Only The Shadow Knows
Today, we are going to discuss shadow work. I recently sat in a class about shadow work. I’ve done my share of inner reflection and shadow work to find out why some things trigger a side of myself that I didn’t know existed. Sometimes, I receive the answers quickly, but most time it leads to more questions and more work with my shadow. I never really understood that what I was doing was considered shadow work.
Jung describes our shadow as “the hidden, repressed for the most part, inferior guilt-laden part of ourselves”. Well, that sounds pretty yucky and something that maybe I don’t want to address but, address it, I must if I want the answers I am seeking. I have been reading a book by Nancy Levin called “Embrace Your Shadow To Find Your Light”. This sounds more like what I am looking to achieve. Her description is more approachable or me. “Our shadow is made up of all parts of ourselves that we hide, deny, suppress, and don’t see in ourselves - both positive and negative. Our shadow is all aspects that we reject out of shame, fear or disapproval.” Now, that speaks to me, this is something worth digging into. It is in all of us and it is trying to understand what we do not understand in ourselves. Whether it be a known or unknown reason from a past experience that we may reject or possibly don’t even remember. It can cause us to be angry, have a large ego, be guarded, over motivated etc. A “trigger” that is a learned trait learned out of fear of disapproval from someone. That, in some warped way, resonates with me.
When I first heard about shadow work, it seemed to denote a negative, bad or even evil part within myself. And since I did not want to believe I held any of these characteristics, I glossed over investigating what it really meant. I believe it is probably a knee jerk reaction to people when on a spiritual path. It seems eerie and unwelcomed in my energy. But in fact it would stand to explain trust issues because someone broke my trust which tends to break my spirit. Maying you were left alone a lot and the result is that you are super independent or you are super needy. Where you called lazy and so to not hold that trait, you are a workaholic? This is all a part of shadow work.
A visual they use in the book is that it is similar to the phases of the moon. The moon’s size does not change however, you only see what you can see because of the atmosphere around it or the tilt of the earth. The rest is hidden. It is still there but it is in the shadow of something. Interesting, right?! Cloud formations act as barriers of what is seen by the naked eye. We are much the same. Depending on who or what is surrounding us, can make you less vulnerable. We choose to only show others what we want them to know or see in us.
Exploring shadow work helps look deep within ourselves to see what may be hiding. We may present ourselves one way in our place of business, but a totally different way to close friends and family. Maybe you were grew up hearing, “What will the neighbors think” or you were told to be seen and not heard. Although most of our parents tried to instill great values in us, it may have also made us “people pleasers”, shy or worried about what others thought.
As we go though all of life hands us, we strive to have a better understanding of ourselves. Although that may sound a bit odd, I mean how can I not know myself? How do I get disconnected from me? Shadow work, deep inner work can help you reconnect with yourself. It can help pinpoint the trigger areas to help you find inner harmony and peace within yourself. You become aware of what you are hiding from others or yourself. You begin to surrender the control it has over you, accepting responsibility and offering grace and forgiveness. You are being truthful with yourself and replacing it with harmony by working through the triggers. The result, finding wholeness with yourself. This is all about the reflection in the mirror. What do you see and what do you want to see?
Some steps to help bring inner harmony through shadow work are first becoming aware of what you may be hiding from other or even from yourself. Why do I reject this trait within myself and can I not be venerable enough to let it be seen? Once you acknowledge it, allowing yourself to surrender the control it may have on you. Looking at this experience and accepting responsibility. Then inviting in grace and forgiveness. Standing strong in the conviction of not allowing to be placed in this position again. It takes strength to be really honest with yourself. Nourishing yourself, with the work that needs done in order to replace harmony in your life again. The result is recognizing what triggers you and having the tools in place to find wholeness in your life.
To me, it is all about reflection. Being able to look in the mirror with the confidence of who you are and who you aspire to be. Finding the understanding of the why behind the action. Changing your mindset to no longer allow you to be triggered. I like to journal my thoughts of the whys. This way is gets it out of my head, out of my energy, allowing me to breath through it. It flows from my head to my arms, to my fingers that are holding the pen to the paper. Ever say to yourself, “that sounded better in my head”? Reading your words can break the trigger. Our minds talk over us, but bringing in another sense like sight can bring clarity, Journaling may be scary. It’s the fear that someone may read my thoughts. Be brave enough to write them down, releasing the power of fear. We tend to avoid what triggers us. Ask yourself, “How can I heal from this fear?” Face it, ask about it, resolve to move through it if it pops up again. Take the power away from it and empower yourself. What is the story behind the trigger? How does it benefit me vs how does it affect my life? What would be different in my life if I were able to overcome this to the point that it no longer affected my energy? Has this given me some good qualities? If so, acknowledge them, take responsibility, replace and nourish yourself and find wholeness. Meditate on your findings to these questions and journal about the resolve you find.
This is a lifetime of experiences that may change the world around you. Investigate your spiritual energy with love, compassion, empathy and interest in the story behind it and the solutions will appear.
Life is much better when you live the life you love and love the life you live.
Blessings
Stacey
To watch this episode https://fb.watch/xLs03NMPye/
