What you don't fix, you get to keep: Light and dark side of man's nature Part I of III

13 Shadow types and how to embrace your dark side.

Disclaimer

I personally do not advocate any process or procedure contained in any of my Blogs. Information presented here is not intended to provide legal or lawful advice, nor medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevent any disease. Views expressed are for educational purposes only.

The following is offered to assist moving through adversity with most ease and grace.

What is Spirituality?

Spirituality is connecting to the Divine through your own ‘personal’ experience. It is primarily concerned with finding, experiencing, and embodying one’s true spiritual nature.

What is Religion?

Religion is connecting to the Divine through ‘someone else’s’ experience. It is primarily concerned with believing in, following, and obeying rules created by a certain Deity or spiritual teacher.

Self-realization/empowerment are optional

To experience life in best possible ways requires discovering who you truly are and your potential. You get to know you and your potential through opening your mind to new information and through personal experience, which require courage and inner work as follows:

What is our shadow self?

The ‘shadow self’ is a place within each of us that dwells in the unconscious mind and is composed of repressed ideas, instincts, impulses, weaknesses, desires, perversions, and embarrassing fears. This part is often described as the darker side of the psyche, representing wildness, chaos, and the unknown.

Some people may, while others may not, at some point become aware of parts of themselves they will find very difficult – if not completely disturbing – to accept.

These wounded and frightening parts of ourselves are elements of the ‘Shadow Self’, the dark side of man’s nature.

The more our shadow is avoided, the more it grows within us

Pure light frequencies are often represented by noble values such as love, peace, joy, harmony, compassion and similar. Many spiritual and religious movements completely ignore or condemn darker elements such as anger, vengeance, control, fear, shame, competitiveness, jealousy, and lust. Because these darker characteristics are associated with negativity or evil, they’re avoided out of fear and buried even deeper within us. This is a tragic mistake with dire consequences.

The more our darkness is avoided, the more it grows within us, waiting like a volcano to gush out at any unexpected moment.

How does the shadow self form?

We are born pure, like blank canvases. At some point during childhood we learn knowledge that teaches us to separate things into good and evil. The moment we eat from this dualistic “tree of knowledge,” our shadows are born and we begin to divide ourselves into multiple parts.

Then, in our cultural socialization process, we begin to sort out those traits within us that are acceptable to society (the Persona) and those that are unacceptable (which are later hidden away – the Shadow).

Persona is the lovable face we present to the world, while Shadow is the face we hide from the world

Our limited but socially acceptable Personas and our wild but damnable Shadows – are inseparable, and both mutually arise. Thus, the dark shadow traits we all possess accumulate in the corners of our unconscious minds, never becoming adequately integrated into our conscious minds because we never see our split state in the first place (due to psychological defense mechanisms like denial, avoidance, and repression). And so we continue accumulating these dark fears, desires, and motivations.

Lack of awareness of our Shadow Self can be dangerous

Denial and avoidance of the Shadow can lead to significant physical, emotional, psychological, and interpersonal consequences that last a long time – that’s why taking in as much as you can from this article will be beneficial and a great place to start (or continue) your Shadow Work.

13 Types of Shadow Self

All of us carry demons inside. For the most part, we ignore and bury their existence out of fear, guilt or pure shame. Discovering our demons or shadows is a vital part of inner work as spiritual wanderers. Try to notice which shadows spark recognition within you and make a note of them!

1. The Egotistical Shadow
2. The Neurotic Shadow
3. The Untrustworthy Shadow
4. The Emotionally Unstable Shadow
5. The Controlling Shadow
6. The Cynical Shadow
7. The Wrathful Shadow
8. The Rigid Shadow
9. The Superficial Shadow
10. The Cold Shadow
11. The Perverted Shadow
12. The Cowardly Shadow
13. The Naive Shadow

The importance of integration and more at https://lonerwolf.com/shadow-self/

Everyone, no exceptions, has qualities we won’t let anyone see including ourselves – our Shadow. When we embrace our dark side our life can be energized. If not, there is the devil to pay. This is one of life’s most urgent projects. –Larry Dossey (Healing Words)

7 Shadow Exercises (+ Free Workbook)

July 18.24

The Shadow also provides a path toward a more authentic and fulfilling life. In order to heal and grow on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level, we need to learn how our inner operating system works. Practicing Shadow Work can help us do that.

Access your free Shadow Workbook download in the “What is Shadow Work” at https://lonerwolf.com/shadow-work-demons/

Part II What is Soul?

Without prejudice and without recourse
Doreen Agostino
Our Greater Destiny Blog
shadow/soul