A conversation with Abdi Assadi: Reconnection, Healing and Growth

In Episode 18 we have a guest; Abdi Assadi, an acupuncturist and spiritual counselor from New York. Abdi shares insights from his diverse training in acupuncture, shamanic practices, psychotherapy, and Jungian analysis. Abdi focuses on helping individuals reconnect with their inner selves. Our conversation explores the crucial role of the body in healing, emphasizing physical awareness as a grounding tool most importantly the tools like connecting with the bottom of your feet and connecting with the breath as it enters and exits the nostrils. Asadi and Pernilla explore the interplay between psychological healing and spiritual growth, underlining the risk of the spiritual bypass in other words using spirituality to avoid emotional issues. Abdi recounts his personal Kundalini awakenings, highlighting their transformative impact and the insights gained. The discussion then addresses anxiety, cultural pressures, and the need for presence and mindfulness. We discuss issues like spiritual awakening as a continuous journey of understanding and growth. Towards the end, Abdi and Louise discuss the aspects of divorce and emphasizes processing emotions like heartbreak and rage through spiritual work. Abdi also examines the theme of choosing love over fear in spiritual awakening and the impact of differing spiritual frequencies in relationships. We discuss the negative effects of staying in unhappy marriages, particularly on children, and the importance of authenticity. (00:00) introduction and Guest Background: Introduction to the podcast. Abdi Assadi's background as an acupuncturist and spiritual counselor. (04:30) Transition from Acupuncture to Spiritual Counseling: Abdi discusses his shift from physical acupuncture practice to phone-based spiritual counseling. (08:15) Importance of the Body in Spiritual Practice: Conversation about the role of the body in grounding spiritual practices. Discussion on the interplay of physical presence and energy work. (13:00) Integrating Psychology with Spirituality: The necessity of addressing psychological aspects alongside spiritual growth. Insights into the integration of psychotherapy with spiritual counseling. (17:45) Personal Spiritual Experiences and Awakening: Abdi shares his personal experiences related to spiritual awakening. Discussion on the nature of awakening as a process. (23:30) Challenges and Misconceptions on the Spiritual Path: Discussing the challenges and common misconceptions encountered on the spiritual journey. Insights into the pitfalls of ego and enlightenment. (29:00) Living in the Moment and Emotional Processing: Emphasizing the importance of being present in the moment. Strategies for dealing with emotions and psychological patterns. (34:15) Relationships, Divorce, and Spiritual Growth: Exploring how spiritual growth impacts relationships, with a focus on divorce. Personal reflections on emotional challenges and growth during significant life changes. (40:00) Closing Thoughts and Future Plans: Summarizing key points from the discussion. Plans for future episodes and topics to explore.