The Second Reiki Principle

Last week, we discussed the origin of Dr. Usui’s gokai, his precepts for living in right relationship with the universe, and we took a look at the first gokai, “Just for today, I will not worry.” Today, we are going to dedicate ourselves to the second gokai:

Just for today, I will not anger.

Anger is a tough subject for a lot of people. In a time where it seems like divisiveness and hate reign supreme, and the world feels like it’s just a minute away from imploding, we find ourselves looking down the barrel of anger every single day.

I’ve often spoken on my platform about how we are all mirrors for each other. When someone is rude or unkind to us, we are more likely to reflect that same behavior back to them. When they trigger us, we are more likely to react poorly and try to trigger them in return, and vice versa. So how do we keep ourselves in a state of emotional equanimity when we are meant to act as mirrors? How do we reflect back to an angry person the peace that we hope they will embody?

First, we have to understand what anger actually is.

Anger is a secondary emotion. A secondary emotion looks like the main emotion, but is actually caused by another emotion (its primary emotion). Usually, anger’s primary emotion is fear. So when you are angry, if you dig deep, you will usually find that your anger is rooted in a fear.

Next, we have to understand how anger feels.

All emotions present themselves in physical symptoms. When I am overjoyed, I feel my heart begin to flutter or swell, my eyes prickle with joyous tears (I’m a crier), and my breath becomes expansive and quick, pushing oxygen into my brain and heart at a faster rate. When I am angry, my heart rate skyrockets, I feel a pit in my stomach, and my hands tremble. What are the physical symptoms that you experience when you experience different emotions?

Finally, we have to use our mindfulness to inform our compassion.

When I start to feel the physical symptoms of anger arise in me, I am practicing mindfulness in my body. I immediately ask myself: “what am I afraid of?” So now I am practicing mindfulness in my intellect. For example, when I am angry because someone doesn’t consider my presence or my feelings, I come to realize that my fear is that their lack of consideration implies that I’m not worthy of consideration at all. Which, of course, isn’t true, they might just not be as mindful  and considerate as others. AND THERE IT IS: COMPASSION. I am practicing mindfulness in my heart. I have realized that my fears are about my own traumas and triggers, and not this person’s behaviors. I can meet myself and them in compassion, and my anger melts away.

So, Beloveds, the next time someone is angry with you, you will be able to reflect compassion and peace back to them, because now you understand that their anger is just fear, and that you are not a slave to your own fear.