Unlocking My Inner Shaman: Overcoming Suppression and Sensitivity in a Disconnected World.

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I’ve been noticing a big theme coming up in client sessions and in my own personal world these past couple of weeks on the topic of Suppression. I have had several men and women in session these past two weeks who are incredibly intuitive, creative and gifted and carry higher level sensitivities which they have been suppressing most of their lives; and as I write this I’m being shown a fenced in area of a yard, wherein these dear souls are withholding themselves and their gifts., only feeling safe to stretch their personalities within the tight confines of what they believe the people in their worlds will perceive to be acceptable. And so they suppress their passions, their creative abilities, their intuitions, and worst of all… They suppress that little girl or boy inside.

But it’s not just my clients. I too have found myself navigating personal shifts in my own world, old residue from past relationships resurfacing, providing opportunities for deeper level healing and understanding. I found myself recently reminded of the end of my own marriage, and how when I began to open up and share my sensitivities with my husband whom I loved and trusted deeply, he believed me to be clinically insane. I myself had, for many years, questioned my own sanity during times when my sensitivities felt out of of my control. From a very young age I carried higher level sensitivity and would see, sense and ‘know’ things beyond this realm. Adults would assure me that I was seeing ‘imaginary friends’ and ‘daydreaming’. So at age 7 after seeing the movie Drop Dead Fred where the main character who could see ‘imaginary friends’ was committed to a mental institution I learned a valuable lesson… I would certainly not be sharing anymore about such things!

From an early age, I learned to mute my 'psychic' senses to avoid making others uncomfortable, to fit into a world that seemed to reject the parts of me that were most natural. This suppression was a survival tactic, yet it left me vulnerable to trauma, unable to use my innate gifts for protection.

A Personal Journey: From Suppression to Shamanism

As a child I was fascinated every time Montell Williams would have psychic Sylvia Brown on his show. This strange woman with long nails who would see things that others couldn’t see but could bring them so much peace and relief when they were grieving. I wondered if I could ever help people like she did. No, I told my 7 year old self. I would just be an artist. Or maybe I could be the next Janet Jackson. Both of these seemed much more acceptable to the people around me. And so I went through my first three decades of life suppressing my senses. Occasionally I’d find myself in a mall overwhelmed by the energies of others, I’d feel myself running into a bit of a panic attack, and I’d vow to avoid crowded spaces. Sometimes I’d hear random instructions and information in my mind. And quite often I’d see flashes of movies in my mind when people would speak to me, and I’d gently turn it off by telling myself I’d seen too many movies and needed to stop judging people.

Truth be told now, I understand that those were opportunities for me to be of service to others, to channel help for others and they were likely opportunities for growth healing and connection for my Self as well. But I was afraid. I didn’t know what I was dealing with. And so I turned it off and tucked it away.

I spent the first three decades of my life suppressing my gifts and repressing uncomfortable experiences and memories… All the while traveling in and out of my body. I became a master of journeying. Suppression and repression—two forces that, though often confused, carry distinct impacts on our body, spirit, and the very essence of who we are. It was my first shaman teacher that brought me back to my body and gently guided me through freeing those gifts and parts of myself that I had locked away. I then spent a decade studying, practicing and learning to master the journey in and out of my body, through time and and into other realms.

Life has a way of guiding us back to our power.

In this sacred learning, I discovered that the intense emotions and visions that had overwhelmed me were not mere figments of my imagination but deep connections to those around me. Shaman training taught me not only to hone these gifts but to embrace them as powerful tools for healing and support. This journey of reclamation showed me that my sensitivity and my 'psychic' senses were not burdens but blessings, gifts meant to be shared in support of others.

Can you relate? Do you ever wonder if maybe you have hidden gifts that you just haven’t quite learned yet how to tap into. Do you wonder if you are suppressing some strengths and power that could be used to not only heal yourself and make your personal world a better one… But that maybe you could help others in some way?

Symptoms of Suppression: Recognizing the Signs

If you're wondering whether you might be suppressing your true gifts, here are some signs to look out for:

• Feeling disconnected from your own emotions or from those around you

• Experiencing unexpected outbursts of emotion or reactions that don't seem to match the situation

• A sense of being lost, or a longing for something more without being able to pinpoint what that is

• Avoiding situations or places that stir deep emotions or feelings within you

• Having vivid dreams, visions, or thoughts that seem to come from nowhere

• A nagging feeling that you're not living up to your full potential or that you're meant for something more

Unlocking Your Gifts: A Call to the Emerging Shaman

If you resonate with these signs and symptoms, know that you're not alone. The journey to unlocking and embracing your gifts is one of the most empowering journeys you can embark on. It's about coming home to yourself, to your power, and to the infinite support of the spirit world around you.

I am here to walk with you through this journey of discovery and empowerment. In the Emerging Shaman Training, we create a safe, gentle, and loving environment for you to:

• Sharpen your intuitive and empathic abilities

• Learn to control and manage your gifts

• Connect with the loving support of the spirit world

• Learn to safely journey in and out of the body through time and space for healing of yourself, others and our planet

If you or someone you know are ready to unleash the shaman within, to step into your power and live a life aligned with your true essence, I invite you to join in the Emerging Shaman program. Let's embark on this journey together, unlocking the doors to your gifts and stepping into the light of your true potential.

Suppression and repression are not just personal challenges; they are collective echoes of a society that has yet to fully embrace the vastness of the human spirit. By choosing to face these forces, to reclaim our gifts, and to step into our power, we are not only healing ourselves but also paving the way for a world that celebrates diversity, depth, and the true beauty of the human experience.

With love and empowerment,

Athena Monet, Seaside Shaman

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