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The Five Principles of Reiki: A Path to Inner Peace

Updated: Jan 7

Embrace the beauty and positivity of the present moment with the vibrant colors of a rainbow rose, reminding us to cherish "Just for today."

Happy New Year Everyone! The start of a new year always feels like the perfect time to hit the reset button. It’s nice to take a step back and think about what we want to achieve, what we’d like to improve, and what habits we’re ready to leave behind. For me, it’s also a time to reflect on what truly matters.  The things that bring peace, joy, and balance to my life. One thing I always come back to is the Five Reiki Principles.


Reiki isn’t just about energy healing. It’s a way of life, one that encourages us to live with mindfulness, kindness, and balance. At the heart of Reiki are these simple five principles of Reiki that are near and dear to my heart. I’ve found that when I live by them, my life just feels and goes better. I’m more aligned, more peaceful, more connected with people and the world around me. So, I thought I’d share these principles with you and how they’ve helped me, and can help you too, to create a life that feels good inside out. If you're a Reiki Practitioner, you're familiar with them but let's really get into them!

Ready? Let’s dive in.


Sticky notes conveying appreciation and positivity with the words "Grateful," "Thankful," and "Blessed" set against a wooden background.

1. Just for today, I will live in gratitude.

Gratitude as a Pathway to Healing


If there’s one thing that I’ve seen work wonders in my life and that of others, it’s gratitude. It sounds so simple, but shifting my focus from what I don’t have to what I do have makes all the difference. It raises your energetic frequency, opens your heart, and helps you feel more connected to the world. This principle of Reiki reminds us to take a moment and really appreciate everything, especially the little things.


How I apply this principle:


  • Gratitude Journal: Every day, I jot down or reflect on three things I’m thankful for. They don’t have to be big. Sometimes it’s just the fact that I got to enjoy a quiet cup of tea, a warm smile from a friend or even a stranger. This morning it was taking a walk in nature and appreciating its beauty.

  • Gratitude Meditation: I like to take a few minutes to sit with the things I’m grateful for. I often start my day this way, in quiet gratitude for the day ahead and life in general. It really sets up peace and good things for the rest of the day.

  • Express Thanks: I make a point to thank the people around me, whether it’s a text to a friend or a little thank you for something. It helps spread gratitude, and when you give it, it multiplies.


The more I focus on gratitude, the more I realize how much I have to be thankful for. It’s like a little spark that keeps the positive energy flowing and growing.


A silhouette of a person gazes at a serene night sky with a crescent moon, accompanied by an uplifting message: "Don't worry, good things will come."

2. Just for today, I will not worry.

Releasing the Grip of Worry


Worry is something I’ve struggled with in the past, but not nearly as much as I used to but it does require practice. Worry is usually the result of over-thinking and or repetitive thinking. We can worry about anything, the big things, the small things, things that may never even happen. That’s usually the case, but here’s the thing, worry is a thief. It robs us of any present moment of peace and happiness and replaces it with heaviness and anxiety. It doesn’t change anything about the future, so I try to remind myself of this second principle of Reiki, which is all about letting go of worry and trusting that things will unfold as they should.


How I apply this principle:


  • Focus on What’s Right in Front of Me: Whether it’s taking a walk outside, reading a book, or just listening to a friend, I try to stay present. It keeps my mind from spiraling.

  • Ask for Help: Sometimes letting go of worry means saying, “I don’t have to do this alone.” It’s okay to ask for support when things feel heavy.

  • Affirmations: I’ll often say to myself, “I am safe and at peace.” or, “There is enough time for everything.” It’s important to really feel these affirmations when you say them, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly they become true when you believe in them. It’s like hitting the reset button for your mind.


When I stop worrying, it feels like a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders, and I start noticing all the good things that are already happening in my life.


A delicate dandelion seed resting on a reflective surface, accompanied by a reminder to cherish life's fleeting moments and avoid negativity.

3. Just for today, I will not anger.

Anger as an Obstacle to Peace


I don’t know about you, but anger can be a tough one for me. It’s so easy to get caught up in frustration, especially when things aren’t going the way I want them to or when I feel out of control. But I’ve learned that anger doesn’t solve anything. In fact, it only clouds my judgment and keeps me from finding peace and clarity. Reiki teaches us that we can acknowledge anger without letting it control us. We can let it pass, rather than holding on to it.


