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Explore the depths of shadow work, Jungian psychology, and spiritual transformation. Join me as I unpack myths, interview experts like Jungian analysts and thought leaders, and explore the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and personal growth.

Whether you’re reclaiming your light, deconstructing old beliefs, or seeking deeper self-awareness, this channel offers insights, interviews, and guidance to support your journey. Subscribe for thought-provoking discussions, practical tools, and inspiration for your inner work.

The Power of Myth: Reclaiming Authentic Feeling
05:59

The Power of Myth: Reclaiming Authentic Feeling

In this video, I share a deeply personal story of a mystical experience I had in college—an encounter with intense divine energy that was quickly shaped and constrained by the expectations of my religious community. What I was feeling wasn’t enough on its own; it had to be enhanced, translated into speaking in tongues to be valid. This experience serves as a gateway into a larger conversation about how the common Christian myth often disconnects us from our authentic emotions. In many spiritual communities, we are taught that certain feelings—fear, sadness, anger—are unacceptable, even sinful. We are encouraged to bypass these emotions rather than fully experience them. But what happens when we suppress what is real in order to maintain an illusion of harmony? Drawing on insights from Connie Zweig’s book, "Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path," I explore how our spiritual personas keep us trapped in a narrow range of feelings, preventing true integration and wholeness. I invite you to engage with this practice: Finish this sentence: I am supposed to feel… Now finish this sentence: I actually feel… What comes up for you? What do you truly feel about your relationships, your community, your work, your life? This practice is an invitation to reclaim the full spectrum of your emotions—because healing and transformation begin when we allow ourselves to feel what is real. Let me know in the comments: What emotions have you been told are unacceptable? How have you navigated reclaiming your full emotional experience? 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on shadow work, emotional wholeness, and spirituality. #ShadowWork #EmotionalHealing #SpiritualBypassing #ReligiousTrauma #Authenticity #InnerWork ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.
The Power of Myth: Reclaiming Independent Thinking
06:57

The Power of Myth: Reclaiming Independent Thinking

Have you ever questioned a belief you once held as absolute truth? In this video, I share a pivotal moment from my high school years when I first reclaimed my independent thinking. I was convinced that suicide was an automatic ticket to hell—until a classmate challenged me to find it in the Bible. That moment led me down a path of questioning the "Common Christian Myth"—a framework of beliefs that often discourages deep inquiry and critical thought. Many of us have inherited beliefs that we’ve never examined, beliefs that bypass complexity and reinforce a black-and-white worldview. But what happens when we allow ourselves to doubt? When we embrace curiosity and hold space for deeper, more honest exploration? Drawing on Jungian insights and the wisdom of Connie Zweig, we’ll explore how doubt can actually be a pathway to a more whole, authentic self. ✨ Reflective Practice: Take a moment to ask yourself: What do you doubt? About God, yourself, your relationships, or your purpose? Write it down. Feel it in your body. And then take the next step—what do you truly believe? Or what do you desire to believe? Reclaiming your independent thinking can feel like stepping outside of the safety zone—it may even feel transgressive. But as Jung reminds us, growth requires transgression. Let’s walk this path together. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into shadow work, spirituality, and psychological transformation. 💬 Share your reflections in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
What is Myth?: Lies that Reveal the Truth
14:34

What is Myth?: Lies that Reveal the Truth

🔗 Schedule a free 20-minute discovery call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/dr-michael-simmons ☕ Support this work by buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/innerworkcommunity What is myth, really? In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning of mythology through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s four functions of myth. Far from being “just stories” or “untruths,” myths guide us through life’s thresholds, connect us to the divine, and help us make sense of our world. We’ll uncover how myths carry us through personal crises and transitions, how they shape our morality, and how they awaken us to deeper truths about ourselves and our place in the world. Using examples like the Genesis creation myth, we’ll explore how mythology serves as a mirror to human experience—past, present, and future. If your current stories no longer serve your growth or leave you stuck in old patterns, this episode invites you to question, explore, and align with your authentic self. ⏰ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction: What comes to mind with the word “myth”? 1:15 Joseph Campbell’s definition of myth: Lies to reveal the truth 2:50 The Genesis creation story and its deeper meaning 5:30 The four functions of myth (from Campbell’s Thou Art That) 6:00 Function 1: Awakening to the divine and transcendent 7:50 Function 2: Interpreting the world through mythology 9:20 Examples of myth shaping worldview: Christian nationalism and inclusivity 11:40 Function 3: Validating and supporting moral order 13:50 The rigidity of morality and its impact on human wholeness 15:30 Function 4: Myths as guides through life’s transitions 18:10 Thresholds, liminality, and crises as moments of growth 20:00 Reassessing myths that no longer serve your authentic self 22:15 How shadow work connects you to the regenerative source within 24:00 Closing thoughts: Aligning with self and wholeness Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into shadow work, mythology, and personal transformation. Let’s journey together!
Part 3: Holy Longing: How Evolving God Images Transform the Shadow
10:32

