Welcome to the Human Prototype blog, a space where the past and present converge to showcase the evolution of a life in progress. Inspired by my TEDx talk, "I am a Prototype," this blog is part of a broader journey of transformation through journaling, capturing the essence of living as a perpetual prototype. Each week, during 2024, I reviewed my archives from 2016, contrasting journal scans filled with drawings against the backdrop of my current experiences.
From Spiritual Realms to American Skies
Then: September 5-11, 2016
This week was remarkably busy as I travelled through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands with many friends along the way. It was such an incredible time where everything just clicked—it must have been divine intervention.
Here’s a voiceover for some extra pizzazz:
Now: September 2-8, 2024
Back to work after a week off, which started with a “cold shower,” as we say in French. My first couple of meetings didn’t go as expected and derailed my confidence—until I attended my yoga class on Tuesday evening. There, I was able to discern their projections from the useful feedback.
I practiced shamanic journeying a few times this week, and valuable information has been coming through. Some insights include details on how to prepare a work presentation and take a different approach to engage key people at work (which I did, and it worked), as well as more personal guidance on how I see myself fitting into group dynamics. Mostly, the guidance has been to chill a bit more and have fun with life. I often expect clearer messages or to see guides, but I tend to receive guidance as “thoughts.” This makes me wonder if I’m making it up. Although some of the guidance wasn’t what I would have chosen, but only time and practice will help.
If you’re curious about what a shamanic journey is and how it works, I’ve added a link below.
I finished watching the entire season of the Netflix series “Kaos,” which provided a platform to learn more about Greek mythology. It’s actually super useful for reflecting on parts of ourselves that we can identify with the gods, goddesses, and other symbols from these incredible stories.
On Thursday, I went to the dentist thinking I would be fixing a tooth that has been bothering me for a long time, only to find out that I may have to have it replaced with an implant. I really don’t like the idea of an implant (having a foreign body in my mouth). I gave myself a week to reflect on what to do about it. I would appreciate any personal experiences you may wish to share with me!
I’ve watched some insightful videos on YouTube that I will link below—about the psychology of the shaman and shadow work. I had left shadow work way behind me and was avoiding it at all costs, but now it’s finding me and presenting itself in a less scary form. I’ll keep exploring, but this may become handy as we are in eclipse season with a full moon eclipse on September 17/18th…
I also had a beautiful breakfast with a dear friend during the weekend, where I gave her the first prototype of my set of integration conversation cards to test (mentioned last week). Then, I spent most of Saturday packing and cleaning before flying on Sunday to Washington DC.
I’m surprised at how smooth the trip went and how calm I have been throughout. Going to the US used to be so much more stressful and chaotic. This time, everything I needed fit in my carry-on suitcase without drama, I went straight to security with my flight ticket on my phone, had breakfast with a glass of champagne at the business lounge, watched a few movies in the plane, and cried a few times. I have to say, though, that it took at least 90 minutes to get out of the airport from passport control, and then there was no Uber or taxi available, so I took the metro from the airport to my hotel, which was actually super convenient. My colleagues thought I was “brave,” lol.
It has been a good week overall, but I’m not going to lie—my head has been spinning at work, trying to navigate people’s projections and finding my path to authority in this super complex organization with a nuanced culture! I guess that’s what I’m paid for. :)
Companion Links: Extend Your Journey
- Shamanic Journey Fundamentals (13min video): introduction to the principles of the shamanic journey practice.
- The Psychology of The Shaman (35min video)
Description: Shamanism is one of the oldest, if not the oldest system of healing known in the world. It forms the prototype from which many other forms of healing are derived, such as modern psychotherapy. The shamanic journey is an expression of the human condition, and despite the cultural differences around the world, the deeper structure appears to remain constant. A common thread seems to connect all shamans across the planet. An awakening to other orders of reality, the experience of ecstasy, and an opening up of visionary realms form the essence of the shamanic mission.
- Owning Your Own shadow: The Dark Side of the Psyche (26min video)
Description: To honour and accept one’s own shadow is a profound spiritual discipline. It is whole-making and thus holy and the most important experience of a lifetime.
We'll be exploring American author and Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson's book, Owning Your Own Shadow: The Dark Side of the Psyche.
In this video, we briefly clear up some misconceptions regarding the concept of shadow. It is the mirror image of ourselves that we cannot see, representing those aspects that we lack. It has a compensatory role that seeks to restore our wholeness of personality.
It is not the light element alone that does the healing; the place where light and dark begin to touch is the most profound religious experience we can have in life. The religious task is to restore the wholeness of personality. Religion means to put things back together again, to connect whatever is fractured.
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Together, let's embrace the beauty of becoming, the intrigue of what was, and the promise of what is yet to come.
