we need to do. If we fail one day then each next day is a new opportunity for us to try them again. This shows the gentle and tolerant spirit of Reiki which is universal and open to all.
1. JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL LET GO OF WORRY
2. JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL LET GO OF ANGER
3. TODAY I WILL DO MY WORK/EARN MY LIVING HONESTLY
4. TODAY I WILL HONOUR MY PARENTS/TEACHERS/ELDERS
5. TODAY I WILL BE KIND TO MYSELF & EVERY LIVING CREATURE
The original instructions for these principles was to sit every morning and every evening with hands in prayer position and repeat them aloud to yourself. Eventually they will become so committed to memory that one will automatically think of and use them in everyday life.
A little bit more about these principles:
Just for today, do not worry.
When we worry, we forget that there is a divine purpose to everything. Worrying causes us stress and tension. We are projecting into the future and not living in the present moment. "Just for today" means exactly that. We do not give ourselves big goals of "I will never worry again". That would be unrealistic. What we do promise to ourselves, is that we will try to live in the present moment and allow ourselves to experience the richness of "just today" without worry and stress. If you find yourself worrying, gently remind yourself to let go of the worry just for today. Making small baby steps we open up opportunities for ourselves to experience joy, freedom, and peace. With practice, you will experience positive emotions more often.
Just for today, do not anger.
Anger is a challenging emotion for many of us. We live in a fast paced world and there are many times throughout the day when we feel triggered, stressed, frustrated and angry. How do we deal with this? Do we deny our feelings and pretend we are not angry? No. Acknowledge your anger. Witness it. And let it transform. Anger is an emotion. E-motion = Energy in motion. It can transform. When you acknowledge and witness your anger, when you allow the energy to transform, you invite love and compassion. Just for today means again, focusing on the present day, not projecting too much into the future. Anger is more manageable if we think of the present day.
Earn your living honestly.
Earn your living honestly means that you will not cheat or steal. It also means that you will show up in your work with values that reflect good personhood. That you will give the best of yourself in your work and will serve others and humanity. It means that you will work hard every day and you will devote yourself to your work. It does not mean that you will work 75 hours a week with no breaks and no personal life of your own. It only means that when you work, you are fully present, serving others, and you give your best.
Honor your parents, teachers, and elders.
Honnoring our parents, teachers, and elders is not taught in Western Society. And yet, it is so important. It is our parents, our teachers, and our elders who helped us become who we are. They were there for us when we needed them. They shared their knowledge, skills, and wisdom. That is where our foundation comes from. We need to honor and respect that.
Show gratitude to every living thing and ourselves.
The last of the Reiki principles is about connecting with every living thing and our inner selves. Be kind to every living thing and most of all be kind to yourself. Kindness is so simple. When you are in a state of gratitude and kindness, you are connected to the wisdom of the Universe. You can feel the connection and Oneness. When you show kindness and express gratitude to every living thing, you will begin to feel that everything is interconnected. You will lose the veil of separation, your ego will begin to dissipate and you will begin to consciously perceive the realm of spiritual dimensions.
When you live your life according to these five Reiki principles, your life will be more fulfilled. You will be happier and even healthier as living according to these principles reduces stress and tension in our bodies.