Do Affirmations Work?

Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master

“I am a successful Reiki practitioner.” “I am a loving and intelligent being.” “I am beautiful.” Have you tried these, or similar affirmations, for several days and did not feel more successful, loving, or beautiful? Affirmations are simply positive, intentional statements. Many believe if a person repeats them often enough, he will start to believe the truth contained with the statement. Do affirmations really work?

Yes, affirmations work, when there is belief and emotion connected to the statement. The purpose of repeating an affirmation is to integrate the statement/belief into a person’s thought center. This requires an openness to the possibility that the statement just might be true – even though in the beginning of the affirmation process, we do not fully accept the truth in the statement. It is best to start with affirmations that seem plausible and then continue to build upon them. For example, a woman who desires to improve her self-image realizes she has many beliefs that need to be changed. The affirmation, “I am perfect as I am” ,seems far beyond her reach, at this point. She realizes, however, the affirmation, “I am likeable”, has possibilities. If she repeats it often enough, it becomes a part of her belief system. Then, she is ready for another affirmation, and she chooses, “I am a loving person”. Every week, she works on a new affirmation and within a few months is able to state, with conviction, “I am perfect as I am” .

In the beginning of an affirmation process, it can feel fake, like an empty promise. Examine the affirmation and see if you have even a small inkling that it may be possible. If not, find a new affirmation that has a more believable premise for you. It is important to feel successful with each step.

As the belief grows, the positive emotions will also grow. Feelings of comfortability, confidence, and self-love will expand – these emotions help the beliefs to grow even more. It is a circular process, with each aspect enhancing the other. This is the reverse of what happened to develop your less-than-whole belief system, in the first place. Often, negative comments made by parents, teachers, friends, and other persons in your life formed this unhealthy mentality. Affirmations can serve to heal your negative beliefs.

If you find any blocks in your cognitive or emotional self, take the time to explore what the blockage really is. Sometimes, it is helpful to find the cause of the blockage. Journaling, talking to a trusted partner or friend, or seeing a therapist may be helpful tools in understanding, and releasing, any negative thoughts. Beliefs about ourselves are built over decades of time, and releasing them do not happen in a few brief hours. Sometimes, it seems easier to accept the familiar rather than delving into painful pasts. However, true healing sometimes requires this kind of substantial, deep work.
Naturally, Reiki can be a very important part of affirmation work. Use Reiki to find the most appropriate affirmation, for the present moment in your healing journey. Write out the affirmation and send Reiki to the piece of paper, or small card, to help cement this statement into your belief system. When you get stuck on an affirmation, place your hands on the closest-related chakra and give Reiki. There are many ways to bring Reiki into this intentional work.

Affirmations do work, but they are not a magic wand. It is not as simple as repeating a statement ten times, and you suddenly believe it is true. But, there is a loving, healing energy associated with affirmations. Affirmations are merely statements of intention. You want to believe the statement is true, and you believe it is possible you can embrace that statement, someday. Using affirmations, with Reiki, is certainly a powerful way to move along our healing paths.

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Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner, providing Distant Reiki sessions and training in Asheville, NC. Deborah is the author of two books, 22 Messages from the Archangels; and, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. She is also one of the co-authors of Reiki 101: 101 Answers for Your Reiki Questions. Reach Deborah at deb@deblloydhealing.com and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.