Have you ever wondered what lurks in the deepest corners of your psyche? Join me, Jeffrey Brunk, as I journey into the shadow realm, guided by the powerful presence of the archangel Michael. In this episode of Everyday Shaman, I share my personal encounter with the shadow, exploring how it influences our lives physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. Through the lens of Carl Jung’s psychology, we’ll uncover the profound significance of balance between light and dark, illuminated by a striking vision of celestial bodies and a pathway of light.
Our exploration doesn’t stop there. We dive deep into the metaphysical confrontation with shadows, bringing to light the delicate balance required for light and darkness to coexist. Through a vivid narrative featuring a shadow named Absalom, we uncover vulnerabilities and test our strengths. Additionally, we reflect on the importance of stillness and inner voices, learning to embrace quiet guidance. As we conclude, I express my gratitude for our shared experience and set the stage for our next journey together. Peace.
Have you ever wondered what lurks in the deepest corners of your psyche? Join me, Jeffrey Brunk, as I journey into the shadow realm, guided by the powerful presence of the archangel Michael. In this episode of Everyday Shaman, I share my personal encounter with the shadow, exploring how it influences our lives physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. Through the lens of Carl Jung’s psychology, we’ll uncover the profound significance of balance between light and dark, illuminated by a striking vision of celestial bodies and a pathway of light.
Our exploration doesn’t stop there. We dive deep into the metaphysical confrontation with shadows, bringing to light the delicate balance required for light and darkness to coexist. Through a vivid narrative featuring a shadow named Absalom, we uncover vulnerabilities and test our strengths. Additionally, we reflect on the importance of stillness and inner voices, learning to embrace quiet guidance. As we conclude, I express my gratitude for our shared experience and set the stage for our next journey together. Peace.
Hello again everyone. Welcome back to the Everyday Shaman, glad to have you here. I'm Jeffrey Brunk, your host, and I thank you for joining me. This episode I really want to focus on shadow. It's important to do that because shadow, if you know anything about Carl Jung and shadow work on the psychology end of things and how they connect to the spiritual side of things as he understood them to, you'll understand. Shadow basically can control our lives. It can cause problems in our lives physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationship-wise, any number of ways and there has to be a balance and, as I mentioned in another episode about my sacred space, there is a great imbalance between light and dark within shadow in this world, in this universe and beyond, within the earth, but mostly within us. We, the people that are causing so many problems, being so divisive, thinking we're all right about everything, thinking that we can choose how people live, how we choose for others, but we also have the ability as individuals to choose not to let those things bother us, and we seem to forget that. So I want to talk about shadow today, and what I want to do is read a journey summary of my own. Again, this took place not long after the one about the sacred space and I'm thinking that some things within this they're going to sound really far fetched and far out there. And I say far out. Some things within this they're going to sound really far-fetched and far out there. And I say far out, groovy man, you know to hippy-dippy, but it's far out stuff. And these journeys, when you get into the unseen realms, the things that you see are fantastical at times and the things you're told, no matter if it's from a divine essence or it's from an element of darkness or it's from part of the shadow or the shadow of the divine. There is so much more unseen and all around us than there is seen with our eyes wide open in the middle of the daytime. So I want to read this summary and in this summary again, if you haven't listened to the podcast about my sacred space, it might help to listen to that first. It is my desire someone can grasp something from this journey, because it is shadow. I journeyed to face the shadow and it was quite an experience. So I'm going to read the journey, every detail, since this was my journey. But I would like to hear from listeners if things within this resonate with them somehow. So this journey was taken on April 24th of this year.
Speaker 1:
In the first journey, I arrived within my sacred space, so to speak, within seconds after the drumming track began. I say, so to speak, because in the journey about my sacred space, the sacred space has changed from being a created location that I would journey to to begin a journey, to get information, to get guidance, to being a sacred space within myself. So I found myself sitting on the large crystal structure that had been created during the previous journey and looking straight ahead through that gap between the dunes, across the shoreline and out into the vastness of the open water. Above the water was a strange sight. I was unable to determine whether it was a sun partially eclipsing a moon, or a moon partially eclipsing a sun, or a planet, or a planet eclipsing a large star, or vice versa. The strangest part of the observation was that the two astral bodies were rotating, one in a counterclockwise motion and the other clockwise. They were positioned in such a way that they looked like one was inside of the other, the outermost point of the inside body touching the other astral body in a single point. As they made the rotations, the two round astral bodies were centered within my field of vision, midway between the water surface and a brilliantly blue sky. After watching this for a few short moments, they began to slowly descend and as they lowered the sky remained blue, but near to the water's surface it darkened in the shades of indigo tinted with orange, and then, right at the water's surface, it darkened into shades of indigo tinted with orange, and then, right at the water's horizon, a thin strip of dark gray. The two forms lowered into water's horizon in distance, stopping their descent exactly halfway, in effect creating two half circles. And when they stopped descending they also stopped rotating. The edge of the inner circle was touching the very top edge of the outer circle.
