Hi Bro,
I havn't thought about it much, to be honest, so it's a good question to think bout!
If the principles are the spiritual medicine (for human's), and (imo), the symbols are the very essence of Reiki's spirituality, of a human's spirituality, then they've got something in common from the very beginning. The empowerment of the sumbols is different from the principles, cause we experience specific things with the symbols. This isn't to say that Usui sensei hasn't created some form of connection with them all. I guess a question is why we've to say them out loud & in our
heart.
What also might be worth exploring...
IMO, Reiki never flows, it doesn't move. I'm not talking bout a semantic point,
. Takata sensei said Reiki was around us at all times. What i feel happens is we become aware of it, at any one point. Like in Hatsurei ho, we aren't moving anything in Seishin toitsu, we're simply becoming aware of what's already there. Many also feel Reiki when they think of it, speak of it, or write on forums. This is cause they're being aware of what's already around them. When a person uses HSZSN, and another person can experience Reiki 3000 miles away. This isn't entirely cause 'Reiki' is everywhere, it's cause HSZSN being a phrase imbeded in us bout mindfullness, within us we become focused so precisely, that the other person expereinces something. Which is called Reiki. No movement, no travelling, it's all about focus.
What this has maybe gotta do with you, hehe, is that when you recite the principles, you instantly become soooo focused, that you immediately become aware of the experience called Reiki.
And that's actually a pretty great thing buddy!
Anyhow, 1.15 am, i'm gonna go to bed, have an early night, lol.
Cya
Wayne