Ancestors and the Healing Journey
Josh Ah-Chee Responds to the Radical Soul Questionnaire
You will find that what you lean towards naturally is echoed through your ancestors.
Teacher and shadow worker Josh Ah-Chee responds to the Radical Soul questionnaire.
Josh Ah-Chee was once lost in a whirlwind of identity conflict, isolation, and Christian shame. They withdrew from the world, self-criticizing and devoid of self-love. It was a dark place.
They left New Zealand for Australia in their twenties, which forced them to deal with their Mental Health, and undiagnosed ADHD. So they sought guidance, support, and dove into the depths of mind, heart, body, and soul. For over 15 years, they got into self-development, energetics, and mindset mastery. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Along the way, they found self-love, worth, and hope for who they could become.
Can you loosely define your spiritual identity? (We won’t hold you to it)
My spiritual identity would be defined as ancestral, cultural, Takatapui (Queer).
Who has challenged and evolved your beliefs?
Honestly this was myself. I was born and raised within a Mormon household and extended family. Most of my cousins and their families were Mormon so it was all I knew. It wasn’t till I was 15, approaching 16, that I realized I was Queer. THAT was when my entire world view came shattering down and the journey of self-discovery began.
My cultural reclamation journey has shown me our way of living, thinking, and connection to nature has helped influence this but with the aroha (Love) and mana (essence/presence) of our ancestors.
Do you have any spiritual practices?
My spiritual practices have evolved the more I learn about myself and my cultures. I still use Tarot to this day (which I started seriously studying back in 2015). My main practices revolve around Nature immersion and Shadow Work. Both of which are centered around honoring and reverence towards elders, ancestors and tohunga’s (our village healers and spiritual leaders) past, present, and future.
What is one way you see yourself as radical?
I LOVE this question! I’m radical towards colonised ways of thinking, structures, and expectations. I’m a non-conformist where possible but with respect. My cultural reclamation journey has shown me our way of living, thinking, and connection to nature has helped influence this but with the aroha (Love) and mana (essence/presence) of our ancestors.
What grounds you?
Nature and working with Ancestors. That and being in natural water i.e. rivers, lakes, the sea.
My main practices revolve around Nature immersion and Shadow Work. Both of which are centered around honoring and reverence towards elders, ancestors and tohunga’s (our village healers and spiritual leaders) past, present, and future.
What gives you hope?
Seeing the resurgence of culture amongst our Youth. They feel the inherent disconnect and gravitate towards their heritage with passion and curiosity. We see it leading them to connect back with the land. That is what gives me hope, that our actions and messaging is sparking this in them.
What’s one lesson you keep having to relearn?
Holding myself to a high standard has lead me to putting a lot of pressure on myself. I acknowledge this will be a lifelong lesson for me. I’m at the point now where I’m more aware and conscious of it so when I feel the pressure, I don’t allow myself to get swallowed into it so easily.
What advice do you have for others struggling with what to believe in?
Lean into your heritage, become curious about your ancestors. You will find that what you lean towards naturally is echoed through your ancestors. 🙂
Josh loves helping other LGBTQIA2SB+ individuals reconnect with their inner selves, by grounding to a sacred connection. They offer 30 minute calls (limited availability throughout the week) and a low offer $7 PDF + Short Video course that will introduce you to finding your starting point. Learn more on their website and follow Josh on Instagram.
Are you inspired by someone’s work or journey? Nominate them to be featured here as the next Radical Soul! Nominate them here.
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