Reiki Principles: How Do These 5 Help?

Whether or not you do Reiki energy healing and chakra balancing, the 5 Reiki Principles that guide this practice are beautiful concepts to make everyday life better. These precepts or mantras help us remember to be kinder to others — and also to ourselves.

As background, I am a trained and certified Boston Reiki practitioner, and try my best to contemplate on and live the five principles every day. Let’s explore these helpful meditations, each of which starts with the phrase, “Just for today…”

Reiki Principles:

1. Just for today, I will not worry.

This first Reiki principle goes well with the “Just for today…” sentence starter, because it guides us to focus simply on the moment — on what we can control right now. By doing this, we can let go of worry and anxiety.

2. Just for today, I will not anger.

The second of the Reiki precepts builds off of the first. If we are in the moment and not agitated, there is no need to become angry. When we are connected to broader universal energy (as Reiki helps to do, with its purple aura), we can see the bigger picture of life, and not get furious about things which are minuscule in the greater scheme of the world.

3. Just for today, I will be grateful.

The “I will be grateful” mantra is deeply important, because over and over studies show that taking time to appreciate and acknowledge the blessings we do have makes us happier and healthier. There is always SOMETHING to be thankful for!

4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

This Reiki precept echos what I tell my students and my own children all the time: “All you need to do is try your best.” As long as you are giving your honest effort to whatever work you do — be it in a formal job, or in the everyday work of life — you are doing the right thing!

5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

I know it can be hard to be kind to everyone and everything, but what if we just took it moment by moment, and day by day? What would happen if everyone in the world tried living this Reiki mantra? From the store clerk in the morning, to the person driving by you in the evening, let kindness reign!

Principal vs. Principle

Having been an English teacher for 18 years, I can’t resist a quick language lesson here about the difference between the homophones, principal vs. principle: words that sound the same, but mean different things.

“Principal” (with “pal” at the end) means the main idea or thing, and can be a noun or adjective. For example, the Principal of an educational institution is the main head of a school (a noun), and the “principal idea” (used here as an adjective) would be the main idea. A way to remember this is that the Principal of your school is your pal, or buddy.

In contrast, a “Principle” (with “ple” at the end) is a fundamental concept or rule in a belief or value system — sort of like a code of conduct. Given this, the correct spelling should be “Reiki Principles,” not “Reiki Principals.”

5 Reiki Principles, in Sum

Now that you’ve learned about the 5 Reiki Principles, which most stands out to you for contemplation and meditation? Which of the precepts or mantras feels easiest, hardest, and most impactful? Do share!

Want more? Check out Reiki symbols like Cho Ku Rei, and the answer to, “How many Reiki sessions are needed?”