When I first wanted to learn more about Reiki, I did what any 21st-century spiritual seeker would do: I turned to Google. I came across a YouTube video that claimed to teach anyone Reiki in 10 minutes. Though I knew that wasn't quite true (Reiki is a practice that has to be passed person-to-person through an attunement process), I decided to give this video a listen. The basic gist was that Reiki is based in Love (yes, with a capital L), and that an essential tenant of Love is gratitude. If you are truly present to gratitude, Reiki energy flows naturally. Being grateful for what you have, life's experiences, each breath, and each moment, opens your heart to Love; and that Love opens your body and spirit to healing.
Usui Reiki (pronounced "ooo-soo-eee ray-kee") utilizes the universal "life force energy" to promote relaxation and facilitate healing. Though it is not as purely simple as feeling gratitude and placing one's hands on another's body to transmit energy, the idea of sincere gratitude for effective Reiki certainly does resonate. Reiki treatments help to release blockages that prevent us from seeing and feeling the beauty in our lives.
Many spiritual leaders of different religions and cultures have noted that we receive more when we are grateful for what we already have. In our culture, it is normal to be stressed; it's our default setting. We are so often focused on what is going "wrong"... we get stuck in a mindset of lack, and we never feel like we have enough. There's never enough money, there's never enough time, and we, ourselves, are never enough.
It's easy to be grateful when things are going well, isn't it? When the sun is shining and the birds are singing, your belly is full and you're surrounded by friends, Love is apparent and abundant. We are allowed the space to recognize all our gifts, large and small, because we aren't blinded by our perceived troubles.
But in those darker hours, what is left for gratitude? When things are bleakest, and stress or grief consume our being, is it enough to be grateful that you awoke another day, and there is breath in your lungs? At times, it sure doesn't feel like it. By connecting with Reiki, we are reminded that being alive and breathing set the foundation for our unlimited potential, and the Universe will provide the Love that brings us through to the light. And for that, we can be ever thankful.
Gratitude doesn't always have to be so profound. In fact, it usually isn't. Sometimes it's the smile from the cashier as he handed us our change. It's the warmth on our hands from a cup of tea. An old friend started a nonprofit dedicated to this idea, and I strongly suggest you check it out: The Look for the Good Project "changes attitudes with gratitude to bring meaning and purpose to people's lives." Isn't that a great idea? Just look for the good. Simple.
It's simple, but it's a practice. Some days are harder than others, but there is always something good to be seen. One small way to start integrating gratitude into your life is to end each day by reviewing (at least) 5 things that you were grateful for that day. You can make a mental note of each, but I suggest you place more energy behind your practice by reciting them out loud to yourself or your partner (possibly encouraging them to be grateful as well!). You can also help cement your practice by keeping a journal. I've heard of others creating a Gratitude Jar, placing a small piece of paper into a jar with each day's gratitude so that they have a physical representation of all their blessings. Whatever works for you, make it something that you do often enough to transform your habitual attitude, so that your default setting is one of gratitude. You will open to more things to be grateful for, more blessings, and more Love.
For more information about how Reiki can help you spiral further into gratitude, contact me at Healing Spiral Reiki.
Blessed Be and Namaste!
Jess
Thankyou :)
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