You can’t always ‘Mantra’ your way out of a feeling. Try this instead.

Something that has really stuck with me from my Reiki training was the Reiki Principles. They’re basically mantras, and they have really helped me to stay present and intentional. But there’s something about these Reiki mantras that makes them so much more powerful than any I’ve learned previously. This may be unique to my instructor or common across all Reiki trainings, but definitely not common across mantra practices, at least in my experience.

Don’t get me wrong. I do very much believe in mantras. What I do not believe in is faking it. Saying words to yourself that you don’t feel are true doesn’t actually create the desired outcome. How many times have you repeated something over and over for weeks only to get upset and give up because it isn’t working?

That’s why I love the Reiki principles. Instead of stating, “I am ____________,” I say, “I intend to be _____________ just for this moment.”

This helps me to actively be aware of my thoughts, my actions, my perspectives instead of making a single promise before I run out the door and forgetting all about my true intention when some guy cuts me off on the interstate and ruins my morning.

Intention must be backed by consistent awareness to create the experience you desire in life. Which means you can’t just look in the mirror and recite a sentence then tune out for the remainder of your day. Read that again.

Each moment you connect back to your intention, you have an opportunity to ask yourself:

• Are my thoughts supporting this intention? If not, how can I choose something different?

• Are my actions uplifting my intention? If not, how can I pivot?

• Is my perspective honoring my intention? If not, is there a different angle I can look from?

And if you “mess up,” it’s ok! Because you have another moment right now to choose differently. Let’s say it together: “My intention creates my experience.”

I love you.