Reiki and Karma

Reiki and Karma

In many Asian teachings, including Buddhism, karma is an important concept. Since Usui Mikao, the founder of the system of Reiki, was a Japanese Buddhist practitioner, we can wonder: Is the concept of karma contained within the teachings of the system of Reiki?

What is Karma?

The Sanskrit word karma (or go, in Japanese) literally means action or conditioned activity. However, Buddhism takes this literal interpretation and extends it so that karma is the action, the intention or motivation behind each action, and the ‘fruit’ or outcome of the action. In other words, every action — whether physical, verbal, or mental — results in a specific result or outcome. And the intention behind the action shapes the outcome.

Within Buddhism, this means that each action— which includes the intention behind the action and the actual outcome — leaves behind a karmic trace. It is believed that by performing a virtuous action you create a virtuous karmic trace, and by performing a non-virtuous action you create a non-virtuous karmic trace.

From this understanding we can see that inner happiness arises from virtuous actions, and inner unhappiness and general suffering arise from non-virtuous actions. In Japanese this is called go-o mukuu; 'to reap the reward or retribution of one's acts.'

Nagarjuna sais, that the action arising from hatred, greed or ignorance is non virtuous.And the action arising from non-hatred, non-greed or non-ignorance is virtuous

The concept of karma is a powerful perspective, one that enjoins us to observe every action that we engage in, and to act virtuously in order to experience a happy life. To ensure our success in this endeavour, we must first clearly define the characteristics of virtuous and non-virtuous actions. We do this by calling on our inner wisdom. Wisdom brings us a deep understanding of the workings of the mind, and it is through our mind and its intentions that actions take shape.

Watch your thoughts as they become words.
Watch your words as they become actions.
Watch your actions as they become habits.
Watch your habits as they become character.
Watch your character - it becomes your destiny.
Lao-Tze

For example, we might perform the virtuous act of donating money to a worthy cause, while our underlying intention or motivation might be solely to receive praise. The virtuous act flips over into a non-virtuous one, as the underlying intention stems from egotism and greed.

So what is the first step?By working with practices such as Yoga, Buddhism, or the system of Reiki, we purify our karmic traces. In Japanese this is called go o tenzu; 'to change the course of one's karma or improve it'.

The first step to self-healing within the system of Reiki always begins with the foundation practice, the Reiki precepts:

Just For Today:

let go of Anger

let go of worry

Be Humble and Grateful for the things the life bring you

Be Honest in your Work

Be Compassionate to Yourself and Others

These five reiki principles describe actions to be undertaken, living in this moment, with one day at a time.Precepts helps you to create a peaceful mind without anger and worry. By observing each action that we undertake we become more compassionate to ourselves and also to others. The precepts are instructing us to transform our intentions and purify our karmic traces, thus creating a better life for ourselves and others.