Nancy: Welcome to the Nancy Levin Show. I’m Nancy Levin, founder of Levin Life Coach Academy, best-selling author, master coach, and your host. I help overachieving people pleasers set boundaries that stick and own self-worth, anchored in empowered action, so you can feel free.
Plus, if you’re an aspiring or current coach, You are in the right place.
Join me each week for coaching and compelling conversations designed to support you in the spotlight as you take center stage of your own life.
Let’s dive in.
Nancy: Welcome back to the Nancy Levin show. I have a treat for you today. I am giving you access to the awareness meditation featured in my latest book, Embrace Your Shadow to Find Your Light. One of the really cool things I did with this book is I have QR codes inside of it that lead directly to audio meditations that I created to help you integrate each and every alchemical stage of shadow work.
What I’m sharing with you here today is the first stage: awareness. If you like this meditation, there are more for you inside the book.
In addition, I want to let you know that right now, the doors are open to my eight-week group coaching experience called Your Inner Eclipse, where I will guide you through the eight stages of shadow work.
It is an extremely profound and potent process that differs completely from the book. The book is a companion. However, the coaching experience with me takes you deep into your own internal experience and invites you to then use embrace your shadow to find your light to support the work that we do together in the coaching experience.
So you can learn more about your inner eclipse at nancylevin.com/eclipse.
And now, I invite you to settle in and let me guide you through awareness.
Nancy: Welcome to the meditation for stage one: awareness of Embrace Your Shadow to Find Your Light. I’m Nancy Levin, and it’s my honor to guide you.
Begin by finding a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down. Close your eyes gently and take a deep, calming breath all the way down to your belly.
Inhale through your nose, filling your lungs completely. And then exhale slowly through your mouth.
A couple more times, breathing in peace and exhaling any tension.
Now, as you settle into the moment, bring your attention to the concept of the shadow. The shadow holds qualities we’ve suppressed, ignored, or denied. Aspects of ourselves we’re often afraid to acknowledge. But remember, within our shadows lie great strength and insight.
And now, bring your awareness to your heart. As you breathe into your heart, allow yourself to enter the cave in the center of your being where your shadow qualities live.
It’s dark, and you’re safe.
As you enter the cave, click on your headlamp to see your meditation cushion right inside, waiting for you.
Take your seat and click your headlamp off.
Place one hand on your heart and the other on your belly, and simply continue to breathe.
Presence the shadow quality from the awareness stage that you have chosen to reclaim.
This quality may be negative or positive. Whatever it is, hold it in your heart with kindness.
As you connect with this shadow quality, begin to explore the stories and beliefs you’ve associated with it.
Reflect back to when you first noticed this part of yourself.
What narrative have you constructed around it?
How has it influenced your decisions, your relationships, your view of yourself?
Remember, there’s no judgment here. Only observation and understanding.
Inhale deeply. And as you exhale, visualize yourself embracing this shadow quality. What does it feel like to fully acknowledge and accept this part of yourself?
Notice any emotions or sensations that arise.
Breathe into them, allowing yourself to experience them fully.
If you feel any discomfort, remember you are safe.
Now, gently question these narratives. Ask yourself, are these stories true? Do they serve me or hold me back?
With each breath, allow yourself to see these beliefs for what they truly are: simply stories, not defining truths.
Imagine now a new story unfolding, one where this shadow quality is your ally, not your enemy. Envision how embracing this part of yourself could enrich your life. How could it enhance your relationships, your creativity, and your authenticity? How can you harness and leverage the power this part of you provides?
Breathe life into this new narrative.
Take a few more deep breaths, feeling a sense of peace and acceptance wash over you.
You are more than the sum of your parts, shadow included.
Your shadow qualities are not flaws but rather unexplored strengths.
As we near the end of this meditation, gently wiggle your fingers and toes, bringing awareness back to your body.
When you’re ready, open your eyes and return to the present moment with a renewed sense of self-compassion and understanding. Remember, exploring your shadow is a profound step toward authentic living. Carry this sense of openness and curiosity with you as you move through your day.
Nancy: Thanks so much for joining me today. I invite you to head on over to nancylevin.com to check out all the goodies I have there for you. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and a review. I’ll meet you back here next week.