Science Minded and Spiritually Guided

I have been trying to write this blog post for 8 months. It's something that is so dear to my heart and, at the same time, something I also feel really vulnerable and unsure about.

I am an occupational therapist. I am also a Reiki practitioner, a yogi, and a believer in the power of mindfulness, manifestation, and meditation. For a very long time, I thought those parts of me were separate. They were merely two different roles I was playing in life. How could the same person who loves to research neurobehavior and outcomes of interventions also be the person who sets daily intentions, uses mantras, and believes her spiritual practice was the #1 contributing factor when coming off anti-depressants. I thought I was a contradiction, but I'm not. As both an OT and a Reiki practitioner, I am a healer. My goal is to help people live life fully regardless of current health or life circumstance.

Healthcare has become a lot more accepting of non-Western medicine approaches in the last several years but there is still a stigma that exists. I can now talk about how yoga, meditation, and mindfulness have affected my mental health and overall wellness. . Yet I tend to tread lightly when talking about Reiki for fear of judgment. I think I've always feared not being taken seriously. It's humorous to me when I really think about it, because Reiki has been my longest lasting wellness practice and has served so many purposes in my life. Somewhere along the line, I was fed the lie that I could not be a good healthcare provider in our current system and believe in what many refer to as alternative medicine. The thing is, I don't see it as an alternative to anything. For me, its supplemental medicine or, in some cases, preventative.

If you google Reiki or look it up in a book, you might find a lot of different accounts of what it is or what it means. You will find some people who swear it's a cure and some people who swear it's garbage. I believe both groups of people and the rest of us who are in the middle somewhere. The truth is - there are a million ways to heal. You need to find one that resonates with you. I've told previous clients and students that, to me, Reiki is giving your body, mind, and soul the opportunity to heal itself. Everything is energy. Reiki is an opportunity to take that energy and focus it in a way that serves us best.

I first found Reiki when I was 15 years old. Someone really close to me was going through a lot of mental health challenges and asked me to go with her to Reiki circle (or Reiki share) for women. At the time, I didn't really admit it to anyone but I was having mental health challenges of my own. That first experience was really beautiful. It was a room full of women who took two hours out of their Friday night to hold space for each other to heal. We learned how to support each other without judgment and how to shift our intention and energies to healing one another and ourselves. We meditated together. We breathed together. I learned to be still for the first time. The experience opened me up to healing not only through Reiki, but also through meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. It was the first time I learned how to truly practice self-care and self-love in a way I needed to sustain my mental and physical health. I cannot say that it took away my mental health struggles in that moment. Those were the early days when Depression was starting to creep into my life. What Reiki and that community did for me was give me somewhere to turn. It gave me hope for healing. It taught me the importance of taking time to heal myself and gave me a tool for where to start. In dark moments, Reiki tends to be the first place I turn to for comfort. It also helped me learn to really take notice of my own body, mind, and thinking. That lesson made me acutely aware of when I needed to seek out medical help when my Depression was worsening.

In the last 13 years I've gone through four different certifications to become a Reiki master (or Reiki teacher). In that time, I've had the pleasure of working with incredible people; helping them tap into their own potential in many avenues in their lives. I've watched Reiki bring people clarity and comfort. I've seen people conquer anxiety, depression and chronic pain. I've seen peoples chronic illness symptoms lessened. I've also seen people finally recognize they needed help and decide to seek out a doctor for more traditional medical treatments. I've seen people learn how to love themselves and others. I've seen people find peace in a Reiki session and carry out into their daily lives. It's truly an honor to be part of any person's journey that way. When someone is open to healing and learning their own energy, there is so much potential for peace and growth.

One of my visions for my career and my life is to help others find their best self-care practice. I want to celebrate whatever works for each person. That means I need to celebrate what works for me. I am an occupational therapist and a Reiki practitioner. My experience in each helps me be better at the other. I am proud of my science-based knowledge and my spiritual-based experience. At the end of the day there are a million ways to heal if you are open to it. Where do you want to start? What are you open to?

With Love + Gratitude,

Samantha

Some more reading if y'all are interested:

https://www.uclahealth.org/rehab/workfiles/Urban%20Zen/Research%20Articles/Reiki_Really_Works-A_groundbreaking_Scientific_Study.pdf)