Shadow work describes the process of exploring our unconscious self and bringing it to awareness so what is hidden there doesn’t hinder our work, our relationships and more.
Life Purpose Coach and author Kimberly Fosu suggests the following ways we can become aware of the shadows in our lives and effectively deal with what we find in the darkness.
- Projection — When we see or assume something about others — that’s actually more about us than them — repressed anger, guilt, shame and other things we don’t like about ourselves.
- Triggers — Reminders of past pain that bring up oversized or misplaced emotional responses.
- Patterns — Emotions and compulsions (often undesired) on repeat in our lives.
- Compassion —A critical component of allowing what’s buried to be exposed and dealt with in a healthy manner.
Because our shadows are largely in our blind spots (we’ve all got them!), we need a trained guide to help us navigate our journey into the shadows. Our ALL IN groups use trained facilitators and coaches for this exact purpose.
Ideally, you’ll want someone who is a certified shadow work facilitator, or a qualified counselor or psychologist with experience in this process. I also advise looking for someone with spiritual integrity and accountability.
You might even consider asking a friend to observe your shadow work session to confirm it’s a good fit.
Delving into the shadows of your subconscious may sound risky, but it comes with great reward! I think it is our great journey. I hope you will take the plunge.