The Shadow & The Light w davidji & Elizabeth Winkler

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317811/open_sms] The journey back to wholeness begins with understanding our deepest longings. davidji opens this profound conversation by proposing longing as our earliest post-womb memory – that immediate yearning to return to a place where everything was perfect, where our mother's heartbeat was our constant companion. Elizabeth Winkler shares how longing manifested in her life after losing her mother, revealing a universal truth: "The longing out is actually a call to go within." This simple yet revolutionary perspective transforms how we understand our cravings for connection, wholeness, and unconditional love. As the conversation unfolds, we discover that what appears to be longing for future experiences often masks our desire to recreate that primal state of being completely held and cared for. Whether it's craving a specific food that reminds us of childhood or fantasizing about an idealized family life, these yearnings point to something deeper – our search for the "four A's": attention, affection, appreciation, and acceptance. The hosts introduce a powerful reframe through the acronym WOMB: Wisdom Of My Becoming. Rather than seeing the womb as merely a physical space we've left behind, they suggest we can access this "womb wisdom" within ourselves through present-moment awareness. This shift allows us to transform longing from a painful experience of lack into a doorway to self-discovery. Elizabeth shares insights from her therapy practice, illustrating how holding onto fantasies of how things "should be" prevents us from embracing the beautiful messiness of what actually is. Meanwhile, David offers practical wisdom about communication patterns that poison our relationships when we make assumptions rather than asking clarifying questions. The conversation culminates in a powerful reminder from the Bhagavad Gita: "Yogasta kuru Karmani" – "establish yourself in the present moment and then perform action". For when we're truly present, there is no fear and no longing – only the infinite possibility of becoming. Next time you feel that familiar ache of yearning, pause and ask: What wisdom is this longing trying to reveal? What am I being called to embody or create? The answer might just lead you home to yourself. Longing is embedded in humankind's DNA, stemming from our first experience of separation when we leave the womb and instantly begin craving that safe, connected state where all our needs were met. • Longing often manifests as looking outward but is actually a call to go within • Our first memories after birth may be of longing to return to the safety of the womb • Whether longing for past or future, we're seeking the memory of our wholeness • WOMB: Wisdom Of My Becoming - a way to understand the present moment's power • Fantasies of how things "should be" prevent us from embracing what actually is • Asking questions rather than making assumptions helps navigate feeling disrespected • We poison ourselves with assumptions about others' intentions toward us • Longing isn't a problem but rather shows us what we truly value and desire • The present moment is where we access unconditional love and conscious choice Remember that longing is natural - there's no shame in it. Instead of wishing for the past or future, recognize these feelings as signpos We transform the world by transforming ourselves. Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates. Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources. Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317811/open_sms] What happens when we face our deepest betrayals—whether they're inflicted by others or emerge from our own self-betrayal? This raw, heartfelt conversation between Elizabeth and davidji explores the transformative journey from betrayal to healing, offering profound insights on reclaiming our power through pain. Elizabeth reveals how self-betrayal lies at the core of our suffering: "The ego really is just a self-betrayal. When we go into our ego, we are not being true to ourself." From perfectionism that masks deep self-loathing to ignoring our inner knowing, we betray ourselves in countless ways before we ever betray others. This perspective doesn't absolve responsibility for hurting others, but reveals the deeper healing needed. The hosts delve into why we avoid difficult truths, fearing that honesty will "change the fabric of the universe forever." This fear keeps us trapped in patterns of deception that only grow more painful with time. As Elizabeth eloquently summarizes with her powerful acronym: "Secrets hold all my energy/evolution/empathy"—S.H.A.M.E. Perhaps most moving is their exploration of lost innocence through Billy Collins' poem "On Turning Ten," capturing the universal moment when we realize "there was nothing under my skin but light" gives way to "I skin my knees. I bleed." This loss happens repeatedly throughout life with each betrayal or disappointment we face. Yet within this pain lies profound opportunity. "The wound is the way," Elizabeth reminds us. By walking through our suffering rather than around it, we can transform our deepest pains into compassion, power, and purpose. What once felt agonizing becomes, with a different understanding, the very catalyst for our healing and elevation. Ready to transform your own wounds into wisdom? Listen now and discover how the alchemy of pain can become your greatest teacher. We explore how betrayal—especially self-betrayal—can become the foundation for our greatest healing and personal growth when we're brave enough to face it directly. • Self-betrayal lies at the root of many relationship