Ready to make a massive shift in how you’re relating and living your life? I offer 1:1 Shadow Work Journeys for those ready to embody the life they keep imagining. You can read more here and schedule a Free 30-min Discovery Call.

Summary

In this conversation, Michael Simmons explores the concept of projection and idealization, particularly in relation to spirituality and the divine. He discusses how individuals often project their own qualities onto others, especially figures like Jesus, and the implications of this for personal growth and self-empowerment. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reclaiming one's own 'gold'—the qualities and strengths that have been idealized in others—and integrating them into one's own life. Simmons critiques the church's role in this dynamic, likening it to a multi-level marketing organization that often leads to a psychological split between the idealized self and the shadow self. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to recognize their own divinity and the light within themselves, advocating for a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Projection and Idealization

03:50 The Nature of Projection in Personal Growth

07:10 The Role of Idealization in Spirituality

10:07 Jesus as a Gold Carrier: The Psychological Implications

13:08 The Cross as a Metaphor for Personal Burden

16:02 The Dangers of Outsourcing Spirituality

19:04 The Impact of Idealization on Self-Perception

21:51 The Multi-Level Marketing Analogy in Church Dynamics

25:14 Reclaiming Your Gold: The Process of Integration

28:00 The Exchange of Gold: A Path to Empowerment

30:55 The Invitation of Jesus: Embodying Your Own Divinity

33:50 The Power of Faith and Personal Agency

37:13 Conclusion: Embracing Your Inner Light

Summary Below:

Interested in Shadow Work? I offer Shadow Work Journey for those ready to make massive change, and shift the trajectory of their life. You can read more at https://www.shadowmike.com/journeys

In this episode, Dr. Mike Simmons delves into the journey of authentic spirituality, exploring the limiting beliefs that often stem from traditional Christian teachings. He shares personal experiences of spiritual awakening and the dichotomy of feeling connected to the divine while also feeling depleted. Through the lens of Huna wisdom, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's inner power and the shift from viewing oneself as a rechargeable battery to understanding oneself as solar-powered, drawing energy from the universe. The conversation culminates in practical principles for embracing personal empowerment and living authentically.

Upcoming Huna Workshop October 11th-12th (Portland): https://www.lissetking.com/huna

You can read a little more about the 7 principles of Huna here: https://www.sacredlomi.com/articles-lomi/principles-of-huna/

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Authentic Spirituality

04:16 The Impact of Limiting Beliefs

07:01 Personal Spiritual Awakening

09:49 The Dichotomy of Divine Connection

13:12 Shifting Perspectives on God

16:08 The Journey of Self-Discovery

19:00 From Rechargeable Battery to Solar Power

21:59 Principles of Huna and Inner Power

Takeaways

The journey to authentic spirituality reveals inherited beliefs.

Limiting beliefs can prevent exploration of new possibilities.

Spiritual awakenings can occur in unexpected moments.

Connection to the divine should not be transactional.

The common Christian myth can create anxiety and fear.

Self-empowerment comes from within, not from external sources.

Energy dynamics play a crucial role in spiritual practice.

We are not rechargeable batteries; we are solar-powered beings.

The world reflects our beliefs and perceptions.

Now is the moment of power to change our narratives.

In this episode, Shadow Mike engages Kayla Felten on the intersections of psychedelics, spiritual abuse, and religious trauma. Kayla shares her personal journey from a fundamentalist upbringing to exploring psychedelics as a means of healing and self-discovery. She also discusses the societal stigma surrounding psychedelics, the impact of the war on drugs, and the importance of consent and agency in healing practices. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding in navigating these complex topics, as well as the potential for psychedelics to facilitate profound personal growth and connection to the divine.

Kayla Felten, MSW, LICSW (she/her) is a psychedelic therapist and co-founder of the Reclamation Collective, where she supports survivors of religious trauma and spiritual abuse. Her work bridges clinical care and advocacy, helping people reclaim inner peace, autonomy, and authentic spirituality. With over five years of experience leading support groups, integration circles, and retreats, Kayla brings a trauma-informed lens to power dynamics in both religious and psychedelic spaces, championing healing that centers personal agency and radical self-trust.

Reclamation Collective // Religious Trauma & Spiritual Advocacy organization offering support groups, workshops, and retreats for survivors around the globe https://www.reclamationcollective.com

Intero Psychedelic Therapy // A collaborative clinic of therapists and medical providers offering Psychedelic Therapy located in St. Paul, MN. Currently offering Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and Integration support for Minnesota residents.

https://www.intero-psychedelic.com

Psychedelic Harm Reporting & Resource Initiative is a collaborative of individuals and community organizations focused on anonymous voluntary reporting and community resources for survivors, moving at the speed of trust.

https://www.mushwomb.love/maat

Takeaways

Healing and wholeness involve living in multiple streams.

Deconstruction is a continuous process of understanding one's beliefs.

Psychedelics can help connect to a greater force within oneself.

Experiences with psychedelics can lead to insights about love and guilt.

The war on drugs has created a binary view of substances.

Psychedelics can be used as tools for both healing and manipulation.

Spiritual abuse can occur in psychedelic and ceremonial spaces.

Integration of experiences is crucial for personal growth.

Access to psychedelic support is limited in many areas.

Trusting one's intuition is essential in the healing journey.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Psychedelics and Religious Trauma

01:15 Introduction to Psychedelics and Spiritual Trauma

04:00 Kayla's Journey: From Fundamentalism to Psychedelic Therapy

07:04 The Impact of Religious Trauma on Personal Identity

09:57 The Role of Psychedelics in Spiritual Exploration

12:58 Navigating the Pendulum of Belief

15:20 Understanding the War on Drugs and Psychedelics

18:16 Consent and Agency in Healing Practices

25:22 Breaking the Binary of Psychedelic Experiences

28:12 Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse in Psychedelic Journeys

31:51 The Role of Integration in Healing

37:40 Psychedelic Narcissism and the Dangers of Evangelism

42:57 Accessing Psychedelic Support and Resources

44:44 The Reclamation Collective and Community Accountability