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 & Wellnes s

Teacher, Healer, Energy & Spirit Worker & Intuitive Medium

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

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!

https://surrendertosoulwellness.com/book-now

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

“The Great Undoing” (A Prayer to Creator)

“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

Can You Let Yourself Love?

How often do we REALLY let ourselves Love?!

I came across this Universal understanding and participated in the Collective opening over the last weekend…I was blessed to have attended a powerful Womens Retreat in the mountains of Estes Park, led and organized by a great friend and gifted yoga leader, Brooke Coletta. The retreat was filled with Healers, Teachers, Mothers, Daughters, and Students to SHE (the Wild Woman). The group theme was all about deepening our relationship the Feminine, while letting ourselves nourish and nurture from the inside out. Shout-out to Brooke for being the fiercely loving and authentic leader that she is! I had the honor of facilitating a group Shamanic Healing with mini personal readings during yoga, as well as leading the Full Moon Ceremony & Journey on Sunday night (picture of altar above). WOW – I am still blown away by the depth, connection, and sisterhood that develops when we truly LET OURSELVES LOVE.

What is your relationship to LOVE? Is it easier for you to give than receive? Do you find yourself receiving more than you give? What would it take for you to deepen your relationship with this equally Earthly and Cosmic force that connects us to all that is? Where do you feel these words in your body?

To quote the Beatles… “All you need is LOVE.”

I hear you… “But isn’t Love supposed to be shared?” “What if I don’t have a partner to express my Love to?” “I feel numb inside…how am I supposed to fill up with just the energy of Love?”

Truth is, Love is a Universal energy that is available to us in every moment.

You can experience Love within the rhythm of your breath, especially receiving it as you drink in each inhale. Have you ever stepped outside and invited a BIG breath of fresh air deep into your lungs, heart and body? That’s Universal Love! You can bathe in the Love of Grandmother Moon as she radiates power in the night sky and encourages you to release and let go of your uncertainty, fears and doubts. Have you ever gazed in wonder at the moon and stars as they appear as light sparked in the darkness…or at the rays of the sun as they penetrate and illuminate the clouds? That’s Love!

You have all the power you need to feel Love in every action you take, every step you walk, even every physical experience you have through manifested form. This is the gift of being human. We are able to use our senses, inner and outer, to perceive and experience the Love of Life. Sometimes, because of conditioning and embedded non-truths, we forget.

Have you lost your sparkle that glistens in the early morning as you wake, emerging into the dawn of a new day? Have you forgotten what it feels like to be grateful as you close your eyes and rest at night, drifting into the dreamtime? Have you unintentionally deemed Love as something that is irrelevant and insignificant to your everyday Life?

Once felt, Love is expressed through the different actions we take – admiring nature, purchasing flowers, vocalizing feelings, showing up for someone in need, snuggling with a loved one or pet, and yes – through sex. But Love is not limited. It is not able to be contained or boxed when we are experiencing it through the unconditional, dynamic and infinite eyes of the Universe. The process of opening to Love is a constant.

In what ways can you open so that you are able to let MORE Love in?

This is definitely a vulnerable state to be in – to say the least – AND it is a practice that shows us something more, again and again. Our society likes to tell us that we must be tough, strong and closed-off, while hiding our authentic selves, in order to be accepted and loved by partners, friends, communities and the greater world. This is simply not true. Also, we have many celebrity rockstars leading the pack (like Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga) that give me hope for the changes that are occurring in our society.

Humans are on a desperate search for connection. We hold within us an innate, heart-felt desire to connect…to something!

Truth. Love. Energy.

These 3 Shamanic principles are coming through big time for us as both human and spiritual beings, crocheted into the collective Web of Life. We are all works in progress. You owe it to yourself, over anyone else, to let some Love in – as it is right for you!

Love is all around you – waiting patiently – for the Divine moment to crack you open in ways that you have only dreamt about. It is also true that any heartbreak, loss, grief, desperation, abandonment, etc. hollows you in a way so that you can eventually experience MORE Love, because there is newfound space for it to enter Mind, Body and Spirit. I personally believe that although these are generally undesirable pathways to get there, devastating emotions are some of the most effective conduits for connecting us to something Greater.

Your entire existence is rooted in Love. Can you let it in?

It is my sincerest wish that we all Love and let ourselves be Loved – by Earth and nature, by ourselves and each other, by the greater Universe and the Web that connects us all. And So It Is!