How I apply this principle:


  • Pause and Breathe: The next time I’m feeling angry (which happens because I’m human), I try to take a deep breath and just pause. Even a few seconds of breathing and reflection helps me step back and not react impulsively.

  • Focus on the Positive: When I catch myself slipping into frustration, I ask myself, “What am I grateful for right now?” It can be a game changer.

  • Forgive: Forgiveness is such a powerful tool, not just for others but for myself. Holding onto grudges is really not worth it. It’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die from it. It doesn’t work. Letting go of anger makes room for for the positive to come in.

  • Stay in the Present: Anger often comes from thinking about the past injuries or fearing a negative future. When I can refocus on the present moment, the anger tends to fade, and clarity has a chance to enter.

  • Control: We’ll all do well to remember that the only thing we truly have control over is ourselves, our actions, and our reactions. That’s it!


Letting go of that grip anger has on you is so freeing. Honestly, when I do, I feel like a weight has been lifted.

Two hands reaching towards each other above a quote about integrity, emphasizing doing the right thing even when unobserved.

4. Just for today, I will live my life honestly.

Integrity and Authenticity in Action


Living authentically is something I’m really passionate about. And for me, that starts with honesty. When I’m honest with myself about what I want, what I need, and what I value, life just feels easier. There’s no inner conflict, no pretending to be someone I’m not. When I approach everything with integrity, whether it’s work, relationships, or personal practices, it just feels good.


How I apply this principle:


  • Set Intentions: Before I start a project or conversation, I think about my values and what I want to create. This helps me stay true to myself.

  • Self-Check: Every once in a while, I check in with myself. Am I acting in line with my core values and truth? It’s a good way to stay on a high trajectory.

  • Be Present: Whether I’m working on something or spending time with someone, I make a conscious effort to give them my full attention. No distractions, no half-hearted effort. It also shows respect and caring for that person.


When I live with integrity, I feel on that path to inner peace and good inside. It’s also amazing how people respond to that energy. I've also noticed that honesty just attracts more authentic people into my life. Like attracts like.

Highlighting the Importance of Respect in Building Positive Relationships

5. Just for today, I will have respect for every living thing.

Respect as the Heart of Reiki


Respect is such a simple yet powerful concept. It’s about honoring not just other people, but also ourselves and everything around us. When I think about respect, I realize it’s about being mindful of how we treat everyone and everything because we’re all connected in one way or another. This principle is a gentle reminder that when we act with respect, we create a ripple of kindness that can spread, and that’s my intent.


How I try to live this one:


  • Being Mindful: I make an effort to really think about how my words and actions might affect others. I want to be the kind of person who lifts people up, not brings them down.

  • Respecting Myself: This one’s huge for me. I’ve learned that respecting myself means setting boundaries and taking care of my own needs too. It’s not selfish, it’s self-love. My fellow “empaths” need to pay special attention to this one.

  • Listening with Care: I try to really listen when someone’s talking. This is key if you're a Reiki Practitioner! Listen without interrupting or jumping to conclusions. Everyone has their own story, and I want to honor that by giving them my full attention.


When I take time to respect all living things—whether it’s people, animals, or even the planet by picking up a small piece of trash that isn’t mine, it feels like I’m contributing to something much bigger than myself. And honestly, it just makes life feel more peaceful and happy.

Silhouetted figures work together to connect giant puzzle pieces against a vibrant sunset sky, symbolizing putting together all 5 Priciples of Reiki

How to Incorporate the Five Principles of Reiki into Your Life


These five principles are simple, but their impact is profound. I’ve found that when I incorporate them into my life, whether through meditation, journaling, or simply being more mindful of my thoughts and actions, I feel more balanced and at peace. And I truly believe that when you live with these principles in mind, you’re not just creating a life that feels good, you’re also spreading healing energy to everyone and the world around you.


I can’t stress enough how much these Five Principles of Reiki have transformed my life. They’ve helped me become more grounded, more compassionate, and more present. And the best part? The more I practice them, the more peace, love, and healing I feel, not just in my own life, but in the lives of the people around me. I hope that these principles bring you as much peace and joy as they’ve brought me. Let’s keep living, spreading love, kindness, and authenticity. Together, we’ve got this!


With Gratitude, Love and Light,


Katherine McBride, C.P.C.

Reiki Master / Teacher 

Karuna Reiki® Master / Teacher

Certified Life Coach

Cell: 714.321.8259


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