problems and forms of suffering • Perfectionism often masks deep self-loathing and becomes a form of self-betrayal • People-pleasing is self-betrayal because we're not being authentic with ourselves or others • We avoid difficult conversations because we fear shattering illusions or changing relationships forever • "Secrets hold all my energy/evolution/empathy" – an acronym for SHAME that keeps us stuck • The fear of being changed by truth-telling prevents us from healing and growing • Loss of innocence happens repeatedly throughout life with each betrayal or disappointment • Billy Collins' poem "On Turning Ten" captures the universal experience of lost innocence • We connect not through perfection but through our shared brokenness and vulnerability • "The wound is the way" – only by walking through pain can we reclaim our power and true self • Life's most painful moments can become quantum leap opportunities for transformation We transform the world by transforming ourselves. Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates. Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources. Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317811/open_sms] The quest for a soulmate sits at the heart of many spiritual journeys, but what are we really seeking when we say we want someone who "gets us" completely? davidji and Elizabeth Winkler dive deep into the soulmate concept, challenging our preconceptions and expanding our understanding of what true soul connections actually look like. We unpack the different types of soul connections that might enter our lives: the electrifying Awakener who stirs transformation, the Mirror who reflects our thoughts and feelings, and the Anchor who provides that sense of homecoming. Yet beneath these archetypes lies a profound truth—soulmates don't complete us; they awaken us to aspects of ourselves we haven't fully recognized or expressed. Perhaps most revolutionary is the idea that our rigid criteria and checklists might be blocking us from recognizing beautiful connections that don't fit our preconceived notions. When we fixate on finding that one perfect spiritual partner who meets every requirement, we develop tunnel vision that blinds us to magnificent people sitting right next to us. The conversation takes a powerful turn when we explore vulnerability as the foundation for genuine connection. Through the touching story of two grocery store workers—where one had the courage to say, "That hurt my feelings. Can you say it in another way?"—we witness how true soul connections form in moments of authentic communication and repair. These connections can happen anywhere, not just in romantic relationships. At its heart, the journey toward finding your soulmate is actually a journey toward yourself. We attract what we believe we're worthy of, and the deeper you fall in love with yourself, the more you attract aligned people into your life. By releasing the fantasy and trusting divine timing, you create space for connections that truly serve your highest good—even when they come in unexpected packages. Ready to transform your perspective on soulmates and open yourself to deeper connections? Listen now, and discover that the most special person in your life might have been with you all along. We explore the concept of soulmates and why our search for the perfect spiritual partner might actually be limiting our ability to recognize profound connections right in front of us. • Different types of soulmates: the Awakener who electrifies our soul, the Mirror who reflects ourselves back to us, and the Anchor who feels like home • The importance of vulnerability in building deep connections rather than focusing on a checklist of qualities • Why seeking someone to "complete you" limits your potential for genuine connection • How temporary relationships can still be sacred and meaningful if we extract their purpose • The power of making repairs in relationships, regardless of how much time has passed • Journaling exercises to uncover what qualities you truly seek in a partner and where you've experienced those qualities within yourself • We attract what we believe we're worthy of—when we feel whole, we attract people who resonate with that energy • Soul connections can happen anywhere, not just in romantic relationships To attract aligned love, embody the love you desire to receive, heal spaces where you feel unworthy, release the fantasy of the perfect soulmate, and trust divine timi We transform the world by transforming ourselves. Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates. Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources. Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317811/open_sms] The spiritual journey is fraught with an unexpected obstacle—the spiritual ego. That sneaky voice convincing us we're "enlightened" while separating us from our humanity. davidji and Elizabeth dive into this profound paradox, revealing how spiritual language and concepts can become a sophisticated mask rather than a path to authentic awakening. What happens when we exchange our old ego patterns for spiritual jargon that isn't truly embodied? We explore the dangerous territory of spiritual bypassing—using teachings to avoid pain rather than transform it. Through vivid metaphors, we distinguish between intellectual understanding and the messy, beautiful work of integration through the heart. The most powerful revelation? Universal connection happens through our brokenness, not our perfection. "People don't fall in love with perfection," Elizabeth notes, "they fall in love with imperfection because they can relate to it." This insight turns spiritual achievement on its head, suggesting that our humanity isn't something to transcend but the very doorway to our awakening. Drawing from Buddhist wisdom, the Bhagavad Gita, and modern teachers like Eckhart Tolle, we examine the bodhisattva path and the practice of non-duality—holding both shadow and light simultaneously. Our invitation is simple yet profound: meet each moment with acceptance, embracing the paradox of being both divine and flawed. The spiritual journey isn't about reaching a destination but continually unfolding in the precious present moment. Subscribe to Shadow and Light for more conversations that honor both your humanity and your divinity. How might you recognize spiritual ego in your own practice? We'd love to hear your thoughts. davidji and Elizabeth explore the concept of spiritual ego and how it can blindside even the most dedicated practitioners by replacing old egoic tendencies with spiritual language that isn't truly embodied. • Spiritual ego arises when we recycle spiritual concepts intellectually without integrating them through lived experience • True spirituality requires balancing awareness with the full rainbow of human experience, including emotions and fears • Embodiment is crucial for authentic spiritual growth rather than bypassing difficult feelings • Connection to universal truth happens through our brokenness and vulnerability, not through claims of perfection • Non-duality exists beyond the mind's tendency to categorize everything as good/bad, worthy/unworthy • The present moment is where transformation happens, not in concepts about the past or future • Meeting each moment with acceptance helps unravel the knots of ego that create limiting identities Visit our previous seasons for more insights that might resonate differently now that you're at a new point in your journey. We transform the world by transforming ourselves. Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates. Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources. Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!

Send us a text to let us know how this episode impacted you. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317811/open_sms] What secrets are you keeping that are holding back your evolution? In this illuminating conversation, Elizabeth introduces a powerful new framework for understanding shame through her acronym SHAME: Secrets Hold All My Evolution. With remarkable vulnerability, she shares her personal journey of avoiding medical care due to fears connected to her mother's death at a similar age—and how the simple act of admitting this "embarrassing" truth to her partner created immediate liberation. davidji responds with his own story of survivor's guilt after having worked in the World Trade Center before 9/11, illustrating how finding deeper meaning helped transform his shame into purpose. Together, they explore how shame grows exponentially in silence, creating an echo chamber where our secrets become increasingly loud and constricting. The moment we give voice to these hidden parts—whether to a trusted friend, therapist, journal, or even a pet—we begin to dissolve shame's power over us. The conversation delves into various manifestations of shame—body, sexual, cultural, identity, familial, and achievement-related—all stemming from the core belief "I am not enough." Elizabeth offers the profound insight that what disgusts us in others often points directly to our own shadow material, while David shares his practice of transforming his inner critic into an "inner guardian," giving that critical voice a new, supportive role. What makes this discussion so powerful is its practical approach to healing. From journaling with the prompt "I'm embarrassed to admit..." to transforming your relationship with your inner critic, these tools honor the delicate nature of shame work. The hosts remind us that we always have a choice—to remain imprisoned in shame or to step into freedom through conscious awareness and self-compassion. Ready to reclaim the energy your secrets have been holding hostage? Listen now, and discover how speaking your truth can become the doorway to your most profound healing and evolution. Shame keeps us trapped in silence, but when we find the courage to voice our embarrassing truths, we discover freedom, connection, and evolution. Elizabeth introduces her powerful acronym SHAME (Secrets Hold All My Evolution) while sharing a personal story about avoiding medical care due to fears connected with her mother's death. • Elizabeth shares how admitting her "embarrassing" avoidance of doctors transformed her relationship with fear • davidji discusses his experience with survivor's guilt after having worked in the World Trade Center before 9/11 • Shame grows louder in silence, creating an echo chamber of self-judgment that constricts our energy • Different types of shame include body, sexual, cultural, identity, and achievement-related shame • What disgusts us in others often points directly to our own shadow material • Journaling with "I'm embarrassed to admit..." can be a first step toward healing • Transforming your inner critic into an "inner guardian" changes your relationship with shame • Speaking our truth, even if only to ourselves initially, releases trapped energy • We always have a choice to move from judgment to compassion With each breath, I am reborn. Today I begin again. I am not my shame, I am my healing. We transform the world by transforming ourselves. Share this podcast with your friends, loved ones, and workmates. Visit davidji.com & elizabethwinkler.com for additional healing resources. Big shoutout to the amazing Jamar Rogers for creating such powerful music and lyrics for the official song of The Shadow & The Light Podcast!