This article is about one way to make new beginnings, based on five
principles formulated by Mikao Usui, the originator of traditional
Reiki. Usui developed the principles out of his realization that
spiritual, emotional, and physical health depend on a change in attitude
and the assumption of responsibility for one's well-being. The
principles are valuable for anyone who wishes to increase their
enjoyment and appreciation of life.
The First Principle:Just for today I will not worry
Worry may result from a feeling of separation and isolation. We are
often taught that we're individuals. We separate ourselves from the
so-called lower species; as individuals we isolate ourselves from those
of our own species.
Alone, we feel small and vulnerable, and we worry about our ability to
bear the burden of survival. Lost in worry, we forget that we can choose
to reunite with the energy of universal love, a power which can dissolve
our worries and fears. The more we allow that energy to flow through us
the more we come in touch with a natural state of grace. The more we
consciously become open to trust and faith the more we experience
ourselves as part of a safe and loving universe.
Every small step towards trust is a victory. When we review our lives we
notice how little the huge disappointments of the past mean to us now.
We find ourselves glad that some of the things we wanted so desperately
didn't happen. We discover a larger purpose to the events of our lives.
The Second Principle:
Just for today I will not anger.
This isn't a recommendation to keep anger bottled up inside or to
pretend that it isn't there. I'm for feeling every emotion. I hit
pillows, write letters (which I later burn) to the objects of my anger.
I experience the anger until it dissipates, then examine its roots.
Once I reach the point at which I cab look at the situation
dispassionately I often find that I hold beliefs which are compatible
with the situation which is making me angry. Because I used to believe
that bosses were unfair I regularly encountered bosses whose behavior
confirmed my belief.
When a person makes me angry I ask myself if they mirror emotions or
issues within me which I don't want to face - that is, unless I really
don't want to face it. It takes courage to face those inner demons, but
the reward is great. The braver I get the more willing I am to view
people in my life as manifestations of lessons I need to learn. Some day
(when I'm a realized being) I'll come to appreciate them as my teachers,
and love will replace anger.
Until that glorious day, I say to myself, "Just for today look at the
people and circumstances you've attracted into your life - without
blaming others or yourself. Just for today, see what within yourself
needs healing."
The Third principle:
I will honor my parents, teachers, and elders.
I (and many others) have modified this principle to be more inclusive. I
hold it as, "Just for today I will honor all of life." It's another way
of honoring myself.
When we honor other creations with the grace and love of our spirits,
practical gestures are also appropriate. We can plant a tree, overcome
laziness and recycle. We can honor the food we eat, the air we breathe,
the water we drink, and the fire which warms us. We can thank all beings
who have helped us by passing their gift of understanding and support on
to someone else who needs it.
The Fourth Principle:
I earn my living honestly
This statement can be expanded to read, "I live my life honestly." This
is less a question of whether one calls in sick to work, then goes to
the beach than of whether we are honest with ourselves.
If we say we want to grow spiritually, but do nothing to create that
growth, we need to honestly examine the depth of our commitment. If we
ignore the loneliness inside by pretending we don't care that we're not
in a committed relationship we need to acknowledge our feelings, to
honor the truth of our emotions. We can't solve a problem if we refuse
to admit its existence.
Ask yourself what longings lie hidden inside your heart; what creative
urges have been suppressed. Ask for guidance through dreams and visions.
Ask for an understanding of your soul's purpose in choosing physical
existence. The answer is within you' it awaits only your receptivity to
unveil itself.
The Fifth Principle:
I show gratitude to everything.
The fifth principle flows naturally from the other four. If instead of
worrying, we trust that love and happiness are our birthrights, if we
recognize that what makes us angry mirrors the beliefs which block us,
if we honor all of life and our own divinity by being honest with
ourselves, we will become grateful for the gift of physical existence.
Step by Step
The bold among us may want to take on all of The Five Principles at
once. Those of us who prefer to experience transformation in smaller
doses may prefer to work on one at a time.
Say, for example, that you decide to work on anger. One step in this
process might be to list everything in your life that you're angry
about. To truly discover this you may find it helpful to apply the
principle of living life honestly. If you do so you might find a number
of issues you've avoided handling because someone might get angry
because you raised them (or you might get angry at someone else). The
next step might be to feel your anger fully, then to decide what changes
you'd like to make.
I've found that an ongoing maintenance program is valuable, too. Anger
is less overwhelming when we acknowledge it and deal with it as it
arises, and when we allow the possibility that anger often stems from
anger at ourselves we go a long way towards handling anger with honesty.
Programming for Peace of Mind
Crystals are invaluable tools for assisting us in keeping our
commitments to ourselves. Because the molecular structure of crystals is
orderly and symmetrical they radiate energy in a consistent and steady
manner. Simply being in the presence of this harmonious energy field can
help us to become more harmonious in our beings.
When we program crystals we intensify this energy flow. The process is
very simple.
Create an affirmation (always in the present tense), i.e., "I live my
life honestly;" "I have loving communication with my children."
As you hold your crystal visualize yourself in the desired situation and
experience the feelings of being in it. Say the affirmation to yourself.
Then put the crystal some place where it won't be disturbed.
Below are some stones and flower essences which closely relate to the
Five Principles. Clear quartz may be used for any of them.
Just for today I will not worry.
Crystal: rhodochrosite.
Flower essence: Chamomile (FES)
Just for today I will not anger.
Crystal: red garnet, sugilite.
Flower essence: Holly (Bach)
I honor all of life.
Crystal: moss agate and chrysocolla, in particular, but any crystal
helps to reveal the beauty and wisdom of nature's creations.
Flower essence: Nicotiana
I live my life honestly.
Crystal: obsidian, lapis
Flower essence: Deerbrush
I show gratitude to everything.
Crystal: rose quartz, rhodochrosite, rhodonite.
Flower essence: Holly, Willow
