In my daily meditations, I often start by repeating the Reiki precepts out loud. The precepts are the guidelines of the spiritual path of Reiki given to us by Reiki founder Mikao Usui.

For Today Only:

Do not Anger
Do not worry
Be Grateful
Be true to your direct experience
Be Compassionate to Yourself and Others

There are mornings when these statements just do not resonate with me. When this happens, I rewrite each line and say it until it feels right.

Last week, after listening to the news, there was just nothing in that moment I felt that I could commit to for a whole day. I was also feeling anger. That day I could only find alignment with the present moment:

For this moment only, I will not attach to thoughts of anger
For this moment only, I will not attach to thoughts of worry
I am grateful
I am true to my direct experience
I am compassionate to myself and others

Since I was so aware of feeling angry, my new version of the precepts acknowledged my highest intentions without denying my current experience. I could now connect more with that part of myself that was not attaching to the angry thoughts. That felt real. That felt true, and once I made peace with those first two precepts the other three lines were a breeze. 🙂

My mantra for the next few days became  “For this moment only… I will not attach to thoughts of worry.” “For this moment only, I will not attach to thoughts of fear.”

Working with the Reiki precepts have become an extremely helpful practice for me. I hope you find it beneficial too.

Jeri Lawson has a full-time healing practice in the Temescal Area of Oakland, California. She is available for Healing Touch, Reiki, and Clarity Breathwork sessions Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm. 510-601-9632