Some days, I found myself running out of time at the end of a busy day. By the time I’d settled in, I either didn’t have the energy or the hours to do my Reiki practice, my Japa, and meditation. Often, I’d end up doing just one, and as I started to drift off to sleep, a wave of guilt would hit me for not completing my full sadhana.
To solve this, I created what I now call my Reiki Japa Practice, a way to combine Reiki and Japa into a single, flowing practice. It allows me to stay consistent, even on the busiest days, without having to skip either practice.
I’m sharing this because if you’ve ever struggled to fit in your spiritual practices every day, this approach might help you maintain consistency without feeling overwhelmed or guilty.
Japa is a Sanskrit word meaning “to mutter or repeat softly”. It refers to the meditative repetition of a mantra with the help of a mala (prayer beads).
What Is a Mala and How to Use It
A mala is a string of prayer beads, traditionally with 108 beads plus one larger bead, called the guru bead.
You can use any mala you feel drawn to. I personally use wooden beads for grounding, crystal malas (like rose quartz, amethyst, or clear quartz) for healing energy, or traditional rudraksha beads.
Hold the mala in your right hand. Rest it over your middle finger and use your thumb to move one bead at a time as you repeat your mantra. (The index finger isn’t used as it represents the ego, which we set aside in this practice.)
How to Create a Reiki Japa Practice
1. Set the Intention
- Sit in a comfortable meditation posture, hands in Gassho (prayer position) at the heart.
- Take a few deep breaths, invite Reiki to flow, and silently say: “I open myself to Reiki. May this practice bring harmony to my body, mind, and spirit.”
2. Choose Your Reiki Japa Mantra
I have been working with Om Mani Padme Hum (a sacred Buddhist mantra associated with Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. It’s traditionally chanted to cultivate compassion, purify the mind, and awaken spiritual wisdom) for several years now, and I’ve also begun to integrate the Reiki Precepts as mantras.
For example:
- “Just for today, I will not be angry.”
- “Just for today, I will not worry.”
- “Just for today, I am grateful.”
- “Just for today, I do my work honestly.”
- “Just for today, I am kind.”
You can either repeat one for the full mala round or move through each precept one by one (5 rounds in total).
3. Using the Mala
- Hold the mala in your right hand, beads resting on the middle finger.
- Start at the bead next to the guru bead. For each bead, softly repeat your chosen mantra/precept either out loud or silently in your mind. Let the words echo in your mind and heart with every repetition.
- Use your thumb to move each bead, repeating the chosen precept/mantra once per bead.
- Move around the mala until you come back to the guru bead.
Important: Don’t cross over the guru bead. When you reach it, pause. If you’d like to continue, simply turn the mala around and begin moving back the other way. The guru bead is a marker of respect, and it represents your teacher, Divine Source, your higher Self, or just the energy guiding you.
4. Deepening the Vibration
- As you chant, visualize Reiki energy radiating from your heart, filling your whole body.
- With each bead, imagine Reiki light expanding into your aura and out into the world.
- If your mind drifts, gently return to the mantra and the rhythm of the beads.
5. Closing the Practice
- When you reach the guru bead, pause and place both hands in Gassho again.
- Silently affirm: “Reiki flows through me, harmonizing my body, mind, and spirit. Just for today, I live in balance.”
- Sit quietly for a few breaths, then bow in gratitude.
Benefits of Reiki Japa
- Strengthens your connection to Reiki energy
- Brings the Reiki Precepts into daily embodiment, not just recitation
- Creates focus and clears mental/emotional clutter
- Expands compassion and kindness within and around you
- Even one round (108 repetitions) each day makes a difference. Over time, the rhythm of Japa will naturally carry you into deeper peace and connection with Reiki.
Article by Charmaine Murray
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Charmaine Murray is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master Teacher, Animal Energy Healer and the founder of Spica Healing. She offers Reiki and intuitive energy healing sessions, along with personalized guidance for both humans and their animal companions, online and in person in Surrey, UK. Charmaine is dedicated to helping clients and students reconnect with their inner light, restore balance, and deepen their connection with themselves and the animals in their lives through her healing sessions and her training courses. Learn more at www.spicahealing.co.uk or follow Spica Healing on Instagram @spicahealing
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