Shadow Work is Light Work
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
Carl Jung
The Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, originally came up with the concept of the “shadow self” or “shadow.” This shadow self consists of those parts of ourselves we repress or reject because we were made to feel ashamed of their nature sometime amid our Earthly sojourn. This is not to conclude the shadow self is evil, but, simply, hidden so well we are unconscious of its presence. Nonetheless, what is deprived our conscious attention finds insidious ways to get it, thereby, affecting our lives in less than favorable ways. And, while facets of our shadow self may harbor some immoral tendencies, our shadows are often laced with some of our finest talents, unique strengths, clairvoyance, creativity, and valuable instincts. Therefore, rather than aim for the undesirably perceived shadow to be annihilated, Jung believed the shadow must be integrated into our conscious self in order to obtain our ideal self.
In order for any shadow to integrate into our being, it first needs to be seen by our conscious mind. Remember, it is called a shadow because we have cut it off from the light of our consciousness. This is why I like to think of shadow work as light work, for it involves holding a dazzling spotlight upon our inner features –whereby, after the pain of seeing our uncomeliness, an almighty alchemy takes over. This alchemy is the transformative process which frees and uplifts the imprisoned, attention seeking child locked within our wounded core. Awareness is vital, because repressed parts will destructively yearn for our cognizance, leaving our conscious self painfully frustrated by the turmoil our shadows orchestrate in our lives. For, while we are busy grooming the desired mask we wear to appeal to society, the shadow still governs us in ways which are detrimental to our relationships, our goals, and our chances for enduring happiness. This is because we project our unwanted emotions and mishaps onto others or circumstances in our reality without owning our own power. Therefore, when we finally recognize the qualities we are most critical, accusatory, and intolerant of in others actually reside in us, a natural refinement takes place. Empathy increases and the golden aspects crucial for our life purpose emerge from the same shameful pockets we once hid away.
To gain a better perspective, let’s consider the obvious shadows which play out in technicolor. We all have seen famous individuals who have extraordinary talent and are being endowed with the financial resources to excel, only to suddenly end up in their own personal hell. They, and most of us at some point, are plowing through life carrying around a heavy portrait of the perfect garden to present to the world, instead of actually watering and pruning the living garden within. Therefore, no matter how prosperous or esteemed one may become, when any of us carry hidden qualities in darkness, these qualities still take up space and thirst for light, wholeness, and love. Hence, we are essentially starving parts of ourselves which eventually fight to survive. And if we ignore these parts long enough, they will eventually get our attention in compromising ways, surfacing as dis-ease, chronic pain, cancers, panic attacks, addiction, depression, impulsive spending, angry outbursts, unstable relationships, financial problems, and the list goes on. That is why it is crucial we take back our power, by compassionately looking at and cultivating the weedy garden within.
So, how do we shine a light on something when we don’t even know where it is hiding? We shine a light on the shadow being cast, which will lead us to the part of us casting the shadow. In other words, ask yourself: What darkness is being cast in my life? What area of my life feels off or feels tangled in a frustrating quagmire? Which people, which behaviors in others, or which situations trigger strong negative emotions in me? That emotional reaction, or series of reactions, is the shadow clamoring for attention. Often the shadow reacts to relatively mild events by lashing out or quietly causing one to lose their sense of wellbeing for the next hour or several hours. Furthermore, most of us have some recurring theme in our life which we do not enjoy.
Therefore, here’s a plethora of hearty questions to ask yourself: What pattern keeps surfacing in my life plunging me into this familiar, uncomfortable, or painful scenario? What does this scenario remind me of? When did I first experience this emotional state or situation? Who or what began it? What does this side of me want to tell me? Now that I am older, how can I notice how this emotional reaction is about something in the past, or in my family’s past, that I have unconsciously been playing out? How do I want to feel and react instead? How can I emanate a reaction which aligns with my personal values, not my emotional fears? How will my life respond going forward if I act differently? What strength might this repressed side have which can now be utilized more maturely?
All of the questions listed in the above paragraph are questions we can journal about, which will surely draw one’s shadow into the light of our conscious mind. In fact, keeping a journal of what triggers our intense emotions is the ideal way to embark on this inward journey. It is imperative we show love to this side of ourself when we do uncover an undermining emotional behavior we have been carrying around and clumsily injecting into our experience. Remember, we repressed this side of us because the shame of owning it was too overwhelming. Therefore, when we awaken to see ourselves guilty of exhibiting whatever it is we abhor, that emotional pain may emerge. But this time it won’t last, nor haunt us anymore. Because, as soon as we relax our posture and understand the root cause, the light floods in. And, the result is serenity. Likewise, circulation hurts when it enters an area of our body which has been numb, yet it is necessary for rejuvenation. A newfound peace will begin to transform us when we realize that the origin of this emotional pattern has nothing to do with us being less than or inadequate. It is usually something inflicted upon us, which was inflicted upon our caregiver, and down the line. Therefore, as soon as we recognize what we need to learn and take responsibility for reshaping it into something beneficial for our growth, our life will heal and new strengths will blossom.
In conclusion, our awareness is the mightiest elixir we can swallow in order to obtain the grand keys to piloting our best life experience. The quicker we are able to humbly highlight recurring patterns in our life and see the corresponding behavior and emotion, the quicker we can upgrade this fragmented part into its intended divine role and talent. Examples of transcending behaviors/traits which may surface from our shadows include: letting ourselves express our creative brilliance regardless of criticism, feeling worthy of our potential, embracing our gentle vulnerability as an asset (instead of filling the space antagonistically), using our voice to assert our value when necessary, being an attractive source of love by giving others the gift of validation, communicating compassionately, empathy, advocating for justice, building rapport, to name a few.
Overall, shadow work is not a process we want to avoid, nor is it a process we want to feel mired down by. Shadow work is an undertaking we acknowledge as part of our human plight –not to glorify victimhood, but to give our individual soul wings to rise above our trials and embrace aspects of the almighty self within. Shining a light into our soul is imperative for our freedom and exaltation in maintaining higher thresholds of joy and abundance, so we may experience the empowerment of transfiguration into the wholeness of our truest self. For it is here, where our unique gift to humanity awaits.
