Interview begins @ 5:09

Embark on a profound journey of spirituality, shadow, and psychological depth with Dr. Connie Zweig in episode 102 of The Sacred Speaks. With a rich tapestry of personal history interwoven with spiritual practice, Dr. Zweig unveils a candid exploration of spiritual leadership's stark contrasts and paradoxes. Addressing both adherence and deviation from ethical and moral pathways, she reveals a troubling yet vital exploration into the violations occurring within an array of spiritual and religious traditions, from expansive organized entities to intimate shamanic communities.
Navigating the nuanced concept of "holy longing" – a poignant movement toward spiritual or religious paths – Dr. Zweig illuminates the delicate and often treacherous terrain where projection onto all-too-human spiritual figures can lead to shadow violations and consequential wounding of the seeker. Through real, heartfelt stories, she reveals the omnipresent dynamics where supercharged holy longing can diminish our capacity to critically evaluate our spiritual relationships and behaviors.
As we explore the disturbing reality of power seduction for those labeled or perceiving themselves as "chosen" within spiritual circles, the episode navigates the profound and shadowy abyss of power abuses toward followers, especially those earnestly questing for higher transformational experiences. The central inquiry emerges: "How do we embrace the beauty of transmissions from perennial traditions while acknowledging that some spiritual teachers, while evolved in numerous ways, may possess a disconcertingly low moral developmental line?"
In a path toward healing, Dr. Zweig guides us to recollect and reclaim what was projected onto those who harbored our spiritual potency, dissecting the subtle distinctions between archetypal and parental transference, particularly when unmet parental needs cast long shadows onto spiritual leaders. Healthy versus unhealthy spiritual communities are probed, differentiated by the crucial element of "communal and personal shadow work," notably pivotal for the burgeoning modern psychedelic communities expanding their reach and allure.
Voicing a crucial caution regarding the hypno-persuasive aspects of psychedelics, Dr. Zweig underscores the necessity of a community that constructively counters ego inflation potentiated by contact with the transcendent through these substances. "If we learn shadow awareness, each community will be more likely to survive," she affirms, leaving us with a profound recommendation: to tread the spiritual path with mindful training, community consciousness, and a willingness to embrace vulnerability. Join us in this insightful, deep dive into the complex interplay of shadows and light on our spiritual journeys.

Bio:
Connie Zweig, Ph.D. is a retired therapist and coauthor of Meeting the Shadow and Romancing the Shadow. Her award-winning book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends her work on the Shadow into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. It won the 2022 Gold COVR Award, the 2022 Gold Nautilus Award, the 2021 American Book Fest Award, and the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for best inspirational non-fiction. Her new book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening, is available now. Connie has been doing contemplative practices for more than 50 years. She is a wife, stepmother, and grandmother. After all these roles, she’s practicing the shift from role to soul.

www.conniezweig.com

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https://www.esalen.org/workshops/port...

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