Like many Japanese, Mikao Usui was a Buddhist, which is a spiritual system evolving from The Way of Tao, the way of harmony, of balancing yin and yang. This belief is not unique to Buddhism. The way of harmony, of balance, is at the base of the take-what-you-need-but-no-more philosophy practised by most tribal cultures and is probably the instinct behind the American all men are created equal credo and the Australians' inherent dislike for tall poppies.

Japanese society offers many skills that are based in a spiritual path including martial arts, flower arranging, calligraphy and the famous tea ceremony. Every one of these skills encompasses a hands-on technique, which can only be developed fully through using your head and your heart as well as your hands. Reiki is one of many Japanese spiritual paths that offers practitioners a way to work with head, hands and heart to achieve a spiritual balance, or what is called Unity of Self.

Each of these skills is practised in a meditative, right manner that honours our connection with the Universe. Each practitioner is expected to respect the principles of their chosen tradition to achieve the ideal of Unity of Self.

Mikao Usui referred to his teachings as his Method to Achieve Personal Perfection and he is believed to have developed his healing methods which became Reiki as a tool to support and to prove the worthiness of his spiritual development path.

When you compare Western to Eastern medicine you will find many differences, the most basic of which is philosophy. Western medicine looks to fight the dis-ease: Eastern medicine (or Taoist medicine) offers a holistic approach where you are responsible for your life and your health, where you work to achieve Unity of Self to protect your own Three Treasures of Essence, Energy and Spirit.

When our world is in harmony, humans are the bridge linking Heaven and Earth, just as Energy is the bridge linking Spirit and Essence to create and maintain life.

Essence ~ Energy ~ Spirit
Earth ~ Humans ~ Heaven

At a very basic level, Reiki is a tool we can use as humans to channel Energy, to link Spirit to Essence. But Reiki offers much more than using our hands to call and use energy wisely. The Five Principles of Reiki as taught by Usui give us a road map to cultivate and to honour our Spirit, so we may lead richer, fuller lives which are in tune with the natural flow of life and so tune in to the Universal Energy whenever and wherever we wish.

The foundation of Usui’s teaching is Living the Reiki Principles, which you do through honouring the principles by saying them morning and night, with your hands held gassho (prayer position).

Apart from being a beautiful expression of a loving life, actually Living the Reiki Principles can change your life. If you take time to look more deeply, you’ll find that each Principle reflects a deep, rich philosophy for achieving Unity of Self.

Just for today, I will let go of anger
Just for today, I will let go of worry
Today, I will count my many blessings
Today, I will do my work honestly
Today, I will be kind to every living thing.

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