“For as long as space endures,
and as long as sentient beings remain,
until then, may I too abide
to dispel the misery of the world.” - Shantideva

Do you know this prayer?

It goes, in part: “Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon . . . Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy.”

It is one of the best loved prayers in the English-speaking world. It goes by the name of “Peace Prayer of St. Francis,” its radical aspiration attributed to the beloved saint, Francis of Assisi. But St. Francis did not write this.

No one knows who the author is. It apparently appeared in Europe around 1915, written in French on the back of a St. Francis prayer card, hence its name and the inaccurate attribution. A few months ago, I started to write a column based on St. Francis and his prayer, but the premise collapsed when I learned the truth about the authorship. I wrote about something else.

As you may know by now, I am leaving my work—including my role as editor of this magazine—to live, work, study, and practice in a new Tibetan Buddhist monastery, established for Western students, in eastern Washington. Many people ask, why?

Well, this is why. I believe Usui’s torch burns in each of us, and that the practice he gave us calls us to cultivate our spiritual capabilities. I believe that his Reiki Principles outline our goals in developing those capabilities. The human mind/heart has infinite potential for good—wisdom, love, compassion, generosity. But I know a mind like mine must be trained before that inner light can burn its brightest. I aspire to develop a heart/mind that is kind and strong enough to enact St. Francis’s prayer, not just admire it. For me, personally, Buddha’s teachings offer a way to realize Usui’s principles—if not in this lifetime, then in a future one. And I have been offered the equivalent of a full work-study scholarship to pursue this training.

While I’m there, I’ll continue to practice Reiki, especially treating myself, but also treating others. I probably won’t teach or write about Reiki. After nineteen years as a Reiki Master, I treasure the opportunity to sink deeply into my student practice again, re-acquainting myself with Reiki on a very personal, hands-on level.

The broad worldwide Reiki Magazine community of writers and readers—especially Rolf and Li-Li Holm and the magazine team—has occupied a huge place in my heart for eight years. I now commend my role in it to good hands.

Now that I’m used to it, I love the idea that an anonymous priest or parishioner from a small village penned that prayer. It’s a relief. You don’t have to be a saint to make big prayers. It suggests that an ordinary person like me—or you—can pursue a huge aspiration to make herself an instrument of peace.

- Barbara McDaniel

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