Gasshō
In the world of Reiki, there are many techniques that help us return to stillness, reconnect with the present moment, and align with universal energy. One of the simplest and yet most profound is the practice of Gasshō. At first glance, Gasshō may seem like nothing more than placing the palms together in a prayer-like gesture. But in the lineage of traditional Japanese Reiki, Gasshō is far more than a physical posture. It is a spiritual practice. A doorway. A return.
What Is Gasshō?
Gasshō (合掌) is a traditional gesture of respect and reverence in Japanese culture, often translated as “two hands coming together.” In Reiki, it is used both symbolically and practically to center ourselves, embody humility, and attune to the flow of Reiki energy. In a Reiki context, Gasshō is most often practiced:
- At the beginning and end of meditation or self-practice
- During the Reiki Precepts recitation
- As a way to anchor awareness in the present moment
It reminds us that healing begins not with technique, but with intention.
A Deeper Meaning in the Practice
When we bring our hands together at the heart center, fingers pointing upward, we are creating a meeting point between:
- Left and right (yin and yang, receptive and active)
- Mind and body
- Self and Spirit
But there is something even deeper happening. In Reiki philosophy and in many Eastern spiritual traditions the human body is seen as the bridge between heaven and earth. The crown of the head connects us to the heavens, to Source, to the divine. The feet root us into the earth, into the physical, into matter. When we place our hands together in Gasshō at the heart center, we are symbolically uniting those polarities within ourselves. We become the middle path the still point between sky and soil. Gasshō becomes the sacred space where heaven and earth meet inside the body. In this union, we are reminded: we are both divine and human. Both energy and form. And in that balance, Reiki flows freely.
A Foundational Reiki Practice
One of the earliest practices taught in traditional Reiki is Gasshō Meditation.
Here’s a simple way to begin:
- Sit comfortably with a straight spine.
- Bring your hands together in the Gasshō position at your heart.
- Close your eyes and bring your awareness to the space between your palms.
- Breathe gently in and out through the nose.
- Let your thoughts come and go like clouds, always returning to the feeling of your palms or your breath.
You might do this for 5–10 minutes daily, especially before self-Reiki or spiritual practice. With regular practice, Gasshō meditation sharpens focus, cultivates mindfulness, and anchors you in the energy of presence. Over time, it becomes a doorway into deeper levels of intuition and energetic sensitivity.
Gasshō and the Reiki Precepts
In the original system of Reiki taught by Mikao Usui, the Reiki Precepts are recited daily with hands in Gasshō. This posture isn’t just for formality it aligns the body and mind, helping the Precepts to land not just as words, but as living truths.
Just for today…
Do not anger
Do not worry
Practice diligently
Be grateful
Be kind to others
When spoken from the stillness of Gasshō, these precepts become an embodied intention a vow we make not only with our words, but with our whole being.
A Daily Act of Devotion
Gasshō is not limited to formal practice. It can become a quiet rhythm throughout the day a gentle bow before meals, a moment of stillness before a difficult conversation, a gesture of thanks before bed. In this way, Gasshō becomes a lifestyle. A reminder that every moment holds the potential for presence. That our hands when brought together with awareness can become sacred tools of healing, reverence, and return.
Final Thoughts
In a world full of distractions, Gasshō calls us back to simplicity. It asks: Can you pause? Can you breathe? Can you meet this moment with presence? Because that’s where the Reiki flows, not in the complexity of doing, but in the stillness of being. And it all begins… with two hands, meeting at the heart.