Some of the Fire and Spirit Reiki Practitioners for Peace offering virtual sessions this month have chosen to reflect on the first precept inscribed on Usui's memorial stone: Ikaru na: Do not anger. In last Tuesday’s virtual Reiki Circle, I shared how clients and students often ask why anger should be avoided, often following with the question, "What about healthy anger?" I began to wonder if it's even possible—or healthy—to completely refrain from anger, given that it's a natural human emotion. This led me on an internal and external search for answers.
What about healthy anger?
If there is such a thing as healthy anger, why would one of our Reiki Precepts—the first precept, specifically—tell us not to anger? Before I share my current understanding of the meaning of 'Do not anger' and how it translates in my practice, I want to add that I am open to the possibility that my perspective on this precept may evolve as my practice deepens.
To begin, I reflected on all the precepts and why we recite and follow them as Reiki practitioners. The precepts help regulate our behavior and thoughts, guiding us to become more effective conduits of Reiki. Their purpose is to help us and others experience deep healing—a return to our natural, unencumbered state of being.
The purpose of the Reiki Precepts.
As we practice Reiki, we realize that the precepts are interdependent; each one influences and interacts with the others, naturally progressing to the next. This creates a space within ourselves that impacts how we view, approach, and experience life. Frans Stiene and Bronwen Logan describe this process in the International House of Reiki’s Shoden Level I Participant Manual:
"The precepts are listed in a specific order. This reflects the wisdom that the more we let go of the anger, worry and fear, the more true to our way and our being we will be. The more true to our way and our being that we are, the more compassionate we will eventually become. If we haven’t dealt with our worries and our anger, then it will be very hard for us to be compassionate."Based on this perspective, anger must be addressed and released before we can fully experience and express the precepts that follow—such as gratitude, diligence in our work, and kindness and compassion toward ourselves and others. Through this process, we find healing and become clearer expressions of our authentic selves. But how do we release anger in a way that is healthy, and what happens if we don't let it go?
A deeper understanding of anger and how to address it.
While scrolling through social media, I came across a clip from an interview that I believe beautifully aligns with this precept and may add depth to its meaning and purpose. In a conversation with Dave Chappelle during an Iconoclast interview, the late Maya Angelou offered insights on anger, guidance on how to express it, and the distinction between anger and bitterness. In the clip, she says:
"If you're not angry, you're either a stone, or you're too sick to be angry. You should be angry. Use that anger, yes. You write it, you paint it, you dance it, you march it, you vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it. Now, mind you, there’s a difference... you must not be bitter... Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure."Her words made me reflect on how often the true essence of a word can be lost in translation or not fully understood if we only interpret it at face value. In this first precept, are we being instructed not to feel anger at all, or is it advising us not to let anger consume us and manifest in ways—like bitterness—that hinder our ability to grow, cultivate inner peace, and experience overall health and well-being?
What we experience when we release anger.
Maya Angelou also shared methods for expressing and releasing anger in a healthy and productive way. We can channel that anger as a driving force for change and growth. Anger can spark passion, and passion can lead to creativity, which lies at the heart of innovation, change, and finding solutions to our problems.
As I continue my Reiki journey, I will recite the precept 'Do not anger' with the understanding that it doesn’t mean suppressing anger, allowing it to stagnate and manifest negatively. Instead, it calls me to address and release anger in the moment, in a way that is authentic to me. I now see this precept as a gateway to gratitude, integrity, authenticity, compassion, and empathy.
To learn more about Reiki and the precepts, please visit our Reiki or Reiki Training pages.
Ana is a Reiki Master Teacher, Tarot Advisor, and mentor. She also owns Fire and Spirit and is a member of the Fire and Spirit Reiki Practitioners for Peace. Visit our Reiki Practitioners for Peace page to read more about Ana, the other practitioners, and our online services.
Reference List:
"Maya Angelou and Dave Chappelle - Anger and Bitterness", YouTube, dnasewell, 15 March 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFDnM1w24qA
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