5 principles of Reiki

As some of you have seen, I used time during the "stay at home and shelter" portion of covid-19 to become certified in Animal Reiki and then completing coursework to become a certified Reiki Master.

With the ongoing chaos occurring world-wide, I wanted to share some of the foundations I've been exploring during these trainings...the 5 Principles of Reiki.

Just for today I will:

1. Trust. Or, as originally written, just for today I will not fear. As I laid in bed this morning, I let this concept sink in. I'd been rattled by panic. Struggling to figure out what to do, when, how...and the bigger questions of finances and mortality. Reminding myself to Trust eases that weight I'm carrying. I don't have to trust blindly. I can trust my Self to discern between fear mongering and faithful, wise action. While we, as humans, may always experience the feelings of fear, we can allow them to wash over us and out...knowing that when we refocus on appreciation for the good in our lives, we open the floodgates to peace, grace and blessings. Even in my darkest hours (trust me, there have been plenty of times I wished I were in heaven vs. earth's hell-like times) I have forced myself to find something to be grateful for and then another and another. I've seen people dying find things to be grateful about and those living on the streets express gratitude. Even if you don't believe it - just write something down...it's raining/not raining, I have food/water for today, I heard a bird sing, etc. 21 days of expressing gratitude literally (scientifically proven) shifts how our brain processes/sees things which alters our very lives. Hold yourself accountable by posting it on social media! (tag @NourishedPath).
2. I will love. Or, not be angry. Again, we're human - we will feel anger. These highly-charged times seem to bring something to be angry about each day...multiple times a day. So, we are reminded to allow the emotions to sweep over us and then return to love. But, how often do we "poke the bear?", as my high school English teacher used to say. We talk about something that happened, building the anger and adding to the rage. We ruminate on a comment, a fear, an act - our own or one thrown at us. We let rage take over which turns our focus until we see more and more to be angry about - perpetuating these intense emotions that distort our peace, weaken immunity and strip us of our personal power. Now, in addition to letting intense emotions to flow through us and out, we can also channel that energy into something positive - like writing elected officials, donating to causes making change, lending a helping hand, setting a boundary, voting, etc. Then, the energy shifts from anger and rage to righteous action and can move through more quickly. Understand that anger and rage are human emotions, but holding onto them is an act of violence towards ourselves. They weaken the heart, affect the liver, shift our mindset and perpetuate fear.
3. Do my work honestly. The overt position here is to be honest in your dealings with others - don't cheat people, steal, etc. The more subtle aspects of this statement revolve around the reality that we must each step into our authentic Selves and Live our truths. Especially as we move into this new era, we are being called to follow our hearts vs. just listening to our heads. We are being pushed to act from the Soul. Listen to your inner GPS, gut, Divine Wisdom, Source - whatever you call it and trust that the work you are called to do today, each day, no matter how mundane it appears, is transforming lives...including your own. Be honest with yourself and others.
4. Give thanks for my many blessings. Gratitude. The magic elixir for shifting moods, boosting immunity, restoring peace of mind and altering how life plays out...or at least shifting our perception of our narratives in the story of life. Are you the wounded child (no matter your age), or on your Hero's Journey, as Joseph Campbell would say? Listing 5 things you are thankful for each day for 21 days (as noted above) creates new neural pathways in your brain, connects you to your second brain (in your heart) and this shifts your body's energy fields, enhances immunity. Keep at it 90 days and you've created a habit that changes your perception of reality/life. Give it a try - 21 days. Hold yourself accountable by doing it with friends or posting online (tag @NourishedPath) and let's see what magic we can create when we look for blessings in the ups and downs of our daily living.
5. Be kind to my neighbor and every living thing. Listen, I've survived childhood sexual abuse and some very unsavory things. I don't think kindness requires us to forget the abuses or tolerate more abuse. I think kindness means setting boundaries to protect ourselves and come to some type of realization that we each have our own horrors and magical moments and far too many of us act out from our pain and fear. So, to be kind, we move away from those who harm us or drag us down. That is the kind thing to do - for ourselves and the other. We also understand that our actions and words impact others and practice the pause instead of reacting from our own fear and anger (try our best not to lash out). As Ram Dass said, "we are walking each other home" - we are all on the same rocky seas. Some of us are in yachts, some hanging onto drift wood - you can't always tell by outer appearances who is drowning and who is sailing a clear course. So, be kind as much as possible. This statement, for me, also calls us to be to good stewards of our resources as a collective - the planet, her plants and animals, including humans. See someone begging at your local super store? Give them money if you can spare it. It's not our jobs to determine HOW they use it, it's our purpose in this life to be Love in action. So, act...be kind to yourself first and foremost, then spread that love like confetti.

Of course, you can interpret these in different ways and should - each principle should resonate with each individual who reads them in unique ways. Like spirituality, faith, Love. Same foundation, each uniquely expressed in and through us.

Still, I hope that they bring you some peace as they do me. Practical tools for daily living. That's what walking the Nourished Path is about - living life fully and from the heart.

Feel free to share your thoughts on Facebook or Insta @NourishedPath or email to AlongNourishedPath@gmail.com.

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