Exploring Dying & Death as a Transition

A Tribute & Share ~ My Grandmother’s Passing

The role of a shamanic practitioner in death is to guide and support the soul of the dying as they are welcomed into the afterlife. 

Shamanically, death is seen as a transition where the soul lets go of the bounds of the body and fully enters into the spiritual world known as the afterlife. The transition into the afterlife that occurs in death is acknowledged as being equally as important as the one in birth. However, the transition into birth is the opposite, where the soul leaves the spiritual and enters the physical.

Think about the birthing process. Women have been birthing since the beginning of humanity. People have also been dying since the beginning of humanity. In the least, the baby has its mom to support. More often, the baby also has a group of loved ones – doctors, midwives, doulas, friends and family to share encouraging words and ensure the process is as smooth as possible. This is seen as normal and necessary in our world today. But who do dying people have? This is one of the roles of the shaman. Birth and death are transitions on opposite sides of the same coin, and require the same amount of space, tenderness, reverence and love. 

Dying is a process in which the shaman acts as a midwife for the soul who journeys through the portal of death into the afterlife.

The role of the shaman up to, through and after death is to create the necessary space, energetic healing and support for the soul to transition as peacefully as possible, so they’re able to continue processing what they need to learn, evolve and ascend into and throughout the afterlife with the utmost ease and grace.

There are many helping, compassionate beings that the shaman works with to provide additional support for the dying as well as the living.

Often the souls of well ancestors present themselves to meet, greet and guide the dying, as well as a multitude of psychopomp beings whose only objective is to help guide the soul through this portal. Psychopomp is a Greek word that translates as guide of the soul. The shaman also acts as a psychopomp. Through the dying and death process, the role of the shaman includes providing comfort for the living, and if necessary, planning arrangements and/or tending to any ‘unfinished business’. It’s common for a soul to experience unfinished business if they cling to attachments or dynamics that require resolution in order for peace to propagate during and after death. Ultimately, shamanic practitioners help create a safe, healing space for the letting go of the dying, grieving of the living, and beyond. This is deep, sacred work. 

I had the extreme honor and privilege to support my grandmother last week during her departure from this world.

She was and is a very important person in my life. She was like a mother to me, and some of my favorite memories, especially in childhood, were always with her.

Mom-mom, as I called her, was spunky, spontaneous, witty, independent, stubborn, so very caring, loving and hilarious. She touched the heart of pretty much everyone who came across her, and certainly everyone who knew her. I’ve truly never met someone quite like her. From being able to talk her way out of speeding tickets, to prompting her grandchildren for approval to follow signaling fire trucks to find the fire, there was never a dull moment. We laughed and laughed and laughed and had the most fun. I always felt so cared for, loved and safe in her presence, outside of when she still insisted to drive me at 90 years old.

She was full of life until she wasn’t. She lived until her body told her she couldn’t. Her spirit was strong to and through the end of her earthly life, with only her body that failed her, as it will for every one of us one day.

I was blessed to be at her bedside for the last 12 hours of her life. She waited for me. When I arrived at the hospital in MD and walked into her room, her eyes lit up. Her head was turned to the right, eyes half open, half closed with some movement from time to time. I knelt down to her level so she could see me and started speaking with her. I knew she could hear me because every time I finished speaking, she would take a big breath and sigh. Her mouth would open, and she would move her tongue, like she was trying to talk but couldn’t or didn’t have the strength. I thanked her for waiting for me, told her I loved her very much, and invited her to let go when she was ready, among many other things. She was cool to the touch. 

Over time and many hours, she settled into stillness and comfort. Once we were alone for the night, I asked her if she was okay with me setting sacred space and inviting helping energies to support her transition. I intuitively knew that she gladly accepted, so I shared a prayer as I usually do in any shamanic or energetic work and helped to set the container. She softened into the container.

Around 9p, a nurse came in and tried to take her vitals. She couldn’t get a reading, but you could see that she was still breathing. I intuitively knew it would happen in a matter of hours.

As the container solidified and the helping energies surrounded us, we spoke about her unfinished business. As we talked through things, this gave her a sense of peace that allowed her to begin to let go naturally and gradually.

