Mikao Usui saw Usui as not just a technique or occasional modality, but as a path for spiritual unfoldment. I agree. Reiki is not just a sometime technique that one turns on and off. True Reiki beings who honor the teachings and the power available through Universal Life Force Energy in everyday life usually find Reiki is either the beginning of a wondrous awakening or the acceleration and quickening of an already unfolding spiritual evolution.

As such, Mikao Usui was inspired by the Emperor Meiji of Japan, himself known to be highly intuitive and observant of the human-spiritual connection. From these two men we receive 5 Principles for Living to which we are instructed to adhere to the best of our ability each day. Furthermore, in their wisdom, they acknowledged that by limiting the goal to a daily one, the awesome task of living by these principles for an entire lifetime is made attainable. I am referring to the overriding “Just for Today” beginning of each principle. Many in the west recognize this “just for today” instruction in the familiar “one day at a time” philosophy. Thus, these principles which might seem designed for a saint at first glance, are made human.

A note about translations of Oriental Kanji or Hieroglyphics:

Please remember that Oriental cultures communicate in holistic, visual form, as reflected in their linguistic structure and through, in this case, kanji. Literal translation that distills such complex, visual kanji into any black and white, linear, western letters and words, let alone the words of the most efficient, business language on the planet, does not do any kanji justice. I myself have asked various Asian language speaking people to give me their translations of Usui’s original calligraphy, and each person has a small but differing take on the literal translation. So, you are likely to see little variations in some of these western words, depending on the Reiki Master and his or her lineage.

The Original Usui Reiki Principles

JUST for TODAY:
1. Live Free of Anger
2. Live Free of Worry
3. Respect your Parents, Teacher, Elders
4. Earn Your Living Honestly (modern translation) or Work Hard for a Living (alternate translation)
5. Show gratitude to all living things. (Alternate: Show respect to all living things.)

These are indeed, noble and good principles by which to live. Setting a goal to live by these principles says much about the character of most Reiki persons, whether they are initiates or practitioners or masters. The principles remind us, too, that as stated above, Reiki is not a 1 hour technique to be practiced, but a path to be lived. Certainly, it is easy to live by these principles when one is away from the fray, out of the tensions of rush hour traffic or far from the presence of human emotions. But most people don't live the hermetic life in a temple on the mount. Most of us are not alone in the woods without other humans, schedules and modern conveniences to tempt us off path, nor do we lived guarded from modern realties in a pure and natural sanctum.

Through the years I have watched many struggle, inadvertently ‘forget’ or just not realize the subtle ways in which the principles come into play in a modern consumer society. I always tell my students that it is easy to be holy high on the mountaintop (or even during a week-end retreat), above and removed from all temptation and choice. The true barometer of one’s learning, the true test of one’s ability to master this human path is down in the midst of Sodom and Gomorrah; in the everyday, 9-5 life where the choices between light and dark are subtle, the temptations roll by in an endless parade and the pressures to take the freeway of convenience in all things surround one constantly. What then, is the difference between those who struggle with these principles and those who learn to live by them in peace?

During my decade as a Reiki Master/Teacher and almost 13 years as a Reiki attuned being, I have learned that there is a distinguishing characteristic that not only helps one to live by these principles in daily life, but is a foundational prerequisite for the ability to do so.

No, it is not sincerity----most of the students that I have invited to undertake this training are sincere.

No, it is not consistency ---though any who wish to truly understand the Rei Ki and be the most powerful channel for it, must practice consistently.

No, it is not natural ability---certainly there are those born with a gift for this type of work and others for whom it is new and unfamiliar, but all people with sincerity, consistency and hard-work brought to the table can be conduits for Reiki if properly trained.

The difference in those who are able to achieve living by all of these principles versus those who struggle or give up on them IS HUMOR.

Those who openly embrace, best adhere to, and most quickly learn from a transgression of these principles are those people who have a sense of humor; people who don't take themselves too seriously; people who don't believe the world revolves around them and their personal lives. Without this ability to approach life with a humorous perspective there will be no success with the other five principles.

THUS, IN NOVEMBER 2004, FEELING A STRONG DIVINE ‘PUSH’ TO DO SO, I PUBLICALLY BEGAN INTEGRATING THIS ELEMENT, THIS PRINCIPLE OF LIVING, INTO ALL MY REIKI TRAININGS BY FORMALLY ADDING IT AS THE SIXTH PRINCIPLE OF REIKI.

Below then, are the principles by which my students are asked to live and my Master Apprentices are asked to adopt into their own teaching someday.

Just for Today:
1. Live Free of Anger
2. Live Free of Worry
3. Honor your parents, teachers, elders
4. Earn Your Living Honestly
5. Show Gratitude/Respect for all Living Things
and so that you can live by the above:
6. Maintain a sense of humor.

If you are Reiki teacher, you are welcome to add this 6th principle to your teaching should you feel so inclined. I ask simply that if you do so, you do it in completion, teaching the source and history of these principles. Teach from whom and where they came, when they came into being and why they are taught.

©copyright 2005, The Wisdom Light and Imara, All Rights Reserved.
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