![]() ![]() I certainly have, time and again.Īcknowledging this doesn't necessarily condone the person's behavior it's just a possible link to your own shadow. Of course, you may resist this truth with all your might because you're strongly invested in denying this part of yourself. Now pay attention to whatever irks or triggers you: Your unwanted thoughts and feelings, whatever you dislike about yourself, a difficult external event, or someone's irritating words or behavior.įor example, who constantly sets you off? The quality you dislike most about this person may be a characteristic of your own shadow self. Shadow Intelligence: Pay Attention to Your Triggers Do what you need to do even if it means taking a break for a few weeks or months. Or get support from a confidante or therapist. Take a break and reconnect with your goodness. Should you ever feel overwhelmed, just step back. Infuse yourself - both sides - with love and compassion. Try to bring a playful curiosity into the process. Safety: An Essential Ingredient for Shadow WorkĪlways create a safe space for shadow work Go gently, bit by bit. Implant these beliefs deeply into your being so you’ll never forget them even when shadow work stirs you up. Your previously hidden aspects may then become your greatest assets. When you work with your shadow side intentionally, these emotions will slowly dissolve. The problem isn't necessarily what's in the stuff bag, but all the turbulent emotions about it.Many children pick up negative conditioning from their parents, other authority figures, or peers and then escort it unconsciously into adulthood. These are the clues that will lead you to your shadow self. Fear, shame, embarrassment, or humiliation may arise, but don’t let them stop you. It’s not just you! Everyone has their shadow side.To be able to face your dark aspects with a light yet strong heart, you must know: So work with these practices first to accentuate your goodness. If you do, it could diminish your self-esteem further. Please don’t dive into shadow work prematurely without a positive foundation. Boundary setting increases self-respect, and keeps you alert to your most important priorities.Gratitude fortifies contentment, lowers stress, and changes the way you view your life.Loving-Kindness Meditation, which begins by sending love to YOU, fosters a healthy appreciation for who you really are.Mindfulness Meditation settles and calms your mind so you feel more relaxed and more in charge of yourself.Learn how to live dead center in your true self rather than at the edge of your being, scanning for external validation.įortunately, you can bolster your self-confidence with these potent practices: So take time to strengthen yourself by cultivating self-love, increasing your self-esteem, and reconnecting with your fundamental goodness. Strengthen Yourself Firstīut hold on a minute! Before you jump into shadow work, you need a rock solid personal foundation. ![]() That's how your inner shadow screams to be set free.Īs terrifying as it may initially seem, opening to your shadow self - in healthy ways, of course - can release your personal and creative power so you have a chance to become all that you might have ever wished to be. Nevertheless, these hidden aspects still shape their lives.Ĭan you remember moments as an adult when the prospect of revealing your real self caused you to quake? When sudden feelings of shame, guilt, or embarrassment popped out of nowhere? When you fumed about someone’s words or actions for days? Jung to describe the denied or repressed aspects of the self.Ĭhildren and adolescents begin to hide away parts of themselves when they’re told - often wrongly - that these aspects are “bad” or “unacceptable.” Then, they carry their secret stuff bag into adulthood, never consciously looking into it. The term “shadow” was first used by the psychologist Carl G. The dark side! Does it scare you? Entice you? Do you know what it is? Fears, unhelpful thought patterns, and stifled emotions - the whole lot - revealed themselves in phenomenal clarity. Last night, after a particularly vivid dream and fantastic flow of insight, my shadow tendencies poured fourth. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |