ShamanTalk

ShamanTalk

By Rhonda McCrimmonReligion & SpiritualitySpirituality
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ShamanTalk episodes

  • 51. How to Effectively Deal With Energy Vampires

    Have you ever felt completely drained, depleted, and exhausted around a particular person, for no apparent reason?

    If so, you may have come across an energy vampire.

    And they’re more common than you think.


    It’s vital that you learn how to “draw the line” and set boundaries around these types of people. Without learning how to identify the different types of energy vampires in your life, it can be difficult for you to practice self-nurturing and assertiveness.

    Here are the six main energy vampire types out there:

    1. The Victim or Martyr Vampire
    2. The Narcissist Vampire
    3. The Control Vampire
    4. The Over Dramatic Vampire
    5. The Condemnatory Vampire
    6. The Innocent Vampire

      7. Energy vampires tend to take more than give. They use others for their own means without really considering how the other person is feeling.

      Energetic Boundaries are essential in protecting yourself from the negative effects of energy vampires.

      Activities & Journeys

      1. Use visualisation techniques to protect yourself.

        2. Soap Bubble

        Light Bubble

        Tree

        Wings

        Anything that makes you feel engulfed and safe

        You can use your imagination, or you can journey and ask to be shown a suitable protective shield

        1. Journey and ask to be shown the effect that lack of boundaries has on your energetic field

          2. Don’t know how to Journey? No worries. I got you.

          You can sign up for my free monthly online introduction to Shamanism training here.

          26 min
        2. 50. These are the signs that you struggle with boundaries...

          How do you know what your boundaries are?

          Not everyone does.

          You might not have many boundaries or confuse what your real boundaries are with what others expect of you.

          Boundaries are not about right or wrong.

          Your personal healthy boundaries are based on your own value system and perspective and might be totally different than someone else’s.

          This also means that you don’t have to explain or defend your boundaries.

          You just need to set them.

          In this episode, I talk you through 12 signs that you may have boundary issues, and you might be surprised!

          Boundary issues manifest in many ways – this podcast will help you to understand those that are relevant to you more clearly.

          Personal boundaries are the limits you decide work for you on how people can treat you, how they can behave around you, and what they can expect from you.

          If you don’t set healthy boundaries, you are likely to constantly be at the mercy of others.

          This means you allow others to tell you how to think, act, and feel.

          It also means you tend to spend your time and energy doing what others want you to do over what you deep down want to do.

          In the long term, this can lead to frustration and depression because you will feel unfulfilled or lost.

          How do you know if your boundaries are being crossed?

          Generally, there are a few broad categories that comprise boundary violations: verbal, psychological, emotional, physical, ethical, spiritual, and moral.

          12 Signs that you lack boundaries

          1. Your relationships tend to be difficult or dramatic.
          2. You find decision making a real challenge.
          3. You really, really hate to let other people down.
          4. You struggle with guilt and anxiety.
          5. You are often tired for no apparent reason.
          6. Your radar is off when it comes to sharing.
          7. You are constantly the victim of situations.
          8. You are a tiny bit annoyed most of the time.
          9. You secretly feel that others don’t show you respect.
          10. You might just be passive-aggressive.
          11. You often wonder who you really are.
          12. Your secret fear is of being rejected or abandoned.

            13. This week’s activity

            Start to build a values list (which will inform which boundaries you need to set in your life.

            Click to download a list of values that you can use for this exercise.

            Once you’ve downloaded this list of values I want you to go through this list and choose 8 – 10 values that you are passionate about to start off with.

            Take your time to think about each of these values and how they make you feel in your body.

            Ask questions (and write down the answers)

            Why is this value important to me?

            Are there areas in my life where my values are being ignored (by me or by others) or tossed to the side?

            Start building new boundaries based on your values.

            I.e If honesty is a value that you are very passionate about, then a good boundary for you would be to not accept behaviours from people who are consistently untruthful or untrustworthy.

