Reiki is an energy therapy that originated in Japan. The word Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is a Japanese composite word usually translated as “universal life energy”. It is based on the idea that all living beings have life energy flowing through them. When life energy is high, you, or your cats, are healthy and balanced, more relaxed and less likely to get sick. When it is low, cats and humans alike will be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness. Reiki helps return the body to its natural state of balance and well-being.
One of the tenets of Reiki are the five principles, sometimes also known as the five precepts. These “rules to live by” are based on the teachings of Mikao Usui, who developed the practice in the 1920’s. And you don’t have to be a Reiki practitioner to find these principles helpful in guiding you to live a conscious, and happy, life.
Just for today, I will not be angry.
Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
There is great power in these simple words. Anger creates energy blockages. Worry robs you of living a life filled with joy. The energy of gratitude can shift your mood in an instant. Honesty in one’s work, and everything else, is essential to living a life of integrity. A simple act of kindness can change a life.
But the real power of the principles lies in the words “just for today.” Sometimes, it feels overwhelming to take even one small step toward making a change for the better, but anybody can make a change just for one day. “Just for today” is about reducing seemingly unreachable goals to manageable chunks.
Incorporating these principles into your daily life, even just for one day, leads to contentment. And one day will lead to another, and before you know it, you may just find that you’ve become more peaceful, more content, and happier.
As with so many things, our cats seem to have already figured this out. Perhaps the feline version of the Reiki principles would look a little different, but at the heart of the matter, they would be all about living in the moment. And isn’t that something our cats are true masters at?
Interested in learning more about Reiki? Click on the image below to visit my Healing Hands website.
Buckley was the original Reiki cat. The photo above shows her blissed out after a Reiki session.
Beautiful post, Ingrid – just shared on FB and put a copy of those 5 “rules” on my desk so I can read them throughout the day!
I’m so glad you liked the post, Chris!
The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.
So true, Trish.
Love this and it works! It’s no wonder 12 step programs incorporate the one day at a time approach.
And it’s probably the single most important step, Layla.
I have seen that and love it…it is something I need to practice more often!
It’s easy to loose sight of it, Caren.