Becoming Sovereign: The Energy Behind Thoughts, Words & Actions That String, Tie & Bind

What would change if you could be more aware of the energy behind thoughts, words and actions?

The words you think, and the words you speak, hold power. The same is true for your actions. And you can bring others (energy) into the picture when you think, say or do things that involve them. 

We can easily tie our energy to others by the things that we think, say or do.

This concept is shamanic in nature (spirit-based) and was/is understood by ancient and indigenous cultures from around the world.

‘Tying energy’ is not innately negative. It can be used for specific beneficial purposes. However, for the purpose of this blog, we will focus on how this kind of energy can be significantly limiting

How you think, how you speak, or how you do something significantly influences the power of underlying energy…

It’s less about WHAT you think, say or do…but HOW!

Energy is much more complex than we often realize.

It lives within everything and can be easily influenced – whether by our own doing, by others, by our family and friends, by our environment (past or present), by nature or spirit, and more.

Things like intention, purpose and resonance influence the underlying energy behind thoughts, words and actions.

The type of thought and the direction it leads affects the energy that’s behind it.

Tone, cadence and volume affect the energy behind words.

The feeling that you have as you do something affects the energy that fuels an action.

There are many other factors!

Have you ever noticed the presence of an energetic string that was attached to something that was said or done to or for you?

For example, when someone says one thing, but means something else. Or when someone does one thing, but anticipates something else in return, with or without full disclosure or consent. Perhaps you have said or done things in this way too.

Energetic strings can easily live within expectations, anticipations, obligations, debts and more.

Shamanically, strings can also live within curses, oaths, vows, promises, dedications, devotions, traumas (abuse, neglect, manipulation, etc.) and more.

Strings, ties and bindings come into play when a certain kind of underlying energy is not at the forefront of an exchange in a clear and communicative way.

When something is strung, tied or bound, it locks the energy into a specific place or aspect for a specific reason or purpose, which then helps it to stay put. This typically creates a negative energetic influence.

When you expect something, you can easily end up tying an energetic string to that potential outcome. This might lead you into an unfavorable territory if the outcome doesn’t come to be in the way you expected (ex. disappointment). If I have an expectation about something, I also invite a level of openness, discovery and trust in that things naturally unfold in the best of ways, even if I don’t understand how or why. To me, this is a practice of having an intention while surrendering to the outcome.

The same is true for anticipations, which are quite similar energetically to expectations. When you anticipate, you could be reaching a string to that thing, which would then pull you from your body, and the present space and time, towards what it is that you’re anticipating or expecting. These energies could surface as anxiety, having a ‘busy’ or ‘distracted’ mind, feeling disconnected from current sensations and feelings in the body, and in some cases, the experience of catastrophic thinking (worse-case scenarios playing over and over).

The energy of obligation tends to go hand-in-hand with energetic strings. When you feel obligated to do or say something, you are being pulled in the direction of that string, regardless of if you want it/to or not. This generally does not feel good. Obligation tends to create feelings of guilt or even shame if it’s not fulfilled, regardless of the bigger energetic picture at play.

Debts without a doubt create energetic strings – Hopefully ones that are fully agreed to and deemed of worth to the holder of the debt. Debts that appear after-the-fact (ex. through the ‘you owe me’ mentality) represent the existence of energetic strings that were not originally at the surface, nonetheless still existed. I think about the giving of a “gift” that actually had strings attached. Or how some parents can make their children feel indebted to them simply because they are their parents, without consideration of their children’s best interest, or if they even served their children well at a larger scale.

In the simplest of terms, a curse is a very common kind of energetic climate that places a hold on an individual’s space, which limits, restricts or governs their destiny in unfavorable or undesirable ways, typically through repeating patterns, behaviors, situations and outcomes. A curse is a type of foreign energy, which means it’s not authentic or original to those affected. Although, the energy of the curse still lives within or overshadows those affected through a negative influence.

Curses can include the energy of strings, ties and bindings. This would in turn anchor the limiting climate and negative influence of the curse even more into the spaces of effect through having additional energies that, for example, keep it in place or hold what is being tied or pinned. To learn more about curses, read this blog: What is a CURSE?! Are They Common? – Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness Blog (surrendertosoulwellnessblog.com)

Oaths, vows and promises can easily create strings that bind the receiver of the oath, vow or promise to what is sworn to, for or by. Cultures including the Norse (Viking), Gaelic (Irish/Scottish), Old English and many others have detailed accounts of these energies existing within them.

If a dedication or devotion is made, it’s possible that the dedicate-ee or devote-ee creates energetic strings that intertwines them with what the dedication or devotion is to or for. Hindu culture, amongst others, have this imbued in their cosmology.

When working with these energies, it’s important to consider the terms put in place and the life span of the energy.

It’s quite common to overlook these things upon the creation of the energy, regardless of how it comes to be.

Energies can be put in place for a specific purpose and length of time, which would then hold firm for that period of time, sometimes even if circumstances change.

It’s possible for these to remain in effect throughout various lifetimes of the soul and/or affect generational lines and/or the lands we live on or come from.

Note: In my experience, almost all kinds of these energies are workable and do NOT have to continue in the same manner. Most things are able to be cleared, reworked or renegotiated – given new levels of awareness, circumstances and the individual’s right to their own optimal well-being.

This might propel you to think about or feel into how energies of the like may be influencing your well-being…

Energy lives within and fuels everything – therefore it influences and manifests within your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Your well-being is connected to the concept of sovereignty –

Sovereignty is a birthright that means you have the right to be in service to your own well-being in an authentic and beneficial manner.

With sovereignty, you have the ability to be your own self-governing individual, with agency and authority over your energy, thoughts, beliefs, choices and actions, so that they are of benefit and in right relation to you. Becoming sovereign includes becoming aware of your energetic space and what lives within or in accordance with it.

One of my teachers, Betsy Bergstrom, speaks beautifully about these teachings.

Betsy shares that becoming sovereign is a path, and our relationship to sovereignty grows and evolves over time, just as we do. Learn more about Betsy’s work here: About | Spirit-Wise

Sovereignty comes into play if there are energetic strings (created through a thought, expression or action) that tie or bind the sovereignty of those involved together (under a specific set of terms, conditions and period of time).

Some people have more power at their disposal to harness or create these energies.

Strings, ties or bindings can be created with love, or with the opposite, and anything in between.

There is an amount of intent involved, although it could be from a sub/unconscious place. And intent doesn’t equal impact. Even with the best of intentions, the impact can become something different.

When we’re stringed to something, we’re connected to it and influenced by it, whether we want it, like it, agree with it, or not.

There are many factors to consider when working with these energies.

Sometimes we do not or cannot fully understand what we’re getting ourselves into, or what we’re energetically agreeing to, or what is being forced onto us, or what still stands today even if the circumstances or arrangement has changed.

It’s possible to create energetic strings where your sovereignty and the sovereignty of someone/something else becomes intertwined. This means your will and the will of someone/something else is also intertwined.

Will is an aspect of sovereignty that influences personal power, energy levels, drive, sense of self, vitality, lifeforce and more.

I tend to visualize the tying or binding of sovereignty or will as a braid. The different sources of will can be braided together into one.

When your will is tied to someone else’s, or vice versa, there is a shift of influence.

This alters the field of energy that you share and impacts each individual (energetic) space of those involved. The quality of energy, thinking, expression, behavior, desire, motivation, even life path direction and more can be influenced as a result. 

Energy is influenced much more often than we would like to think or realize.

It’s possible for an influence of the like to be of benefit, if there is conscious consent, understanding and choice for all parties involved, and if there is a potential for renegotiation if/when circumstances change.

It’s likely for these energetic situations to become undesirable or unfavorable if things are forced, withheld, repressed (sub/unconscious), altered, unknown, or coming to be through ulterior motives.

Often there is a lack of consent or comprehension about the totality of what’s happening, what or who’s involved, what the arrangement entails, for how long, and why.

Ancient and indigenous cultures knew/know that when something is thought, voiced or acted upon, it creates a line of energy that directs the soul.

For example, cultures have been intentionally tying or weaving prayer into reality through clothing, jewelry, tapestries, carpets, flags, baskets and more, which brings the energy of the intention and the energy of blessing into the everyday world.

Where and how is your soul being influenced, directed or affected through what you think… how you think it…what you say…how you say it…what you do…and how you do it?

There is a lot to consider here.

I work with clients to provide support, clarity and healing regarding these energies (whether it has occurred in this life, a past life, or in a client’s generational line) in my private practice, Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness.

Personally, I always strive for conscious intent, consent and comprehension. This is a work in progress.

We want to empower ourselves and others to make rightful and authentic choices and actions that are beneficial and supportive of well-being, firstly personally and therefore collectively. I believe what is in alignment with (the greatest and highest version of) personal well-being is also in alignment with (the greatest and highest) collective well-being.

We want to advocate for our own and one another’s sovereignty.

We don’t give ourselves enough credit to honor and acknowledge the power and influence we have over our own world, and the world of someone/something else.

Part of our personal and collective healing work resides in becoming sovereign through becoming aware of the energy behind thoughts, words and actions.

Awareness of strings, ties or bindings can be elusive, shadowed or hidden to those being influenced. Sometimes, a shift occurs in life that brings forth the clarity of need.

Whether of your own doing or someone/something else’s, in the past or the present, it is possible to work with these energies through a variety of energy, intuitive and shamanic healing techniques.

These kinds of energies require an attuned eye to neutrally, objectively and clearly view the energetic situation, so it can be tended to in a way that’s compassionate, ease-ful, functional, sustainable, graceful and beneficial for the well-being of the client.

You do not have to suffer through the negative influence of these energies on your own. And, you do not have to try to repair them on your own!

If you feel you have been subjected to or involved in something of the like, there are many ways that you can bring more awareness into the workings of your energetic space. Things like yoga, breathwork, meditation, journaling, self-reflection, specialized therapeutic support and/or energy work encourage and promote this. 

