how to do gassho in 5 easy steps

How to Do the Gassho Meditation in 5 Easy Steps

how to perform gassho reiki meditation

Gassho (pronounced gash-sho) is a simple Japanese breath meditation with the hands in a prayer position. It is the first pillar of Reiki. Gassho means hands coming together and symbolises the coming together of the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine.

Doing Gassho daily will change your life. Reiki students and practitioners are encouraged to engage in a daily Gassho meditation practice because it strengthens the flow of Reiki. Reiki healers do Gassho in conjunction with reciting the 5 Reiki Principles, preferably at the start and end of each day. But you don’t have to be attuned to Reiki to try this breath meditation.

The purpose of Gassho is to bring the practitioner to the present moment in perfect stillness. Just five minutes a day, morning and evening is enough to create a big shift. You may find that you become more calm and centred throughout the day. Little things no longer trigger or irritate you. Your mental focus improves and you find it easier to take action on any ideas you have.

Why not try it for a month and see for yourself?

How to Do Gassho

I recommend starting with just five minutes and setting a timer. You may find that five minutes is enough or that you naturally wish to extend the session once you get used to holding your arms and hands in the Gassho position.

Step 1

Sit or stand with your spine straight.

Step 2

Bring your hands to the prayer position in front of your heart or higher heart chakra. The hands should be about a fist’s distance from your chest. Fingers pointing straight up and elbows out to the side. Be careful to relax your shoulders so they do not hunch up.

Step 3

Either close your eyes or gaze gently (lids lowered most of the way) at your fingertips.

Step 4

Breathe in and out of your nose. The exhale and the focus of your gaze converge at the tips of your middle fingers. Keep returning your focus to the tips of your middle fingers when your mind starts wandering.

Step 5

Bow with gratitude to finish the meditation. Next, take a few deep breaths and focus on your feet to ground the energy. Shake your hands and arms out if you need to.

I highly recommend keeping a journal if you decide to try the Gassho meditation for a month. That way, you can keep track of just how much positive change you experience thanks to this practice.

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