40. "What have I not seen before that I'm seeing now?" With Monica Douglas

Monica’s dark night journey has included periods of “dropping into deep, dark, contemplative spaces” and moments of expanded perception that, on one occasion, “could have been described as a psychotic episode.” She has experienced “a widening of spiritual perception,” and now understands the dark night as initiation; a landing in the body; and a movement of “compassionate discovery and reconnection to the whole.” Amongst many other things, we talk about neuroses coming to the surface; the death of “the old concept of who you are”; and opening our own Pandora’s box. We touch on turning the lens inwards; being with people who can “hold the fullness” of all that we are in any given moment; and “creating enough space to lay what’s there on the table.” We discuss the power of story, metaphor and image; how trying to push or “hack” the dark night can cause damage; and how the dark night, for some of us, is a natural part of the seasons of life, so can’t be sped up or slowed down. We also mention spirit – whatever that means for each of us; how simple rituals create pauses or spaces; and how we might co-create rituals for the dark night. Monica Douglas is an ordained Interfaith Minister and Relationship Coach with over 25 years of experience in professional and personal development. Certified in a range of coaching and wellbeing modalities, she supports heart-centred people to thrive in their relationships – at home, at work and within themselves. Her work is rooted in five core values: joy, love, alignment, collaboration and impact.Monica is currently developing Ten Good Men, a project dedicated to supporting responsible, caring fathers as they navigate significant relationship crossroads, including separation, divorce and rebuilding healthy, loving relationships with their children, partners and other loved ones. The project creates space for men to navigate change consciously, strengthen their relationships and thrive as fathers, partners and individuals. Connect with MonicaFiona Robertson is the author of The Dark Night of the Soul: A Journey from Absence to Presence, and Eve Was a Realist: Poems for the Untamed Heart. She works one to one with people who are going through a dark night or spiritual emergency, accompanying them in this challenging terrain as they rediscover and deepen into their real selves. She also offers a monthly dark night gathering group, and occasional workshops for therapists and counsellors.Connect with FionaMentionsMonica mentions her mentor, the author and teacher Sobonfu Somé. She also mentions The Reach Approach. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share.You’re welcome to contact The Dark Night of the Soul Unwrapped via email: darknightunwrapped@gmail.comMusic by James Waring / Design by Adam McKillop / Artwork by Stefan Armoneit