It is possible to move forward with greater sovereignty, truth, authenticity, power, potential, freedom and flow!

I offer a FREE Discovery Consult for all new clients. Don’t hesitate to reach out or schedule – Let’s discuss what’s going on and how we can work with it.

May your day be blessed and beautiful.

With Love Always, 

Shanin | Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

Why I Work With Empaths

Dear Soul,

Do you ever wonder why you take on so much?

Why you feel “off” around or after you’ve been with others?

Are you tired of feeling the pain of our distressed planet?

Are you tired of thriving only when you’re alone?

Well, you might be an Empath…it’s much more common than you think!

An Empath is a person who has a natural sensitivity to the energy of others and the world. You can be born with this, or it can develop over time.

Empaths play an essential role in society. They help to collectively usher humankind through vast challenges and changes.

Empaths are the compassionate feelers of the world!

I’m often asked why I’ve decided to support Empaths in my work, like the 12 week virtual course, Embody Your Empath, which begins Feb 9th 2022.

There are SO many reasons:
1. I’m a strong Empath. For the first 20 some years of my life, this was VERY difficult for me to manage.
2. Most of my clients and students are Empaths, too!

3. There are varying degrees and kinds of Empaths. Most people will feel empathy on occasion, but some feel it regularly…and to the point where it’s affecting everyday functioning.

4. Some Empaths don’t know that they’re an Empath! I didn’t realize it because it was my normal, until I began researching why I felt this way…

5. Most Empaths don’t understand what’s happening energetically. Eventually, I received the support of wonderful guides and teachers. Now it’s become a part of my soul’s journey to give back and support others in need.

6. If an Empath is unbalanced or inexperienced, it’s common to develop fatigue, discomfort and pain, sometimes even “chronically”. I used to feel exhausted after social interactions, lost in anxiety and overwhelmed by body aches as the “smoke”, or energy, from others weighed on me.

7. Empaths tend to grow more invested in others than themselves. For so long, I wasn’t aware that I was deferring or ignoring my feelings, thoughts and beliefs in an effort to please or protect others. But it makes sense…by doing so, I was avoiding feeling their discomfort!

8. Empaths are naturally drawn to helping others, animals or nature, personally or professionally. When an Empath stands fully in their truth and power, they’re able to emanate a stronger positive influence onto others and the world!

9. We need this work now, more than ever. In order to traverse these times with as much grace and ease, we must learn how to better manage energy!

10. This is deeply rewarding. It’s beautiful to witness the “Ah-has!” that come with developing and healing in community.

11. Lastly, Empath’s have a birthright to understand, balance and embody their sensitivity…not as a burden, but as a GIFT! 

Does this resonate with you?

Or do you have someone in mind?

There are 4 spots remaining for Embody Your Empath, which runs for 12 consecutive Wednesdays 2/9 – 4/27/22 @ 6-8p MST. 

We’ll engage in deep and interesting conversations, learn tools & techniques to support balance, and integrate healing energy through guided meditation, journeying and various other supportive practices.

The topics include: Care, Cleanse, Boundaries, Relate, Balance & Ground.

This course is for you if you’re ready and open to the work of learning about your sensitivity to help balance your energy. 

It’s especially valuable for those of you who work in service to others: Social Workers, Teachers, Therapists/Counselors, Medical Professionals and Healers of all kinds.

All sessions are online, recorded and sent to participants.

If you register by 1/26/22, you’ll receive a $150 early bird discount with code EMPATH22 at checkout!

I facilitate this course once or twice a year. Visit my website to view up-to-date event offerings!

2022 Blessings to you.

May this year open the door to greater fulfillment, purpose and power.
 
With Love,
Shanin | Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

Why Do We Practice?

Why do we practice?
No matter what is going on –we show up; we practice.
We practice on our mat, and we practice off our mat.
Our life is one big practice.
No matter what is going on – we show up again and again.
To our mat.
Or to a walk.
Or to the dinner table.
We show up to our relationships.
We show up for ourselves, and we show up for each other.
We show up to and through all of our life experiences.
We show up in celebration.
We show up out of desperation.
We show up for inspiration, and we show up for resolution.
We show up when it’s hard, and we show up when it’s good.
We show up because we know we should.
But sometimes, just the act of showing up is the biggest challenge.
We know we will meet, feel and see what is there when we do…
Our thoughts, feelings, limitations and perceptions also show up all too true.
But nonetheless – we show up.
The hidden treasure is in the why.
Remember why. Why do you practice? And will it sustain you?
The goal is sustainability through it all: the good, bad, and the divine…
They beacon you with their call, “Yes – show up, practice.”
No matter what you are moving through, let it be….
An opportunity.
An invitation.
A shift in perspective or a chance to grow.
Practice, no matter what it be – so that you may Illuminate and Heal
The shadowed corners once filled with doubt and fear.
Practice Kindness. Practice Compassion, Empowerment and Love. 
Not for me, but for you firstly.
You deserve your own approval. You deserve your own shower of Love.
And it’s OK if things get hard.
Especially when they do – practice, show up.
No matter how, the practice becomes a sanctuary. 
A place to come home to what is real, essential and fundamental.
Take it…
Moment by moment.
Breath by breath.

