This meditation comes directly from Chapter 2 of Mindfulness Meditation and the Art of Reiki, where the simple act of placing the palms together becomes a profound spiritual gateway.

Gassho, meaning “two hands coming together,” is more than a ritual gesture. It is a centering practice that draws your awareness into the hara, quiets the mind, and cultivates a grounded presence. With the hands resting lightly together at the heart, this meditation invites you to bring your full attention to the meeting point of the palms. Over time, subtle sensations may arise, warmth, tingling, or a sense of spaciousness, as your awareness deepens.

In the context of Reiki, Gassho is foundational. It connects the practitioner to stillness, focus, and the inner alignment from which Reiki can naturally flow. This practice was recommended by Dr Usui himself and has been preserved as a core part of the traditional system.

As you sit with your hands in Gassho, you are not doing anything. You are simply being. Observing. Breathing. Letting presence gather itself in the space between the palms. It is a meditation of simplicity and discipline, one that gradually reveals the profound through the seemingly ordinary.

You can download your own copy of this meditation from this page and return to it as often as you like. Let it become a daily anchor or a gentle reset whenever you need to reconnect.