The secret art of inviting happiness

The miraculous medicine of all diseases

Just for today do not be angry

Do not worry and be filled with gratitude

Devote yourself to your work and be kind to people

Every morning and evening join your hands in prayer

Pray these words to your heart

And chant these words with your mouth

Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind

The Reiki Principles in Your Daily Life

Like many mind / body practices and spiritual traditions, the real practice is not what happens on your mat, your meditation cushion or on your knees at the altar, but rather how you weave that energy into the rest of your life. Reiki is no different, and you don’t have to be attuned to Reiki (receive a Reiki placement from a Reiki master) to practice the ideals in everyday life.  

There are many translations and interpretations of these original ideals that are attributed to Usui Mikao, the founder of modern day Reiki.  How Usui came to find Reiki dates back just over 100 years. However, research indicates that other styles of Reiki were already in practice in Japan at the time, and have been in existence for thousands of years. The practices and principles have many similarities to other spiritual practices, including Zen Buddhism, which Usui Mikao was a practitioner of, and was in deep meditation when Reiki came to him.  

While historical accounts, translations and interpretations can differ, the most important part of any spiritual tradition is the practice.  The Reiki ideals, sometimes referred to as the Reiki precepts or principles, are just one of the elements of Reiki.  The others include: 

Meditations 

These include journeys and experiences to help connect us to the Reiki energy.

Hands-on Healing 

This includes placing hands on the body to guide the Reiki energy. It can also include hands hovering to focus Reiki in the aura.  Reiki can also be experienced from a distance.  

Attunements 

These are also referred to as placements.  In a special guided session, a Reiki master will channel the Reiki energy to the new practitioner(s).  

Symbols and Mantras

These are additional tools practitioners have to focus and guide the Reiki energy, to enhance intuition in a session and to connect with spiritual guides.  

Raise Your Vibe

Practicing the precepts in your daily life will help you live more positively, mindfully and in the present moment.  Every emotion and experience has a vibration, and that energy either aligns us with our highest self or pulls us away from our potential.  Meditating on these principles helps us honor our suffering, but not dwell in it.  It helps us to recognize where we are gripping and then support us in letting go. 

JUST FOR TODAY

The precepts begin with Just For Today. This isn’t permission to ignore the ideals tomorrow, but rather to keep us in the present moment.  It is always today.  Past and future are illusions that lure our minds away from experiencing our true nature right now. This concept of present moment awareness is necessary for activating Reiki energy.  Although the energy is always present and flowing, it’s difficult to receive if our minds and hearts are blocked by experiences such as anger, worry, lack or hatred.  

DO NOT BE ANGRY

Just for today, I will not be angry. Anger is a natural emotion, and it should be honored and expressed when warranted.  However, living in a constant state of agitation amplifies stuck energy giving attention to and perpetuating the anger.  Anger pulls us out of the present moment, taking up space for the peace and joy we deserve.  

There’s no denying that there are plenty of things going on in the world to be angry about.  This principle isn’t suggesting we ignore or belittle the injustices that are rampant in the lives of our fellow human beings.  Change starts with each individual, and we can use our anger to ignite inspired action by peaceful means.  Nurturing peace rather than feeding anger will raise the collective vibration, rather than pulling others into a negative cycle. 

Practice 

Anger often manifests in the physical body in the form of muscle tension and an overall feeling of tightness. Because the mind and body are not separate, anger can often be released by physically releasing the muscle tension.  This is why it’s not uncommon to have a strong emotional response to a massage or a yoga practice.  If you’re struggling with ongoing anger, try a gentle yoga practice, stretching or foam rolling. Note how you feel after each session, physically, emotionally and energetically.  

DO NOT WORRY

Just for today, I will let go of worry. Like anger, worry is a natural human emotion. As anger pulls our attention away from the present, worry draws us to the uncertainty of the future.  Letting go of worry is all about finding the balance between the healthy concerns that help us make wise decisions and living in a perpetual state of anxiety around that which we have no control over.  

Consider how much of your day is spent in a state of worry, anxiety or fear.  These feelings are valid, and we give them way more attention and energy than they deserve. Worry is really what happens when a thought turns into a story and the mind runs away with it.  As Mark Twain admitted, “My life has been filled with terrible misfortunes - most of which never happened!”