            How you choose to enforce your boundaries is personal to you. But it’s not always easy and you will probably come up against conflict (especially from people who benefit from your lack of boundaries).

            Be brave and stick it out. And stop putting up with stuff that you don’t have to!

            You can also Journey with your Guides on each individual value and what it means for you. This will help you to build strong relationships with your values, which will be extremely beneficial when it comes to setting boundaries around those values.

            33 min
          13. 49. A Tale of Two Truths

            I had a difficult interaction in my life this week and it put me in a thoughtful place.

            I have also been working with Dolphin Spirit and the idea that both this and that are true.

            This week's podcast is all about perspective, our memories and how we can build emotional intelligence in difficult interactions.

            What does that mean for us?

            Perspective is important and it’s OK if people have different perspectives based on their differing values.

            Human memory is notoriously unreliable, especially when it comes to details.

            Scientists have found that prompting an eyewitness to remember more can generate details that are outright false but that feel just as correct to the witness as actual memories.

            In day-to-day life, this isn’t a bug; it’s a feature.

            I’ll discuss five important aspects of perspective. Because building this type of emotional intelligence is a key component of happy, drama-free living.

            I’ll also talk about how I understand this concept of Two Truths and what my balance looks like.

            For example, I have my own value structure that I understand and have an intimate relationship with.

            I know what OK for me is and what isn’t.

            I understand that my initial reaction to situations is coloured by my life experience, trauma and also my values. I always take a minute to check-in and ask myself – what is triggering my trauma and causing me to react in a way that’s not ethical and what has happened here that goes against my values. Both can be true in just one interaction!

            Join me this week for a discussion on memory, emotional intelligence and letting go of right and wrong.

            This Weeks Activities

            Journey with Dolphin Spirit and ask for a transmission of emotional healing to support you to fully embrace the Two Truths concept.

            Work on building a value list.

            Click here to download an extensive list of values that you can choose from.

            Spend some time thinking about why these values are important to you and how you will build them into your boundary work.

