Just in time for troubled times: Corporate Reiki

Has there ever been a more stressful time to be in the corporate world? As the current economic crisis continues, everyone wonders what's going to happen next, and even many of those whose positions -- and investments -- were secure have discovered how quickly things can change. It's harder than ever to live by the Reiki precept "Do not worry." Here in New York, Wall Street workers show up for work each morning, day after stressful day, and wonder whether they will come home that evening with the contents of their desks in a cardboard box.

That's why we were happy to learn about a new corporate Reiki service by an American Reiki Master based in the Netherlands, thanks to a press release published in Italy.

The new service, called Inner Wellness at Work and founded by the Rev. Barbara Rogoski, "a spiritual teacher in a business suit," seems like such a good idea that we hope other Reiki practitioners and teachers will try something similar. In fact, The Reiki Dojo in New York City is developing a pilot project to address the stress for workers on Wall Street.

As the economic crisis is global, I urge my Reiki colleagues all over the world to think outside the traditional one-hour session, and outside the traditional Level 1 and 2 classes, to be able to help people during their working days. Busy businesspeople don't necessarily want a Reiki certificate, and they probably don't have a whole hour to spare. They don't have time or need to learn the history of the practice. But if they have 15 or 20 minutes to spare between meetings and deadlines, they can benefit from Reiki. And if they have a few more minutes, we can teach them a relaxation technique or two -- EVEN IF IT'S ONLY THE PRECEPTS -- to help them when they go back into the fray.

Meanwhile, I'm glad that I've been in the habit for several years now of reciting the Reiki Precepts to myself morning and night: it really does help in these troubled times. You don't need a Reiki attunement or a certificate to practice this aspect of Reiki. Just say to yourself:

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

(Or whatever version of the Reiki precepts you prefer.)

Repeat as necessary.