The Business Leader’s Journey from Emptiness to Deeper Meaning and Inner Freedom

In this interview, Eva shares experiences from her personal development journey – from a life characterized by inner turmoil and external success, to one filled with peace, meaning, and authentic presence.

She describes how the teachings and community at the school have helped her find inner peace, clarity, and a new direction in life – even after many years of what appeared from the outside to be a “successful” life with achievements in all areas.

“What’s perhaps most fascinating is that from the outside, I had what many would call a successful life – a good job, loving family, wonderful children, and interesting hobbies. But inside, I felt completely empty.”

What are the most significant and transformative changes that have occurred in your life from the time before you started at Yggdrasil Shamanic School to where you are now?

It’s actually quite overwhelming to think about all the changes that have taken place. Pål-Esben is truly an exceptional teacher and mentor – a genuine renaissance man when it comes to helping people transform their lives from pain and suffering into ones filled with deep joy and meaningfulness.

During the years I’ve been part of this community, I’ve witnessed absolutely incredible transformations in many fellow students, and especially in myself. Before I started, I was constantly stressed and down, often felt lost, and simply didn’t know how to break free from the negative spiral. I was almost desperately searching for something that could help me find a new direction. Today, I live a completely different life – I experience a deep inner peace, have abundant energy and vitality, and each day is filled with joy and purpose.

What’s perhaps most fascinating is that from the outside, I had what many would call a successful life – a good job, loving family, wonderful children, and interesting hobbies. But inside, I felt completely empty. It was as if life lacked a deeper meaning and direction, even though everything appeared fine on the surface. Through my work with Pål-Esben and the shamanic school, I’ve finally discovered the path to my authentic self. It’s been like opening a door to my true self that I didn’t even know existed.

Can you share some of the most important insights you’ve gained through this deep developmental process?

The most fundamental and liberating insight has been truly understanding that I have a choice in every situation. I’ve developed an entirely new awareness around my own thoughts, feelings, and actions. Instead of being trapped in an endless hamster wheel of stress and automatic reactions, I’ve now found an inner peace that allows me to take a step back, observe myself with greater clarity, and make conscious choices based on what I actually need – not just what others expect or what old patterns dictate.

The 7 Golden Keys have been absolutely central here, especially the principles of consciousness, self-responsibility, and free will. When I become aware of my own triggers and reaction patterns, I can take responsibility for them and choose new and more constructive responses. This has led to a profound positive change in all areas of my life.

What would you say has had the greatest impact on your personal development?

The most transformative aspect has been the learning around meditation and being able to deeply connect with nature’s healing power. Finally finding genuine inner peace has been invaluable. Additionally, the 7 Golden Keys and The 9 Pillars of the Heart’s Path have been absolutely essential – these represent timeless wisdom that serves as valuable guides in everyday life.

It’s fascinating to observe how these principles can create profound transformation when you begin to consciously implement them in your life. However, as I experienced firsthand – when you’re caught in the hamster wheel, as I was before, and aren’t even aware of the degree of stress and imbalance in your life, it’s challenging to see the possibilities for change. You first need that fundamental awareness and inner calm to be able to absorb and integrate this wisdom in a meaningful way.

What are your thoughts on the combination of online teaching and practical exercises?

I find it to be an incredibly effective and well-thought-out approach. There are so many advantages to this hybrid model. First of all, it’s enormously time-saving and environmentally friendly that we can participate in courses and seminars from home. But perhaps even more important is having access to recordings of all the material.

It has been fascinating to discover how much more I get out of the teaching when I can go back and listen multiple times. Often, I catch myself thinking “I’ve never heard this before” when listening to a recording, even though I was present during the original lecture. It’s almost as if the knowledge matures and expands each time I return to the material – like popcorn continuing to pop and reveal new layers of understanding. This provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into specific aspects of the learning that resonate particularly strongly or that I feel the need to explore further.

Ultimately, it’s about translating the knowledge into practical wisdom in our own lives, and this learning model truly supports that process.

What are your experiences with Pål-Esben as a teacher and his unique teaching style?

He is truly one-of-a-kind, as we say in Norwegian! He possesses an extraordinary pedagogical gift – the ability to convey complex concepts in a way that makes them easily understandable and practically applicable. Through hands-on exercises, we get to experience and embody the knowledge, which goes far deeper than mere intellectual understanding.

While it can be challenging to put these experiences into words, you feel the transformation throughout your entire body when it happens. He also has a remarkable ability to read the room and the group dynamics, while simultaneously seeing and meeting each participant exactly where they are in their process. His generosity, warm humor, and genuine care make even long teaching sessions fly by. It’s always engaging and rewarding to be in his presence.

It’s almost incomprehensible how he contains so much knowledge and wisdom, and how he manages to share this in a way that resonates with each person exactly where they are.

What are your thoughts on the course content?

It’s simply amazing. I’m continuously learning things I couldn’t even imagine existed before I began this journey. It’s as if each new insight and experience opens doors to even deeper understanding and wisdom. I notice how this work gradually transforms my entire personality and way of being. It fundamentally changes how I view and relate to life, resulting in a deep inner satisfaction and harmony that I’ve never experienced before.

Is there anything else you’d like to share before we wrap up?

Yes, I must emphasize the incredible community that has developed among the students. There’s something truly special about the people who are drawn to this school – genuinely warm, supportive, and inclusive souls. You receive immediate help and support if you need it, and there’s a deep sense of safety and acceptance within the group.

When we meet in person, it’s always a highlight of the academic year. It’s incredibly valuable to be in an environment where you can openly share your challenges without facing judgment – instead, you’re met with understanding, recognition, and support. This fellowship is an invaluable part of the entire learning process.