I helped to clear heaviness within her body and invited divine love and light to flow through her and the space that held us. I sang her medicine songs which called in the support of her helpers and Source/God energy. She loved it and didn’t want me to stop. When I finished, she had a soft smile on her face. Prior to this, she hadn’t moved for hours. I’ll never forget her smile that night. She looked very comfortable and at peace. I felt comfortable and at peace myself.

I could see and feel her spirit being lifted higher and higher, surrounded by love and light. There was a gateway in the afterlife that she was approaching. There was a significant amount of energy moving around and through her body. The cord that connected her to her body softened and stretched. Eventually, I was told she would become so ‘top heavy’ that the cord would dissolve naturally. 

I sat in a chair close to her, covered by a blanket that my great-grandmother made, her mother. I reminded her on occasion that I was still present, and that I loved her dearly. Sometimes I would repeat “May you be held. May you be cared for. May you be loved. May you be at peace.” I watched her breathing become subtler and subtler for hours upon hours. From low belly breaths to upper belly breaths, to chest breaths, to collar bone breaths, to nothing. At some point in the night, I came to the realization that she witnessed my birth, and I had the honor and privilege to witness and support her passing. On occasion I would rest my warm hand on hers or comb her hair. She was cold to the touch now.

In the early morning hours, I noticed she was no longer faintly breathing. The nurse came in just a moment later and couldn’t hear activity in her heart or lungs. The doctor confirmed her passing shortly after. I was told she looked so peaceful. She really did.

Around 254a on Wednesday, 2/14/24, Valentine’s Day, Marylin Berman, my Mom-Mom, passed away. I will remember this day for the rest of my life.

I can see that she is ascending into her highest, lightest and freest version of self. She is looking down with love, awe and pride. I can feel her everywhere – She lives in all things now. She is infinite, loving space.

I will cherish our memories for the rest of my life. She lives on now within my heart and acts as a guardian spirit of mine. I will never forget her voice or her presence or her positive impact on my life. I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to be there during her transition and more importantly to have been blessed enough to have her as my grandmother. She will be missed dearly.

I love you Mom-Mom. Thank you. Until we officially meet again,
Your Little Shanny<3

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

I’m sending you Love and Blessings,

Shanin | Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

Teacher, Healer, Energy & Spirit Worker & Intuitive Medium

What is a CURSE?! Are They Common?

Curses have been around since the beginning of time.

However in our modern western culture, we’re not typically attuned to their nature. Knowledge, dialogue and practices surrounding curses were much more popular in ancient civilizations, although they continue to play a large role in some cultures today. However no matter your culture, you cannot escape the potential of being affected by a curse.

Curses are much more common than you would think.

A curse is anything that creates a harmful energetic imprint on your field and therefore affects certain aspects of your life by predestining you to a specific repeating, limiting or negative outcome. They tend to present in patterns…occurrences of similar thoughts, behaviors or experiences, which are created from the imprint on your field. Curses keep us stuck and pigeon-hold our highest potential for continuous growth, learning and healing.

Have you ever felt that no matter what, you can’t change ___?

Or do you feel like you’re trapped within a certain place in life or frame of mind?

Or is there a similar, unfavorable experience that always seems to happen in some way or another?

If yes, you may be feeling the impact of a curse.

Curses can (but don’t always) change over time…they can begin by affecting certain things, then eventually they can morphe to influence other things.

To some, a curse may be a blessing. And to others, a blessing may actually be a curse. Curses are extremely subjective.

It’s also possible to harbor multiple curses. One of my teachers, Betsy Bergstrom, speaks on how curses have their own atmosphere within the host’s natural, larger field. When we work with or feel into a curse, they tend to relay in a pressurized, sticky, murky, gooey, or miasmic way.

Some curses are created intentionally with conscious direction, and some are created unintentionally without conscious direction. Curses can be generational; or they can be carried over from past lives; or they can be created from this lifetime. It’s also possible to create and inflict a curse onto yourself!

The reason a curse negatively influences the host is due to how the curse was formed and fueled.

