Recognizing Your Shadow Self

How you can help your shadow help you

The Shadow knows

Yep, Shadow sure does. And despite any attempts to lock it away in the closet, it is following you! Quick, turn around. There! See it? A good way to see the shadow is to illuminate yourself and see what stays in the dark. Where are there insecurities, resentments, defensiveness, and dark impulses?

Let's not go demonizing the shadow, although, "inner-demon" is apropos. There is a bounty of wisdom there. It would be a shame to lock it away. And shame is not a state of consciousness to feed.

When we neglect or reject our authentic self for purposes of safety we become fragmented and depending on the severity, a soul retrieval may be in order. Typically, it is in childhood, or possibly carried over karmically, that one might experience suppression of some facet of themselves to appease an oppressor or conform out of fear of social insecurity. Being rejected by the tribe could have meant a death sentence (possibly literally for survival, but always emotionally). When we don't celebrate each other's authentic self and someone starts feeling like an outsider it can go all kinds of bad. And if we sulk and retaliate through rejecting the other then we sink to that lower level and perpetuate more "evil."

Let us explore how rejecting is problematic and accepting fosters well-being. There may be some behavior, trait, or routine that does not serve and thus is outgrown. How beautiful to recognize a better way and to encourage growth in that direction. We can always give our thanks and move on. Have you ever observed how the right mix in an ecosystem leads to a healthy balance? As a species it seems we have a habit of wanting to squash something dissatisfying out. I'm no saint here, fire ants are my nemesis. I can think of traits in myself that growing up others tried to stamp out to suit their tolerance level or societal expectation. It is that which the child or adult deems no good that winds up repressed or exaggerated to the point of inauthenticity. These aspects of oneself have a voice and want to be heard. Will you wait for it to make demands and ultimatums or will you invite it to tea and have a civilized conversation?

There is a plethora of ways to increase our self-awareness, which is extremely beneficial to living your best life. The work of C.G. Jung on Shadow and Golden Shadow for starters. For those wanting a contemporary and easy to digest buffet of resources, might I suggest lonerwolf.com to light your way along this journey. A heroes journey indeed.

#shadow, #goldenshadow, #journey, #innerdemon