How to Practice The Attitude of Gratitude, The Reiki Way

Reiki suggests that cultivating an "Attitude of Gratitude", one of its five principles will help to lead a life of harmony. Be thankful for everything to everyone.

The ancient Japanese art of healing, which today is considered a form of alternative medicine, has been changing lives worldwide since its development in 1922 by Mikao Usui. Reiki is more than a relaxation and healing technique. It is a way of life.

Established on the belief that there is a powerful “life force” or “universal energy” that flows through every creation, Reiki is practised through the flow of this energy from one being to another through the sense of touch.

Many people have claimed that Reiki has healed them of all kinds of physical and mental illnesses. Healing is possible through the relaxation and stress reduction qualities Reiki has.
A Reiki practitioner awakens your body to the life force within you and connects you with the universal energy or Higher Force. Once this tethering is successful, you will experience a smooth flow of positive energy within you which is the source of all benefits of Reiki.

The 5 principles of Reiki

principles of Reiki

It is important to note that Reiki is not a religion but simply a way of life. It is based on energy, which everyone has, and hence, is accessible to everyone and everything. So, no matter which religious background you belong to, Reiki will work for you.

Despite it is not a religion, Reiki is highly spiritual. And although there are no teachings and dogmas, Mikao Usui advises Reiki practitioners to imbibe certain ideals in their everyday lives to attain harmony and balance. They are as follows.

  1. Just for today, I will not be angry
  2. Just for today, I will not worry
  3. Just for today, I will be filled with an attitude of gratitude
  4. Just for today, I will devote myself to my work
  5. Just for today, I will be kind to people

Mikao Usui suggests that you remind yourself in the morning and evening to follow these guidelines every day. They will help you lead a fulfilling and meaningful life, connected to the universal energy.

The attitude of gratitude as a way of life according to Reiki

Reiki suggests that cultivating an “Attitude of Gratitude”, one of its five principles will help lead a life of harmony. Be thankful for everything to everyone. Be thankful that you are alive. Be thankful to God or your Higher Self, whichever you believe in. Be thankful for all the blessings of life – material blessings, friends, family, and your partners.

Even when your day doesn’t look too bright, try to find at least one good thing that happened to you. Even something that seems as minute as getting a good coffee will do. Being grateful automatically makes you more optimistic and energetic. If you practice this habit, you will find that your day will go a lot smoother.

But being positive with a grateful heart does not mean that your life will be problem-free. It simply means that you will be better equipped and in the right frame of mind to face bravely whatever life throws at you.

Even though you may find yourself in a hard situation, if you can force yourself to find even just a speck of silver lining, your entire perspective of the said situation will shift toward a more positive tone. You will find the wisdom to transform every failure into a lesson.

Practising the “attitude of gratitude” can also help you let go of painful or traumatic experiences. You will learn to not waste time dwelling in the past, and you will learn that worrying about the future is pointless.

Instead, you will find wisdom and make a conscious decision to live in the present and be fully aware of each moment. Slowly but surely, living the Reiki way through gratitude will allow and help you to heal yourself in every way.

Tips on how to cultivate gratitude

gratitude

1. Maintain a gratitude journal

A gratitude journal is a great way to remind yourself of all that you have to be thankful for. Take time out every day to write down all that you are grateful for, from the smallest to the biggest things and people you consider blessings.

2. Be thankful for your pain

You can also try to think of bad experiences in the past differently and try to think of something good you took away from it that you have never thought of before. Perhaps you came out stronger or learned an important lesson. Write that down. Understand that everything happens for a reason and that even in pain, there is something to learn and grow into.

3. Express your thankfulness

It is great to be thankful, but what is even better is to express your thankfulness. If there are people you are grateful to have in your life, people you love and treasure, let them know. Do not hold back from expressing your gratitude.

Making them aware of how you feel about them will trigger an abundance of positive feelings in you. It will also inspire gratitude in the other person; loving and being loved is nothing short of a blessing.

4. Focus on what you already have

Famous talk show host Oprah Winfrey, a champion of positivity and attitude of gratitude, strongly believes that if you focus on the things you already have and are genuinely grateful for them, you will keep getting more. But if you choose to waste your energy to focus on things you do not have, you will never find anything to be grateful for. We cannot agree more.

5. Focus on self-growth

Once you invest your time and energy into becoming the best version of yourself, an attitude of gratitude will naturally follow. You overcome your fears and achieve the goals you have set for yourself, which triggers many positive emotions in you. You have better self-esteem and confidence, and you will find more blessings to be grateful for.

More Great Contents