Trust yourself and trust your why the whole way through.
Your practice today is a part of your journey, the greater journey of You.

-Poem by Shanin Weisberg, RYT-500 & Intuitive Healer

Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

Power With vs. Power Over

Feeling empowered on retreat in Mexico.

This phrase really stuck with me lately. What is the difference between “Power With” vs. “Power Over”?

Power With has the essence of community and equality interwoven within words that encourage us to rise together, whereas Power Over has feelings of hierarchy and authority within words that keep us small, pushed down, and separate.

Power struggles. We see so much of this happening in our world today. As conscious humans, we know this struggle will first take place within us before we manifest and project it out. This has been going on for centuries. From a Shamanic view, we dream our world into being. Our dream is our mental programming, belief systems, stories, visions, and hopes for the world. From this place within our mind do we collectively create our world today, and our world today is very entangled with distorted Powers and redundant means of control.

When Power and control are involved, fear and/or anger will usually come crippling in through the back door. Most of us get a noticeable internal response when we interact with concepts of Power, if we allow ourselves to feel the resonance. It is important to note that we must feel this fully to move through our fears and angers (perhaps while also asking for outside support), so that we come out seeing clear and on the other side. Internally, Power is directly related to our self-esteem, and is not something to fear, no matter much our society encourages us to fear of our own Power. The structures and norms put in place collectively and independently by our society are directly associated to the “Power Over” concept. The powers that be are invisibly intelligent; the world at which we know it is sculpted to keep us conformed, stuck, obeying, impoverished, and seemingly powerless. Shamanically, a loss of power can result in mood disorders, lack of energy, and more. This is the card from which we have been dealt at this point in human evolution, so to say, but it does not dictate the outcome or fulfillment of our lives or the lives of the future generations to come! The “work” always starts with us, and it is beginning to change our world already!

Power is related to an expression of Masculine, solar energy. We know (no matter our gender) that all of Life is comprised of complimentary and opposing energies that can be labeled as Masculine and Feminine, solar and lunar. How we relate to Power is a good starting point when digging deeper into how we relate to the Masculine as a whole. This awareness is very much needed during the present revolutionary time on the pages of the book of humanity. We are all being asked to upgrade how we relate to, express, and work with our own Power. Without a need for explanation, it is known we live in a man-made society. This patriarchal world we live in has put a lot of unnecessary pressure onto both men and woman alike.

It is time to cultivate Divine Power, instead of seeking it externally by means of gaining control or authority over. Divine Power does not cause coercion, but instead creates a harmonious uprising of universal confidence, purification and transformation. This is the concept of “Power With”. Energetically, Divine Power is sparked in our upper abdomen/middle back and is located in our Solar Plexus/3rd Chakra. This is the space where we connect to our vibrant inner sun. When allowing, the rays from our Solar Plexus shine from inward to outward, illuminating and encouraging ourselves, our relationships, and our communities to grow, change and rise for the greatest good of all. Discover ways to empower yourself, so that you may empower others around you in return. This may be through your efforts to eat healthy, exercise, be of service to your community, etc. That is for you to decide! Through this process of empowerment, we are continuously shedding and aligning with higher versions of ourselves and the world as a whole.

Power is indefinitely related to the element of Fire – together we rise up and light the sky, or together we burn down and dissolve into ash. Perhaps we must first burn down to rise up…

May you find ways to connect to your Divine Power within. <3

Thank you for reading! Please visit my website here for more information on Healings (available long distance!), recipes, and more.

Enhance. Embody. Empower.

With Love,

Surrender to Soul Wellness

Shanin Weisberg

Gratitude Leads to Joy

It’s May already!

I am loving this transitional time of increased energy, activation, and action. The sunshine feels so good on my skin, and the warmth touches my soul. We are entering a time where everything is in motion; there is little left stagnant.

Roots are growing, seeds are sprouting, flowers are blooming, trees are blossoming, and we are rising too, in sync with life around us.

Perhaps you can feel yourself gaining upward or outward momentum to manifest your creations! Although, we must remain mindful that seeds do not manifest into trees or flowers or a full-grown vegetables overnight. We must honor our process that is the growth, accepting that it occurs in perfect time. Spring is a new beginning of sorts, much like when the sun rises in the East come every dawn. There is so much stirring around and within us…aliveness, excitement, joy!

I recently watched a Netflix special called “Brene Brown: The Call to Courage”. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend giving yourself the time to. Brene Brown is a researcher and an author, and she has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. I love her down-to-earth and relatable personality.

A few topics stood out to me…

Through her research, Brene has interacted with many who have lost loved ones. She found out that what they miss the most about their loved ones is actually the most ordinary moments. They do not miss the extraordinary.

