From Inner Struggle to Inner Freedom: A Journey from External Focus to Inner Balance and from Judgment to Compassion

There exists a freedom that transcends external circumstances – it’s about how you meet yourself and life itself. Through my journey with the Yggdrasil shamanic school, I’ve discovered precisely this freedom – becoming a calmer, more flexible, and more complete version of myself. I’ve learned to listen, accept, and let go, moving from rigid patterns to a new way of being in the world.

Sometimes, the most profound transformations occur not in the external world, but within ourselves. Yet, these internal shifts are precisely what transform our entire lives. This has been my experience. My journey with the Yggdrasil shamanic school hasn’t merely taught me about shamanism and spiritual practices – it has taught me a new way of living. A way that’s more flexible, more free, and much more in harmony with what life truly is.

From Rigidity to Flexibility

Previously, I could be quite rigid about how things “should be.” I held strong opinions and had an intense need for control. But through this journey, I’ve learned something crucial: Life doesn’t become richer by being forced into narrow confines – it flourishes in the space we create within ourselves.

I’ve become more flexible, more willing to listen – both to myself and to others. I’ve stopped insisting that things must be “my way.” And it’s incredibly liberating. Instead of fighting against the current, I’ve learned to flow with it.

An Inner Peace Independent of Surroundings

Perhaps the most valuable discovery I’ve made is this new inner peace. It hardly matters whether I’m in the busy streets of Bergen or in the silence of the forest – I carry this peace within me. It has become an integral part of who I am.

Previously, I could be my own harshest critic. Now, I’ve discovered a gentler, more accepting attitude toward myself. This doesn’t mean I’ve stopped growing – rather, my growth now stems from love, not criticism.

Respecting Others’ Paths – and Freedom in My Own

One of the deepest insights I’ve gained is the value of truly respecting others’ free will. In the past, I would become frustrated when others didn’t see things as I did. Now, I’ve found a much greater acceptance that we all have our own path – and that’s perfectly fine.

Paradoxically, this acceptance has given me more freedom in my own life. I no longer need to expend energy trying to change others. Instead, I can use that energy to live authentically – and meet the world with openness and curiosity.

Learning Through Experience – Not Just Theory

What makes Yggdrasil shamanic school so special is our approach to learning. It’s not merely theoretical. It’s practical, experiential, insightful, and brings about real transformation. I’ve confronted my own excuses, my own patterns of resistance – and emerged stronger from the experience.

Learning in this way has been deeply transformative. I feel in my body what works. I see it in the lives we create.

Online – and More Alive Than Ever

I love the teaching format. Being able to sit in my own home, revisit modules when needed, while simultaneously experiencing deep development – it’s a gift. I discover new layers each time I rewatch a seminar. The teaching is so rich in depth and nuance that it grows with you.

And most importantly: It works. It works because it’s authentic, grounded, and thoughtfully designed.

A Teacher with Depth, Warmth, and Integrity

Pål-Esben is an extraordinary teacher. He possesses a rare ability to weave together the profound and the personal – life’s big questions with everyday minutiae. He demonstrates how everything is interconnected, and how we can discover meaning in our current circumstances.

But perhaps more importantly: He truly sees you. He challenges when necessary, but always with genuine love and sincerity. I’ve never doubted his intentions. He genuinely wants us to grow. And we do – each in our own unique way.

I’ve journeyed from inner conflict to inner freedom. From external focus to internal balance. From judgment to compassion. And now, more than ever before, I understand that this journey hasn’t just changed me – it has anchored me in who I’ve always been. For this, I am profoundly grateful.