If you missed Part 1 of our conversation, be sure to go back and check it out! The transcript and all Karissa’s information is below.
CR: My perception of Shamanism that I really like if I'm on the right track, is that I appreciate that it seems to be very earth-loving and embracing of us being on this physical plane on the earth and embracing that, because I feel like a lot of spiritual modalities are really all about ascension. People sort of reject their bodies, look at the earth as maybe a stepping stone to get somewhere better, wanting to somehow elevate to a place that's more ethereal and non-physical as if that's superior. And to me Shamanism seems, although it works with the different non-physical beings, is very much earth-loving and appreciative of being part of the physical world, and sees the value in that.
KH: Absolutely right. Absolutely. So I think of it as the understanding that everything is alive, everything is its own spirit. I'm looking at the trees right now, and I know that it's an alive being. I can talk to the trees, I can talk to the grass, understanding that we're just all connected, and that, you know, the universe has our back.
CR: Yeah I think that's so important because when I hear people refer to the physical body as a “meat suit,” I hate that! I think there's so much value and beauty in the earth and our bodies, and it's just a miraculous gift to get to be here. I'm sure it'll be great when I leave it, but for the while I'm here it seems like such a blessing, you know?
KH: Oh yes, we sure did sign up to be here and for a reason. I know it's trying times for a lot of us right now, but it's part of our journey, it's why we're supposed to be here, and I know people may not see it but we are part of the greater change that is happening, the New Earth. And just connecting with the earth in that way, gives you more of a sense of safeness I think.
CR: Yeah I think there's so many different routes you can take to feeling balanced, and I know for me it started very much with physical health. And food—that was a big thing for me, and I really couldn't see past food for a long time in terms of healing. Because to me, the physical body and the mental and emotional body is all one thing, so I was too wrapped up in that part alone, and I came from people teaching me that if I achieved physical health then spiritual and emotional health would follow that, which I think can be true. Yeah, I'm not saying it's not true, but it can also go the other way. Although I think if you have a very ill physical body, I think it's challenging to get there. The same way if you have a very sick emotional side it can be hard to achieve physical health, because it's really all one thing. So the way you go at it, it's almost like the same thing from two different angles.
KH: Yeah and I think there's a fine line between anything too, between it being good and being too much. Because I know spiritual psychosis and all the things that overindulgence can bring.
CR: Yeah so back to Shamanic Reiki, is there a particular teacher or person…I was doing a little googling before we talked…I saw that there's several different books with the title Shamanic Reiki. And I know from things I'm into, there are some books I'm like, “Oh please don't even read that one! If you look up what I'm into, don't read that!” You know what I mean? I wondering, is there something you recommend in terms of learning more about this?
KH: My biggest suggestion, and I know it might seem outlandish, is going within. Because you can read all the self-help books, you can read all the books about Shamanism, but it's really about going inside of yourself, and that was something that was actually hard for me in the beginning too. I was always searching for the next thing or the next tool, and it's knowing that we are the tool, and although you might not consider yourself a Shaman, you're a spiritual being. You have all the things we were born into this world with, all the tools. So for anybody trying understand Shamanism a little bit more, I always suggest going inside of yourself, meditating, body scanning, grounding, doing things in nature, appreciating nature, doing things to show the earth respect, that's really what Shamanism is about and the best way to learn.
CR: Yeah I think there's so much that we can do. Things that are so simple, like you just said, that make such like a profound impact on us and our health. Just being in the sun not wearing sunscreen and not wearing sunglasses—it sounds so stupid when you tell that to somebody. Somebody had a relative who was having a lot of physical problems, a lot of physical pain and inflammation, and they asked me, “What can I give them? Is there any food I can give them? What can I do?” And I was like, “Have her go outside and put her bare feet on the ground for 45 minutes every day.” And they looked at me like, oh what the hell!? You know? What difference is that going to make? But I know it would have helped them. It's so simple that you don't believe it would work, but I think it is that simple in a lot of ways.
KH: Yes absolutely, that's a beautiful suggestion. People, especially when it comes to physical illnesses, forget about those little tiny things we can do like breathing fresh air. Believe it or not we're helping our immune systems.