Part 3: Holy Longing: How Evolving God Images Transform the Shadow

In Part 3 of the Shadow & Christianity series, we explore the concept of holy longing as detailed by Connie Zweig in Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path. This conversation dives into how our image of God evolves—or stagnates—and the profound psychological and spiritual implications of this dynamic. Drawing from Jungian psychology, we discuss the connection between divine imagery, the unconscious, and the archetype of longing. What happens when our God image remains static? How does this affect the shadow it casts? And most importantly, how can we reclaim the wholeness that our longing points us toward? From practical reflections on personal desire to the archetypal journey toward wholeness, this video invites you to examine your own relationship with the divine and with yourself. 📖 Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to holy longing 01:12 - Connie Zweig’s metaphor of the water lily 03:45 - The evolution of the God image and its connection to the shadow 06:20 - The danger of static divine imagery in Christianity 09:10 - Shadow stagnation and its impact on life and relationships 11:45 - Personal reflection: How does your God image shape your life? 14:20 - Holy longing as an archetypal human experience 17:00 - Reflection questions: Where is your longing leading you? 💡 Reflection Questions: Has your image of God evolved, or has it remained the same? What aspects of your shadow remain unintegrated because of a static God image? Where do you feel longing or desire in your life right now, and what might it be pointing toward? 🔗 About the Series: The Shadow & Christianity series bridges the wisdom of Carl Jung, Connie Zweig, and Christian tradition to explore the interplay of shadow work and spirituality. Through these discussions, we aim to uncover how our longing for wholeness leads to deeper integration and spiritual growth. 🔗 Watch the Full Series Here: [Playlist Link] 🔗 Subscribe for More Insights: [Your Channel Link] #ShadowWork #Christianity #CarlJung #HolyLonging #JungianPsychology #ConnieZweig #Spirituality
Part 2: Carl Jung on Creeds: How Beliefs Shape and Limit Our Psyche
06:26

Part 2: Carl Jung on Creeds: How Beliefs Shape and Limit Our Psyche

In part 2 of this series, we explore a profound quote from Carl Jung's Psychology and Religion: "A creed is always the result and fruit of many minds and many centuries, purified from all oddities, shortcomings, and flaws of individual experience." What are creeds, and how do they shape our perception of the divine, identity, and ideals? We delve into the evolution of creeds, their metaphorical roots, and their role in shaping collective belief systems. Through Jungian psychology and a sociocultural lens, we examine how creeds often detach from individual experience, becoming literalized and dogmatic. This discussion also explores how these statements of belief can remain ingrained in our psyche—like microplastics—long after we've left the institutions that espoused them. We challenge viewers to reflect on how external creeds may still influence their inner sense of self and decision-making. 📖 Timeline Markers: 00:00 - Introduction: Carl Jung’s quote on creeds 01:20 - What is a creed? From metaphor to dogma 04:15 - The shift from “God is like a father” to “God is a father” 07:40 - How creeds purify collective ideals and suppress individual experience 10:30 - Creeds in modern religious and cultural contexts 13:45 - The hierarchy of beliefs and its parallels to capitalism 17:20 - Metabolizing creeds: The lasting influence on the psyche 19:50 - Reflecting on agency: How creeds impact decision-making 💡 Action Step: Take time to reflect or journal on the creeds—spoken or unspoken—that still shape your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. Where might you be abdicating your agency in favor of external ideals? 🔗 Subscribe for more discussions on Jungian psychology, spirituality, and reclaiming the Self: @InnerWorkCommunity #CarlJung #Creeds #Spirituality #JungianPsychology #shadowwork
Sexual Freedom, Non-Monogamy & Shadow Work | with Kevin Martin
56:01

Sexual Freedom, Non-Monogamy & Shadow Work | with Kevin Martin

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 (https://www.innerworkcommunity.org/) today. If you enjoyed this episode, consider buying me a coffee (http://buymeacoffee.com/innerworkcommunity) ! In this episode, Michael welcomes Kevin Martin, the visionary founder of SafeHaus Wellness, into a fascinating conversation on the intersections of sexual freedom, non-monogamy, and shadow work. Together, they explore how embracing diverse relationship structures and confronting our unconscious beliefs can lead to greater authenticity, intimacy, and personal growth. We also happen to weave how Christianity has cultivated an assumption of monogamy which has stifled authenticity and life energy needed for living a liberated and whole life. Enjoy! Resources Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy (https://www.amazon.com/Polysecure-Attachment-Trauma-Consensual-Nonmonogamy/dp/1944934987/ref=asc_df_1944934987?hvadid=693033695484&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032935&hvnetw=g&hvpone=&hvpos=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvrand=3588387856274844820&hvtargid=pla-938720671170&linkCode=df0&mcid=9c08aec75b693bc48dab04e85b152afd&psc=1&tag=hyprod-20) Must reads on Non-Monogamy and Polyamory (https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/g46297081/polyamory-dating-books/) Connect with Kevin (https://www.safehauswellness.com/) & SafeHaus Wellness Connect with Michael (https://www.innerworkcommunity.org/) & Inner Work Community Follow on Instagram: @safehauswellness (https://www.instagram.com/safehauswellness/) @inner.work.community (https://www.instagram.com/inner.work.community/)
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