Experience the power of the foundation of Reiki
If you’re anything like me before I started on this road I’m on, your knowledge of Reiki might be that that it’s an energy healing practice.
You might know or guess that it originated in Japan.
Maybe your Aunty Penny has trained as a Reiki Master, or your yoga teacher is also a Reiki practitioner … but you don’t really know what that means.
Maybe (like me) your perception is that it’s ‘that hand hovering thing’ and how can that possibly be real?!
Let me set the record straight a little here…
Yes, it’s an energy-based healing practice, but so much more!
Yes, it originated in Japan, so has roots in Buddhism, Shintoism and Japanese culture, as well as influences from and similarities to cultures and ancient practices across Asia.
Yes, practitioners in some lineages hover their hands over their client’s body (though mine is hands-on, which can feel so wonderfully nurturing and comforting!). With a greater understanding now about energy and Reiki, I do believe it can work … but that’s for a whole other blog!
And yes, there are lots of people out there trained and attuned in Reiki, whether at the first level or up to Master Teacher. During the training you learn how personal the practice is; how its subtle magic weaves it way through your life; that there are well known aspects as well as sacred elements that aren’t shared so widely.
One of those is the Reiki Precepts (teachings or principles), which for me really are at the heart of Reiki and the foundation for its other components (hands-on healing, mantras and symbols, meditation techniques and attunements). Shared in the Level 1 training, the Precepts have given me a simple framework for how I move through the world, make choices and react to my surroundings. I’ve used them as meditation mantras and they are at the heart of so many client conversations.
The Precepts help connect you to your true self and see how all of life is interrelated. They help you see and experience that simple actions can have profound consequences and that your mindset has a massive impact on your reactions and your ability to manage when things get hard.
And during this challenging period of our history, they’ve been a godsend for helping me cope – and in some ways thrive, even during lockdowns and uncertainty. So I thought I’d share them with you again, along with some ideas and inspiration for how you could integrate them into your day.
Which of the Precepts need some of your awareness and attention right now? Can you focus on it more over the coming week?
Or pick one or two of the ideas below that you feel drawn to, try it out for a week and see what happens! Small, daily rituals and practices can add up to significant shifts over time. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that working with the Precepts can change your life!
Just for today
“The more you are focused on time — past and future — the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” – Eckhart Tolle
Set a timer and spend a few minutes watching your breath come in and out of your body – start with just two minutes and build from there
Choose an oracle or tarot card each morning; use it as a guide, see how it plays out and acknowledge its gifts or insights at the end of the day
Use all your senses to be present in each moment; or go for a walk really notice what you can see, smell, hear, taste and feel
Allow yourself some space to read, nap, do a puzzle; or sit and do nothing!
Do not anger
“If we wish to express anger fully, the first step is to divorce the other person from any responsibility for our anger.” – Marshall Rosenberg
Switch off social media, podcasts or TV that don’t make you feel good
Scream into a pillow or move your body to release the emotion
Check in with yourself if you have extreme reactions like anger – where is it coming from? What is it telling you?
If there are specific people or situations that create anger for you, try working through it by journaling about it each day – your journal is a safe space, so don’t be afraid to explore and be honest with yourself.
Do not worry
“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” – Swedish Proverb
Turn off the news! (check-in with it if you need to once or twice a day, but notice when it changes from helpful to not)
Find ways to get into your body (and out of your head) – gentle movement, vigorous exercise, body brushing or tapping; take a bath or go swimming; sit in the sun
Put on some upbeat music you can sing and dance to – this can really lift your spirits!
Talk to someone else, get your worries out of your head, get some perspective on them, get some advice.
Be humble and grateful
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein
Write your gratitude list each night before bed – just three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small or obvious they may seem
Look back at your Facebook memories each day, recognise how far you’ve come, and what you’ve learned, achieved and experienced over the years
Write thank you letters to people who’ve been important in your life
Acknowledge what you did do today and forgive yourself for anything un-done (either it will still be there tomorrow or it didn’t matter anyway!)
Be true to your way
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” ― C.G. Jung
Give yourself an afternoon to explore yourself – your values, strengths and gifts
Pick up a long-lost interest again – perhaps an old hobby or interesting topic to read about
Plot your life timeline – highs, lows, progression, losses – any notice any themes
Play “what’s the worst that could happen” with yourself – and take the story right through to the end (when I do this I always end up dead in a ditch somewhere, which obviously isn’t going to happen!)
Be compassionate to yourself and others
“Compassion is an action word with no boundaries.” – Prince
Look at yourself in the mirror and say ‘I love you’ every day
Give yourself time each day for self-care and self-nurturing – fill your own cup, put on your own oxygen mask
Do small acts of kindness for others or offer to help someone
Practice loving-kindness meditation (you can find the simple script online, or guided versions on Insight Timer)
There are endless ways the Reiki Precepts might play out in your day. The ‘spiritual medicine’ of becoming more mindful, aware of your emotions, conscious of your relationship with yourself and the world around you leads you closer to your true self – the core aim of Reiki – and the wholeness and happiness we all crave. Just make sure you're also enjoying yourself along the way! This is profound and sacred work, but that doesn't mean it can't also be fun!
PS – I'll soon be offering Reiki 1 training, which is two days of interactive, hands-on training (yes, including giving and receiving some healing!), sharing and heart-opening, held one week apart. If you’re feeling ready or interested in finding out more, drop me note and let me know, or ask any questions you might have about it! Just email me at hello@humblephoenix.com … I can’t wait to share it with you!