            30 min
          14. 48. Helping your Family & Friends to Accept Your Spiritual Path
            Dolphin Spirit
            “This and that are true”
            Dolphin Spirit is a reminder of duality. As the Dolphin is both a mammal and a sea creature, so too is Dolphin Spirit both “this” and “that”.
            Two truths co-exist, the story you tell and another as well. The duality of life is present when we are suffering, for there is a blessing too, in the helpers that appear.
            I often get asked the question, how can I make/help my family understand my spiritual path.
            That’s an easy thing to answer and a hard thing to do!
            My answer is always, concentrate on your own path without attachment and you’ll be surprised what unfolds in your life.
            This week I’ve invited my husband Scott to the podcast to discuss the difficulties we had when I first started on my shamanic path.
            When I was doing my training Scott was doing a PhD in plant sciences.
            Yes. A scientist and a Shaman.
            It was a strange and sometimes difficult time for Scott.
            We laugh about all the times during my training when I was saying ‘you should do this’ or ‘You should try that’ and how he thought I was a bit crazy
            What a time we had trying to shoehorn each other into our own version of reality leading to disharmony and conflict.
            We dive deep into both our processes and share candidly in the hope that it will inspire anyone else having similar problems.
            Many of you will know that Scott is currently on a Shamanic training and I also invite him to talk about his map with this work. This shows just how different we both are and how that’s OK!
            I hope you enjoy this open, honest dialogue as much as we did.
            Don’t know how to Journey? No worries. I got you.
            You can sign up for my free monthly live online introduction to Shamanism training here.
            48 min
          15. 47. Enslaved Empath vs Empowered Empath?
            Empaths are highly sensitive individuals, who have a keen ability to sense what people around them are thinking and feeling. Psychologists may use the term empath to describe a person that experiences a great deal of empathy, often to the point of taking on the pain of others at their own expense.
            Here are some key pointers to Empathic Ability:
            Closeness and intimacy can overwhelm you
            You have good intuition
            You don’t do well in crowded places
            You have a hard time not caring
            People tend to tell you their problems
            You don’t like conflict
            You often feel like you don’t fit in
            You tend to isolate
            You have a hard time setting boundaries
            You sometimes find it tough to cope with sensory and emotional overload
            If these describe you then you are what I call an Enslaved Empath. You currently don’t understand your gifts or how to use them appropriately. They control your life and often make it difficult to function well in your world.
            Some people are deeply defined by their label of Empath and also use it to absolve responsibility for their own health and well-being… I’m an empath so I can x or y…
            Here are some steps you can take to become an Empowered Empath!
            Believe you can make changes & protect yourself. You need to choose the path of empowerment & not be defined by the apparent weakness of empathic gifts.
            Use visualisation techniques like light or bubbles to surround your energetic field. If you need something stronger imagine a blast of light pushing energy that’s not yours away.
            Work with the Guardian Guide from last weeks episode. I’ll include the journey to meet this guide again this week.
            Sort out your boundaries and learn to say no.
            Work with a therapist or practitioner to support you with the mindset you need to make the shift from enslaved to empowered.
            Remember that walking around feeling others emotions is not ethical or appropriate. Set the intention in your life that you only feel or hear or know things that will DIRECTLY affect you. That way you will develop your intuition properly knowing you are only hearing or feeling energy that’s relevant to you. It’s also way more ethical. No guilt here! When you know better you do better!
            Don’t play the victim. Empaths often lack self-worth. After a while, your need to be loved can turn into a victim mentality. This is commonly seen in spiritual relationships where the guru ends up with all of the resources and the devotees are drained of self-esteem, money and more.
            The benefits of being an Empowered Empath
            You have way more energy.
            Your intuition is clearer, ethical and pointed at the right things for you, not for others.
            Your sense of inner personal power and confidence will grow.
            If you work or want to work in the healing field you will be a way more effective holder of space.
            You empower yourself to move towards your destiny in this life as your energy is held in your centre and not scattered to the four winds.
            You empower others.
            Activities & Journeys
            A) Do the Guardian Guide Journey from last week Click here to listen. If you have not met this guide yet go ahead and do the Journey from last week. When you’ve met your Guardian Guide, move on to part B below.
            B) This is what I used to call the Body Protector Guide. If you have a relationship with this Guide already then go on a Journey and ask to be shown how this guide can help and support you through an empathic transformation.
            If any of the list above or a combination of them describe you then here is a mantra that I would like you to use for 7 days.
            ‘I am an Empowered Empath’
            For at least 60 seconds as often as you can remember throughout the day. Min 3 times
            Working with water to transmute negative energy. Run yourself a bath, take a long shower, swim in a river or ocean – find water that you can immerse in. Take your time to connect with the water, feel it all around your body. Then ask the water to take from your
            40 min
          16. 46. How to Overcome Spiritual Fear & Fear of the Unknown
            So, I’ve been getting a lot of questions around fear.
            People seeing or experiencing things in their spiritual work that bring them fear…
            People who are experiencing intense energy from outside sources and don’t know how to control it…
            …Scary dreams etc.
            And people who are scared of their perceived abilities or inabilities when it comes to Shamanism or any other Spiritual work…
            …Especially people who are new to this work
            We’ve been living in a Christian-based culture for thousands of years now and we’ve been trained to fear the types of connection that Spiritual work outside of Christianity can bring.
            Shamans, witches, healers (whatever you want to call them) have been historically persecuted and still are in some places today.
            The fear of the unknown that has been instilled in our culture over many many lifetimes still lives on in us, through our ancestral lines
            Even if we know it or not, it affects us and our perceptions of the world around us and our experiences, even today.
            As a result, we have a tendency to experience a deep fear of things that we don’t understand.
            So this week’s episode of ShamanTalk is all about overcoming fear of the unknown and letting go of control to flow with whatever is going on around us.
            I’ll be helping you to step out of fear and into the light. We’ll be working with new processes to aid us in overcoming our fear and we’ll be meeting a new guide who will aid us in keeping us free from unwanted energetic influences.
            I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. YOU are the master of your own destiny. You have the power to work firmly in the light and choose how you experience your spiritual path.
            29 min
          17. 45. Shamanism for Shamanism's Sake
            This week I’m going to be talking about something that I see quite regularly and that is Shamanism for Shamanism’s sake or more bluntly:
            Using Spirituality as a way to avoid doing the real inner work that is required for us to make grounded, lasting change in our lives.
            This discussion has the potential to push some buttons and perhaps be triggering for some, but there is no blame or judgment here. Seriously. Not one bit...
            However, I do feel like this subject is incredibly important and really needs to be brought out into the light so that we can know it, see it, change it in ourselves (if we do it) and put up firm boundaries to protect ourselves from it when it manifests in others.
            I truly love working with such a dedicated, amazing group of people and it is my mission with The Centre for Shamanism and ShamanTalk to make sure that you are armed with everything you need to bravely step out into the world as a true Shamanic Person and show the Universe what you’re made of!
            I won’t shy away from a topic because it has the potential to be uncomfortable. Especially if it has the potential to help you.
            The path of the Shaman isn’t all sweetness and light. We’re in the trenches, doing the work.
            And when you do the work, it really pays off. Believe me.
            28 min
          18. 44. 11 keys tips for healthy relationships