At the moment in time when a curse first came to be, there was a collision of multiple power sources, which together created the negative imprint. Many different fuel sources can become tied or caught up in powering a curse. For example, these can be emotions, negative thoughts, ill-wishes, traumatic experiences, the powers of nature, bodily fluids, spirits and much more.

We don’t fully understand why some curses stick, and some do not.

This is one of the many mysteries of life. If two people experience the exact same thing, they will still come out of it with a different experience. The reason a curse sticks has to do with timing, susceptibility, belief and investment of energy. I also believe that karma and divine order plays a part. 

I perform a curse unraveling for almost EVERY client of mine – that is how common this really is.

In 2022, the year that I’m writing this, curses are making themselves known, in subtle or drastic ways, for almost everyone. You may not have the language to describe what’s happening on an energetic level, but you’re likely still feeling the negative effects more than ever. I believe this is because the world is “waking up” to higher levels of consciousness as the winds of change continue to blow through our planet, increasing our energetic thresholds and initiating opportunities for greater healing and evolution.

This work is deeply sacred and shamanic by nature.

My clients have shared that some of the most powerful healing sessions are during curse-centered work. They can really feel the energy moving and ultimately, the freedom that follows when a curses imprint is lifted.

The beauty of this work is that curses don’t have to rule or ruin our lives, and that we do have the power and support systems (from our own sovereignty, Great Spirit, and our many compassionate spirit guides) to break them and heal our lifeforce and essence along the way. 

You may have an idea or a feeling that you’ve been cursed, or you may not be sure.

Reach out – things don’t have to remain the way they are.

I offer a FREE Discovery Consult for all new clients. Don’t hesitate to schedule, and let’s discuss what’s best for you.

With Love Always, 

Shanin | Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

Pandemic Perspective

Hello Beautiful One,

Below is an excerpt from an email newsletter that I sent out in February 2021. (You can sign up to receive newsletters from me here)

I’ve been thinking a lot lately. Maybe you have, too?

Last week, I had the privilege to go on a long overdue vacation. Today, I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to briefly escape the compounding stress that the pandemic has added to our lives, families, communities, businesses, etc. I almost decided to work while we were there! Although I have the gift of doing what I love, I am glad that I gave myself time to do a lot of nothing. Most days included walking on the beach, laughing with my sweetie, sitting in the sun, reading, swimming, snorkeling, etc. 

Below are a few reflections from the last year: My “Pandemic Perspective”. Perhaps one or two things will resonate for you…

*Love is the most important thing. Love yourself first, then others, as the ultimate healing force. Sometimes, love is cooking for yourself or your family. Sometimes love is holding healthy boundaries. Sometimes love is saying no. Sometimes it’s saying yes. Love can be self-care or romantic dates, words of affirmation or a loving touch or look. Love is authenticity. Love is being willing to show up and support ourselves and each other, especially when it’s not easy. Love is the glue that holds us together for ever-lasting health, happiness and joy.

*Appreciate the small and simple things. More does not mean better. Bathe in the beauty of the moment…may it be with yourself, with others or with Nature. These moments are precious to our well-being.

*You cannot take on the worries of the world alone. Monitor how you consume your external environment, and then monitor how it influences you in return. Does it pull you out of your center or contaminate your truth? Your loved ones may have differing opinions than you, and that’s okay. Catching up on the media may cause you anxiety with no benefit. The food you eat holds a vibration that fuels or depletes your body’s vitality. Your thoughts carry energy that shape your reality. Let’s ask ourselves, does ___ serve me well?

*Shift your priorities to match your present. The things that mattered the most to you years ago may not matter now and visa versa. As the world changes, we change too. 

*Gratitude is the key to abundance. An “attitude of gratitude” opens the door to fulfillment and wholeness of how things are. We can always find something to be grateful for.

Perspective is everything. It shifts in the blink of an eye. It changes the direction of our inner winds. I’d love to hear how your perspective has shifted over the last COVID year!


Click here if you’re curious about 1:1 healing work or check out the links below for detail on each session. The Intuitive, The Journey, The Spirit Release, The Space Clearing, The Womb Massage or The Mini

Stay well, and I hope to connect with you soon<3

With Love,
Shanin | Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

WELCOME 2021!

