This is an interesting ideal.. I think.

Usui really was a great practitioner, the founder of reiki practise in our time. This was one of the ideals he felt was important to follow for a reiki person.

Why?

Is it merely a simple, superficial request?

I wonder.. obviously we know that contentment comes from working hard and thoroughly.. striving for excellence.. not just near enough is good enough.

One buddhist teacher we really love here at reikiblogger, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, was a great master of Dzogchen.. a meditation path based on the natural state of our mind.. called in that context Rigpa.. His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche said that resting into this state, Rigpa, is like having worked in the fields all day long, nice and hard, and coming home and sitting down in your favourite chair.

There is a certain chemical reaction to physical exertion, to strenuous effort. Which is part of the contentment. (interestingly there is also a chemical component to other emotions, anger for example.. did you know that when you experience an instance of anger a chemical is released in your body which lasts for about 10 seconds.. which will subside if no thoughts futher fuel the sense of anger.. interesting huh?.. adds some cred to the old proverb about counting to ten!)

But, there is also a psychological benefit to it aswell. Like a lack of regret. Or, the sense of accomplishment.

Simply, from a reiki persons point of view.. the benefit of hard work, of following Usui’s advice, is that you can get past your thinking mind better. By working hard you are able to get out of your own way, better. Which all helps with your reiki practise.