Those are some very good questions LB, I remeber us discussing this the other day. I am sure some may be addicted to shifting,but it has been my experience that when I shift, it is usually out of necessity or emotion, not necessarily at will. My belief is too much of anything can be a bad thing, even shifting. However, I have never recognized any of my totem's characteristics taking over me permanently. However, we are alike alot of ways, perhaps it is our similarites that bonded us, or it could very well be that some of his traits went permanently onto me at a very early age and I just can't recall because it has been so long. A shift is usually a partnership between the two spirits and most animals by nature are not ferocious unless provoked, threatened, or hunting. I have only lost complete control when my anger boiled over, bu the acts I committed where out of protection of myself or of others, acting as a wolf would. If you have any more questions, I will try to answer them to the best of my ability. I have to be sure to see this movie....
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." -- Albert Einstein
"Before you speak, ask yourself ; is it kind? is it true? does it improve on the silence?" - His Holiness The Dalai Lama