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Have you ever caught yourself thinking that people never really change? Or perhaps you're convinced that transformation is not only possible but inevitable? This fascinating tension between fixed and growth mindsets forms the heart of our exploration into personal transformation.

davidji and Elizabeth dive deep into what makes genuine change possible, revealing that the first step isn't focusing on others but turning inward. "Put down the magnifying glass and hold up the mirror," Elizabeth suggests, offering a powerful metaphor for where true transformation begins.

We unpack the cycle of change - from believing it's possible, to willingness, to taking courageous action, to celebrating small wins - and how this process creates lasting transformation rather than temporary change. But perhaps most illuminating is our discussion of how many of us live trapped in reward/punishment cycles, postponing joy while waiting for weekends, vacations, or some future moment to truly live.

Drawing from Eckhart Tolle's wisdom, we explore how to transmute ordinary waiting periods into moments of presence and enjoyment. Those five years we collectively spend waiting in lines throughout our lives? They can become portals to mindfulness rather than sources of frustration. By anchoring in our bodies, connecting with nature, or simply noticing what's around us, we reclaim these "wasted" moments and infuse them with meaning.

For anyone feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them, we offer practical techniques, including a beautiful meditation practice: "Hello, eternal loving presence." This simple phrase can interrupt negative patterns and invite connection with your deeper self, especially during difficult times.

Whether you're crawling through metaphorical glass or quicksand in your own journey, we remind you that honoring where you are without judgment is the first step toward freedom. And while transformation doesn't guarantee happiness, it does lead to something perhaps more valuable—peace and a profound connection to something larger than ourselves.

Join us in this episode to discover how the journey itself, not some distant destination, is where life's richness truly resides.

davidji and Elizabeth explore whether people can truly change, examining how our focus on changing others distracts us from the internal transformation that matters most.

• People constantly change on a cellular level, but psychological transformation requires specific conditions
• True change requires belief in the possibility of change, willingness to change, and readiness to do difficult things
• Breaking free from reward/punishment cycles helps us experience joy in the present moment
• Waiting periods (like lines or traffic) can become opportunities for mindfulness rather than frustration
• The Buddhist concept of kleshas (obstacles) explains what prevents us from experiencing our true nature
• Transformation doesn't guarantee happiness but leads to peace and connection with something larger
• Simple practices like saying "Hello, eternal loving presence" can interrupt negative patterns
• Using the body as an anchor helps bridge from mental distraction into present moment awareness

If you're struggling with being stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, honor where you are wit

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.

Feeling triggered, stressed, or carrying that proverbial chip on your shoulder? You might be experiencing what meditation teacher davidji and psychotherapist Elizabeth Winkler reveal as "emotional fight-flight" – a modern evolution of our ancient survival mechanism that's wreaking havoc on our health and happiness.

This eye-opening exploration takes you deep into the physiology of stress, explaining how everyday emotional reactions trigger the same hormonal cascade as life-threatening dangers. When someone comments on your appearance or questions your choices, your body responds as if facing a predator – perspiring, breathing shallowly, increasing heart rate, and even preparing your blood to clot before you're injured. The consequences of repeatedly activating this response are far more serious than momentary discomfort.

davidji and Elizabeth share their most powerful "stress hacks" for instantly regulating your nervous system, including the "Fill Her Up, Top It Off" breathing technique that signals safety to your heart's natural pacemaker, and the "16-Second Reset" that breaks thought patterns and brings you back to the present moment. For those with trauma histories, they offer grounding practices that create safety before meditation, emphasizing the importance of options and awareness of your surroundings.

Beyond formal techniques, discover how simple lifestyle adjustments – spending time in nature, taking walks, incorporating even five minutes of yoga daily, and maintaining a consistent meditation practice – can create what David calls "a parachuted life." Experience the immediate relief of Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and the powerful energy release of the "Ah" mantra as demonstrated live in the episode.

Ready to transform those reactive moments into opportunities for presence and connection? These accessible practices don't just protect your health – they create the foundation for experiencing life with greater joy, clarity, and authenticity. Try them today and notice how quickly your perspective shifts from threat to possibility.

Our nervous system's fight-flight response evolved from physical dangers to emotional triggers, causing the same harmful physiological changes and potentially leading to health issues when repeatedly activated.

• Evolution of fight-flight response from physical to emotional triggers
• Physiological changes during fight-flight: perspiration, shallow breathing, increased heart rate
• Suppression of non-essential functions like immune system and digestion during stress
• Emotional triggers can cause the same hormonal cascade as physical threats
• "Fill Her Up, Top It Off" breathing technique to instantly reset your nervous system
• The "16-Second Reset" technique to break thought patterns and return to present moment
• Trauma-informed meditation approaches that create safety through grounding
• Importance of giving options when guiding others through mindfulness practices
• Simple lifestyle changes: nature time, walking, yoga, and consistent meditation
• Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) for balance and calm
• The "Ah" mantra for releasing stagnant energy and regulating the nervous system

Try these techniques whenever you feel triggered or notice that "chip on your shoulder" appearing. Even a few

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.

The Law of Attraction isn't just New Age philosophy—it's a fundamental principle operating in our lives whether we recognize it or not. davidji and Elizabeth Winkler dive deep into how this universal law actually works, exploring the fascinating relationship between attraction and distraction.

"Everything's frequency," Elizabeth explains, introducing her powerful "seven, seven, and seven" concept—the seven people you spend time with most, seven places you frequent, and seven behaviors you engage in regularly all contribute to your energetic resonance. This frequency directly influences what you attract into your life.

In a breakthrough moment, they discover that attraction and distraction are opposite sides of the same coin. When we're distracted, we create static in our energy field like splashing in a still lake. True manifestation happens from stillness—from being present enough to direct our attention deliberately.

davidji shares a compelling story about a friend who, after dating three married men, wrote down that she wanted "an unmarried man." She got exactly that—a man who wouldn't commit exclusively to her. Her intention came from fear rather than clarity about what she truly desired, demonstrating how our emotional state profoundly affects what we manifest.

The hosts explore five meditation approaches that strengthen your "attention muscle": mindfulness, mantra meditation, body scanning, guided visualization, and embodied practices like metta. Finding the right practice allows you to move from distraction to conscious creation.

Ready to transform how you manifest? Try Elizabeth's "seven, seven, and seven" exercise to evaluate your current resonance, then use meditation to clarify what your heart truly longs for. As David reminds us, "If the universe is inviting you to take a step, take that step and see what's next."

davidji and Elizabeth Winkler explore the Law of Attraction as a real, energetic phenomenon that manifests through stillness, presence, and intentional focus.

• Everything is frequency, and our energy is influenced by the seven people we spend time with most, seven places we frequent, and seven behaviors we engage in regularly
• Attraction and distraction are opposite sides of the same coin—distraction creates static in your energy field while stillness allows for conscious creation
• Meditation strengthens your attention muscle, allowing you to direct your awareness deliberately rather than being pulled into worry or fear
• Five meditation approaches that might work for different people: mindfulness, mantra meditation, body scanning, guided visualization, and embodied practices
• Manifestation must come from trust and love rather than fear and desperation—what you attract depends on your emotional state
• Being "drawn" to something feels different than being "driven"—it's a magnetic pull that emerges from listening rather than forcing
• Ask sacred questions like "Who am I?" or "What does my heart truly long for?" to spark deeper connection with your authentic desires

Check out our episode on longing and the car seat meditation from Season 1 to deepen your practice of conscious creation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!