THE FIVE REIKI PRECEPTS
- Just for today I will not anger.
- Just for today I will not worry.
- Just for today I will be humble.
- Just for today I will be honest in my work.
- Just for today I will be compassionate to myself and others.
Practicing The Five Reiki Precepts regularly will help us maintain balance and makes it easier for us to stay balanced when we do healing work. Animals can sense even more quickly than humans when one is unbalanced, so maintaining balance is of the utmost importance when working with animals.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIVE REIKI PRECEPTS WHEN WORKING WITH ANIMALS
Precept 1: Just For Today I will Not Anger (The Importance of Inner Peace)
As we work with animals, we often come across animals who have been neglected and abused, and we may easily see and/or sense their suffering and post-traumatic stress. Many times a Reiki practitioner will connect with the animal and develop a deep intuitive understanding of all of the animal’s past negative experiences. This may cause the practitioner to become angry about how the animal was treated, about what the animal had to go through, etc. This type of anger often spirals into anger about the world in general, or humanity’s treatment of animals, and so on. This can leave the practitioner in a “bubble of anger”. The anger will distract the practitioner from the main goal –healing. Also, animals are very spiritually in tune and can sense the anger, even though not directed at them, and not want to connect. Anger is dark, restrictive and heavy energetically. It doesn’t leave much room for healing light to shine through.
The best thing to do is acknowledge the anger and let it go. Remember that holding focus on anger detracts from our ability to create a space for healing. Remember that most animals really do want to heal. If we can let go of our anger and see that there is hope we bring in light and healing possibility.
Instead of focusing on anger, focus on the desire to help the animal. Visualize the animal in its perfect form with a happy future. See the animal’s essence and spirit as “a bright star just waiting to shine.” Let go of the anger, see beyond the outer layers of suffering, and look at the inner nature and potential for the animal. Approaching the animal this way radiates inner peace and the animal will want to connect and relax into the healing Reiki space.
Precept 2: Just for Today I will Not Worry (The Importance of Grounding)
Many Reiki practitioners worry about taking on bad energy or other’s diseases. They want to guard themselves from others’ negative energy or emotions—with animals this often includes fear of taking on the animal’s disease, or empathically taking on the emotions of the past bad experiences of an abused animal. The best way to describe these thoughts is the emotion of fear—fear of taking on something that doesn’t belong to us, fear of connecting with something disturbing, or even fear facing our own issues. The goal of Reiki is to connect—to become one with another for a little while and let the healing energy flow and do its work. How can we connect and do this if we are in a place of fear? We must truly let go of all fear and enter a place of pure compassion. We can then connect in the healing space of Reiki which is full of balance and harmony. Fear is restrictive, closed and small energetically, and just like a cage separates us from the ones we love. Make sure to always let go of fear so the animal will want to share the strong, stable space of Reiki healing.
Precept 3: Just for Today I will Be Humble (The Importance of Opening to Animal Wisdom)
The best way to win over the animal client is to be humble when approaching the animal. How can we ever really know the big picture of the animal’s life? How can we truly know the life, destiny, purpose and spirit of the animal? If you go into treatment with the attitude that “I know what is wrong with this animal and I am here to heal this animal” you quite often will find an animal that is resistant or unwilling. Animals are very sensitive energetically, and this type of attitude often makes them feel like they are being “pushed”, which may cause them to back off or withdraw. Try to keep in mind for the animal a thought like “I am here to hold a space for healing and I invite you to connect and take what you need or what you feel will help you the most”. This honors the animal’s wisdom in the fact that their healing journey belongs to them, not you. Coming from a humble place deepens Animal Reiki connections and creates a safe space for healing. And always remember, you are not the one doing the healing. You are being a channel for the energy, and the animal is using the energy to heal itself. Reiki practioners are simply the bridge between the energy and the one being healed.
Precept 4: Just for Today I will be Honest in My Work (The Importance of Being True to Yourself)
Animals are great examples of being true to yourself. Animals make no pretenses, they are always just who they are without apology or judgment. It is difficult for humans to follow their hearts and be true to their life’s purpose. We get caught up in life daily activities and forget to be present and feel out inner truth. We have trouble letting go of our worries and remembering to “just be”. This is where animals can teach us. Watch the animals. They are always who they are in their own skin and find it much easier to be fully present at every moment. When we share time with them, they can bring us into their space of being and show us how to be more fully present. Spending time in this way will help us to expand to a place of compassion and be truly honest in our soul’s work.
Precept 5: Just for Today I will Be Compassionate to Myself and Others (The Importance of Living with Kindness)
Helping an animal is a compassionate action that will have a physical and spiritual ripple effect out into the world. One aspect is that by working with animals in this way you are modeling how to be compassionate. A good practice is to try using the kindness and gentleness you show to animals on yourself. Being loving and kind to ourselves is often difficult. A good way to do this is to practice Reiki self-healing.
When we work with the animals in our lives, we not only help these animals but also act as models for others and help create a more compassionate planet. By spiritually helping the animals you come in contact with creates a spiritual kindness and love that expands beyond what our eyes can physically see. When you practice this on a regular basis, you will notice that animals will sense the love, light, and compassion and be drawn to you and want to connect with you.
If you are interested in Reiki Sessions, Animal Reiki Sessions, or Reiki Classes in the Nashville Area, please contact us at info@luminearth.com.
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