Third Precept: Be Humble/Grateful

Depending on the translation one uses, the third of the reiki precepts can be:

• be humble
• be grateful
• show gratitude

To be humble is not to debase oneself by bowing and scraping unworthily before some real or imagined being.  Rather, “humble” has the same roots as humour, humus (soil/composted “stuff”), and human.  To be humble is to be light, earthy, grounded, and oneself.  I’ve often said, “There’s no healthy alternative to being yourself.”  When I’m humble, I realise that I’m connected with all of life; therefore, I respect it more.  I remember that I don’t have to do it all myself; it’s OK to request assistance.  I become aware that when I offer a treatment to someone, the energy and the person’s own bodymind wisdom are the healers while I’m simply the one who introduces them to one another.  To be humble is to be grateful for what is.

To be grateful keeps me closer to what some might call a state of grace.  I’m happier, healthier, productive, and generally a good person to be around.  Gratitude grounds me in the present.  If I can appreciate the beauty of the lilac bush, the flavour of a pasta sauce, the fact that I have use of all my senses, or the presence of a good friend, then I’m at ease.  I don’t get caught up in what might be, could be, should be, etc.  Gratitude keeps me receptive to Life’s good things.  Awareness of what’s good in the moment keeps my “good things radar” turned on.  Opportunities and blessings become more apparent.  When I say “thank you” for something, the giver is given the gift of appreciation.  S/He wants to give more.

So, for today only, I’m humble and grateful.

What about you, folks?  What does humility mean for you?  What about gratitude?  What gifts might humility and gratitude grant you in your life?  We’re listening.