Speaker 1:
The positioning of these half spheres created a beam of light that resembled a beam of light from a flashlight, except that it was in reverse. The light coming from the spheres was broader at the horizon and narrowed as it came closer to where I was, eventually coming to a single point that ended at the base of the amethyst's encrusted platform and directly in front of me. So from my position, the perspective of this beam of light was how it should appear, as it led back to the spheres, so where I was sitting. If I were holding a flashlight, it would go out in that perspective, but it was the opposite. It created a pathway of light that shimmered with a consistent brightness from point to point on the still water, and I was attempting to understand the optics of this when I felt a commanding presence around me. When I feel this presence, I noticed that the beam of light began to burn into the sand and water, not literally burning, but it creating a real pathway. I can't explain how the light created the pathway that descended into the water, but it's a visual. So there came a voice from the presence that said follow the path, but do not stray from the light. I had with me Furbas. Now, furbas are three edgedged blades, typically made of iron, copper, steel, wood that I use in journeys for protection. So I had one in each hand and this presence spoke again, saying be wary, but there will be no battle. I knew who this was and I already kind of knew just by the presence Determined that it was the presence of Mikael or Michael. Those words were confirmation that he was the presence. He was not in physical form, but surrounding me. He is a protector.
Speaker 1:
So I rose from that crystalline bench and I stood at the edge of the circular platform. The amethyst crystals that surrounded the platform emitted a strange array of prismatic colors as the light from the two semi-spherical astral bodies shone up through the amethyst. Instinctively, I stepped from the platform onto the sand one foot on either side of the point where the light path began, and then I began moving forward. When the light path had become wide enough for both feet, I stayed within the lines and I walked towards. The water passed through the dunes onto the shoreline. The sand was soft and cool, but my feet didn't leave impressions. As I neared the waterline, the light seemed to create such a brightness that it appeared as if the water was transparent. The water was still there, but it was in a different state of being or form. It wasn't wet and didn't create any type of pressure the farther I walked. Now I'm walking down a slight slope, all while following the path of light that gently widened as I continued along the way.
Speaker 1:
So I reached a place where I could see creatures on either side of the path, and I estimated I was maybe between 100 to 150 feet below what would have been the water surface had I been truly underwater. The best way to describe what I was seeing is to say that it was like being in an underwater aquarium, with the light that was creating the pathway being the glass walls. So on either side within the water there were large creatures with protruding lower jaws and large teeth, much like a large fish, and others that were more blob-like. Ahead of me was another shadowy mass. It had no real form, but was seated on a structure similar to the crystalline structure within my sacred space. This structure was solid and jet black, resembling onyx or obsidian, and I was able to faintly see the entire bent structure through the shadowy mass that was seated upon it. And as I moved closer to the area, I was reminded not to stray from the path of light. After that reminder, the shadowy mass spoke.
Speaker 1:
Usually, a shadow is going to lie or mislead. It said well, either you are very brave or very stupid, or is it both? They're synonymous for you, are they not? What makes you feel so courageous? Is it that symbolic garment you wear or those ornate pieces of wood? The being was referring to the Furbis and the warrior's mantle.
Speaker 1:
I had stopped moving forward but still felt Michael's presence, which was reassuring, and I looked to both sides, seeing the shadowy creatures moving from side to side, then straight ahead towards the shadow mass. I then looked up and what I saw looking up was that, although the area when I stood was lit by the light path, the area above was murky. So light above the surface was still visible, but it was muted by a rather unappealing murky, grainy greenish tone. And that green murkiness was met in a place just above where the shadowy figure in front of me was sitting by flowing thick entwinement of weeds, seaweed and vines. This conglomeration of vegetation wasn't solid. There were gaps between the varying types of vines and weeds that allowed light from above the surface to filter through, further darkening the place where the shadowy form was sitting. Enough light was filtered through to allow me to see that the shadowy form was also in a constant flowing motion. It wasn't solid and it wasn't transparent. Basically it was a shadow.
Speaker 1:
When I realized that the form was basically hiding beneath the entangled vegetation, I heard a single word, and the word was Absalom. It was Mikael that put the name into my head, a shadow element that I'd encountered once before, also known as the shadow of the divine. At this point there began a back and forth exchange between Absalom and myself, although I never referred to it by name you are nothing, no one of any consequence. It said Perhaps you need something that I can provide to you? And I replied release the ones who are meant to provide betterment and help, that are struggling with emergence. They are being oppressed. Release the ones who are meant to restore and maintain the balance. Absalom made a sound, a rumbling that reverberated throughout the area. A rumbling that reverberated throughout the area, a rumbling that reverberated through the areas outside of the beam of light, creating vibrations that were low to the seafloor. I believe that this was a laugh.
Speaker 1:
Based upon its response, I sort of understood this. Everyone can create their own shadows. They are the only ones who can release those shadows. It then asked me tell me what would you give to me in exchange for allowing those to be released? And I knew that it was taunting me, testing me and trying to find my weaknesses, which the shadow does. It finds vulnerabilities and exploits them.