            As Otter Spirit is calling us to look at our relationships in July, this week’s podcast is going to be all about relationships and keeping them healthy!

            ​We’ll be delving into what to look for in a relationship (counts for friends and partners!), is it healthy? Could things be better? Do I have good boundaries?

            A good friend/partner will: Show a genuine interest in what’s going on in your life, what you have to say, and how you think and feel. Accept you for who you are Listen to you attentively without judging you, telling you how to think or feel, or trying to change the subject. Feel comfortable sharing things about themselves with you

            A friend is someone you trust and with whom you share a deep level of understanding and communication.

            As friendship works both ways, a friend is also someone you feel comfortable supporting and accepting, and someone with whom you share a bond of trust and loyalty.

            Here’s what I cover in this episode (I’ll go into each point in much more depth):

            1. Communication – don’t let things fester. Be brave and speak up.
            2. You’ll never have to negotiate your way into a heart that wants you there
            3. The silent treatment – this is not OK. Either coming from you or being directed at you. It’s used to shut down communication, to avoid confrontation, its manipulative and its used to punish.
            4. Don’t make assumptions about other people – just ask!
            5. When someone is having a bad day – don’t take it personally (but see 6!)
            6. Have good boundaries. Learn to say NO!
            7. Know that’s it’s OK to have your needs met in a relationship whether that’s a friendship or otherwise. It should never be all one way.
            8. Do you have fun? Do you laugh together?
            9. Trust is really important. Do you feel safe to be vulnerable?
            10. Belonging vs. fitting in
            11. Watch out for the Drama Triangle

              12. This week’s Journeys

              1.      Go on a Journey with your Guides and ask to be shown changes you can make in your behaviour, perceptions or actions that will help to foster healthy relationships

              2.      If you are having doubts about a relationship, go on a journey with your guides and ask for wisdom and guidance to support you to decide what actions need to be taken.

              Don’t know how to Journey? No worries. I got you.

              You can sign up for my free monthly live online introduction to Shamanism training here.

              32 min
            12. 43. Reframing Your Focus and Making Shamanism Work For You

              The Aminal Spirit for July is Otter Spirit:

              “You are never alone”

              Like true friends, otters nurture each other and express their affection through touch.

              Otter Spirit has appeared to remind you to experience and express friendships and relationships in a tangible way.

              In order to be an effective shamanic person, it takes focus.

              My question to you is – what are you focusing on? Where is your mind?

              I’m going to help you re-focus and re-frame these key points:

              1. Am I doing it right?
              2. Why am I not having the same experiences as everyone else?
              3. I can’t connect to my guides
              4. I can’t connect at all

                5. Activities & Journeys

                1. Automatic Writing (Don’t panic! It’s way easier than you think!)

                  2. Open your sacred space and call in your Guides. Then play some soft music (https://open.spotify.com/track/33jxb7ono4gGYdOclgevtk?si=Pao_023vRU2_D1CX7ieTpA)

                  Write down the things that come to you that you feel need to be reframed.

