Soul retrieval and the system of Reiki

Inspired by the teachings of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche of the Bön Tradition

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche describes the soul not as a separate entity but as a subtle vital essence expressed through the elemental qualities of earth, water, fire, air, and space. When these elemental forces are balanced, we experience vitality, harmony, and connection. When they become depleted or disturbed, we can feel disconnected from ourselves, others, and life itself.

Reiki practitioners may recognise a similar principle in the flow of Reiki, the universal life force energy that animates and sustains all living beings. Reiki practice supports the natural restoration of balance within the body, mind, and spirit. Rather than forcing change, the practitioner creates a compassionate space in which the subtle currents of life can return to their natural state of harmony.

The Reiki Precepts and Vital Life Force

One of the profound connections between the Bön teachings and Reiki is the recognition that our relationship with life directly influences the strength of our vital energy. Rinpoche teaches that it is not merely external circumstances that disturb our life force, but the state of mind we bring to those circumstances.

A mind dominated by worry, fear, anger, or attachment continuously disperses its vital energy. In contrast, a mind that rests in acceptance, gratitude, and equanimity naturally preserves and strengthens it. The Reiki Precepts offer a practical path for cultivating this balance:

• Just for today, do not anger.
• Just for today, do not worry.

These precepts invite us to become aware of habitual mental patterns that obscure our true nature. As anger and worry soften, the heart becomes more available to embody the deeper precept:

• Just for today, be kind to all living things.

Through sustained practice, the precepts become more than ethical guidelines. They become a means of protecting and nurturing our vital life force while cultivating greater compassion, balance, and wellbeing.

Losing Connection to Our Vital Essence

In modern life, it is easy to give away our energy. Work pressures, relationship difficulties, family responsibilities, and the constant demands of everyday living can leave us feeling depleted.

Sometimes we worry about not having enough. Other times we exhaust ourselves striving for more. We may find ourselves surrounded by circumstances that drain rather than nourish us. Over time, this erosion of vitality can leave us feeling tired, uninspired, disconnected, and lacking purpose.

When our life force is diminished, we may feel as though something essential is missing. Reiki practice reminds us that what has been lost can be restored through awareness, balance, and self-care.

The Five Essences of Vital Life Force

Earth

Earth embodies stability, grounding, and connection. When the earth element is strong, we feel centred, steady, and content in simply being. When depleted, we may feel restless, dissatisfied, disconnected, or constantly searching for something outside ourselves.

Water

Water brings ease, comfort, and emotional nourishment. In balance, it supports peace, kindness, and a natural sense of flow. When weakened, we may feel unsettled, disconnected from ourselves, and unable to find comfort within our relationships or environment.

Fire

Fire is the essence of enthusiasm, creativity, joy, and inspiration. When vibrant, it gives us energy and purpose. When depleted, we may struggle with motivation, direction, and confidence. Laughter, creativity, and meaningful engagement with life can help rekindle this inner flame.

Air

Air embodies movement, flexibility, communication, and transformation. When balanced, we feel alive, adaptable, and open to change. When diminished, we may feel stuck, rigid, and unable to move forward in life or practice.

Space

Space is the foundation that allows all other elements to arise. Through stillness of body, speech, and mind, we discover an inner spaciousness that releases tension and reveals our deeper qualities. Space reconnects us with the natural harmony of the elements and the flow of life force itself.

Restoring Balance

For the Reiki practitioner, awareness of the elements offers a powerful framework for self-care and spiritual development. It encourages us to reflect on:

• how we lose our elemental balance
• when we experience these qualities most fully
• how they influence our thoughts, emotions, and wellbeing

Through Reiki practice, we learn to care for these elemental qualities within ourselves. As balance is restored, vitality naturally returns, revealing a deeper sense of harmony, presence, and connection with life.

Ultimately, to live in alignment with our vital life force is to rest in the natural flow of being, where awareness, compassion, and balance arise effortlessly from within.