Also through her research, Brene discovered that some people have a hard time experiencing joy. When some people feel joy, it is counteracted by immediately thinking the joy will be taken away or replaced by something hurtful. She gave the example of a mother gazing at her child sleeping. The mother is feeling joyful and is overwhelmed with love for her child, but then has a sudden vision of her child getting very ill or even dying. She becomes fearful instead of joyful. In contrast, she found out that there is one thing in common for those that do fully embrace joy – Gratitude.

Gratitude Leads to Joy. 

It is so common to strive for the extraordinary  – whether that be in your work, your business, your hobbies, your athleticism, your personal growth, your spiritual enlightenment… whatever it may be! Having passion and determination is great, but it is usually the ordinary and everyday moments that we end up taking for granted without even realizing it.

The moments that are ordinary hold the most magic and will be the most missed.

This is baffling and at the same time, liberating! Sure, the extraordinary will give you a boost when achieving dreams or healing miraculously, but it is the simple and the mundane that hold the power to bring us everlasting Joy. And if we invite Gratitude into our lives, it will surely carve the way.

Gratitude is the highest vibrational emotion we can feel. Energetically, Gratitude exudes outward from our heart spaces and ripples throughout the Universe like magnetic sonar waves, bringing us back abundance, love, and Joy. Gratitude, much like forgiveness, will always show us more. It will continue to expand our heart’s awareness and our ability to have thanks and to offer thanks. This is very important in order to live a fulfilled life. Gratitude teaches us over and over again how to be thankful for what we have, for what we have experienced, and for all of the ordinary day-to-day moments that we actually treasure dearly.

If we allow ourselves the proper permission to cultivate feelings of Gratitude, Joy is bound to follow.

What are you grateful for?

XOXO,

Shanin Weisberg

Surrender to Soul Wellness

Enhance. Embody. Empower.

The Balance of Give and Receive

Happy April!

I’ve just returned from a road trip through the Southwest with my sweetie. We traveled through New Mexico and Colorado as we stopped to soak in healing waters and bathe in luminous rays, surrounded by the natural world! It was a mellow getaway spent with family and friends, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do so. You could say that I spent my time on vacation “receiving”.

The Balance of Give and Receive is SO important for the greater enjoyment, ease, and fulfillment of our lives on Earth. These two opposing (but complementary) energies can be witnessed and experienced simply as what we put out into the world and also what we take from the world.

You may also interpret Give/Receive as the Masculine and Feminine energies that exist within and without, above and below. Within us, we have this represented by the seemingly symmetrical sides of our Earth-Bodies. Our right side is our Masculine side – which I describe as active, outward, exertion, ascending, and giving. Our left side is our Feminine side – which I describe as passive, inward, healing, descending, and receiving. You may also interpret this through the spirit of Mother Earth below and the spirit of Father Sky above. Mother Earth is the ultimate representation of the Feminine, and Father Sky is the Masculine. Together they form two halves of one greater whole, much like our Earth-Bodies. In Chinese Philosophy, what I speak of here is widely known as the balance of Yin and Yang.

This balance occurs in every breath – your inhale meets your exhale, which then meets your inhale as the cycle begins again and again. Your inhale needs your exhale (and visa versa) to be a complete breath. Light and Dark, Sun and Moon, Earth and Sky, Strength and Surrender, Fire and Water… there are endless examples of the harmonizing opposition of Give and Receive.

Perhaps you feel called to one side versus the other. Perhaps you are more likely to Give rather than Receive or Receive rather than Give. Perhaps you spend your days in action, moving from inward to outward rather than resting, moving outward to inward. Or perhaps it is the opposite.

HOME PRACTICE: Have no judgment, resistance, or attachment as you engage in any of the following practices (contemplation, meditation, shamanic journey, yoga, dance, walk, journal, etc.) that feels like a match for YOU to gain clarity. Hold the clear intention in your heart space to discover how you are in relation with Give and Receive, and be open to experience your own inner wisdom. Perhaps you may even come to a revelation of how to gain greater balance of these two energies in your Life, because we certainly need both!

We as humans are always striving to find balance. This appears fundamentally when we become tired or feel energized, become hungry or feel full, or even when we are sweating or have the chills. Balance is always something that we are reaching for physically, energetically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. This occurs every day, every hour, every minute – whether we are aware of it or not. There is also great wisdom to be said in that there is NO true, concrete place of balance! We are always ebbing and flowing at every moment to “find” it. If we can bring in more AWARENESS around what we need to “work on”, it will act as a powerful ally on our journey closer.

When in “right” relation with Give AND Receive, we will experience Life as truly satisfied, wholesome, and healthy beings! We are on our path towards it <3

Please check out my website for my latest offerings, workshops, and more. Visitwww.surrendertosoulwellness.com

Surrender to Soul Wellness

Enhance. Embody. Empower.

With Love Always,

Shanin Weisberg

Yoga Teacher, Shamanic Energy Healer, & Chef

The Medicine Wheel: The Wheel of the Year

Happy New Year!

