Last Updated on March 15, 2022
The five reiki principle is said to improve your life in a number of ways and help you connect more with your energy. The most basic principle of reiki is that it promotes self-healing and balance in the body, mind, and spirit with the help of a reiki practitioner.
In addition, reiki can also improve your overall health and well-being, find relief from stress and anxiety, and let you experience a sense of peace and tranquility.
Somehow similar to affirmations or intentions, this spiritual practice is based on specific guiding principles geared towards a happier life. Let’s get going and learn more about these five principles of reiki!
The Five Reiki Principles
In order to improve your life, you don’t need to change who you are, but rather how you think and behave. The reiki principle of “Just for today” can help you do just that.
Aside from getting your energies attuned and healed by a reiki master, by living in the present moment and not worrying about the past or the future, you can focus on what’s happening now and make the most of it!
1. Just for today, I will not fret
In these modern times, it seems easy to worry about many things in life, including those that do not even happen yet. Harboring anxiety-provoking thoughts and feelings can hinder personal growth in fear of what life has in store for us.
Constant worrying can take you away from living in the present and may affect your physical and mental health negatively. So, for just today, let go of all the worry energy inside you and take time to enjoy and cherish the present!
2. Just for today, I will release angry thoughts
Getting angry sometimes is normal. It can be triggered by unpleasant situations like getting stuck in traffic or having a misunderstanding with a family member.
Reiki believes that anger does not come from external factors, but rather, from the internal angry energy already existing within you.
Whether the anger is towards yourself, others, or the world, being angry is another negative emotion that can move you away from the teachings of the reiki principles.
The next time you start to feel angry, acknowledge your emotions first before you release thoughts of anger to welcome happiness into your daily life.
3. Just for today, I will express gratitude
This next principle is a reminder for you to show gratitude and be thankful for even the smallest things around you. You’ll be surprised how being grateful will show you the many blessings you have taken for granted before.
Make some time for those particularly pleasant things like good weather or a supportive network, and relish the positivity they can give you.
4. Just for today, I will work honestly
When we are young, we are constantly told to be ourselves. We are encouraged to find our passions and follow them, no matter what anyone else thinks.
As we get older, that message seems to fade. We are told to fit in, to be like everyone else. We lose sight of who we are and what we want.
In order to be our best selves, we must first know who we are. This means being honest with ourselves and accepting ourselves for who we are in order to connect with our higher self.
This principle also means engaging in things with integrity by being mindful and present as we do certain tasks.
5. Just for today, I will be compassionate to everyone
The last of the 5 reiki principles is showing kindness to all and every living thing.
In today’s society, there seems to be a lot of anger and hate. It can be easy to get wrapped up in all the negativity and forget about the importance of compassion.
Compassion is a quality that we all have the potential to develop and it is one that can make our lives much happier and more fulfilling. When we are compassionate, we are kinder to others, and we also tend to be happier and more content with our own lives.
Applying the Five Principles in Your Life
Reminding yourself of the 5 reiki principles can help you practice them in practical situations.
You can choose to either say the principle aloud or silently in your head as you do your daily practice in living by these principles.
First principle
Here’s how you can lessen worry in your life:
- Remind yourself, aloud or silently, that you will not fret
- Understanding that not all things are beyond our control
- Take deep breaths as you release thoughts of worry
- Repeat this process daily
Second principle
Here’s how you can improve your relationship with anger:
- Whenever you start getting irritated, take a few deep breaths
- Remind yourself, aloud or silently, that you will release angry thoughts
- Think of another recent situation where you felt angry and compare your emotions
- Ask your higher self to let go of your anger
- Repeat this process daily
Third principle
Here’s how you can practice gratitude:
- Remind yourself, aloud or silently, that you will express gratefulness
- Think of any positive thing that made you happy
- This could be a person, a pet, a situation, or an object
- Take a moment to thank each of these things
- You can directly express it to them or write it in your journal
- Repeat this process daily
Fourth principle
Here’s how you can apply honesty:
- Remind yourself, aloud or silently, that you will be honest with your work
- Be present about the things you do
- Practice mindfulness-based meditations
- Repeat this process daily
Fifth principle
Here’s how you can exercise kindness:
- Remind yourself, aloud or silently, that you will be compassionate
- Recall the moments where you’ve been unkind to yourself or others
- Recognize the guilt or anxiety you may feel and let go of this energy
- Repeat this process daily
Living in the Present Moment
Following these 5 reiki principles can help promote natural healing for your energy and guide you in living a healthier life.
If you are looking to improve your well-being, consider giving reiki a try!
