Article by Stephanie Drane
Today I am focussing on the third Reiki Principle, “I will honour my parents, teachers and elders”. This is the principle that I have found has most often been altered or added to. I added “and Guides” to my personal practice as I work with Guides and feel it’s good to remind myself to connect with and honour them. I have also added “and respect all living things” as it is important to me personally to have that daily reminder.
Because of the varying states of family relationships and the questionable behaviour of some elders and role models, and in order to be more inclusive and broader, this principle has often been updated to be about showing kindness and respect to all living things. This is a valuable principle to work with, and as Reiki practitioners, we have a precious tool to bring healing Love and Compassion to the world.
While we may experience struggles in our relationships with the authority figures in our lives it can be good to see what we can learn from them. Even if we learn how not to treat others it’s still a good lesson and something positive to take from the relationship.
Without our parents and elders we would literally not be here and their experience and knowledge can be valuable. It is possible to respect the beliefs and ways of our elders without holding those beliefs ourselves. Understanding that times change and we all do the best we can at the time, within our means, knowledge, and capabilities, helps us to accept and respect the actions of our elders and others.
We can sometimes find ourselves in a position with other people where we cannot change a situation because it is due to the behaviour of the other person, and yet we do not want to walk away from that situation/person. We can use a lot of energy trying to create change and it can be disheartening and even exhausting. This is where we can choose to accept and to Let it Be. Using our grounding and protection techniques helps us to feel safe and stop our energy from being drained by the situation. Sending Reiki to the situation, surrounding it with love and light, can help us to feel we can do something and not feel powerless while also maintaining our own boundaries and codes of conduct.
You can send Reiki to your parents and ancestors (they do not have to be living – Reiki can be sent through time and space using Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen) in gratitude, love, and peace. Also self-healing can help you to work through any issues that you have regarding your parents and elders. Sending Reiki to your Third Eye, Root and Heart can help with this but most importantly trust your instincts. Scan your body and aura to see where you may have blocks or be holding tension related to your parents, ancestors (or any relationships with other people) and work on sending Reiki to those areas using the symbols that you feel are most suited.
Accepting other people, their differing views and practices can be difficult but we can use the limitless love that is Reiki to help us to be open and tolerant. Repeating the principle “I will respect all living things” everyday can help to remind us that it is a wonderful thing that the human race has discovered so many diverse ways to understand life and celebrate it. As a human family we are experiencing so many aspects of the beautiful gift that is life, and in this way our differences are something to be grateful for and respected.
I suggest to my Reiki students that they might like to meditate on how they can incorporate this principle into their lives and this is something I feel is good to revisit every now and then myself as a reminder. There is always more I could do.
Even something as simple as a smile to a stranger can make a big difference to their day and yours. These little drops of kindness and respect create ripples that radiate out, spreading tolerance, love, and compassion.
Sending a smile to you in peace and joy.
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Stephanie Drane is a Reiki Master, Holistic Therapist and Spiritual Artist in Suffolk, England. Stephanie’s mission is to provide her clients with a calm and serene space away from their busy lifestyles, where she encourages them to take control of their own wellbeing and to value and nurture themselves to bring about inner peace, balance, and happiness. As a Reiki Master Stephanie is thrilled to be able to teach and empower others: “It is so rewarding to watch people discover the positive power of Reiki and experience the benefits for themselves.” When Stephanie is not giving Reiki and other holistic treatments or enjoying time with her family and friends she recharges herself by swimming in rivers, walking barefoot outdoors and eating good food. Stephanie’s website is: www.angelichands.biz Check out Stephanie’s blog for her insights and wisdom on how to enjoy inner peace and a calmer life over at angelichands444.wordpress.com.