What a beautiful time to recognize and appreciate the ending of a year

& The passing through to a new!

This is a potent time to reflect on the previous year. This is also a potent time to clarify your intentions for the upcoming year – helping you to manifest and create the life of your dreams. Intention-setting practices like meditation or yoga or ceremonyvision boardsartmusicdance, and any other form of creation or expression is a beautiful way to call in the energies you wish to cultivate in the upcoming year. Through these conscious actions and efforts, we create space for our intentions to manifest and ground into our Earthly life. 

I have felt a deep pulling, now more than ever, to work in closer harmony with The Medicine Wheel – especially during this compelling time of transition and completion, commencement and rebirth. The Medicine Wheel is of Native American decent, and it represents the cycles of life as they turn and turn around the symbolic Wheel of the Year. Appearing as a circle, the Medicine Wheel as a whole teaches us about the never-ending lessonsrhythms, and evolutions of life – spinning around and around as each year passes. The Wheel is split into 4 parts, a part for each of the 4 Directions/Elements/Seasons correlating with one another to share a similar message and teaching. For each section of the Wheel, there is also a Gatekeeper – a specific power animal that holds the “medicine” of that part of the cycle.

For those of you that have worked with me before or who know me well, know that I LOVE learning from Earth and her natural rhythms, as it encourages me to recognize and honor MY own cycles. The Medicine Wheel is a powerful Shamanic tool that helps us do this.  If we embrace the “medicine” of the Wheel (otherwise known as the teaching), we can embody the different powersstrengths, and wisdoms it holds. If we implement into our Lives what reverberates and resonates for us, in return each rotation around our Wheel of Life is smoother and filled with greater peace and knowing. You can find many different variations of The Medicine Wheel out there – I offer one below that resonates with me. As always, you may discover your own and choose differently. 😊 

Traditionally we rotate clockwise, beginning in the East. The element that correlates with the East is Air; the season is Spring; the color is Yellow. The Gatekeeper of the East is known as the Eagle. The Eagle offers us the medicine of clarity, of sight, of perspective. The Eagle soars high in the sky, blown by the wind, gazing down onto Earth and all of its workings. The Air in which the Eagle soars is representative of breath, of intuition. This part of the Wheel symbolizes new beginnings, as the sun rises in the East each and every day. It is said that we first enter our Earth bodies in the East; it is also the place of conception. You can observe and feel this conception taking place during the Spring – when the Earth is waking back up from the silent solace of winter. We give our gratitude and respect to the East for bestowing us with a new day, new beginnings, with clarity and perspective, and with the chance to start anew.

Transitioning to the South, it is the place of Fire, of Summer, of the color Red. The Gatekeeper of the South is known as the Coyote. The Coyote offers us the medicine of resilienceperseverancedetermination, and a whole lot of playfulness and trickery. In the South, the heat of Summer burns like Red Fire to transform and grow and play. The South is a place of passion and action, of coming together in community to thrive. Beginnings conceptualized in the East gain momentum and shapeshift in the South, allowing for Divine manifestation.

Transitioning to the West, it is the place of Water, of Fall, of the color Black. The Gatekeeper of the West is known as the Bear. The Bear teaches us about renewalhibernation,rejuvenation, and acceptance of the dark. The Bear is also a fierce protector and nurturer. The sun sets every evening the West, encompassing the sky with Black darkness. It is said that when we are ready to leave our Earthly bodies, we will exit through the doors of the West. We also call upon this Watery energy to become comfortable with fluidity, with our emotions, with the rain; Water is known to have very cleansing and purifying properties, too. You can feel or imagine this time similar to the final stages of pregnancy – where the fetus lies in the dark, watery womb, replenished and renewed.

The final transition is to the North – the Element of Earth, Season of Winter, Color of White. The Gatekeeper of the North is known as the Buffalo. The medicine of the Buffalo is that of knowing and wisdomgratitude and abundance. When Native Americans would hunt and kill a Buffalo, they used EVERY part of the animal. This was seen as a representation of the ultimate surrender and an action that honored the cycles of life and death. The buffalo was respected greatly for it’s life-giving qualities. Everything comes full circle in the North. It is said that this is place where the Elders, Ancestors, and Spirits reside. I see Earth and the North as a place of coming home – of grounding into our foundation for the next turn of the Wheel. Do you remember Harriet Tubman? With help from a friendly white woman, she followed the North star to run away because she feared being sold as a slave. Once free, she went back to assist hundreds of others on their way to freedom on “The Underground Railroad”. Through the support of the North, she helped to close one cycle AND begin a new for the hundreds she saved.

We lean into the support of the North during this time of year – as we are preparing to cross the threshold into 2019.

Blessings & Best Wishes for you in 2019…

Surrender to Soul Wellness

Enhance. Embody. Empower.

Always Love,

Shanin Weisberg

Yoga Teacher, Chef, Shamanic Energy Healer

Home Practice: Bless Your Home

 You can easily bless your home (or any space) through your thoughts, words, and actions.

