Reiki Principles for Transformation and Healing

2009.  That was the year I completed my First Degree Usui Reiki training and I loved it!  I just knew that energy healing was real and something that I wanted to learn more about.  I went on to do Level Two the following year and one day I plan to become a Reiki Master.  

Over the years, I’ve used Reiki treatments mostly for family and friends … and myself.  Even though I love Reiki, the busy-ness of daily life meant I didn’t make it a daily practice.  Now I am adding it back into my life, as self-treatments and also sending this loving energy out to others.  

What is Reiki? Many people see it as an alternative healing modality using energy.  Yes, it is that, but it is so much more.  Reiki is a way of being, of living more peacefully, with more compassion.  

Reiki works with life-force energy, or Ki, or Chi. This energy is all around us and we are made of energy and this energy runs through our body and is in every cell.  Energy is responsive to thoughts and feelings.  Negative thoughts and feelings can cause the energy to get blocked and result in dis-ease in the physical body.  The aim of a Reiki treatment is to allow the universal energy to release the blocks and allow one’s natural flow of Ki to return and heal the body. 

When I have given (and received) a Reiki treatment, the person experiences a feeling of total body relaxation and release of stress.  Reiki also accelerates the body’s self-healing process, releases toxins and energy blockages, and relieves pain.  

One aspect of Reiki that I really love and which anyone can bring into their life is the Reiki Ideals or five spiritual principles.  These are non-religious, simple ideals to live by and can create peace and harmony in your life.  Since we all tend to live in a stressful state, anything we can do to relieve stress is going to help us both physically and emotionally. 

The 5 Reiki Principles are:

Just for today, I will let go of worry

Just for today, I will let go of anger and resentment

Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings

Just for today, I will do my work honestly

Just for today, I will be kind to all living things

I use the acronym WATHK to help me remember.  Initially I wrote WATHK on a Post-it note where I would see it every day and be reminded of the ideals. 

“Just for today” helps us focus on the present, to keep us in the here and now. It’s also easier for us to believe that we can do this for one day, rather than committing to a long term change.  Just focus on this moment, just for today. 

Letting go of worry helps us live in the present moment, and not dwell on events of the past or fears of the future.  Trust that all that happens is as it should be. 

Letting go of anger helps us to love ourselves and others unconditionally.  I found it helpful to use the word ‘resentment’ since I seldom felt anger but did often feel resentment which is a similar negative emotion. 

Feeling thankful helps us recognize the many blessings in our life.  When we remind ourselves of all we have to be grateful for, we open ourselves up to more blessings. Gratitude is one of the best emotions to quickly evoke feelings of peace and calm. 

Do my work honestly.  What does that mean? This principle is about being honest with ourselves as we go about living our life. Are our actions in alignment with what we believe is right at our core? Think about your whole life as being your work and where your could be more honest in living your life true to your beliefs and your purpose.  

Be kind to all living things.  This means being kind and compassionate with ourselves, other people and all living things. Love and accept yourself and others.  Show respect for all living things and value the contribution these make in your life. 

Does just reading these principles make you feel more peaceful? You can cultivate more peace in your life if you make contemplation of these principles a daily practice. Write WATHK on a Post-it note or add it to the reminders on your phone and see if you can bring this peaceful aspect of Reiki into your life for transformation and healing. 

A great way to help improve your health is choosing to create peace and calm while you are eating.  HOW you eat can be as important as WHAT you eat.  I have a great resource for you to implement TODAY to help you become empowered in your health.  Click on the image below to receive it.