Precepts

 

There are five precepts (or principles) which are considered to be the foundation of Reiki. These are inscribed (in Japanese) on Mikao Usui's gravestone in Japan. The precepts are introduced by these two sentences:

The secret art of inviting happiness,

The miracle (or spiritual) medicine for all diseases (illnesses)

 

These five precepts are the very core of the Reiki system. They are guidelines for how you should live your life. By following these precepts you can achieve much happiness and good health. They have been explained in many ways. Mikao Usui taught these and passed them on to Chujiro Hayashi. He taught them to Hawayo Takata and she also taught them to the students in her classes. 

The Reiki precents have taught me to be more mindful in my thoughts, speech, and daily contacts with others. Then I am able to deal with anger/anxiety/worry in a better way and ultimately become healthier and happier. 

There are different translations from the Japanese writing. They have been translated from Japanese into English and many other languages. Sometimes they are taught in a different order. The order isn’t important. It is more important to know what they represent and follow them as you go through daily activities. 

When you take my Reiki First Degree class, time is spent going over these in greater detail. We will discuss and see how we can apply these precepts to our lives today. You will learn how and why Mikai Usui integrated these spiritual concepts into the teaching of Reiki. The five principles or precepts are:

 

Just for today, let go of anger

Just for today, let go of worry

Just for today, be grateful  - count your blessings 

Just for today, do your work honestly (or diligently or devotedly)

Just for today, be kind to all living things -- including yourself

 

 At the end of the precepts Mikao Usui wrote an explanation of what you should do daily:

 

Morning and evening, put your hands together in Gassho  

 Chant these precepts out loud, while you feel their meaning in your heart-mind 

 For the improvement of mind and body

Usui Reiki Ryoho

 

- The founder, Mikao Usui

 

 

In my classes I focus on teaching the precepts and why/how we can learn to follow them. I love the following expressions and want to share them with you.

 

   ** Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of        throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.         

      - Buddha