STEP ONE: Begin at your front door or the entrance to your space. As you walk in, look around and start to mindfully walk the perimeter of the room, slowly making your way through each part of your home.

STEP TWO: Gaze at your space with the feeling and the thoughts you wish to reflect onto your space – peace, comfort, safety, healing, etc. (You may choose to carry your favorite crystal or burn your favorite herb or wood as you do this.) Invite an inner feeling of Love and hold the clear intention to Bless in your heart center.

STEP THREE: Sounds are a powerful tool that create our reality. Words, songs, and incantations can be a promising way to deliver a potent Blessing. Here is an incantation I have used that is quite simple but effective: “Bless this house. Bless this home. Heal this house. Heal this home. Love this house. Love this home.” You may repeat this as many times as you feel called as you walk around each room, being sure to walk the edges and corners. You may also replace the words house/home with space/place or any other word(s) that feels right. It may feel right for you to touch certain objects in your space, or move your hands in an organic magical way as you repeat the incantation. I would recommend repeating the incantation at least 3 times all the way through out loud with conviction, certainty, and feeling.

STEP FOUR: Once you have made it through the entire space, return to the center of the space or to the center of your home. Close your eyes and breathe for several moments into this Blessing that you have bestowed into your space. Thank yourself, and notice what you feel. Record any experience or reaction as you feel called to.

Always Love, 

XOXO

Shanin Weisberg

Yoga Teacher, Diet Coach, Shamanic Energy Healer

Surrender to Soul Wellness 

Enhance. Embody. Empower.

*First image of me was taken by Annabelle. Please check out her work here http://www.annabelledenmark.com/*

Own Your Power: You Create Your World

 

Happy Holiday & Winter Season!

I hope you are enjoying this healing, dark time of year as the sun shines less and the moon shines more.

I used to really dislike winter…you know…the cold, the lack of sun, the longer nights. But recently, I have found the sheer beauty and comfort in being home cozy, rested, reflective, and mostly in the dark.

The photo above was taken just as the season was changing to fall…I am in Rocky Mountain National State Park surrounded by mountain air, water, sunshine, and rock. I love this image because it beautifully shows the balance between light and dark, and also because there is an awesome orb glowing with the color of my Lifeforce – bright blue! 😀

The seasons are a great example of the entire spectrum available to us in the Universe. We have spring/summer (the light side) and fall/winter (the dark side). For most of my life, I was labeling or judging the dark (winter) as “less-than” instead of viewing it as an equal part of the greater whole.

The distinction between light and dark can be compared to many oppositions and reflections that are parts of one total whole….good and bad, self and other, earth and universe… there are an infinite amount of examples. When we open our perceptions to see the totality of each experienced spectrum, we also open to the beauty and the healing in each and every part. One gives definition to the other. We know there would be no light without dark, no good without bad, no self without other, and no earth without the universe.

Through our perception do we actually create each experience we have.
Through our perception do we actually create the Universe.
And the Universe always responds.

Shamanically, it is believed that we actually dream the world into being. I first learned this from teacher Sandra Ingerman. We dream the world into being through our thoughts, beliefs, actions, and perceptions. Because we are all a part of the Universe, we are all co-creating this world together. Individually, we have our personalized belief systems for which we base our own perceptions and actions around. And yes, surely some overlap with the “collective” as well. The “collective” is defined by me as being the Universal “way” dreamed into all of our beings by centuries of programmed beliefs, actions, and behaviors of mankind.

When the veil of illusion lifts away, when you begin to SEE the truth of your reality – things actually become a bit lighter and certainly clearer! We consciously begin to understand our most in depth under-the-surface workings, our unique code to how we function and perceive reality. You can call this getting to know our subconscious or unconscious Self. And, we actually build the foundation for our Life through our subconscious and unconscious Self – these parts we are mostly unfamiliar with.

We certainly dream our world into being through our deepest parts such as these…

Give yourself a moment to look within yourself for your answers:

With awareness, gaze around you…shift your perspective so that you may be able to SEE the whole…then ask yourself…

  1. How does my home space reflect me, both in feeling (vibe) and appearance (cleanliness & organization)?
  2. How does my work reflect me?
  3. How do the actions I have taken reflect me?
  4. How does my experience of yesterday reflect me?
  5. How does my attitude about tomorrow reflect me today?
  6. How am I thinking, feeling, acting and how does that reflect this perceivable moment right now?

Our perception and perspective begins with us, always.
We create our Life because we are Life!
We create our experience because we are the Creation!
We are Creation itself as it witnesses itself!

….

We are a unique and valued part of the whole of the Universe.

Own your Power.

How do you create your world?

Always Love,

XOXO

Shanin Weisberg

Yoga Teacher, Diet Coach, Shamanic Energy Healer

Surrender to Soul Wellness

Enhance. Embody. Empower.

Nature’s Spiral

Happy November!

