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

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Michael Simmons and Jessica Alfaqih explore the transformative power of shadow work, archetypes, and sensuality. Jessica shares her personal journey of self-discovery and empowerment, emphasizing the importance of pleasure and sensuality in shaping one's identity. They discuss practical approaches to engaging with beliefs and archetypes, the significance of elemental magick, and the upcoming six-week course designed to help individuals reclaim their personal power and align with their true selves. The conversation highlights the importance of authentic spirituality and the continuous journey of self-exploration and growth.

More about Jessica ALfaqih

Jess is of mixed Lebanese-European heritage, living and working on Indigenous ancestral and unceded land in the Northwest Coast.

She helps women who’ve tried everything break free from frustrating thought and behavior patterns—especially those rooted in anxiety, insecurity, or relationship struggles.

Register for Deep Magik 6-week class here: https://www.jessicaalfaqih.com/deep-magick

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Shadow Work and Sensuality

03:42 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Transformation

06:35 Connecting Pleasure and Shadow Work

09:44 Engaging with Beliefs and Archetypes

12:32 The Role of Elemental Magick in Personal Growth

15:43 Understanding Energy Movement and Agency

18:53 Overview of the Six-Week Course

21:55 Practical Applications of Elemental Magick

24:41 The Importance of Authentic Spirituality

27:40 Creating New Patterns and Rerouting Energy

30:50 Final Thoughts and Course Invitation

You can connect with Jessica Alfaqih and register for her upcoming 6 week Deep Magik class below:

\Instagram: @jessica_alfaqih & @elemental.archetype.retreats

Deep Magik: jessicaalfaqih.com/deep-magick

Chemistry call: https://jessicaalfaqihcoaching.as.me/schedule/c9daed24/appointment/42765580/calendar/7492770?appointmentTypeIds[]=42765580

In this episode, Dr. Michael Simmons explores the concept of shadow from both individual and collective perspectives. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how our shadows are cultivated relationally and how the 'Common Christian Myth' can impact our psychological health and range of motion. The discussion delves into the dangers of suppressing our darker experiences, the significance of projections in relationships, and the journey towards authentic spirituality. Shadow Mike encourages listeners to embrace their shadows and explore new ways of understanding the divine, ultimately guiding them towards integration and healing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:03 The Common Christian Myth and Its Impact

09:13 The Consequences of Suppressing the Shadow

16:04 Navigating Projections and Authentic Spirituality

25:01 Embracing the Divine: A Path to Authenticity

27:23 Invitation to 1:1 Shadow Work

28:13 Conclusion

Takeaways

Shadow work begins with the individual before moving to the collective.

The common Christian myth shapes our understanding of spirituality and self.

Denying darkness can lead to spiritual disconnection and psychological issues.

Projections in relationships can reveal our hidden shadows.

Authentic spirituality requires a reimagining of the divine.

The closer we get to light, the larger our shadow becomes.

Our shadow can guide us towards what we need to integrate.

Understanding assumptions in our lives can lead to personal growth.

Embracing the divine can take many forms, not just traditional ones.

Healing involves addressing collective experiences that shape our beliefs.

Thank you to my clients who make this podcast possible! If you’re interested in 1:1 Shadow Work, schedule a free 30-min discovery call (https://www.shadowmike.com/) today.

Summary

In this video, Dr. Michael Simmons explores the concept of projection through a Jungian lens, discussing how our energetic reactions to others can reflect our shadowed traits, qualities, and limiting beliefs. He delves into how our shadow shows up in others, how other's shadow may be lodged in us, and the different types of projection. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing these projections in our relationships and offers practical steps for integrating our shadow to achieve greater self-awareness and authenticity.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Projection: An Introduction

03:50 The Metaphor of Projection

06:33 The Shadow and Its Role in Projection

09:38 Receiving Projections: Projective Identification

12:07 The Impact of Projections in Relationships

14:48 Types of Projection: Personal and Transference

20:50 The Role of Projections in Conflict

26:16 Practical Steps for Working with Projections

34:01 Outro Audio_music-voice.mp3

Takeaways

Projection is a metaphor for our unconscious reactions to others.

The shadow self contains parts of ourselves we reject or deny.

Recognizing projections can lead to personal growth and self-awareness.

High-energy relationships often reveal our projections.

Cringe reactions can indicate areas of projection.

We can absorb others' projections, impacting our self-perception.

Understanding projection helps navigate interpersonal conflicts.