Hello Beautiful Ones, 

Well, we’ve made it…2021 approaches. We are currently stepping into the “New World”. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time…anxiety and excitement do have similar (yet slightly different) vibrations!

2020 has been the year of…challenge? Or growth? On the spiritual level, we know that challenge = growth. But on the physical level, challenge is just that, the opposite of ease.

Have you reflected on what this last year was like for you?

Throughout the challenges of 2020, humanity was given the gift of awareness. You could call it the “Great Awakening”. We were able to shine light and love on a lot of stuff that was previously kept in the dark. This means that we have been dealing with the icky, tough spots (personally and collectively) that we typically avoid because they are uncomfortable, embarrassing, scary, etc. These tough spots are often called “shadow”…and 2020 has been quite the year of shadow work!

The continued quarantine isolation may seem like an unbearable and heavy weight on your shoulders. However, we must remember that we always have choice and power over our own perspective. We, as individuals, hold the greatest influence over our own quality of life, especially during times of challenge and growth. The three words that I’m carrying into 2021 to sustain a positive quality of life are: Simplicity. Love. Health.Perhaps you can think of some that resonate for you.

I feel called to share a few words with you that I wrote for a recent Winter Solstice Ceremony:

Modern western culture tends to encourage a veil of fear, illusion and confusion regarding the deep dark that exists within and without. Darkness, within and without, is especially prominent throughout the season of winter. We rest in the dark every night. We close our eyes and open our minds to dream. The nighttime gives us a chance to vision and renew, re-center, rejuvenate and recalibrate our energy. Many life forms flourish in the dark of night. Love is often made in the dark. Creative bursts occur in the dark. Seeds rest quietly in their place of origin in the dark womb of the earth…and so on…

The universe works in mysterious ways. In 2020, I grew from a deeper, embodied experience of the art of surrender. My business is called Surrender to Soul after all! During COVID times, I developed an unbreakable trust in divine unfolding while surrendering to any possible outcome. This was a gift.

I am confident we will continue to learn no matter where life takes us in 2021. That’s what life’s all about, right? As souls on earth, we are here to learn, grow, and gain knowledge via experience.

I hope you can begin to let go of the heaviness of 2020 and welcome 2021 with a positive, new light. The energetic shift that we have been moving through over the last few weeks marks the biggest collective turning point that we have seen in our lives.

 I pray yourself, your family and your friends stay safe and well. Please consider attending one or all of January’s special events. They are listed below.

Until next time, I’m sending you lots of love, and I look forward to connecting at a virtual eventweekly yoga class1:1 healing session, via my YouTube workouts, or another way sometime soon.

XX,
Shanin | Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

MY CURRENT WEEKLY YOGA SCHEDULE
Tuesday 10:00-11:00a All Levels Vinyasa, in studio + online MST
^ @ The Little Yoga Studio, CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Monday 9:30-1030a Soul Flow, in studio + online MST
Saturday 10-11a Vinyasa Flow, in studio + online MST
^ @ Soul Tree Yoga, CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

*Masks are required to practice in studio.
*Preregistration is required for all classes.
Shanin shares her intuitive gifts in 1:1 sessions, space clearings/blessings, yoga/fitness classes and group events. She thoroughly enjoys teaching others to build strength and enhance connection through conscious breathwork and body movement. Shanin also works closely with helping, compassionate spiritual guides and specializes in soul work that promotes healing and wholeness on every level, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. With a down-to-earth, relatable approach, She encourages conscious navigation through the trials and tribulations of life by better understanding and working WITH life experiences, energy and soul evolution.

Healing Sessions

Do you know I offer 1:1 intuitive healing sessions?!

 As a healerpsychic and medium, I work in the “dream” realms to initiate healing on deep, fundamental levels. Imbalances that show up mentally, emotionally and physically have a spiritual root, and need to be addressed within the “dream” realms, or Spirit realms, as the first step for lasting, positive change.

With the additional time at home, I’ve been able to take many “looks in the mirror” at my own energy, along with help clients look at theirs. The healing that is coming through during these sessions is profound to say the least!

