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FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR LIVING A HEALTHY AND HAPPY LIFE
I have just finished teaching a Reiki Level 1 course. (Reiki is a Japanese healing practice) At this level, we are introduced to the Five Principles for living a healthy and happy life. Students are taught to meditate on these precepts mornings and evenings in order to improve their body and soul and to invite happiness into their lives. They are: Today:
Let’s look at them separately and see how they may apply to our lives. Just for Today, Do Not Anger This little word causes so much chaos and unhappiness, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Other feelings synonymous with this word are: rage, uptight, mad, pissed, furious, infuriate, inflamed, fury, annoyed, irritated, resentment, enraged, provoked, accosted, irate, hot, upset, indignant, wrath, hostile, animosity. So, when we say we are feeling angry, we may actually be feeling any of the above. The first step is to identify what we are really feeling. What is the feeling under the umbrella called “anger”. What is triggering it? How is it being manifested in our body? You will discover that you have probably reached this pinnacle of intense feeling because you have suppressed and/or been unable to communicate problems long before they reached this level. If this is the case, and you want to live a life more in harmony with the universe, it’s time to let go. Look at your feelings. Express them in a healthy manner. Talk to someone. Release them and set yourself free. Then make the commitment to not let yourself hold on to anymore “anger” because you will have learned to recognize your feelings and triggers, deal with them in the NOW, and release them. This does not mean that you will never experience these feelings again. However, meditating on “expressing and releasing your feelings” simply means that you will not allow the anger to take up residence in your being. Just for Today, Do Not WorryWorry is another word that conjures up feelings of anxiety, depression and loss of control, to name a few. We become fearful and think of everything that can go wrong. We can get caught up in a cycle of negativity. In some, worry can actually paralyze us into inaction and keeps us stuck. The opposite of worry is trust. Trust that whatever comes into your life has purpose. Trust that the universe is abundant and only wants us to be happy. We can’t be happy when we are stuck in worry. Nine-nine percent of what we worry about never happens. Wouldn’t it be better to preserve our energy for when it is needed? If you are a chronic worrier, I would suggest that you start with: For this hour, I will not worry. Meditate on what is really worrying you, become aware of the root cause, then thank it and release. Trust the process, trust yourself and trust your higher power. Do this for as long and as often as is needed. Just For Today, Be Thankful Gratitude is another word for thankful. How often do we stop and give thanks for who we are and everything we have? How often do we give thanks for the more difficult times of our life, the times that made us really grow and become stronger spiritually, emotionally and physically? Meditating on this precept helps us not to take anything for granted. Life is precious and we learn to appreciate it. Just For Today, Work With Diligence A Reiki practitioner is asked to be truthfully dedicated to spiritual progress. In order to accomplish this, we must understand the energy consequence of our thoughts and beliefs, as well as our actions, and meditating on this precept forces us to become honest to a new degree. Healing can only occur when we are genuinely honest with ourselves. Just For Today, Be Kind to Others It is too easy to blame others. Instead, know that everyone in your life is meant to be there. Send them blessings, whether they are meant to stay or to move on. A life lived with love and compassion is a life well lived. I wish you a life of peace, harmony and happiness. Maralyn Wilson, |