The Five Reiki Principles
Reiki is a healing practice created by Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 20th century. The word Reiki means “universal life force energy.” Reiki practitioners channel this universal life force energy through their hands and allow this energy to flow to any and all areas needed in the recipients body. This triggers natural healing processes. When our life force energy is disrupted it can lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances that can eventually lead to illnesses. Reiki restores balance in the chakras, releases unwanted energies, reduces stress, and restores life force energy and balance to the body, mind, and soul.
Mikao Usui created a moral and spiritual guide for reiki practitioners and others called the Five Reiki Principles. He believed these principles to be “medicine for the soul.” His thoughts were that healing and spiritual growth were interconnected. So therefore these principles were important in healing sessions as well as everyday life.
Today lets take a look at the beauty of these principles:
1. “Just for today, I will not be angry.”
This principle is asking us to clear our channel. In our world today it is really easy to get riled up. Watching the news, sitting in traffic, dealing with cranky toddlers (or sometimes adults), meeting deadlines, finances, there are an abundance of things that can set us off. Experiencing anger itself is not a bad thing. But being in a place where we allow ourselves to be constantly irritated and annoyed, is not a good thing. As healers, it is important to practice emotional self-care. We can make a conscious choice to keep our vibration high by putting ourselves in a place of calm, a place where we don’t allow all those outside issues to permeate our inner tranquility. This allows us a beautiful flow of pure life force energy that sets us up to be our best for healing and transformation.
2. “Just for today, I will not worry.”
This principle is asking us to surrender and trust the divine flow of life. We can easily get consumed with uncertainties. Pretty much nothing is certain. Occupying our mind with ‘what if’s’ and fear is detrimental to our spirit. It holds us in a place where we are actually attracting what we do not want by focusing so much on it. Instead, we want to have a deep faith in our journey, knowing that we are ultimately guided and protected. We need to perceive life from a place of positive anticipation. Release the worries of tomorrow and embrace the magic and beauty of the present moment. This allows us to connect with the divine and be fully grounded and open to healing energies.
3. “Just for today, I will do my work honestly.”
This principle is asking us to be in alignment with our higher selves. We need to approach work in a high vibration way. Meaning, do things right, do not cut corners, do not be lazy. Put pride in what you do. Your intentions are powerful. It is obvious when someone cares about the work they put out and it is obvious when they do not. Thinking about being your best aligns you with a higher calling. You become a vessel for divine wisdom, a sacred guide from which healing energy permeates to everyone around you.
4. “Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbors and every living being.”
This principle is asking us to have an open heart to all. Kindness is really everything. By giving kindness and love you open yourself to receive it back tenfold. Valuing all living beings acknowledges the life and worth that is everywhere. It honors the impermanence of our existence and the interconnectedness of all beings. Extending kindness to every living being is a vibration of health, healing, and love. A nod to the sacredness in us all. This sacred knowing allows you to channel healing energy with ease and strength.
5. “Just for today, I will be thankful for all my blessings.”
This principle is asking us to embody the state of gratitude. Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools for changing your life. We are letting the universe know that we love and honor the blessings bestowed upon us, and as per the law of attraction, the universe will continue to bless us with more of what we focus on. Gratitude can help us transcend suffering and find an inner well of solace. It connects us with the source energy of abundance and love. As we express gratitude we find ourselves living in this place of positivity and goodness. This is a powerful place where healing energy is cultivated and then radiates out.
These 5 principles can serve as a compass for our spiritual growth and evolution. They can guide us to a higher state of being. I feel like the phrase, “just for today,” makes it approachable and easy to accomplish. It doesn’t ask for perfection, it just asks for today. It just asks you to try. I love this. This sets us up for success today, and then every day after. Start with today. Just do it today. How beautiful!
Marci Lingelbach is a Crystal Reiki Master in Franklin, TN. You can find her at reikibymarci.com, and on Instagram and Facebook @reikibymarci.