In conversation with Clare Teale

Written by Sue Pritchard.

The Biggest of Hearts

Clare Teale has always felt a deep connection with other people, and along with her

spiritual beliefs, this has been fundamental to her work as life coach. Continuing the

series In Conversation With Talking Spirit, Sue Pritchard asks Clare about her

spiritual view of life.

“I’ve always been passionate about people,” says Clare Teale, the co-founder of

Talking Spirit. “When I was about 12 years old my aunt, who was an artist, was

drawing at the kitchen table. I remember telling her I wished I could draw and be

creative like she was, but then she turned to me and said something which had a

profound effect.

“She said she wished she could understand people the way I do, and it was at that

moment I realised I had a connection to others that many do not. But as I was only

12 at the time,” Clare laughs, “it took a while for me to learn what she really meant.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Clare went on to take a people-centred approach to life.

Initially working as an IT trainer, where she loved helping others to learn, she soon

realised it was too commercial for her and so decided to refocus her efforts in 2003.

“I remember looking through the paper one day and seeing positions for Learning

and Development, and thinking, oh, that intrigues me. It was a curious mind that led

me into personnel development and enterprise training,” Clare explains.

Qualifying as a trainer with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development,

Clare also became an advanced coach with the International Coaching Federation in

2005. Since then she has worked with many different community groups, such as a

women’s refuge, ex-offenders, addiction and shelter types of communities. She’s

also worked with the British Red Cross, teaching emotional support to staff and

volunteers, as well as becoming a community first aid trainer.

Reflecting on her current role of working for a charity where her coaching skills

support people in need of help at the end of a phone, Clare admits: “My spiritual side

is absolutely a foundation to all I do”.

All About Energy

I’ve also worked with Clare. During quite a difficult period of my life, I reached out for

some guidance and support. I was in my 50s but it was the first time I really learnt

about the impact of our energy and emotions, and how important it is to protect them

from others. It’s something Clare feels very strongly about.

“Spiritual empaths are so misunderstood by school, community, society and family.

Yet we are magical and the kindest, most caring people in the world. We have the

biggest hearts and want to make a difference,” she says. “My coaching teaches

empaths how to still be magical but learn to live in a world that doesn’t understand

them - yet. It’s all about the development and empowerment of people, and how they

need to clear and protect their beautiful energy, whilst releasing the unwanted

energy of others.”

Being able to truly help people is the best part of Clare’s work. “I’ve had many people

come up to me in the street or comment on how I’ve helped them,” she says. “I’m

just glad I can be of service and am proud of myself for being in the place where I

can really make a difference in the world.”

It’s when working with others that Clare is very much aware of her own energy.

“Triggers are the most challenging part of my work,” she admits. “I don’t often get

them but occasionally it happens. If I’m dealing with a situation that’s really tough, I

do have to clear my own energy because being an empath means I feel everything

very deeply. And having been ill in recent years, I can’t do everything I want to

anymore. So I must be aware of my energy and the amount I take on – even though

I still want to do it all!” she laughs.

For Clare, this has been her greatest lesson – that we have to look after ourselves,

emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually in this life.

“My illness was my biggest lesson. It stopped me in my tracks and put me on the

best path,” she says.

So was it Clare’s spiritual belief that helped her through this difficult period of life?

“Interestingly, when I was ill, my belief left me. It was nowhere. This surprised and

frightened me,” she remembers. “I was so angry, but I meditated constantly and it got

me through. Looking back now though, I realise I needed my energy for me, so my

spiritual connection was completely disconnected. It was exactly what I needed.”

Life Changing

It’s when talking about spiritual connections that Clare recounts her most memorable

experience so far.

“When I was about 30 years old, I saw my grandmother,” she said.” I was sitting on

the couch, my husband was sitting on the floor, and in the doorway stood my

grandmother who’d died a few months earlier. I looked at my husband and he said,

yes, I see her too. She walked over to me and hugged me. I smelt her perfume and

felt her jewellery on my face. Then she left. It was life changing,” Clare smiles.

“Thank you Granny Doris.”

And it was her spiritual connection that led Clare to setting up Talking Spirit in Kent

with her co-founder Tracy Sharman. Then a year later in 2008, Clare went on to

establish Talking Spirit Herts in her home county.

“I ran services there for eight years until I became ill and needed time off,” she says.

“But we’ve started back again and now run a monthly evening with spirit. This year

we’re looking at extending these events to spiritual and reading demonstrations. We

also have a bi-annual Sunday retreat which is held at the most magical place with

magical people. It’s all about Growth, Relaxation and Connection – my most valued

words.”

Spiritual Views

Looking back now, does Clare think society’s views of a spiritual way of life are

changing?

“Oh my, it was so different when Tracy and I started out 18 years ago,” she recalls.

“It really wasn’t the done thing, and many people put us down for believing in spirit.

I’ve even been called the devil on many occasions,” she laughed. “Admittedly, it has

taken time to come to terms with that, but I say bring it on because we all know it’s

only ever about love.”

According to Clare, spirituality is not only accepted now, it is also encouraged. As a

nation she believes we’re becoming more interested in meditation and

complementary therapies.

“We’re waking up to the fact we hold the power within us. Everyone has their own

answers, and many are becoming more aware of spirit - even if they don’t know what

to do with it. Tracy and I were told this at the very beginning,” Clare said. “We were

told that we needed to align what we were doing with the universe as things were

changing. And boy, have they!” she laughs once again. “We’re just so pleased we

listened.”

On A Mission

“I absolutely love being spiritual. It has changed my life, my outlook and my

relationships. I also love our clients and friends we’ve met through Talking Spirit over

the past 18 years,” Clare smiled. “It restores my energy and makes me feel calmer,

bringing magic into my heart. We’re on a mission and have a vision at Talking Spirit

to be part of a world where the spiritual connection is widely appreciated and

understood. And I am so excited to see what the future brings.”

Clare believes everyone can use spirituality in a positive way in

their everyday lives. She says:

“Let’s tune into our own inner spirit and ask our intuition to lead the way.

We need to stop our minds from having control and learn to trust ourselves again.

As soon as we do this, our everyday lives start to get better for us.

But be aware others may have an issue with this - they’re not used to our beautiful

empathic souls doing things for themselves.

So take a deep breath.

Close your eyes.

Imagine light in the centre of your being, and ask it questions. Then let it go.

Wait for the answers to come. They could be a thought, a knowing or a feeling.

Just accept what it tells you.

The more you do this, the more you will understand and follow the right path for

you, instead of the path that’s right for everyone else.”