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’m thrilled you’re here. Today, I’m going to share the meditation that accompanies the second stage of Alchemical shadow work from my latest book, Embrace Your Shadow to Find Your Light.
So, a really cool thing I got to do inside the book was put QR codes at the end of each section and then record an audio meditation session. That is the companion for integrating each step.
So, in episode 173, a couple of episodes back, I gave you the meditation for the very first stage of alchemical shadow work awareness. Today, we are moving into the second stage, which is surrender. I think surrender is releasing our willful stronghold on needing anyone or anything to be any certain way.
Once we can release that willful stronghold, we can move into acceptance of what is. So, I do not relate to surrender as throwing in the towel, giving in, giving up, or waving the white flag instead. Surrender is the process of being able to be with the truth of what is without needing anything or anyone to be different, even as we are all evolving and still becoming.
So, I hope you enjoy this meditation. Give yourself the opportunity to close your eyes, drop in, and really take in the experience of integration. If you want to know more about shadow work, I invite you to download my free guide at nancylevin.com/aware, and I will take you on a journey into your shadow so you can embrace it and shine your light. Enjoy the meditation, and I’ll be back with you again next week.
Nancy: Welcome to the meditation for stage two, surrender, of embracing your shadow to find your light. I’m Nancy Levin, and it’s my honor to guide you.
Begin by finding a comfortable seat in a quiet space. Close your eyes and take a deep breath in, filling your lungs. As you exhale, let go of any tension you’re holding.
Continue to breathe deeply and evenly as you settle into this space of self-discovery and acceptance.
Take another deep breath, and as you exhale, allow your body to relax even more deeply. As you remember, every part of you, including your shadow, holds immense value.
Bring your attention and awareness to your heart. Allow yourself to enter your cave in the center of your being where your shadows live.
Your meditation cushion is waiting for you right there at the threshold. As you enter, take your seat.
Allow the shadow quality you’ve chosen to be. Imagine to embrace to be present with you.
Notice any resistance to reclaim the shadow quality. As this resistance becomes clear, notice any physical sensations in your body. Do you feel tension, heat, or discomfort anywhere?
Breathe into these areas, inviting relaxation with each breath.
Imagine this resistance as a color or a shape.
See it outside of yourself in front of you. Observe your resistance with curiosity, not judgment.
What does it look like? How does it feel to look at it from a distance?
Take a few moments to observe this representation of your resistance and notice if it changes in any way as you give it your attention.
Now, in the darkness of your cave. See the shadow quality you are choosing to reclaim, lit up in yellow neon. As this shadow quality shines, notice any changes in your body or emotions.
Breathe into any discomfort, creating space around it. With your next breath, envision this shadow quality as a part of you that’s been longing for acknowledgement and love. It is not here to harm you. It’s here to be understood and integrated.
Listen for any messages or insights the shadow quality has to offer. Remember, there’s no right or wrong here; it’s just an opportunity for deeper understanding.
Now, see a mirror right in front of you. The neon is bright enough for you to see yourself in the mirror, deeply into your own eyes.
Imagine reclaiming this shadow quality by naming it silently to yourself in the mirror.
I am, I am, I am.
You don’t have to love or even like this quality right now.
Simply allow it to coexist with all the other parts of you.
As you do this, notice any resistance melting away. Replace it–embraced by a sense of wholeness.
Take a few deep breaths, imagining each inhale drawing in acceptance and each exhale releasing resistance.
As we come to the end of this meditation, gently wiggle your fingers and toes, bringing awareness back to your body.
When you’re ready, open your eyes, carrying this sense of wholeness and acceptance with you.
Remember, each part of you, including your shadow, holds value. Embracing them is a brave step toward wholeness and self-love.
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. And, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a review. I’ll meet you back here next week.