Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that focuses on restoring the balance to the mind, body, and spirit. It has 5 reiki principles that encourage us to live mindfully and graciously. These precepts can serve as powerful daily affirmations or intentions that can support spiritual growth and emotional well-being.
In this article, we’ll explore what Reiki is, dive into its five principles, and learn how to incorporate them into your daily routine for a more balanced and fulfilling life.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that reduces stress, promote relaxation, and accelerate healing. The word Reiki originates from two Japanese Kanji: “Rei”, meaning universal, and “Ki” meaning life energy. Reiki is based on the belief that an unseen life force energy, or chi, flows through us and is responsible for our health and vitality.
When the life force energy flow is blocked, we are easily stressed, experience emotional imbalance, and can become physically ill. Conversely, when it’s flowing freely, we can experience joy, contentment, and physical well-being. Certified reiki practitioners deliver reiki through gentle touch to channel energy into the body clearing blockages and restoring balance.
Brief History of Reiki
Mikao Usui was a monk, spiritual teacher, and the founder of Usui Reiki. Usui discovered Reiki during a meditation and fasting retreat on Mount Kurama in Japan. On the 21st day, he experienced a spiritual awakening and realized he could channel reiki energy. He began by using reiki on his family, and after witnessing its powerful results, he established a Reiki institute in Tokyo. He taught, trained, and channeled reiki to students and patients who needed healing.
After years of practicing and teaching, Mikao Usui introduced the 5 Reiki principles, also known as the Reiki ideals. The purpose of these principles is to encourage and empower individuals to take ownership and be an active participant in their spiritual growth and personal development.
The 5 Reiki Principles
Usui recommended sitting quietly, hands joined in prayer, and chanting these principles every morning and evening. You can recite them before a reiki session for yourself or another person, during meditation, a morning intention or when you need to ground yourself. By reciting these principles daily, you’ll start to feel more empowered and connected to reiki; the life force energy inside of you. It’s a gentle reminder to live in the present moment, trust life, and be at peace. Here are the 5 reiki principles.
1. Just for today, I will not worry
Worrying about the future can create feelings of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. To create a sense of security, the ego conjures up these imaginary future-mind events in an attempt to feel prepared, protected, and powerful. However, we can’t predict the future. These “future events” are projections from past experiences we’ve had, and you shouldn’t believe that this is how the future will be.
This reiki principle will remind you to ground yourself in the present moment as this is the only moment that really matters. The past is over, and the future is uncertain. The only true and real moment that exists is right here and now. The thoughts and actions of today will determine future experiences.
2. Just for today, I will not be angry
Living with anger everyday is hindering you from being present, feeling joy or gratitude. This principle wants us to live an easy-going and peaceful life. Experiencing anger is normal and encouraging but holding onto it can lead to unnecessary arguments and conflict with others and cause physical symptoms like digestive problems or heart disease. On the contrary, repressing anger can also lead to resentment, bitterness, and lead to physical ailments.
When we feel angry, it means that someone or something might have crossed a boundary. Instead of getting defensive, start screaming, or suppressing the emotion, it’s ok to acknowledge it and get the root cause of your trigger. Most of the time, what you’ll find is that underneath all the anger, there’s either a lot of fear or sadness or both.
Anger is a way to protect our vulnerability and shield us from feeling or appearing weak and powerless. Remember that judging or shaming yourself will only make it linger longer than necessary. Instead approach it with curiosity and compassion. Make space for healthy anger to surface and you’ll start to notice that with time, it will get better.
3. Just for today, I will do my work honestly
At work, we might tend to be in autopilot, get competitive, detesting and complaining every moment we’re there, or not appreciate the job we have. Our ego sometimes wants to get competitive with others and receive compliments for our hard work. This principle reminds us to be present, humble, appreciative, and diligent at work. Treat yourself and others with respect, care, and integrity. Show up and do your best without the need for approval or compliments. Focus on how you can service others and find gratitude for what the job provides for you such as income.
4. Just for today, I will be kind to others and all living things
This principle reminds us of the importance of being kind and compassionate with ourselves, and others. Be gentle and forgiving with yourself. Speak kindly to yourself and about yourself. Learn to give people the benefit of the doubt and not take things personally. Be conscious and do your best not to cause unnecessary harm to other people and all living things like plants and animals. Understand that everyone is different and imperfect. Strive to develop acceptance and compassion for those around you as this helps you to lead a healthier and peaceful life.
5. Just for today, I will be grateful
The fifth and last principle is to be grateful. Start your day and end your day with gratitude. Be thankful for everything and everyone in your life. It’s easy to be grateful when you’re getting what you want, and everything seems to be going your way. However, it’s difficult to be grateful when the circumstances don’t match your expectations.
Gratitude is a powerful tool for shifting your mindset from lack to abundance. Even during the most challenging times, there is always a gift, a blessing in disguise, no matter how small it is. One day, you’ll appreciate the setbacks, the rejections, or redirections as you’ll begin to understand it was all part of God’s plan to give you what you deserved. Learn to focus on what’s here; on what you have, rather than what’s missing.
Applying the 5 Reiki Principles into Daily Life
As you may have noticed, some of the principles begin with the words “I will be” “I will do”, or “I will not”. However, it’s almost impossible to not feel anger or worried every day. Some days you might not be kind or not feel gratitude for the things you have. These precepts can be too idealistic. If we don’t live up to or fulfill our daily intention of not being worried and we spend all day worrying, we might feel discouraged, disappointed and angry with ourselves that we couldn’t keep our promise or that our prayers aren’t working.
I recommend that you reword these principles according to your state of mind and emotions at the time. For example, if you still feel angry or worried about a situation that happened the day before, you can recite:
- “Just for today, I will let go of anger”, or
- “Just for today, I will let go of worry”
This is a more realistic practice to recite these principles because you’re acknowledging your anger and worry today.
If “letting go” seems unreasonable today, you can reword to more genuine and compassionate affirmations like:
- “Just for today, help me understand my anger” or
- “Just for today, let me connect with my feelings of worry”
Instead of forcing ourselves to let go of our emotions, it’s kinder to acknowledge and understand them. This is a more authentic practice that will encourage you to take action towards a healthier and happier life. Remember to ask your spirit guides or angels to reveal and understand whatever it is that you need your attention and healing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, reiki is a healing modality that reduces stress, promotes relaxation, and accelerates healing. Mikao Usui was a Japanese monk that discovered and established the spiritual practice of Reiki and developed the 5 principles. These precepts are prayers, affirmations, or intentions that you can chant in your daily routine, before practicing reiki, or during meditation. If it it’s hard to recite these principles, note that it’s okay to re-word them to affirmations that feel empowering and achievable for you. Practicing the 5 principles can lead to self-growth, helping you connect with yourself, your body, and emotions. It’ll remind you to live in the present moment and connect with the life force energy inside of you and flow freely without resistance.
Thank you for reading! If you’re eager to learn more, check out my other blog articles here. Be sure to explore the resource page for additional support and information here.
