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3 The Five Principles of Reiki

In order to change a person’s situation in life, there has to be a change in attitude. Knowing this, Dr Usui developed five principles to help improve the quality of a person’s life. These principles form an important part of the healing process at the heart of Reiki. Dr Usui had come to realize how much more powerful and effective treatment was – for the practitioner and the recipient – if these principles were adhered to. Dr Usui knew how vital it was for a person to be involved in his or her own healing process and, through these principles, he was able to inspire meaningful change.

These principles are just as relevant today as when Dr Usui developed them:

1. JUST FOR TODAY, DO NOT WORRY

Being unconcerned with the future, accepting of the past, and content in the right now, is true happiness …

HARUSAMI

Dr Usui knew that a great deal of energy can be wasted on negative trains of thought. He also knew that negative thoughts are unhelpful and likely to affect the outcome of any treatment. He reminded people that there is a divine purpose to everything, and that energy used for worrying can be more usefully employed elsewhere.

We live in a responsive universe. As long as we are able to clarify our heart’s desires, our needs will be met. By trusting in the outcome we are allowing the universe to make it all possible. Our freed-up minds can then open to intuitive messages and guidance. This can take us closer to our goals or, conversely, can point to new directions offering interesting alternatives.

Sometimes, when a situation is beyond our control, a detached perspective can be invaluable and can render a desperate situation into an unexpected opportunity. One of our students, Cathy, had set her intent on finding an exciting job. She was overjoyed when an opportunity came up and she was invited for interview. On the way there, Cathy missed the train and knew the delay would mean she was unlikely to be considered. On the journey home, she had the good fortune to be sitting next to a Chief Executive in the same industry. She enjoyed talking to him, and the conversation led to her being offered a position with his company at nearly twice the salary. In addition … she later became his wife!

A wise sage once remarked that if you are given lemons … make lemonade. Dr Usui would undoubtedly agree.

Releasing Worry

Complete the following exercise.

1. Make a list of all the things that concern you, both personally and globally.

2. On another sheet of paper, draw 2 circles, one inside the other.

3. Inside the inner circle, list all worries or concerns that directly affect you. Include ones you can do something about. For example, ‘I worry about the faulty light switch outside the bathroom.’

4. In the outer circle, write all the concerns that you cannot change. For example, whether your teenage daughter may or may not injure herself on a skiing holiday.

5. Immediately release from your thoughts everything from the outer circle. They are beyond your control, and no amount of worrying will bring any change to those situations.

6. Look at the inner circle. Can you take appropriate action so these concerns are released from your thoughts? Can an electrician be called in to mend that faulty switch?

7. Relax, knowing you have taken the necessary action, and trust that everything will work out the way you want it to.

2. JUST FOR TODAY, DO NOT BE ANGRY

When we do something out of great love rather than great expectation, more comes back to us than we could have ever imagined.

ANONYMOUS

Anger creates disharmony within the body. By asking us not to become angry, Dr Usui was not suggesting people deny their feelings. Instead, he was inviting them to respond with love.

When a situation does not live up to our expectations, we become angry. The ego doesn’t like it if things don’t work out as we anticipate. When inappropriately expressed, however, anger can be a very destructive emotion.

When we are aware of our reactions and are in control, this can be a learning experience and a powerful motivator for change. Instead of stopping anger, observe it. Be aware and focus on it in a detached way, without judgement. Eventually, its energy field will dissipate.

Anger with awareness can powerfully affect outcomes. A loving response without anger can transform a situation.

RELEASING ANGER

Next time you are angry, observe it and notice the underlying fear that has caused it to surface.

Allow yourself to feel the anger. Don’t repress it. By focusing on it with awareness, the sting is taken out of it.

If you feel yourself exploding with anger, take a brisk walk or lock yourself away and beat a pillow to release the tension. You’ll be amazed how much better you feel.

3. EARN YOUR LIVING HONESTLY

The best measure of a man’s honesty isn’t his income tax return. It’s the zero adjust on his bathroom scale.

ARTHUR C. CLARKE

This principle is about being true to yourself and honest in your dealings with others. It is about choosing a vocation that helps you to grow and provides you with a sense of fulfilment.

When you are aligned fully to your life’s purpose, you are earning your living honestly, utilizing your creativity in a way that honours who you are and enriches those around you. It allows you to meet your needs and speak your truth.

As only your heart can tell you what is most appropriate, you must listen carefully when it whispers. Everything is far less complicated when we are true to ourselves.

Being Honest With Yourself

Take a few moments to answer the following questions:

What are you putting up with at the moment?

What things are frustrating you about your work?

If this week were your last week on earth, would you be happy with how you are spending your time?

If you were being true to yourself, what would you be doing right now, personally and professionally?

4. JUST FOR TODAY, SHOW GRATITUDE TO EVERY LIVING THING

The difference between living a life of passion and adventure or living a life of pain and chaos … is in your perception.

HARUSAMI

By reflecting on what makes our lives special, we can begin to appreciate just what brings us joy. By expressing gratitude, we can begin to understand how incredible life is, in all its diversity.

If you took a moment each day to encourage the feeling of gratitude to expand within you, a powerful inner shift would occur and bring wonderment into your life. An attitude of gratitude takes you from victim to victorious. It frees you up from the past and turns all your negatives into positives.

Gratitude seems magnetically to attract abundance, and brings more good things your way. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, allow yourself to remember the aspects of your life you have gratitude for. Don’t be afraid to show it, either. When you feel and express gratitude, success, happiness and prosperity will flow into your life.

The Attitude of Gratitude

Every day, write down five things you are grateful for. It can be gratitude for your education or family. It can be anything from the beauty of a sunset to the precious moments spent with loved ones.

1. I have gratitude for:

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2. Express gratitude when things go well – and maintain it even when they do not.

3. Enjoy the miracle of life and the miracle that uniquely is you.

5. JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL BE KIND AND RESPECTFUL TO ALL OF CREATION

Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.

THEODORE ISAAC RUBIN

Man’s inhumanity to his fellow man and to the environment has caused many humanitarian and ecological problems. Dr Usui appreciated that our growth and survival depends on loving actions and respect for one another and all living things.

A starting point would be to begin to view everything and everyone around you in a non-judgemental way. More importantly, the most caring action you can take is to put yourself first, because so often we don’t.

By choosing to put yourself first, you begin to make decisions from a perspective of self-love. It can involve and choosing new ways to live, so you can achieve a better balance between work and family life.

Making self-love your priority allows you to observe those around you in a different way, too. It involves taking positive action and responding with warmth and compassion. By being kind and respectful to yourself, it is easier to view the world with a loving heart. When you do, the world responds. It becomes a truly wonderful place to be.

Practise Self-Love

1. Make a list of all the things you have done that you are proud of.

2. Ask yourself what your life would be like if you respected or liked yourself more.

3. Know that you are an incredible human being. Make a list of all the things that make you special. Keep the list in a safe place, and add to it later on.

4. Right here, right now, make the decision to start loving yourself. There’s no time to lose.

5. Imagine your heart filled to the brim with kindness and love. Radiate this out to those around you.

We found that focusing on these principles was a powerful step on our own journey. They lead to a more positive outlook. Integrating them into your life is not only helpful for your Reiki practice but also develops you as a person.

Be creative. Find ways to focus on one principle at a time. In addition to the above exercises, write the principles out and place one in a prominent position each week to keep it at the forefront of your mind. Bringing the principles into your life allows gradual shifts to occur and paves the way for meaningful change.