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Sacred Self
Shadows
By Bonnie Moss 2005-09 (c)
The shadow is a moral problem that
challenges the whole ego-personality,
for no one can become conscious of
the shadow without considerable
moral effort.
To become conscious of it involves
recognizing the dark aspect of the
personality as present and real.
This act is the essential condition
for self-knowledge, and it therefore
as a rule meet with considerable
resistance.These shadows are repressed
elements of the personality which
we choose not to be identified with.
..Carl Jung
Shadows lurk in the deep recesses of the
psyche.It is buried in the heart, in the
mind; it is part of us.It follows us, it
frightens us, and they come to us in
different ways, but always, fits our beliefs
or lack therof and our lifestyle. The
shadow is not a mere concept or a matter
of perception.It is very real!
Just as there is light, there is also
darkness.Is it possible to deny the shadow
element? It is usually the worst side of
the person. The courageous person may
have a cowardly shadow. The kind, gentle
and caring person may have a cruel side
hiding behind all that softness. Even
among the most benevolent, the most
respected personalities and leaders in
every field of endeavor, part of their
shadow element peeks through their
eloquence and their elegance.
Do they really know themselves, or having
denied their shadow element, they find
their views, their words and their actions
in conflict. This is not intentional-
the internal shadow conflicts they fail
to deal with come to surface at the worst moment.
Is it possible to ignore or avoid the shadow?
Some call it demons that stick around every
dark corner, every perilous turn, in every
struggle and conflict. When we are at the
lowest point in our lives, shadows haunt us.
It is that part of ourselves that we leave
in the closet as we face our public and put
our best foot forward. Hide them, deny them,
suppress them, would they just vanish?
These actions may end up attracting these
shadows into our lives in other ways.
Do shadows impact on our lives? Do they mean
anything? Shadows come in many forms. They can
come as temptations, obsessions, addictions,
co-dependency and other forms of indulgence.
Shadows appear in the darkness cloaked in
fear; shake us at our core.
Shadows also show as projections. It can be
a dislike of certain traits in people,
unjustified and unexplainable. We don�t like
what we see,perhaps it mirrors part of us
that we choose to ignore or may not even
be aware of.
Are you comfortable with your friends? If not,
ask yourself, why do you hang out with them?
Do you judge them harshly? If so, why do you
share your precious time with them?
Do you tend to make a compromise that you
can not meet? What about the times you get
angry at the slightest provocation at times
by the same person.
There are times we look for our shadows in
the face of other people. We even attract
them into our lives. Buried deep, these
shadows may drive us to places we dare
not go.
Pundits would say it is not wise to deny the
shadow element. They believe the only way
is to confront it, deal with it and work
through the conflicts it creates.
Each one has their personal demons to deal
with and to face, otherwise, it follows us
in less conscious ways. There are lessons
from the shadow element. To become aware
of it, we need to go deeper into ourselves,
be all that we can be, assuredly.
We can take the good. Work with the bad,
see the light, face the darkness without fear.
Go deep within; let the fears and insecurities
buried deep within surface. Confront the anger
seething under the skin.
We are not perfect. No matter how many dark
clouds hover above us, no matter how long
the dark night is, light will surely come.
These dark nights offer a chance to enrich
and nourish our spirit, our soul and our
lives. It helps us to align ourselves with
our highest purpose.
By striving for greater balance,
endurance and perspective,
we generate more personal
power and strength.
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