Or maybe one you don’t even know you hide?
It speaks to the unconscious aspects of a persons mind or personality.
Swiss psychiatristCarl Gustav Jungpioneered the concept of the shadow in his exploration of the unconscious mind.
Verywell Mind / Stocksy
He argued that acknowledging and integrating our shadow is crucial for achieving wholeness.
you’ve got the option to also access guided meditations online such as theZenfulnote YouTube channelandZenfulnote App.
Start by noticing in your daily interactions how your shadow affects you.
For instance, you’re browsing social media when an image or text triggers negative feelings.
Instead of distracting yourself or ignoring the feeling, attempt to figure out what you may be projecting.
Ask yourself deep questions.
Respond to those questions by writing a letter to yourself.
Address uncomfortable feelings such as anger, jealousy, or fear, offering them acknowledgment and a voice.
you could do avisualization exercisewhere you pretend to have an open and honest conversation with your shadow.
Ask them what they need or why they behave in certain ways.
Dealing withuncomfortable emotionscan be a challenging aspect of shadow work.
I often see clients judge or reject shadow parts of themselves.
It can be challenging to see a part of your personality you do not like or agree with.
What Is the Difference Between Shadow Work and Light Work?
Shadow work and light work focus on different aspects of personal growth and spiritual development.
It aims to spread positivity and light as a way to heal ourselves and others.
What Is the Difference Between Inner Work and Shadow Work?
Shadow work is a key in of inner work; however, not all inner work is shadow work.
Examples include meditation, mindfulness, self-reflection, therapy and journaling.
Inner work explores our shadows in addition to the development of our strengths, talents, and positive qualities.
Knowing ourselves allows us to live a more authentic life and make decisions aligned with this new insight.
Shadow work allows us toemotionally healfrom those experiences.
Those painful parts of ourselves no longer serve as sources of fear, shame, or anxiety.
They are integrated into how we view ourselves, creating a more complete sense of being.
We develop a more compassionate and accepting relationship with ourselves as a result.
This can lead to a significant shift in how we view ourselves and the world around us.
How to Start Shadow Work
Self-reflection andjournallingcan be a great way to begin shadow work.
Questions to Reflect On for Shadow Work
Starting shadow work is a journey into self-discovery and healing.
It requires courage, vulnerability, honesty, and willingness to face your innermost fears and desires.
American Psychological Association.Collective unconscious.
Roesler C.Evidence for the effectiveness of jungian psychotherapy: a review of empirical studies.Behavioral Sciences.
2013;3(4):562575.
Jung C.Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Volume 12: Psychology and Alchemy.Princeton University Press; 1968.