Practice

Bumblebee Breath (Bhramari) practice for anxiety is a simple and effective breathing technique you can do anytime you start to feel anxious or worried.  Inhale through your nose, and as you exhale, hum.  If you’re not driving or working with your hands, try covering your ears with your hands while doing this breath practice. It’s that simple, and it changes your body chemistry to help activate your parasympathetic nervous system, bringing calm and peace to your body and mind. 

HAVE GRATITUDE

Just for today, I will be grateful. When we clear the blocked energy of anger and let go of all the worries, we open up space to find gratitude in each moment. Gratitude opens our hearts and minds to the abundance that we already have, taking the focus away from what we perceive we lack.  Gratitude is a powerful energy that perpetuates prosperity.  When we project gratitude from our being, we receive abundance in return.  

Practice

In addition to taking a moment to give thanks before a meal, or acknowledging your gratitude for the obvious things like being alive, having good health and being safe, it’s never too late to send a thank you card.  Think of someone who did something for you that you were grateful for.  A text or email is fine, but there’s something special about putting your energy into a handwritten card and sending it in the mail.  

PRACTICE WITH DEVOTION

Just for today, I will be true to my way and my being. This principle is probably the most simplified or even misunderstood of the five Reiki ideals. It’s sometimes interpreted as “Work hard” or “Do your work honestly”. However, it’s really about devoting yourself to your work or practices, wholeheartedly and with full attention, as a means to discover your true nature, your authentic self.

This ideal is all about being true to your way and your being.  When we put our full attention and intention into our spiritual practices, our work or any little thing we do in a day, it elevates us toward our highest self.  When we practice transcending anger, letting go of worry and expressing gratitude, we begin to reveal the true nature of our being which is pure loving awareness.  When we get a glimpse of this way and being, there’s no other path, but that of kindness and compassion.  

Practice

Chakra balancing is a way to clear blocked energy in the different energy centers in the body.  Reiki sessions, sound healing and restorative yoga are all great ways to move energy through the chakras, elevating us toward our true being. This simple visualization and mantra meditation can also help.  In this meditation, visualize the area of your body where the energy center is.  Then imagine that area being flushed with the corresponding color while mentally or audibly repeating the mantra.   

Root Chakra

• Location: Base of spine
• Color: Red
• Mantra: I am safe and supported.  All of my needs are met.

Sacral Chakra

• Location: Lower back
• Color: Orange
• Mantra: I am creative and sensual.  I attract abundance. 

Solar Plexus Chakra

• Location: Abdomen, just below the navel
• Color: Yellow
• Mantra: I am confident and stable.  My feelings are valid. 

Heart Chakra

• Location: Heart
• Color: Green
• Mantra: I give and receive love.  Compassion surrounds me.

Throat Chakra

• Location: Throat
• Color: Blue
• Mantra: I express myself.  I am heard.  

Third Eye Chakra

• Location: Between eyebrows
• Color: Indigo
• Mantra: My intuition is clear.  I seek wisdom. 

Crown Chakra

• Location: Just above the top of the head
• Color: Violet or White
• Mantra: I am connected to spirit.  I am my highest self.

BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE TO ALL BEINGS

Just for today, I will be kind and compassionate. One of the beautiful side effects of devoted spiritual practice is feeling the interconnection of all beings.  Kindness and compassion are practices that reveal to us the oneness that is everything.  We are all connected, and we all desire and deserve love and kindness.  When we link together all of the precepts, we land in this place of interconnection. 

Practice

Loving Kindness (Metta) Meditation is a beautiful practice for self-love and connection with all beings. Start by taking any comfortable seat.  Repeat this phrase for several rounds:

May I be well. May I be happy.  May I be safe.  May I live with ease.  

Repeat, but change the word “I” to the name of someone you care deeply about.

Repeat, but change to someone neutral, such as a stranger on the street or in the checkout line. 

Repeat, but change to a difficult person in your life.

Repeat to include everyone in your immediate surrounding, then your city, then your state, your country, then all beings in the world and universe.  

Elevate with Regular Practice

The spiritually guided life force energy that is Reiki is for everyone.  Regardless of your spiritual beliefs or lineage, practicing the Reiki ideals in your everyday life will elevate you on your path to your highest self.