Reiki Helps us Live the Reiki Principles

Article by Haripriya Suraj, Reiki Master

The Reiki principles are taught in the first degree class of Usui Reiki. It is one of the first Reiki concepts we learn as well as forget.

The five principles are commonly worded as follows-

1. Just for today, I will not be angry
2. Just for today, I will not worry
3. Just for today, I will be grateful
4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly
5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living being

Some people wonder about how these principles relate with Reiki practice. They view the Reiki principles as a set of ideals that only highly evolved souls can live by. However, that is not what the principles are all about. They are meant for each of us, irrespective of whether we believe we can live them or not. Regular Reiki practice automatically helps us live these principles and inspires us to integrate them with our lives. We do not have to struggle to change ourselves in order to live them. And as the words ‘Just for today’ indicate, all we need to do is live them one day at a time. That makes it sound easier than aiming to live them all our lives!

Let us look into each of the principles and see how they relate with our lives.

Just for today, I will not anger

My personal understanding of this principle is that we must let go of anger rather than hold on to it. It does not mean that we must not feel angry at all.

Anger is a normal human emotion which most of us feel from time to time. Between people, it only varies in frequency and intensity. We know that our emotions have an impact on the flow of energy in our bodies. So, if we are prone to frequent outbursts of anger, we end up creating an energetic disharmony in our system. At the same time, suppressing our anger does not help either.

Suppressing anger can be worse than feeling it. So, the ideal approach would be to acknowledge our anger, stay with it for a while and to then let it go, without holding on to it for hours, days, months and years. Regular Reiki practice helps us let go of anger easily.

Just for today, I will not worry

We come across worried people all the time. The tendency to worry is so common that we almost accept it as normal. However, it does not have to be so. We worry only when we want to be in control and lack trust in the flow of life. If we trust life, we are open to all possibilities. We trust the Universe and Mother Earth to provide for us. We trust that everything will work out exactly as it should and for the highest good of all. Living with such an attitude helps us let go of worry and to spend our precious life having fun and enjoying each moment. Reiki practice makes it easier for us to let go of worrisome thoughts and feelings as they arise.

Just for today, I will be grateful

Gratitude is a powerful state of being. No matter what problems we may have, we also have a lot going well for us. Feeling grateful for what we have helps our vibration rise higher. This not only helps us enjoy all that we actually have but also brings us many more blessings. As we tread the Reiki path, we embrace the state of living in gratitude. We begin to feel truly content with all that we have and the constant need to do more and achieve more fades away. We continue to do and achieve but we do so in a state if peace rather than in a manner that stresses us out.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly

Work does not imply only that job that helps us bring home a pay check. Our professional career is just one aspect of the work we do. Many activities that we engage in on a daily basis fit into the category of work- cooking, cleaning, parenting, gardening and anything else that requires our effort, without always offering a monetary reward in return. Working honestly means that whatever work we need to do or choose to do, we do with love, integrity and complete attention. When we pay complete attention to every work related activity that is part of our life, life takes on a whole new meaning and we enjoy it so much more. Regular Reiki practice helps us slow down, relax and work with joy, sincerity and enthusiasm.

Just for today, I will be kind to every living being

Kindness spreads kindness. Being kind not just to other people but also to plants, animals and all other creatures helps us spread love and light in the world. It is also important for us to be kind to our own selves! Reiki practice softens the heart and with time we begin to radiate the energy of kindness.

Live Reiki
Be Reiki
Enjoy Reiki!

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Haripriya Suraj is a Reiki Master, Angel Healer and Starseed Lightworker. Reiki is her constant companion from which she derives peace and contentment. She is deeply connected with the Stars and Angels and they form an integral part of her Reiki practice. Her core mission is to help bridge the worlds of Spirit and Science and to help people connect with their unique soul missions. Haripriya offers Reiki healing sessions and training programs in Bangalore, India. Reach Haripriya at lightworkersonearth.com, whenspiritmeetsscience.com on email at [email protected] and on Facebook at Angel Light.