The wellness community has been front and center in the conversation about mental health lately, which is excellent! These discussions make people feel comfortable seeking help. It’s the reason I followed my calling to become a healer — to help people acknowledge and heal mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional pain. I don’t, however, consider reiki a replacement for a doctor’s care. The two go hand and hand.

I've been bewildered by some posts and videos from influencers — people I admire and even studied with — who talk about pain as though it is a spiritual failing. They consider the reliance on conventional prevention methods and treatments a sign of weakness. They believe if you simply embrace the right mindset, you will be able to combat any disease, including COVID-19. It’s not surprising, then, that most are anti-vaccination, often stating catching COVID-19 is merely the difference between being a victor or a victim.

These are not my beliefs.

You do not bring a physical or mental illness upon yourself. You are not suffering because you did something wrong or are weak. The human body is pretty perfect but there are things beyond our control.

The idea that you can avoid a potentially deadly disease by simply taking charge of your life and reaching an enlightened state is classist, ageist, and ableist. The truth is good health is less the result of individual responsibility and more often the result of privilege. Championing a lifestyle that only a select group can afford or follow is ignoring the realities of oppression and poverty.

There are people who are immunocompromised, don’t have time to meditate 10 times a day, or can’t afford an organic diet. They are also our neighbors and friends. Instead of judging them, we should listen to them protect them, and lift them up.

Life is better when we look out for each other. When we are kind, understanding, and empathetic to the people around us, we change our neighborhood, society, and the world. We should not ostracize people who rely on conventional health treatments. Perhaps that is their path to follow.