I recently shared about the “shadow self,” described by Carl Jung as the part of our subconscious where we hide unwanted thoughts, feelings, memories and desires.
Shadow work is the practice of proactively bringing our hidden parts into the light of consciousness in order to unleash significant growth.
Even though “shadow” doesn’t equal “bad,” not being aware of its presence and influence limits our ability to free ourselves from its negative influences.Â
“The less it is embodied in the individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is,” Jung wrote. “(It) forms an unconscious snag, thwarting our most well-meant intentions.”
That snag effect shows up in later life when we suddenly feel and behave in ways we don’t understand or can’t seem to control. As noted last time, until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.
Which brings us to the promise of shadow work: In the light of awareness and acceptance, the shadow loses power to do harm, and we become able to harness its tremendous energy in positive ways.
In my case, I discovered that my insatiable drive to achieve and to prove my worth sprang in large part from a need to please my father. Once I made that “unconscious conscious” in this area, I was better able to choose how to respond when seemingly preprogrammed unhelpful behaviors kicked in.
I was also able to be kinder to myself in the process.
Of course, change of this magnitude can be extremely difficult. And the work is never finished until the day we die. But I know from personal experience that growing into the ability to choose yes or no to our own powerful impulses is a blessed freedom.
Since the shadow represents the part of the self we can’t see, how do you feel about trying to grasp it? Hopeful? Doubtful? Resistant? Why might that be? I encourage you to think about your answers.Â