The Five Precepts
An Invitation to Reflect on the Heart
“From time to time, we must reflect on our hearts.
If not, we can lose ourselves without knowing it.”
Waka from Emperor Meiji
The Five Precepts
For today only,
I will not bear anger.
I will not worry.
I will be grateful.
I will be diligent in my work.
I will be kind to every living thing.
In the Usui Reiki Healing System, the Five Precepts are a pillar for reflection and practice. They become the intention of how we wish to be in life: grateful, honest and compassionate. They are also the path leads us to living out that intention- practicing carefully, releasing anger and worry, noticing and expressing gratitude, extending kindness to all beings in action & thought. They remind us that every challenge is an opportunity to lean in to their simple wisdom. While the precepts are one aspect of Usui’s healing system, exploring and striving to embody each statements is a meditative practice all on their own.
There are many translations and reimagining of the Five Precepts. Look into them, find precepts that resonate with you. Words carry vibrations, so it is a worthwhile exploration. You can also reimagine your own precepts to fit a circumstance or the song of your heart.
The more you navigate daily practice through the lens of the precepts, you might notice softening, ease where there would have been tension, or simply letting emotions and reactions float past that would have normally stuck to you. These ideals are easy to remember and a gift when incorporated into our lives.
Exploring the Precepts in Meditation
Bring your palms together, connecting with the loving energy of the universe.
Recite each precept with intention.
Let each one sink in. Feel their vibrations in your body, mind & heart.
For today only,
I will not bear anger.
I will not worry.
I will be grateful.
I will be diligent in my work.
I will be kind to every living thing.
Hands come back together in Gassho for a moment of gratitude and to conclude your practice.
Usui’s Memorial Stone states that we must bring palms together (Gassho) and chant these precepts morning and night.
In the morning: Consider thinking about what is coming up in your day and what precepts might support your focus. Try using them as a conversation with the Source - talk about where you are struggling and would like support, then let it go. Celebrate what is going well, count your blessings. Then let it go. Letting go allows us to be open to the present moment, meeting it with clarity and heart.
In the evening, review your day. What obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them? What moments did you feel you embodied the precepts? With whom did you express gratitude or compassion? Then, let it all go. Create a fresh pallet for the colors of tomorrow.
In Usui’s time, practitioners recited waka poetry, or poetry written by the Emperor of the time, Emperor Meiji. Meiji wrote over 100,000 poems in his lifetime (Wow!). He was believed to be a direct connection to the Sun Goddess, so reciting his poetry was a way to connect to that spirit.
Today, the poems are a beautiful doorway into meditation and reflection. I learned this information from an inspiring Reiki Share facilitated by Nicholas Pearson. I highly recommend his resources and learning opportunities that can be found at The Luminous Pearl.