Hilary Sanders is a life-long student from McLean, Virgina. Hilary graduated from Richmond University with a bachelor’s in communications. Following a successful stint in advertising, Hilary returned to academia to pursue a career in the medical field.
While on that journey, she discovered Reiki and realized how many different ways there are to heal the body. Hilary completed her masters in public health and second bachelors degree in Biobehavioral health at Penn State to better understand how different fields contribute to health, and how to implement changes to support equity in wellness.
1. For those who are new to Reiki, how would you explain Reiki in your own words?
“In its simplest form, reiki is a form of energy healing. A practitioner will spend time meditating and connecting to source to then direct the energy they have channeled to a particular place that may need healing. I am not a religious person so I prefer to use the term “source” or “spirit” but I know many people that meditate to God or another higher power they connect with to channel energy. I was always taught that it is whatever resonates with you. There is no right or wrong way to refer to your higher power.”
2. Can you tell us how you discovered Reiki and how did you know this practice would forever be a part of your life?
“Reiki was mentioned to me years ago by my therapist. I was curious and read about it, but at the time a studio or practitioner was not easy to find. A few years ago I found a Reiki practitioner near my home but when I inquired about registering, the classes were all booked up. I was disappointed but in hindsight, I do not think I was really ready to experience reiki. When I contacted her again about a year later everything seemed to align and I was able to complete her reiki I class. I subsequently completed my level II and III, and hope to complete my master certification this summer.
I had been going through a particularly difficult time and was really searching for a way to manage my anxiety and depression. I initially approached the practice as medicinal but after the level I class I felt connected to a spirit I didn’t know existed and I knew that reiki was what I had been searching for.”
3. What were some of the hesitations or questions you asked yourself before studying Reiki?
“Reiki was explained to me as a form of meditation so I wasn’t hesitant but I do remember wondering if it was something that I would want to stick with. I enjoy other forms of meditation but they are not something I feel compelled to do regularly. The one question I did ask myself before starting was if I was prepared to accept whatever reiki brought me. Meditation is so different for everyone but I have had past experiences that have been intense and quite frankly overwhelming so I wanted to make sure that I was mentally and physically prepared for whatever I experienced in my first class.”
4.What do you feel most people hesitate about when they hear about Reiki at first?
“I think people are hesitant to accept that someone can guide energy to promote healing. We live in a society that seeks tangible evidence of healing. There is nothing wrong with that but if there is skepticism directed at an energetic form of healing it is unlikely they will really benefit from the practice. I find that most people are hesitant until they are at a point in their lives that they can accept alternative medicine. Lack of belief in the practice or concern over what others would think about reiki is what I have been told also holds people back from pursuing reiki when they first hear of it.”
5.What is the biggest and most profound take away Reiki has given you?
“Reiki has allowed me to take control of my mental health. I can slip away in a sense when I am feeling overwhelmed and guide the energy to calm my outward symptoms. At the same time reiki has taught me to let go. I joke that I have a type-B+ personality and relinquishing control is terrifying to me. Reiki offers me a space to be confident when I am not in complete control of my surroundings because I know I can be in control of how I let my environment affect me.”
6. What struggles did you face growing up revolving around your mental health? What do you feel helped you overcome this?
“The most significant struggle I faced growing up was losing my dad when I was 7; I lived in a fog for most of my childhood. I was active in school and extracurriculars but I always felt lonely even in a big crowd. Therapy was the first thing that helped me overcome what I now recognize as longstanding depression. I had to get to a point that I was ready for help and willing to admit that I was not managing things well on my own. Acknowledging that I do have a support system and developing really strong friendships at university also helped me manage my depression. I didn’t have to feel lonely anymore because I had friends that understood that I might want quiet company if that makes sense. Sometimes its nice to just know someone is there if you need them. Feeling like you belong somewhere goes a long way in helping someone cope with depression and anxiety.”
7. How do you find Reiki can help heal issues surrounding mental health?
“For me, it helps calm all the mental chatter. I am an overthinker and sometimes it is hard to put everything away. Reiki has helped me calm my mind and almost compartmentalize all those thoughts so that I can deal with things one at a time. A common theme among my reiki classmates has been anxiety. I think reiki can be a powerful complementary or alternative medicine for someone that is open to it. It can also be used as a primary form of healing but I think in conjunction with therapy or even medication, reiki can allow people to identify the source of anxiety and depression in order to cope in a world that isn’t always tolerant of mental health.”
8.What would you like to see more when it comes to society's perception of wellness?
“I would hope that people start to recognize that wellness can be more than physical health. Wellness can be spiritual, emotional, intellectual, environmental, and even societal; it is a multidimensional concept and we need to start treating it as such. I would also like to see balance when it comes to wellness. Americans live in a society where we live to work and I know so many people that have completely exhausted themselves because of it. I used to be that person too. Following through on commitments is important but not at the expense of any aspect of health or wellness. I actually gave up a lucrative career because I refused to allow corporate America to chain me to a desk and forfeit the opportunity to attend a dear friend’s wedding. You can always find work, but you can’t get back the moments you miss.”
9. Which piece from our jewelry Dea Collection do you gravitate to and why?
“All of the pieces are stunning but the Soteria Safety Pin necklace stood out to me. I think it is because of how I have used safety pins in my life—to keep things buttoned up when everything may not be pulled together the way I want; it offers security when things may be starting to fall apart.”