Changing the channel with the Reiki Precepts

The financial reporters on television don't look surprised anymore: they just look weary. The numbers that control our lives keep dropping lower, despite the billions being spent in hopes of saving the economic system from a complete shutdown. By now, we get the idea, even without hearing all of the latest details: Things are looking bad, and it's going to be awhile, maybe a long while, before they get better. And who knows how much worse they'll get before they start improving. People all around the world are frightened, angry, distrustful.

So let's change the channel. Next?

"If you're not afraid right now, you should be," Dr. Phil tells us. And he advises us to buy cheaper groceries, cut our phone bills, and even take in boarders if necessary. "What will hurt you the most is to feel like you're helpless," he says. Thanks, Doc, but we sure hope we don't have to resort to renting out the living room. Next channel?

There's Oprah, coming to us live with a celebrity financial expert and thrifty families demonstrating the rewards of coupon-clipping and budget-slashing. "Cut out everything that isn't absolutely necessary," the experts advise. Next?

On yet another channel, a famous comedian somberly declares that a new Great Depression is beginning. Whether or not that turns out to be the case, we are all going through tough times, and we have to adapt.

Unfortunately we haven't seen any Reiki experts on any of those panels, but if there had been one, here's what we might have heard:

Reiki expert: In addition to being careful and smart in spending our limited financial resources, we also have to focus and direct our own personal energy during these difficult times.

Interviewer: Please tell us what you mean by that, and do our viewers need to become Reiki practitioners themselves in order to do that?

Reiki expert: They do not need to become Reiki practitioners themselves. This is something everyone can do. Anyone can have more access to their own energy by following a few simple guidelines:

For today only,
Do not anger,
Do not worry,
Be humble,
Be honest in your work,
Be compassionate to yourself and others.

Interviewer: But that's so simple! And it's just common sense. Anyway, how can a few phrases make much difference in anyone's life?

Reiki expert: Yes, they are simple and sensible phrases. But let me give you some examples of how they help.

If we focus on today only, we have access to more of our own energy because we're not letting it drift off into the past or the future.

If we are angry, our attention focuses on the past, because we get angry about something that has already happened: it's in the past. If we learn to avoid anger, we have our energy with us in the present, rather than in the past.

If we are worried, our attention is focused on the future, on what might happen. If we can avoid worry, we keep more of our attention, our energy, with us in the present, rather than in the future.

Interviewer: That makes sense. But what about the rest? How can it help to be humble, honest, and compassionate?

Reiki expert: If we are humble, we are also grateful. And we realize that whatever is going on, it's not about us. We're just a small part of the big picture. Being honest also helps us keep our energy with us, and it keeps us on our true path. Being compassionate, whether to ourselves or others, also leads to a better quality of life.

Interviewer: When you think about it, a lot of the problems we're going through right now are the result of people not following those guidelines.

Reiki expert: That's right! But it's never too late to start.

If you're reading this, you're most likely a Reiki practitioner yourself. But if you're not, you can still practice the precepts.