CR: Yeah, it's hard to fathom though, when you've been on that track of doctors and pills, and that the answer is right here. So the one thing I had to ask you about is that since I've known you I have observed—and I've said this to other people and they have agreed with me—that I have never ever heard you say a bad word about anyone. You know, we've had plenty of opportunities to gossip or say things that are negative. Even when people say negative things to you, you always just stay above and you never spill the beans or go there, and I've noticed that for a long time. Then I don't even remember what made me think of it, but I have had the book The Four Agreements on my bookshelf since 2001 when my grandma gave it to me. She wrote in the date and stuff because she loves that book. I was like, Karissa has read The Four Agreements because she is the embodiment of that. And then right after I had that thought, I saw on Instagram you had posted something that was a page from that book, and I was like, I knew it! Yes! I picked her!
KH: I've read that book and read that book and read that book over and over at the beginning of my journey. And I do think it was so helpful, though I don't agree with every single point that Don talks about, because I know he has the belief system that we don't choose to be here and we don't choose our parents, which I think is fine, but I do believe that we do choose to be here, and that we do choose our family for the lessons that we need in this life. But that book helped me so much, and I guess that it would be a book that I would suggest to people because it really does change your mindset. And it goes back to simple little things we can do, because those are things that you don't have to break your back to start doing. And I just think that knowing that where I am today, it's a beautiful, beautiful place that I'm in. Because I haven't always been in this space. And thank you for saying that about me because I haven't always been a perfect person—I have had my share of gossip and my fair share of sins so to say, but that's why I try not to talk badly about other people and see the brighter side of things. When you've been there you can see from a different light that hurt people hurt people. And I'm not a hurt person hurting other people anymore.
CR: That's awesome. I just started rereading the book again. I I hadn't read it for a while and I’m still in the introduction part, but when I read it over 20 years ago I didn't see all these Shamanism links. Now that I know a little bit about it I'm like, oh this guy is into Shamanism he just doesn't use that word so I couldn't see it, but now just having a little more information I'm like, oh that's what this guy's talking about.
KH: Basically yeah, and I do think he has more books about Shamanism now, but you're right, I don't think he uses titles too much, which I think is good too. I know a lot of people have a hard time with titles or saying they're healer or a Shaman, but I think just knowing that you’re a spiritual being is the best part and the highest consciousness of all. You don't have to be a title of any sort to have the wisdom of our ancestors in that way.
CR: Yeah, so this is something that I've experienced, there are certain philosophies and beliefs I have that are way, way, way, outside what I would call “the norm.” Even with people who aren't “the norm,” it's still too much for them, you know what I mean? So when you have certain beliefs, I find that a lot of times it's not always the right time to share them. A lot of times I hear people talking and I have so much I could say but I'm like, I just need to keep my mouth shut right now.
KH: Um, yes!
CR: So I'm sure you go through that too.
KH: Absolutely.
CR: Has Shamanic Reiki made you feel, despite the fact that you feel Oneness with all beings, do you also feel like an outsider sometimes in life when you're in those kind situations?
KH: I think that I used to, especially while I was trying to find a new friend group as I was growing and figuring out who I was, but not so much anymore. I do have great spiritual boundaries now and it's a lot easier to hold my tongue in those moments, because I go back to the deer and the headlight thing. I'm like, not everybody is meant to have this information right now. Maybe a little bit down the line. So yeah, not sure if I answered the question completely.
CR: Yeah, you did. It's like, resolving your place in the world and with the people in your life, and maybe where you are, what you're thinking mentally can sometimes be challenging, you know? Because there are times I know I would like to talk more freely, but I know this person is just not ready to hear this right now and they don't want to hear it right now it. I'm not even necessarily talking about stuff that's super spiritual. it's just like things in life, like with all the stuff going on right now, like we were talking about before, or how people approach illness and pain. I'm just like, oh man like there's such a better way, but I can't be the one to explain it to you right now. I always think back to when I was kid. I didn't grow up with Santa Claus and my parents told me, “When you go to school you don't tell the other kids what you know—they're gonna find out, but you're not going to be the one to tell them.” And I still feel like that sometimes.
