The Second Meiji Principle

Just for today, I will have faith and trust in the divine plan.

What, you may ask, is the divine plan?  Do I have one of my own, or is it something I share with others?  Is this plan set in stone, or can I change it if I don’t like where it’s taking me?  And who the heck made this plan without discussing it first with me?

Imagine yourself wearing nice new hiking boots, walking down a wooded path. You can keep your eyes down, watching where you step and carefully treading on the smooth spots, avoiding rocks and puddles.  This way, you will stay on the path and not get lost, but you won’t see the rabbit scurry under the fallen log, or notice the cheerful people who pass.  You may miss the signpost that gives you a choice of direction, the detour that could bring you to the picnic area or to a scenic overlook.

Or you can lift your eyes to the canopy overhead, gazing at the lush leaves, looking for birds, and rejoicing in the sparkle of the sun through the foliage.   But this way, too, might cause you to miss the signposts; and what happens when a muddy puddle appears in your path, or the way turns rocky?  At the very least you’ll mess up your new boots; worse, you may trip and bruise your knees.

Look around.  Up, down, and sideways.  Notice that you are not alone, that other hikers and animals and insects are sharing space with you.  If you trip, decide whether you need to sit down for a while, or just brush yourself off and continue.  If you come across a signpost directing you to a side path, listen to your heart and spirit and choose which way to go.

As to who made the plan in the first place, well, you’ll just have to ask that of yourself and discover where your faith lies.

Just for Today, Part 1

In the Usui System of Reiki Healing, we follow the Meiji Principles.  The first principle is this:

Just for today, I will let go of anger, and anything that does not serve my Highest Good.*

Just for today, allow that frisson of irritation to slide off your shoulders and melt away before it intensifies.  Today only, ignore the person honking his horn behind you as you wait to make a left turn in heavy traffic.  This morning, your child’s grating habit of (fill in the blank) won’t make you snarl.  This afternoon, that kooky lady at the bank who always messes up your deposits will receive a smile from you.  Tonight, the pile of backpacks and boots on the floor by the front door will elicit a sigh rather than a yell.  Just for today, when you notice anger welling up, you will allow it to dissipate into the ether.

Notice how you feel as you tuck yourself into bed tonight.  Would your day have been better if you had allowed your anger to either be expressed or be suppressed?  How has your body and mind and spirit responded to this day of letting go of anger?

Now, let’s talk about tomorrow….

*There are many translations of the Meiji Principles; this one has been adapted by Reiki Master Gina Barbosa.

Cables of Connection

“Yoga” translates to “union”.  When we greet one another with “Namaste”, we acknowledge that we are “all part of the same light”.  When doing Reiki, one draws on the energy of the Universe, that same energy that surrounds, permeates, flows through everyone and everything, now and since time began.  (See the Law of Conservation of Energy:  Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed.  We’ve been using the same energy since the Big Bang!)

So, we are all connected; we are all One.  We may each be different and special in ourselves, but underlying us all is this connection of Life Force Energy that we share with every breath.

Remember this connection next time someone cuts you off in traffic, pushes ahead of you in line, says something dopey, or just generally irritates you.  Maybe you can dredge up some compassion for them, see them from another angle, or just shake your head fondly and send them some loving thoughts across those lines of connectivity.  It is through these cables of connection that we can learn to live with each other in peace.

Om Shanti.

Serenity Now!

When everything seems out of your control – senseless shootings of innocent people in the news, extreme weather, news of atrocities in far-away places – what do you do to avoid becoming overwhelmed by sadness, hopelessness, or worse, becoming hardened to it all?

Since it is likely there is nothing you can physically do, turn to yourself first.  Where to start?  Turn off the TV for a while and step back.  Pray and meditate.  Volunteer. Donate.

Do what you can to maintain serenity in your personal self, in your family, among your friends and in your community.  That is the first step.  The next step is up to you, and if you watch and listen (to what?  Well, maybe to your heart, to your intuition) you will discover your path.

Remember, wherever that path takes you, lead with your heart and keep wearing that Buddha smile!  Om shanti.  Peace.

Houston, We Have a Solution

Remember in the movie Apollo 13, when Tom Hanks says, “Houston, we have a problem”?* When the astronaut declared a problem, he didn’t think that he had the solution to that problem, although I bet he was hoping he did!  But the solution was there, in the space capsule with the intrepid spacemen.  A piece of this, a part from that, and a lot of ingenuity from the support people on the ground, and Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth.

We, too, often think we have a problem.  Something is wrong and we don’t think it can be fixed, at least not by ourselves.  We don’t believe we have all the materials and tools necessary to make repairs on our lives.

You do have everything you need.  Everything you need is right before you, available for your use.  We are given what we need; our job is to recognize that, to recognize the gifts, to take them and make good use of them. Sometimes we can figure things out on our own, and other times we need help from others.  Help can be from someone on your “team”, as with the Apollo 13 mission, or it can come from strangers, or from that mysterious place deep within you – your Highest Self.  Accept what is offered and know that it is enough.

*As the movie is a dramatization of a real event, the line is actually paraphrased from the conversation between Houston and astronauts John Swigert, Jr. and James Lovell.

My Christmas Prayer

For all that I have been given, and for all I have available within myself to give to others, I am thankful.  For my home and my family and my friends, I am grateful.  For food and drink and celebrations, I am glad. 

The warmth of my furnace and the warmth in my heart will keep my spirits lifted as I travel through this holiday season. I wish for everyone that which will lift their own spirit and open them up to the Light. If the Universe seems as if it is turning against us, may we see events in the light of patience, forgiveness, and hope.  May we learn the lessons and navigate the paths that are being shown to us.  May we be ever grateful.

Say What?!

Mutter, mutter.  “It’s too much!”  Grumble, grumble.  “What, is she crazy?”  Snort, snerk.  “Trying to find time to relax just makes me more stressed out.”

Okay, maybe an hour a day is too much to ask.  (I’m referencing last week’s message.)  As a wise friend said when I complimented her on her consistent appearance at yoga class, “As soon as I decided that one yoga class a week was enough, and stopped thinking I should be taking two, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders.  Now I come to class gladly instead of having to force myself.”

So, while it’d be nice to take an hour day for quiet, alone time, you are the only one who truly knows what is best for you, in your life, at this time.  Make an honest assessment – no guilt trips, no excuses – and see how that feels.  And take the time to notice all the little hors d’oeuvres of joy and delight that present themselves during your day, and enjoy the moment.

Om shanti. Peace.