The Dark Night of the Soul Unwrapped
The Dark Night of the Soul Unwrapped
Podcast Description
Welcome to the The Dark Night of the Soul Unwrapped, a podcast for anyone who is going through or curious about spiritual emergency, existential crisis, or the dark night of the soul. Fiona Robertson and her guests share their experiences of being in - and emerging out of - this lonely and sometimes terrifying terrain, without glossing over the realities. They discuss - amongst many other things - how it relates to trauma, illness, embodiment, spiritual teachings and ideas about awakening, and the state of the wider world. Expect openness, honesty, love, groundedness, nuance, laughter, and a lack of dogma.
You’re welcome to contact The Dark Night of the Soul Unwrapped via email: [email protected]
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Episodes focus on significant topics such as trauma, healing, spiritual teachings, and the challenges of personal awakening. For instance, discussions include the dangers of spiritual bypassing, the intricacies of body awareness in spirituality, and navigating the feelings of isolation during dark nights. Specific episodes highlight the impact of self-neglect and the journey toward self-compassion, as well as the tension between enlightenment ideals and the reality of personal struggles.
Welcome to the The Dark Night of the Soul Unwrapped, a podcast for anyone who is going through or curious about spiritual emergency, existential crisis, or the dark night of the soul. Fiona Robertson and her guests share their experiences of being in – and emerging out of – this lonely and sometimes terrifying terrain, without glossing over the realities. They discuss – amongst many other things – how it relates to trauma, illness, embodiment, spiritual teachings and ideas about awakening, and the state of the wider world. Expect openness, honesty, love, groundedness, nuance, laughter, and a lack of dogma.
New episodes on the first of each month.
You’re welcome to contact The Dark Night of the Soul Unwrapped via email: [email protected]
Fiona’s dark night began during Covid. After a sudden break up, she went to Mexico, and something started shifting – her “soul wanted solitude.” She felt like she was losing her mind as her whole way of being was slowly unearthed. After a while, she moved to Montreal, and then to an island; there was a pull towards “the soil in which I could dismantle and decompose.” During this time, she encountered her deepest attachment and existential woundings, and gradually found solace in not knowing.
Amongst many other things, we talk about what happens when the ‘should’ structure falls apart; starting to navigate by our bodies and hearts; and the dethroning of the mind that happens in the process. We discuss how layered the dark night is; the immense anger, grief and shame that came in; and how nothing worked “as a means to run away from it.” We touch into no longer being able to mask ourselves; becoming the wise older women that we needed; and the shock of actually being here, rather than being dissociated in some way. We also describe the gift of living it, whatever it is in the moment; and discovering simple, organic resources along the way.
Fiona Matalon is a somatic psychotherapist. She offers a holistic approach to those who are looking to deepen their relationship to themselves and to live a life that is led by their heart, soul and inner knowing. In sessions, together with her clients, she uses the intelligence of the body to allow a deeper exploraton that goes beyond the everyday mind. She brings her own deep lived experience and continuous learnings into her practice.
Fiona 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.
Mentions
Fiona mentions Jeannie Zandie.
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You’re welcome to contact The Dark Night of the Soul Unwrapped via email: [email protected]
Music by James Waring / Design by Adam McKillop / Artwork by Stefan Armoneit
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