What Wolf do you Feed?

The Wolf You Feed

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

As a past life therapist, I find profound truth in this teaching. In the past I thought we must suppress our darker emotions—our fears, shame, angers, and jealousies. But these aspects are just as much a part of us as our positive traits. Ignoring them feels like a lack of self-awareness and unhealthy emotional patterns.

Personally, I feel encountering a past life marked by hardship or trauma can be profoundly cathartic. In my experience with over a thousand clients, I've come to believe that we carry the karmic baggage of past lifetimes. These are the lives that were either left unfulfilled or whose energies were never fully released, creating a psychic weight that travels with us.

I have personally encountered some very difficult shadow lives myself, and by facing them, I’ve become a better person. This journey of understanding and healing my past has brought immense personal growth. When I work with clients, I witness a similar transformation. When they have the courage to address a difficult lifetime, it becomes an incredible release.

I believe our darker traits often have roots in these unresolved past experiences. Whether we were victims or oppressors, understanding, confronting, and ultimately forgiving and releasing these past experiences are crucial steps in moving forward in our current life. Witnessing and experiencing these shadowy past lives can lead to significant healing and growth.

I think integration is key. Rather than trying to starve our negative emotions, we need to understand them. Ask yourself: What does my anger need? Why is my jealousy here? What is this sorrow teaching me? Through meditation, reflective writing, or even better past life therapy, we can dialogue with these parts of ourselves, turning inner conflict into sources of strength.

By accepting and understanding both wolves within us, we nourish our entire being. It's not about dominance but harmony. Every aspect of our being has a place and purpose, guiding us toward true growth and self-discovery.

As Carl Jung said, "One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious." Embrace both wolves within you. Feed them with understanding and compassion.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Have you ever felt the presence of past life shadows influencing your current life? What about with your clients? How have you navigated the battle between your two wolves? Let's share our stories and learn from each other..

“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”

Carl Jung