S2 E29 - Unconditional Love: A Shamanic Path Beyond Judgment

LightSong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine Talking Stick Podcast

Unconditional Love: A Shamanic Path Beyond Judgment

What does unconditional love really mean? Is it something humans can truly experience, or is it an ideal we continually grow toward?

In this thoughtful episode of the Talking Stick Podcast, Jan Engels-Smith and Micah Schwader explore unconditional love through the lens of shamanism, spirituality, and everyday life. Together they examine why the human mind naturally creates judgments and conditions, while the spirit world embodies an entirely different state of awareness—one of acceptance, allowing, and profound connection.

Their conversation moves beyond philosophy into practical ways of cultivating greater peace and presence. They discuss the healing power of nature, journeying, meditation, breathwork, and reconnecting with the rhythms of the Earth. Jan shares the remarkable story of spending more than a year sleeping outdoors after receiving guidance from Spirit, and how that experience transformed her relationship with nature, rhythm, and consciousness. Micah reflects on the lessons of his own vision quest, discovering how asking for grace brought life's greatest challenges—and deepest transformation.

Together they explore:

What unconditional love really means in shamanic practice Why the ego struggles with acceptance and comparison How nature offers one of our clearest experiences of unconditional presence The spiritual practice of journeying beyond judgment Why intention matters—and why we should be careful what we ask for The difference between love, kindness, acceptance, and allowing Simple practices that help us reconnect with ourselves, Spirit, and the natural world Whether you're new to shamanism or simply seeking greater peace in a complex world, this conversation offers a compassionate invitation to move from judgment toward presence, from separation toward connection, and from striving toward simply being.

About Jan Engels-Smith

Jan Engels-Smith is an internationally respected shamanic teacher, author, and healer with more than four decades of experience helping people reconnect with Spirit, nature, and their inner wisdom. She is the founder of Lightsong School of 21st-Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine, where she taught Core Shamanism, spiritual healing, and personal transformation.

Jan is the author of Through the Rabbit Hole: Explore and Experience the Shamanic Journey and Energy Medicine and B