Reiki’s founder, Mikao Usui, taught his students a beautiful practice that he described as “the secret art of inviting happiness, the miraculous medicine of all diseases.”
It consisted of a few simple sentences that were to be recited 3x in the morning and evening:
When I teach my students this today, almost 100 years later, I ask them to bring to mind something or someone that causes them to feel angry. Try it (it’s typically not too hard). And notice how your body feels.
Now imagine for a moment that you can set it aside. Not forever, just 24 hours. Shift it from front and center, off to the side, knowing that it will be there tomorrow if you want to focus on it again. I am in no way saying that your anger is not valid, (I teach classes on the power of rage, the root of outrage and courage!) I am just asking you to set it aside for a short while. And notice how your body feels now. Perhaps you released a little inner tension.
Now think about something or someone that worries you (again, typically not too hard). And notice how your body feels, especially your head, chest and belly.
Now imagine for a moment that you can set this worry aside. Not forever, just 24 hours. Shift it from front and center, off to the side, knowing that it will be there tomorrow if you want to focus on it again. And notice how your body feels now. Perhaps you released a little tightness or pressure.
Many students notice they feel lighter, and more open.
Now think of anything or anyone that you feel grateful for (if you are having an off day, focus on something tiny but pleasing). Choose anything that warms your heart and let it fill you up, filling in the spaces vacated by anger and worry.
Perhaps you noticed that anger is typically connected to something in the past.
And that worry is typically about something that might happen in the future.
Releasing both brings your attention into the present. And frees you to focus on what you are doing in this moment.
And frees you to focus on what you are doing in this moment. I love the sentence “devote yourself to your work” as it conveys a heartfelt connection. And “your” work means the work you are here to do, your purpose. So this sentence is an invitation to follow your path with devotion.
And then, as you go about your day, be kind to people.
Which is easier to do when you are not weighed down by anger or worry, when you are feeling in alignment with your life’s purpose and are filled with the positive emotion of gratitude which tends to bring a smile to your face, which others then notice and respond to in kind. A smile for a smile (“inviting happiness”).
As you may have noticed, anger and worry tend to cause tension in your body. It is rare to say in a relaxed tone “I am really angry”; it tends to sound closer to “I AM REALLY ANGRY”. Tension in the body, held over time, can lead to physical pain, even illness. Releasing tension is the gateway to healing the body, mind and spirit (“the miraculous medicine of all diseases”).
So this concise sequence of sentences does have embedded in it “the secret art of inviting happiness, the miraculous medicine of all diseases”.
And it only takes minutes to recite 3x each morning and evening. I encourage you to give it a try!
As a gentle reminder I have created a printable copy to place on your fridge, bathroom mirror or screensaver. When you see it, say it!
For your FREE copy of “The Secret Art of Inviting Happiness”, please click here:
For details about Reiki classes please click here:
For upcoming dates for Reiki classes click the link.