The Highest Good

Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master

Many of us were taught the ideal intention we can set for our clients and ourselves prior to, and during a Reiki session, is that the Reiki energies be sent to the receiver’s “highest good”. On the surface, this means that neither the client, nor the practitioner, is claiming to know what is best for the client. Should a disease be cured? Should the client be freed from all grief? Should anger be taken away?

The term “highest good” has a long history. It was first introduced by Cicero, a Roman philosopher and orator who lived from 106 BC until 43 BC. The concept was known as summum bonum, a Latin phrase which literally means the highest good. It was thought to be an end in itself, a good containing all other goods. When the concept was further developed, a spiritual connotation of being in communion with God, or the Divine, became an essential element of seeking the highest good.

It is easy to see how the concept of the highest good matches perfectly with the practice of Reiki. Reiki helps us to see that our human desires may not be the best way to achieve spiritual growth. We may need to live through very challenging circumstances to learn the life lessons regarding life priorities, social justice and poverty. We may need to recognize what is important in life and grow in awareness and gratitude for what we do have. We may need to experience anger and grief to reach a new level of compassion for others. Many spiritual thinkers compare life on earth to a school setting – we students are always learning and growing in necessary ways. The Great Teacher gives us many opportunities throughout our lifetime to reach our highest good.

Let’s take this somewhat lofty concept and see how it can work in a typical Reiki session. When completing the intake form, my client wrote her reason for scheduling a Reiki session is persistent aches and pains in her lower back. She informed me she had already seen a physician, a chiropractor and an acupuncturist, and experienced some temporary relief, but the pain returned. I suspected there might be an underlying emotional issue but I did not explore that thought before the session started. At the beginning of the session, my intention was for Reiki to give her some pain relief and to serve her highest good. Immediately, I felt calming waves of energy encompassing her being. As she became more relaxed, and my hands were guided to her lower chakras, several emotions related to difficult family of origin issues were released. When we talked about what she experienced during the session, she commented she had been thinking about seeking psychotherapy to deal with an estrangement from her mother. She stated she was now ready to schedule the first appointment.

The Universe blessed this client by giving her affirmation that her thoughts to explore the relationship with her mother was a necessary step in healing. These difficult emotions had manifested into physical pain. Holistic healing refers to the physical, emotional/mental and spiritual aspects of our beings. When we offer the blessings of Reiki energies to others, we cannot identify and name what aspects need to be healed. The Universe has this wisdom.

Whenever we ask that the highest good be bestowed on a client, we are acknowledging the wisdom of the Universe, as well as its unconditional love for all beings. Reiki always has the highest good of the receiver as the goal. When we state the intention of Reiki bringing the highest good to the client, we participate in, and cooperate with, Reiki energies. What a beautiful blessing!

Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner, providing Distant Reiki sessions and training in Asheville, NC. Deborah is the author of two books, 22 Messages from the Archangels; and, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. She is also one of the co-authors of Reiki 101: 101 Answers for Your Reiki Questions. Reach Deborah at deb@deblloydhealing.com and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.