Living the Magic

These are the principles of Reiki.

Reiki isn't only a form of healing, it's also a lifestyle.

A way of living your life which assists you in creating a more positive, stress-free reality.

Often times a new student who already has their first or second degree Reiki comes to me for the next level and I'm surprised to see how few of them are actually taught what the principles mean. Although their Reiki Master/Teacher shared this little poem with them, perhaps they didn't bother to explain the significance of the depth and reality within it.

So, here it is, written down, not only for my students but for all of you as well; because regardless of whether or not you have been attuned to the healing energy of Reiki...you can still live it's principles!

"Just for today do not worry."

The first three words of this sentence are so important. Just for today. I am not asking you to change your life forever and ever (Oh My Goddess, how overwhelming is the thought of that!) Instead, I'm asking you to focus on today. Just for today do not focus on tomorrow. Worry is tomorrow. Worry is later. So rather than allowing yourself to get all caught up in worry, rather than wasting precious time and energy on worry...just for today let's try our best to let go of worry and focus instead on the task at hand. Make this moment one full of light and joy for ourselves, releasing our mind from the torment of worry.

"Just for today do not anger."

Again we are focusing on today but in this principle our focus is being drawn away from yesterday. The past. Anger is over things that have already happened and we all know there's nothing we can do about the past. Actually, that's not entirely true. We can make amends. We can apologize for something we have done to hurt someone else. We can heal from things which have happened to us. But, we can't change the past. So...just for today...let's focus on this day, this moment, and the task at hand, instead of focusing on something in the past.

Focus on living your principles. Just for today do not worry about the future, don't anger over the past...stay in this moment and push away any fears or worries because they will all work out in the end, for your greatest good. The energy you spend worrying on things won't prevent the 'horrible outcomes' from happening.....in fact, (since we create our own reality) the time you spend worrying may only serve to manifest them!

Now don't get the impression I'm telling you this is easy. It's very difficult at first but over time, you tend to worry less and when you do find yourself worrying, it gets easier to push it away. Just for today focus on staying in the moment and not allowing yourself to agonize over things. Yes, you may get frustrated at times and in those moments focus on allowing yourself to feel those feelings, fully and completely IN THE MOMENT and then let them go. Don't anguish over them again and again in the following days. It's the past now and you can't change it; so instead, turn your energy and focus onto the moment of now. The present. The gift of this moment, this second in time.

"Honor your parents, teachers and elders."

Respect those who deserve respect and even those who do not, for they are your teachers. We learn from the mistakes and failings of others. We learn what NOT to do ourselves; so there is GREAT value in that knowledge. I love learning from the mistakes of others, because then I don't have to experience the lesson myself (by making the same mistake). Embrace the humanness of each person in your life and learn from them to the best of your ability. Others don't have to be perfect, no one should be. After all...we are spiritual beings living a physical existence, so remember to be kind, understanding and forgiving with others.

"Earn your living honestly."

This one is more complex than some might think. It asks us to focus on 'exchange'. Is your exchange with others fair and equal? Do you have some people in your life who tend to be givers and not takers, or visa versa? It's very important to make sure you are giving to those who give to you. When you are always giving or taking, then the cycle gets broken. Imagine a circle. You are at one point in the circle and your friend is at the other side. When you give to them and they give back...the circle is created. When you give to them and they don't give back...the circle is broken. You are not being refilled. In time, your energy supply becomes empty and there is nothing for you to give others. Keeping yourself healthy needs to be of great importance to you so you can continue filling others as well. This also applies to exchanges of money. If you steal from a store, then the store's circle is broken (as is yours). So focus on all aspects of your day and make sure every action has an equal exchange to it. Honesty has great importance.

"Show gratitude to every living thing."

This part of the principles is simple. Honour and be thankful to everything which is alive. Your food. Your friends. Your garden. Mother Earth. Don't litter, don't over-use or misuse. Recycle, be thankful, and remember to smile!

So, above all else, enjoy every moment to the fullest. Find joy in everything you do and your life will be filled with light and happiness and your stress levels greatly diminished!

By Aleesha Stephenson