Speaker 1:
With this realization, words began flowing through me from another source, and I believe it was Jibreel, though there wasn't anything other than the intensity and surety of the words that were given to me that caused me to suspect it was Jibreel. I responded to the shadow you're oblivious, aren't you? You're being lied to by the aspect of yourself that is attempting to feed lies to me. It scoffed at my words, but it didn't respond right away, so I continued. There's a great imbalance of light and darkness. There is no winner. One can't exist without the other. Consider this you are the element of darkness that will cease to exist, along with the void of darkness itself, should the balance of light and darkness collapse. Without light, there is nothing, tell me, without light and shadow would be the first to be consumed. So you are expendable. Nothing means to an end, that is an ultimate ending. That makes you nothing.
Speaker 1:
So I was getting a little wordy with him right there. I probably shouldn't have. He was getting to me, which is what shadow does. So he rose from the jet black structure when he was sitting on, like it was going to approach me, and I could feel the rage emanating from his presence. And it's not often feel rage or feel an intensity from a shadow. But I felt that, and so, when I saw this, I lifted the Furbus, raised them above my head towards the entwined vines and the seaweed conglomerate above. So Michael had told me that there'd be no battle, so I wasn't intending to try and transmute. My first thought when raising the Furbus was to use them to slice the entangled vines, allowing more light from above the surface that protected.
Speaker 1:
Absalom's shadowy form Shadow of the Divine immediately backed away without even having moved forward towards me, and when I saw this, I said fear is quite a powerful shadow element, isn't it? I probably shouldn't have said anything to taunt it, but it just came from me effortlessly. The light within your darkness causes you to experience the very thing that you claim to create. I run it. I don't normally do this in journeys, so the shadow is actually in a journey in another realm, affecting me in my ethereal form. Its anger, combined with fear, was pulsing through the expanse above and on either side of me, and he responded to my words or it responded to my words basically screaming you lie.
Speaker 1:
Do you see the hailstones that sank to the floor? They litter this place and the creatures within the shadows nip at and devour them without consequence. If what you say is true, this would not be possible. These were the hailstones that fell in the journey I'd undertaken days prior to this journey. The hailstones are ones that are meant to be regaining and maintaining balance between light and dark and shadow. Some choose not to, some choose to heed that call Ones that don't sink to the floor and they're devoured by shadow. And I replied you're right, that's because shadows require light to exist, whether it's here on the surface, even during the darkest of nights. Take away those morsels of light and those creatures cease to exist. They become nothing, just as you would do should the light disappear.
Speaker 1:
And Absalom scoffed, this time without as much exaggeration and anger I'd felt emanating from it, relented, but the fear remained. The shadow, actually, the fear within the shadow was emanating from the shadow. What do you really want? It asked, and it seemed to genuinely want an answer. And I answered it isn't all about wanting, it's about requiring. And it isn't about what I require, it's what is resolutely required by everything, everyone and every place within all of existence. I then said however possible, lessen the lack of awareness of the shadow aspects of those who haven't fallen to the floor. Around you, there are many who are meant to restore and help maintain balance between light and dark. Everyone and everything create multiple shadows. For you, there's nothing to lose when you do this. If you refuse, you will eventually cease to exist. Darkness knows this, divine light knows this.
Speaker 1:
And with this statement, the drumming callback began. This time I wasn't pulled backwards, but I turned and walked the light path back to the crystalline structure or seat from where I began within my sacred space within, and I sat down on the seat, closed my eyes and was brought back to my physical self. However, just before I returned to my physical self, I heard the words you do know that you need to go back, don't you? And when I heard this, there was an urgency in the words. I immediately let my wife know that I was going to do another journey. Right then I didn't get up from the table or come out of my healing space. I set the timer on the drumming track for a second hour and immediately began another journey. What I was to experience during that leg was absolutely nothing like the journey that I just now summarized. It was related and extremely more intense.
Speaker 1:
There is a lot to unpack there. I've unpacked it to a certain degree. There's always something that takes a while to get Things within the journey, that it sometimes takes days or weeks even, because time is not linear. Time is fluid. There are no watches in the other realms, so I would like to hear your questions or input of any kind. That's good with me too.
Speaker 1:
There's a lot here to unpack about shadow. We all carry shadow. We are shadow. Our ego is shadow. Who we think we ourselves to be is shadow. We let everything except our own selves control our thoughts, our actions, choices to find those things within ourselves. When we grasp those things our weaknesses, our faults, the guilts we may feel we grasp those and we embrace those things and look at them as being shadow elements of ourselves that are pieces of a puzzle. Then we use those elements against darker elements. We can put those in our arsenal, but we have to accept them as part of who we are and acknowledge them the more aware we become and the more these shadow elements and shadow aspects are unable to lead us astray. So there's a lot to process there.
Speaker 1:
I'll look forward to the third part of this. I do go into the darkness. The first one I did because I really had the intention of all right. What now with the sacred space? These others I was led to do? I have learned to listen to that whisper, listen to the voices. Don't get the boot. Listen to the whispers, listen with your ears and eyes closed. Until next time. Thank you for joining me and we'll see you again soon. Peace.