In the photo, I am holding myself while at a beautiful Women’s Retreat tucked away in the mountains with Lori Glazebrook & photographer Annabelle Denmark. I helped to cook the delicious Soul Food for this retreat. And for those of you that have visited my website or know me well, know that I LOVE to get my hands on food to infuse it and cook with LOVE. What a beautiful blessing to attend and share one of my passions!

The gorgeous and raw photo above was taken by Annabelle. Please check out more of her work at http://www.annabelledenmarkportraits.com/.

The image of me is pretty telling. During the shoot, I naturally curled up in the dark corner and hugged myself tight. In this image, I feel my present-self whispering to my “inner child” – “It’s okay. You’re safe. You’re held. I love you.”

The last few weeks have been “turbulent” times for me you could say – as I have been navigating through family emergency, illness, nerve pain, unexpected & expected travel, workshops/classes/retreats (teaching & attending), and a lot of emotions along the way.

However, such is life. Our human existence is challenging, and it will always have those clearly challenging sections or bumps along the way.

Challenge is an invitation to grow.

Challenge is an invitation to check in.

Challenge is an invitation to feel.

I feel deeply within myself that there is a teaching in every experience, every emotion, every turbulent or every blissful time. Through LIVING, we learn about ourselves. Through EXPERIENCING, we open ourselves to receive guidance, insight, and teachings as we continue onward on the wild journey of life on Earth.

It has been a reoccurring theme for me to honor MY needs first…so that I may continue to serve, support, and love others. This has been a constant teaching, a constant “checking in”, a constant “What do I need?” as I’ve moved through the last few weeks.

My needs showed up such as:
  • driving a bit further to buy myself my organic groceries while traveling
  • saying “no” to a workshop I already signed up for
  • allowing myself to nap or rest more if needed
  • or simply holding myself (like in the portrait) during this cycle of healing and renewal.

I’ve learned over the years that even if Life appears as smooth sailing or seemingly “easy”, my path continues to unveil itself and spiral in a circular orientation. I have days or weeks where I am full of lifeforce, prana, or creative energy as I go about my daily tasks, teachings, healings, workouts, cooking, etc. This is the “outward” or “upward” time of my cycle or circular path. In opposition, I have days or weeks where I am drawing inward. During this time, I am needing holding, rest, rejuvenation, and additional support. Neither is better or worse than the other, and the timeline for each opposing cycle is unknown and different during every rotation.

You can observe this spiral in nature all around us…from as big as images of the universe to smaller images of hurricanes to as small as images of a seashell. Of course, there is a mathematical foundation to this characteristic of the Cosmos – it is called the Fibonacci Sequence, also known as the Golden Ratio.

But to me, I call it Nature’s Spiral.

I have integrated this teaching into a deeper level of my being recently. I “knew” this tendency about my path, but I was still holding onto a certain level of resistance for the “inward” or “downward” portion the spiral. I realized how beautiful, soft, and simple this time can be, and it doesn’t make it “less than” or “worse than” the opposition (even though society teaches us to push, grind, and force our way through).

I believe Nature’s Spiral occurs in all of us with different varying degrees and opposition, whether we are aware of it or not…

Try to soften your mind, open your heart, expand your ability to reflect and find out for yourself…

Home Practice

STEP ONE: Find or take a moment to pause, slow down, and reflect. This can be anywhere. Invite a few deep breaths in and out to enter the present moment. Once you feel ready, ask yourself “How am I feeling today”? Do I feel tired? Do I feel energized? Do I feel introspective, joyful, sad, carefree, depleted, tender, overwhelmed? If you could pick one emotion to describe how you are feeling, what would that be?

*This is a great practice to do for several days/weeks straight. It can be simple, and I promise will get easier as you practice. You may choose to record your answers in a journal to reflect on later.

STEP TWO: Inhale a lengthened low belly breath; this time, exhale and offer the breath out of your mouth. This breath can be however gentle or loud as necessary. Repeat this style of breathing, and notice until you feel your inner awareness shift down (out of your mind and into your Heart Center, or perhaps even lower into Belly Center). It is much easier to connect to the wisdom of your true essence through the body; additionally, be mindful that it is impossible to connect to your being if you are lost in your mind’s chatter (own it if you are!). Furthermore, once you are fully relaxed into your body, guided by your exhales – ask yourself “What do I need in this moment?” Not what your mind wants you to do; not what other people want you to do; not what your job wants you to do. What do YOU need?

*This need comes from the wisdom within the body or from the “Higher Self” if you will. Honor the answer you receive. Act on your need in the perfect time for you.

STEP THREE: Reflect on the last few weeks of your life (or your journal entries). What do you notice? What Wisdom is to be gained through reflecting on your own cycle? Is there some sort of pattern asking to be seen?

*Mentally reflect or write your insight down in your journal.

Please reach out with any comments or questions about your experience(s)! <3

As Always – So Much Love & Gratitude, 

Shanin Weisberg

Yoga Teacher, Diet Coach, Energy Healer

Surrender to Soul Wellness

Enhance. Embody, Empower.

 

 

If you feel called, check out my humble offerings on my website here