KH: I love that. It is a lot like that, and oftentimes I'll just be having a normal conversation like this and somebody's ancestor will come through with something, or somebody's dad is talking, and you know you have to shut that down because it's not… First of all it's not appropriate for just a normal conversation, and just like you said it could be the simplest of things, or the simplest of wisdom, and some people are just not ready for it. And I think that is kind of hard about not even just being a Shaman, but being somebody on a spiritual journey. It's a hermit lifestyle, it really is. Because no matter what, and no matter how many likeminded people you have around you, our journeys are all different, and our experiences are all different.
CR: Yeah, yeah, that's a good way to put it. Well is there anything else you want to share? Or do you want to talk about the offerings you have and where to find you online?
KH: So you can find me on my Instagram page @ PineappleSageHealingServices and there's my information on the Strawberry Moon website as well. I offer Akashic Records and Soul Retrievals. Those two things which are a little bit more detailed session, I kind of let spirit let us know what we're going to do while we get into session. But a Soul Retrieval is more to retrieve the lost parts of your soul. When we have trauma our soul breaks off, so we go and find those pieces to feel whole again, to sing and dance, we often talk about and come back to yourself. Akashic Records is more so where I would bring somebody when they're in the “why is this happening to me” phase of life. Discovering karmic cycles, looking back on your past lives, and then I also do Egg Healings, which is just a basic cleansing. I do it with a raw egg still in its shell, and I rub it over the body, and the egg is the offering from Pachamama, Mother Earth herself, and the egg extracts. So kind of like an exorcism in a way if you have any lower vibrational stuff, illnesses, toxins, anything like that, the egg removes it and at the end I read the yolk to kind of see what you let go of or if you didn't. Sometimes I'll get messages if there's people putting the evil eye on you, or any soul ties that need to be cut. And I'm also thinking about offering some mentorship soon, so that's going to be happening and just kind of helping people on the beginning of their spiritual journey, because I wish I had somebody to help me. And that's really my hope, offering services to be the resource that people need going through their own healing journeys.
CR: So on the Soul Retrieval, is that something somebody should have more of a clear intention when they go in? We all have trauma, so could it be more general? Like maybe they're not going through something really hard right now, but they know they have trauma? I know with certain things I feel are more impactful when you have the specific intention of what you want from it?
KH: Normally I don't have anybody going in with intentions. I will ask. A lot of times people will have intentions of seeing a loved one or hearing from a loved one, but oftentimes I don't have anybody come in with an intention. I kind of just let spirit guide the whole thing and it's usually an hour or so, but sometimes even longer because like I said, I just let spirit really take over and guide us to what you need to see. And not everybody can see, so I'm the guide that's there to help you see those things, so is the spirit that takes over.
CR: Are the spirits particular to the person, like their ancestors or guides? Or is it different than that?
KH: It can be. Often time when I'm in session I do have medicine that I use. So I have snake medicine, I have jaguar medicine, the condor medicine, so sometimes the spirit is the condor, sometimes the spirit is God, sometimes it's their lost loved one, it's whoever is really, really needed for the healing at the time. Sometimes the whole entire time it's one entity. Sometimes, like yesterday when I did the automatic writing class, the whole time it was Archangel Michael. And sometimes it'll be that and sometimes it'll vary.
CR: Okay that's interesting. It's good to have variety!
KH: Right, yes, exactly! Strong team!
CR: Yeah, awesome. Alright well thanks for chatting with me, this has been great. I feel like I learned a lot about you and just about Shamanic Reiki in general. Both topics, reiki and Shamanism are just so broad that to know someone who's doing them as a combination is just awesome and really interesting to get to find out more.
KH: Well thank you, thank you. It's an honor to be here and be able to have a space to talk about it so I appreciate you so much.
CR: Oh yes, I'm so glad that we have crossed paths in life and met.
KH: Me too! Love you so, so much!
CR: Alright, enjoy the rest of this beautiful day!
KH: Thank you! You too, bye!
If you missed Part 1 of our chat, be sure to check it out!
Many Ways to Heal: SHAMANIC REIKI part 1
I had the pleasure of chatting with Karissa Hilliard about her healing journey and practice as a Shamanic Reiki Master. Our conversation is split into 2 videos, approximately 20 minutes each.
This conversation was recorded on Wednesday November 6, 2024.
Where to find Karissa:
Her website
Book an appointment with her at Strawberry Moon in Dartmouth, Massachusetts
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