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

Shadow work can be liberating.

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.

What is Spirituality?

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

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 others.

Self-realization

To experience life in best possible ways requires opening our mind to new information, which requires 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 dark side of psyche.

Some people sooner or later become aware of parts of themselves they find 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.

Ignoring our shadow contributes to its growth

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

How does the shadow self form?

Humans are born pure like a blank canvas. At some point during childhood we learn 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. 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, shadow is the face we hide from the world and often hide from ourselves.

Our limited but socially acceptable personas and our wild but damnable shadows – are inseparable and arise mutually. 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, repression). Consequently, we continue to accumulate dark fears, desires, and motivations.

Ignoring shadow aspects of oneself ill-advised

Denial, avoiding, delaying shadow work 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 can be beneficial and a valuable place to start (or continue) your shadow work.

13 aspects of the shadow self

Each of us carries aspects of darkness within. For the most part, we ignore and bury their existence out of fear, guilt or shame. Acknowledging and accepting our dark side is a vital part of inner work as spiritual wanderers. Do any of the following shadow aspects spark recognition in you?

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 w/out exception has aspects we hide from others and possibly ourselves, our shadow side. When we embrace our shadow side life can be energized. If not, there is the devil to pay. Larry Dossey (Healing Words)

7 Shadow Exercises (+ Free Workbook)

July 18.24

To heal and grow on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level, we need to learn how our inner operating system works. Doing shadow work can help.

Download a free shadow workbook in the “What is Shadow Work” at https://lonerwolf.com/shadow-work-demons/

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