                  Then take some deep breaths and begin to just write.

                  Don’t think, just allow the flow of the words.

                  When you’re complete – pull together an action list and commit to re-framing what you’ve been focusing on.

                  1. The Ancestors Dance

                    2. Prepare yourself as you would for a ‘normal’ Shamanic Journey. Call in the Ancestors and really take the time to feel your connection with them and also the Land where you are.

                    Hold the intention that you wish to deepen your connection and you are open to whatever that means for you in this moment.

                    Choose some fast-paced music or use these songs:

                    https://open.spotify.com/track/0liM2WWVBLb9ifpWpobTf9?si=cTdKEe89QVu3DU2AqJhnOQ

                    https://open.spotify.com/track/1e2VBfN7oVSy2wHnaEoygs?si=zXKptLscQi2_xb60aQuMTw

                    Then let your self go and dance with the Ancestors!

                    Come back, ground and complete as normal.

                    Write down your experiences and maybe share in the Facebook Group here >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/Shamantalk

                    Don’t know how to Journey? No worries. I got you.

                    You can sign up for my free monthly live online introduction to Shamanism training here.

                    29 min
                  2. 42. How to Shaman Your Way out of a Bad Day

                    We all have those days when we wake up and things just don’t go our way.

                    Sometimes is best to get the head down and finish the day as best you can but sometimes, if we catch it right, we can shift our day for the better.

                    So this week I talk about setting up your day. Get yourself in the best possible place right off the bat. Then I talk about ideas, tips and tricks to help you out of a funk when things aren’t going your way.

                    1. Pick something you KNOW will make you feel better and take time to do that.
                    2. Start to notice your reactions.
                    3. Try to find the humour in a situation if appropriate – and laugh
                    4. Accept what is happening and don’t get into a battle with yourself or others.
                    5. Smile for 5 mins
                    6. Call in your Guides and spiritual team and ask for help.

                      7. But I guess the most important message from this podcast is that ultimately you decide how you feel. I never really believed that to be honest. In fact, it made me really angry! But boy do I believe it now…

                      So tune in for some general day to day tips and some support for longer-term change & transformation.

                      Activities & Journeys

                      Journey with your guides and ask either healing or guidance on what you can change in your life to move into a more harmonious state within. Something that will support you to overcome those bad days. Or something that will support you to avoid those bad days.   You can do two separate journeys. One asking for support to overcome and one asking for support to avoid.

                      The 4 Agreements task

                      1. Buy the book

                      2. Read the book and implement the teachings.

                      If you don’t want to buy the book then here are the Four Agreements.

                      • Don’t take anything personally
                      • Don’t make assumptions
                      • Be impeccable with your word
                      • Always do your best

                        • I challenge you to choose the first two in the list and for the next 7 days make an agreement with yourself to:

                        1. Not take ANYTHING personally, even if it feels completely over the top.
                        2. Not make assumptions about ANYTHING. Don’t know? Then Ask.

                          3. Get into the Facebook group and please share your experience. I really want to know how you get on!

                          Don’t know how to Journey? No worries. I got you.

                          You can sign up for my free monthly live online introduction to Shamanism training here.

                          31 min

                        About ShamanTalk

                        From the publisher's feed

                        Hosted by Rhonda McCrimmon, a Celtic Seer and Shaman from Scotland, ShamanTalk is your gateway to reclaiming your indigenous Celtic roots and restoring a consciously connected spiritual life. From the ancient Celtic concept of the Three Cauldrons Power Centres to the Scottish folk magic practice of Saining, expect a range of soul-stirring topics that resonate with your spiritual quest. SUBSCRIBE NOW to embark on a transformative journey back to your roots and into a life of simple connection, wisdom and resilience.