Exploring The Third Reiki Precept: Do Not Worry

If you are just coming across my work with on the precepts for the first time, I invite you to check out the previous articles on the purpose and meaning of the precepts as a whole, the First Precept: Just for Today, and the Second Precept: Do Not Anger.

“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”

― Dalai Lama XIV

Today we are taking a deeper look at the Third Reiki Precept: Do Not Worry.

Many people struggle with worrying. It’s something that we learn as we make our way through life, although it’s easy to forget this simple fact. Babies are not born worrying. As we grow and move through life’s experiences, we are exposed to the concept of worrying and if we are not careful, it can become a way of life. Reiki can be a powerful tool to help people work through, heal and understand their anxieties and fears. To learn more about how Reiki helps people with anxiety, check out this article I wrote on the subject.

Worry accomplishes nothing – it’s a pointless waste of energy. If you can do something to help the situation, then act. If you cannot, no amount of worrying will change things for the better. Save your energy and use it to come up with solutions and creative ways to make things better.

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

― Corrie ten Boom

It can seem like the odds are stacked against you in today’s modern society. We are often bombarded by negative messages. We must be mindful of what we are observing and mentally consuming in the form of television, social media and entertainment. We can limit the time we spend giving our energy to things that leave us feeling stressed, scared or insecure. Consciously choose to give your attention to positive, affirming and uplifting messages in the form of what you choose to watch, read, purchase and listen to. You will notice positive changes in your mood and mental health.

Worrying drains you of the energy you need to respond to situations with grace and clarity. People who worry a lot are usually not very effective, because they allow all their energy to drift into the future, into what could be. They are often not very good at setting or achieving goals, because they waste their creative power on negative thinking. Worrying doesn’t make anything better, and won’t help to solve anything. See it for what it is and let the habit of worrying go.

“It is difficult to live in and enjoy the moment when you are thinking about the past or worrying about the future. You cannot change your past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about your future. Learn from the past, plan for the future. The more you live in and enjoy the present moment, the happier you will be.”

― Roy T. Bennett

Worrying robs you of your happiness and your power. Stay in the present moment and keep your power with you. Be proactive and positive and learn to look for the silver lining.

Life, like everything else, is exactly what you make of it. If you are always looking for the negative in every situation, you will find it and rob yourself of the opportunity to savor the beauty and magic that is also there. Life is a balance of positive and negative, and we get to choose where we will place our focus. As Oscar Wilde once said, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

What to do when you feel yourself starting to worry:

Ask your self: Am I 100% certain this is going to happen?

If the answer is yes, then start thinking of ways to learn and grow from the situation. Use your resources to make the best of it and create positive change.

If the answer is no, then stop worrying! Worries are just prayers for things you don’t want, so refuse to abuse your creative power in this way. Train your mind to recognize when you are indulging in negative thinking and switch tracks immediately to a positive, empowering thought.

Ground and breathe:

Regain your center, and give yourself time to shift out of fight or flight mode and come back to the present moment. Remember, Just for today. Here are a few ways to quickly ground with Reiki. For more in depth information on the importance of grounding and how Reiki can help you ground, check out this article.

Here are a few methods you can try:

– Practicing Gassho meditation

– Practicing Joshin Kokyu Ho

– Giving Reiki to your hara

Distract yourself:

When all is said and done, and you have done everything you can do, you may need to indulge in activities that both nourish you and allow you to engage different parts of your brain so you can stop dwelling on the negative.

Next time you need a healthy distraction, you can try:

– expressing yourself creatively

– reading a good book

– exercising

– journaling

You are a powerful being and your thoughts are things. Indulging in worry only serves to draw the things you don’t want to you like a powerful magnet. The universe doesn’t work in negatives and what you focus on expands, so claim your power and use it wisely. Meditation, breathwork, and affirmation work will help you gain control over your thoughts.

You CAN learn to take control of your mental processes. It takes practice. It is worth it.

Warm thanks and Reiki Blessings,

Krystle Ash

Reiki Master-Teacher and Pranic Healer

www.goldenlotuscenter.ca

P.S. If you are feeling drawn to learn to practice Reiki, I warmly invite you to take a look at the upcoming class schedule. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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