Gassho

Gassho (合掌) means "two hands coming together" — the gesture of placing the palms together in front of the heart, as in prayer. Rooted in Buddhist tradition, it expresses reverence, gratitude, and a recognition of the oneness of all beings. In Reiki it is both a greeting and a way to arrive fully in the present moment.

Meaning. The joined hands symbolize unity and respect — a quiet acknowledgment of the connection between practitioner, recipient, and the energy itself.

In Reiki. Mikao Usui taught a Gassho meditation practiced at the start of workshops and gatherings. Bringing the hands together before a session helps center the heart, quiet the mind, and invite the flow of Ki through the hands.

How it's practiced. Sit with a straight spine, eyes softly closed, palms together at the heart. Rest your attention on the breath, on the gentle contact of the hands, or on the point where the middle fingertips meet — returning there whenever the mind wanders.

Gassho is often described as the foundation of Reiki practice: a simple, steadying ritual of presence.