In my courses I often translate the Third Reiki Precept as 'show gratitude'.
Cultivation of gratitude keeps us positive and helps connect
us better to those around us.
The more traditional translation ('Be humble'), however,
also has its power.
And here I am not talking about false humility or feeling
bad about yourself.
And I'm not talking about lowering your head when you should
let yourself shine.
Instead, it's actually about being open to learn and
receive.
When we are humble we recognize that there is much we can
learn - and we recognize that there are many who can teach us.
This keeps us in a state of 'open-minded freshness'.
We foster an inner state of 'freshness' because our openness
to external stimuli (teachings, examples to follow etc.) helps us to
continually grow and evolve.
We are 'open-minded' because we no longer feel we have
mastered any area of our life and, as such, are always on the lookout to learn
more and develop.
Another attractive feature that learning to 'be humble' has
to offer is that it protects us from being judgmental.
Being judgmental is a habit that is easy to acquire but
poisonous it its ramifications.
It is a foolproof method for creating discord in our
environment, for building mental / emotional barriers between us and others.
This is harmful for our Reiki and harmful for our wellbeing.
It is harmful for our Reiki because it prevents us sharing a
deep connection with the people we heal.
It is harmful for our wellbeing because the more we judge
others the more we will disconnect from them and, as a result, the more
isolated and lonely we will become.
So remember to be humble.
Don't be small. Don't be insignificant. Don't devalue your
inner beauty.
Rather, let your light shine while staying open to the
possibility that there is always much to learn.
If you can do that, you will not only start to feel really
good about the world around you, you will also evolve at a rapid rate.
Each day you will connect to others and each day you will
learn.
So how about it?
'For today only, be humble.'
