5 Core Ideas from Reiki
I’m a pretty open-minded kind of guy, so when I was listening to a podcast recently and a guest mentioned the five key ideas of Reiki, I was intrigued.
Reiki (pronounced RAY-kee) is a Japanese system of energy healing that involves channeling universal life energy to promote overall balance—mind, body, and soul. Rei means “universal” (or spiritual), and Ki means “life energy.” It’s similar to Chi in Chinese or Prana in Indian traditions.
The guest, a man who was formerly a quadriplegic (that’s right—formerly), shared that Reiki principles and practice helped him recover to the point where he could walk again after doctors told him not to expect anything miraculous. After crushing several vertebrae in his neck, he began speaking again, then moving his feet, and eventually walking.
Needless to say, that’s quite a testimony—especially from someone who seemed calm, sincere, and had no reason to exaggerate.
He went on to share that in Reiki, there are five essential principles a person can practice to create the best conditions for healing:
Just for today, I will not be angry.
Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will work diligently.
Just for today, I will treat myself and others with respect.
That’s it.
Not exactly the magic formula I was expecting. “Well, shoot,” I thought. “I could’ve come up with that.” My inner skeptic did its usual thing—but then another thought came: Have I ever actually tried reciting something like this daily?
Hmm. Nope.
So, I decided to give it a shot. Since that podcast, almost every day—whether during meditation, while driving, walking, or hanging with my kids—I’ve been quietly reciting these five simple mantras.
And while I don’t have any grand miracles to report, I’ve noticed something: My anxiety is lower, my anger is softer, my tension is lighter. Meanwhile, my joy, patience, gratitude, and self-compassion have all grown.
Interesting.
Now I actually look forward to it. It’s become a grounding practice that brings me back to what really matters.
Am I tapping into divine energy—or is this simply cognitive restructuring at work? (That’s the therapeutic process of identifying unhelpful thoughts and replacing them with more balanced, realistic ones.) Since I’m both a bit of a “woo-woo” spiritual type and a therapist, I’m inclined to think it might be a bit of both. But honestly—who knows?
What I do know is this: I feel better. I’m calmer, more centered, and more resilient in the face of life’s natural ups and downs. And for that, I’m grateful.
So, if you’re curious, try it for yourself. Try reciting the five principles daily and see what happens. If you’re consistent with it, at a minimum, you’ll help yourself be in a better mindset. Beyond that, maybe you’ll tap into something more mysterious!
Happy to be in your corner,
Tom Page, LCPC
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