I offer 4 sessions: The Journey
The Intuitive|The Womb Massage|The Clearing

Now that it’s safe, we’re meeting inside my healing space OR outside on the patio. I’m also continuing to do sessions via phone/zoom if you’re at a distance (by preference or location). More information about healing work here.
My favorite:
The Journey Session!
a 90-min deep dive into your energy & “dream” world

This session begins with meditative percussion and medicine songs in a field clearing. Then I use shamanic and psychic techniques to see and follow your Soul’s Journey through the “dream” or Spirit world, and channel the information that comes through via messages, symbols and metaphors relating to your needs, intentions and earthly life. 

This session provides Soul alignment, life clarity, healthy perspective and miraculous energetic healing! More info & booking for a Journey here. 

*If you are in a financial hardship, please contact me. Yes, I will work with you!

With Love, Shanin & Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

Tips for Self/Collective Healing

*Personal accountability
*Stay involved in your community
*Empathize with fellow humans, animals, and plants that you share this planet with
*Work to connect to the local land
*Familiarize yourself with your dreams, and re-align as necessary
*Offer your time to support important causes
*Use your voice to promote love, truth and the greatest good
*Take action (ex. sign petitions, write letters, donate, connect to support systems)
*Continue to educate and heal yourself

With Love, Shanin & Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

Did you know Dreams create Reality?!

Shamans have long known the power of “dreams”, aka thoughts, beliefs, hopes and wishes. Dreams manifest and take form to create reality, consciously and unconsciously. What are you dreaming? What are you feeding with your thoughts and beliefs, and in turn your actions? Are you dreaming for a world filled with beauty? Or are you (consciously or unconsciously) feeding the web of fear and hate? What would it mean to be in alignment with your dreams? Personal dreams impact personal reality AND influence the collective web. Lately it’s become easy to enter into a space of overwhelm, helplessness, anger, blame and so on when trying to solve the world’s problems. No one can do it alone.

We, as humans, have been collectively disassociated from Earth and our Earth-bodies for quite some time. Meaning, we are distracted, numb and disconnected from reality. This isn’t anyone’s fault; it’s increased through the progression of technology and modern society.
We are seemingly more connected now than ever (via smart phones, social media, etc), but we are missing sense-oriented experiences (see, smell, feel, hear, taste) that allow us to regularly communicate and connect with the natural world, our bodies and each other.

Try to use your senses, especially feeling, to move through dense emotions rather than numbing out. There are many ways to do this safely, and I realize it takes perseverance!

I believe we must do our part to first look within ourselves before we can make effective, outward change. For millennia, the inner-healing methods of yogis, shamans, and spiritual beings alike have been known and respected. In order to create positive change for the collective world, we must first work to install change on an intrinsic and personal level.

The first step is to recognize the truth of reality. Work on that as long as you need! From there, you can begin to ask harder questions: How have I played a role in reality? Is there something I’m ready to do or let go of, so I can make space for healing and growth?

Trust that healing yourself is the best thing you can do for the planet right now!

With Love, Shanin & Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

May 2020 Energy Update

Hi friends, how are we holding up?
I hope you are taking care & feeling safe & loved amidst the current crisis. I have spent much time contemplating & feeling into my energy & the collective over the last few months. We are all facing challenges right now, and there are likely more to come. You may share your challenge(s) with neighbors, friends & family, or perhaps it’s unique to you & your life…

Challenge shows up in a variety of ways: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc… You may be facing online schooling or childcare concerns. You may be worried about paying the bills or keeping food on the table. You may be feeling too sedentary. You may be working more now than you ever have before. Maybe you are needing a break. Maybe you are feeling isolated, alone, overwhelmed, sad or frustrated. Maybe you are struggling within your relationship or household. Maybe you are getting used to fear & worry being a part of your everyday.

You are not alone. We are not alone. Everything that is happening is a part of a massive energetic shift & vibrational upgrade for Earth & humanity. Humans are the leaders in this for all life on Earth, and shifts of this magnitude always come with challenge, “hardship” and/or resistance. They also end in increased growth & awareness for those that are willing to *surrender* to the flow & *trust* the process.
If you are reading this & thinking “I’m not being challenged right now”…Take this as an invitation to look deeper & get curious about what is going on under the surface.

