The Spiritual Medicine for All Illness

A Guide

5 principles, known as the Gokai, form the core of Reiki teachings. In the lineage of Reiki, Mikao Usui, founder of Usui Reiki Ryoho, regarded these principles as the secret to inviting happiness through many blessings and the spiritual medicine for all illness - a sizable claim!

“Every religion emphasizes human improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other people's suffering. On these lines every religion had more or less the same viewpoint and the same goal.” - The Dalai Lama

Reiki is not a secular religion, but these may feel similar to the Ten Commandments, the Yamas and Niyamas, the Torah, and other philosophical values.

The Gokai

Just for today, I will live with gratitude

Just for today, I will not worry

Just for today, I will not anger

Just for today, I will do my work honestly

Just for today, I will have respect for every living thing

An Invitation

They’re an invitation to work on yourself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

They may feel uncomfortable to hear right now. It may feel counterintuitive to suggest that now is not a time for anger, or a time to worry. Worry and anger abound nationwide, often rightfully.

But ask yourself - How are you feeling? Is worry consuming you and preventing you from taking needed, inspired action? Is your anger manifesting itself in a way that’s only damaging you? Can you be thankful for others’ differing views if only because they help better guide your own morals and ethics?

Just For Today

If these principles resonate, pick 1 a day and work with that precept. Invite it into your day, meditate on it, and journal. And, if one doesn’t sit right with you, explore that, as well. Where do you meet resistance?

Like our Reiki practice, the Gokai are a step. A tool. An intention. And they’re just for today. We’re human - we fail; we get back up; we keep going. Each day.

There’s work to be done.