Personal and transference projections shape our interactions.

Integrating the shadow leads to a more authentic self.

Shadow work can transform how we engage in relationships.

In this video, Dr. Michael Simmons explores the concept of projection through a Jungian lens, discussing how our energetic reactions to others can reflect our shadowed traits, qualities, and limiting beliefs. He delves into how our shadow shows up in others, how other's shadow may be lodged in us, and the different types of projection. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing these projections in our relationships and offers practical steps for integrating our shadow to achieve greater self-awareness and authenticity.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Projection: An Introduction

03:50 The Metaphor of Projection

06:33 The Shadow and Its Role in Projection

09:38 Receiving Projections: Projective Identification

12:07 The Impact of Projections in Relationships

14:48 Types of Projection: Personal and Transference

20:50 The Role of Projections in Conflict

26:16 Practical Steps for Working with Projections

34:01 Outro Audio_music-voice.mp3

Takeaways

Projection is a metaphor for our unconscious reactions to others.

The shadow self contains parts of ourselves we reject or deny.

Recognizing projections can lead to personal growth and self-awareness.

High-energy relationships often reveal our projections.

Cringe reactions can indicate areas of projection.

We can absorb others' projections, impacting our self-perception.

Understanding projection helps navigate interpersonal conflicts.

Personal and transference projections shape our interactions.

Integrating the shadow leads to a more authentic self.

Shadow work can transform how we engage in relationships.

In this conversation, Michael Simmons explores the profound impact of teachers and guides in our lives, particularly focusing on the emotional and psychological implications when these figures disappear. He discusses the importance of internalizing the wisdom once held by external teachers, the dangers of dependency on them, and the journey of reclaiming one's inner gold. Through various spiritual narratives and personal reflections, Simmons emphasizes the significance of self-discovery and the transformative power of recognizing one's own agency.

The disappearance of a teacher can lead to self-reflection.

Teachers serve as mirrors for our growth and potential.

The wisdom of a teacher can be internalized after their departure.

Symbolism in spiritual narratives helps us understand our experiences.

Dependency on external figures can hinder personal growth.

Reclaiming inner gold is essential for authentic spirituality.

Disillusionment with teachers can lead to personal empowerment.

The journey of self-discovery is often painful yet beautiful.

Recognizing one's own agency is crucial for development.

Shadow work can aid in reclaiming lost aspects of oneself.

00:00 The Role of Teachers in Our Lives

06:15 The Disappearance of the Teacher

11:09 Symbolism in Spiritual Narratives

13:25 The Dangers of External Dependency

17:39 Reclaiming Your Inner Gold

24:22 The Journey of Self-Discovery

In this conversation, Mike Maeshiro shares his journey of coming out as a gay man after years of living within the constraints of evangelical Christianity. He discusses the challenges of reconciling his identity with the expectations of his upbringing, the emotional toll of hiding his true self, and the liberation he found in authenticity. The conversation delves into the shadow of evangelicalism, exploring its impact on personal identity, family dynamics, and the pervasive shame experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Mike emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for healing and self-acceptance, and the role of chosen family in navigating rejection from biological families. He reflects on the fulfillment he finds in supporting others on their journeys to reclaim their identities and live authentically.

Thank you to my clients who make this podcast possible! If you’re interested in 1:1 Shadow Work, schedule a free 20-min discovery call today. If you enjoyed this episode, consider buying me a coffee!

Check out the video recording at my YouTube Channel.

Connect with Mike Maeshiro:

• Instagram: @MikeMaeshiro
• Website: MikeMaeshiro.com
• Podcast: Available on major platforms
• YouTube: Mike Maeshiro

Tune in for a raw, inspiring, and life-affirming conversation that will challenge you to rethink what it means to live authentically.

Chapters

00:00 Journey of Authenticity: Coming Out and Self-Discovery

04:10 The Shadow of Evangelicalism: Understanding Its Impact

07:04 Finding Safety: The Transformation After Coming Out

10:03 The Cost of Authenticity: What Is Sacrificed?

13:18 Healing from Shame: The Path to Self-Acceptance

16:02 Deconstructing Beliefs: Challenging Dogma and Finding Truth

19:16 Empowerment Through Anger: The Journey to Justice

26:48 The Foundation of Beliefs

29:15 Navigating Autonomy and Self-Trust

32:16 Family Dynamics and Homophobia

36:18 The Pain of Rejection

40:16 The Role of the First Responder

45:05 Finding Joy in Transformation