With Blessings & Love Always,

Shanin Weisberg

surrendertosoulwellness.com

Power With vs. Power Over

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.

Ride the Waves

Recently I attended a beautiful Sound Healing where I set intentions to be open to receive any healing messages for myself, for those I love, for the greatest good of our planet, and for the greatest benefit of Life on Earth. My promise that evening was to act as a completely open vessel for truth, sight, love, and energy. It is also a very good reminder that we always have the ability to receive guidance from our helpers in the “unseen” worlds. With my intention, the messages certainly came through!

“Float, Don’t Fight. Think, Don’t Sink.”

This was one of many that came through that evening from Helping Spirits like Bear, the Elemental Spirit of Water, and even Celestial Beings like Angels. These Spirits are wanting to help provide a greater sense of ease on Earth as they assist us during this intense time of transition, evolution, and change. We can interpret this time personally within ourselves, outwardly in our relationships, and even globally throughout the world.

Living on Earth is certainly a beautiful miracle, but it does come with conditional challenges, waves, and cycles. As I have spoken about previously, Life is not linear. Over the past month, and specifically in the last week, it has become very clear to me that we are all riding the waves of our emotions and of our lives.

It is up to us if we choose to float with the current, fight against the motion, or sink into the depths.

In the Native traditions that I have studied and intuited, West and Water andBear are all united. West is the place where the sun sets every evening, promising us a chance to rest in darkness and renew in peace. The blackness of the sky is subtly illuminated by the nightlight of the moon and stars. This provides us a time to sleep, to recover, and to even shine glimmers of light on karmic patterns/beliefs/stories that are no longer encouraging the coming dawn of the next day – aka our Path/Purpose/Future in Life. Water as an Elemental offers us the potential to rejuvenate, cleanse, and wash away what is not in alignment with our true Self. Bear as the Spirit Guardian of the West provides us with the promise of the natural cycle of hibernation and reflection. Bear promises us a chance to go within to rest and heal, while also being protected, nurtured, and held safe while doing so. Perhaps you can feel for yourself how interconnected the “medicine” (or the teachings) of these are.

I saw clearly, and I feel strongly, that this is playing out right now within us and all around us.

There is profound opportunity and potential for the closure and finalized healing of certain dated ways of living and being that no longer serve our coming future.

These karmic bonds are being loosened and are asking for our awareness and acceptance in order to fully heal and close the cycle. During this process, there is potential for the opening of new doors and ways to shine our intrinsic Lights, all while staying grounded and rooted as humans of Earth. We have the ability to free ourselves from our pasts and create opportunities for our future, if we are willing to bring awareness around the ways that we may have encouraged those patterns to play out in our Lives until now.

We CAN clear and release karmic cycles, IF we allow ourselves the permission to ride the waves of our emotions, express how we feel, and ultimately trust in the flow that is always carrying us through.

Water wants to help us do this. As an ally, water can indefinitely guide us into a place of authentic truth, fluidity, and clear expression of who we are, how we feel, and what we are here to “do”.

We are aligning so that we may ride the waves of our lives in a more compassionate, balanced, and harmonious way with not only ourselves, but also with each other and the greater Mother Earth.

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Honoring the waters with presence and movement in CO.

Home Practice: Working with Water

*Bring awareness around water’s abilities while you are washing your hands, doing dishes, cleaning laundry, showering, etc.

*Offer gratitude for and mindfulness towards the water you drink and interact with each day.

*Honor the waters of the Earth and Sky. Spend time next to a local body of water/stream or collect fresh rain water outside – keep it in a special place in your home to remind you of the fluidity and help you are receiving!

*Take a rejuvenating Salt Bath. Epson/Mineral Salt combined with hot water in a bath helps to universally cleanse Mind, Body, & Spirit in an enjoyable and ease-filled way. Add essential oils or light candles to continue to create a healing space for yourself. I also like to call in healing energy from my Guides to help do this. Make it what you want! You may also want to try out this incantation: Speak out loud with conviction “Into the water and down the drain, goes all my worries, goes all my pain.” while you are exiting the bath, watching the water go down the drain. Repeat at least 3 times. Notice how you feel after!

*Listen to your intuition and respect how YOU are guided to work with Water!

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Surrender to Soul Wellness

Enhance. Embody. Empower.

With Love Always,

Shanin Weisberg

Yoga Teacher, Chef, Shamanic Energy Healer

(443) 974-8598 | [email protected] | surrendertosoulwellness.com