Yes, we do need each other now more than ever! Our primal needs of safety, security, support, companionship, love & community are seemingly being questioned or at risk. However, all of the above (& more) is readily available to us, if we truthfully listen & lean into our challenges rather than away from them. 
Home space plays a big role in how we anchor this global shift.
Challenge visits me when my home is many things at once. I connect to a minimalist approach, so this spreads me thin & destabilizes the container. My home is currently holding space to: relax, be active, cook, teach, do inner work, have sessions, connect to community, etc! My home has its usual purpose(s), along with being my work/gym/studio/healing/
community space. That’s a lot! No wonder feelings of overwhelm & exhaustion find their way in, even with “so much time at home”…not to mention the impact of increased tech use. Perhaps you can relate!

Physically, your home is a place of protection & safety, the container for which you live. Within its walls, your home holds your physical, mental, emotional, & spiritual existence. Home is very symbolic of the body and carries both the beauty & challenge of life.

The challenges that are currently showing up are on hyperdrive & pleading to be recognized, heard & seen for what they are. This is a hard but necessary step that will speed up the individual & collective ascension process (they are linked). We are now able to realize that our challenge(s) is ____. This is something we couldn’t see just a few weeks ago, perhaps a silver lining!

Acceptance is a powerful antidote. It is a building block toclear perception & higher perspective. We cannot change what is happening, but we can change our perception of it. It is not something to be forced, rather something initiated by will & choice, then softened into. Welcome the energy of acceptance by being present, not by clinging to what was or reaching for what is yet to come. This is a challenge of its own sometimes. Presence requires clear & sufficient space (in your mind, body & home) to think, be, see & feel what is true for you.

Acceptance helps clear the smoke of illusion, confusion & conditioning. It opens our eyes to what is real. Soul-level acceptance exceeds what is “acceptable” by our ego & sub/unconscious beliefs. It encompasses our entire existence like a warm, eternal blanket of safety, love & trust.

Trust the resources/tools that will help you get through this with as much love & ease as possible. Listen to your innermost needs. Lean into your community & nature. We are all connected within the Web of Life. We share this planet & affect each other in so many ways. Your efforts will open the door for another, and create a beautiful ripple effect throughout the planet.
May we make it through this with bright illuminations & restored connections. May peace find its way into the hearts of all beings of Earth.

With Love Always, Shanin & Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness

“The Great Undoing” (A Prayer to Creator)

Me on a hike in Boulder, CO.

“The Great Undoing”

Undo what has been done
Step back and see the sun
Let go of all that which keeps me bound
Create space for what is, for what I’ve found
Along the way, day after day
The veil thins, and I pray:
“Oh powerful creator –
Free me of burdens and pressure
To be, something other than,
Myself fully.
Lift my spirits, and
Clear the smoke from in front of my eyes.
Bless my body, bless my home
And bless my loved ones, all beings of earth.
So that we may shine
and share our Truth
For the betterment and ascension of this planet.
Thank you, I salute –
To the sun, moon, stars, sky and earth
East, south, west and north.
Thank you, I pray –
Help me to see another day
Help me to serve my people
Help me to heal and grow
Until it is my time to go
Thank you for all that you do
May it be so – Thank You and I Love You.”

Love, Safety and Blessings, S

COVID-19 Resources & Tips

*Stay connected to your community

*Practice daily gratitude & appreciation for the little things

*Indulge in newfound time to do what we used to say we never had time to

*Enjoy extra self care practices

*Spend quality time with loved ones

*Savor time in nature

*Embrace cooking your own meals

*Try to welcome opportunities to learn & grow

*Try to surrender to Life’s flow, a lot is out of our control

*Take initiative to what IS in your control…to help manage stress (exercise, diet, mindset, hobbies, ____)

*Set intentions & goals for yourself…ask yourself “How do I want to come out of this?”

*It is easy to focus on what we are losing during this time…but try to remain in a place of “What is this allowing me to GAIN?”

With Love Always,

Shanin Weisberg

Surrender to Soul Healing & Wellness