Shadow is our Greatest Gift

Some of you might be like...wtf is shadow work.

And that’s totally ok, I was there too a few years ago too. There is always more to dive into here, whether you are just learning this practice now or a seasoned pro. 

“Shadow or shadow self describes the unconscious parts of the personality that our conscious ego doesn't want to identify in itself. Shadow is everything we can’t see in ourself.” Shadow work is the process of, in my opinion, loving on it. 

It is through knowing our unconscious self, that we find the root to our blocks, perceived limitations and wounds. It is also how we come to know ourselves in totality. 

Might I add, you are complete as you are, however there is a difference between living fragmented, picking and choosing the pieces or who we are, and living a fully expressed life authenticity. Self- love, acceptance and gratitude will help you A LOT here. 

Shadow self is here to observe, integrate and befriend...all in good time, supported by therapeutic practices and awareness. 

The aim or intention of working with the shadow, is to make the unconscious, conscious- to dive deeper into our wild and unknown- unearthing and excavating the fractured parts of ourselves on a path to healing and personal growth. 

And though these aspects, in our opinions, may be the least shiny pieces of ourselves, locking away what is embedded here only feed us with shame and fear- the exact repression we are working through within it’s integration. That being said, the shadow is not only a home for perceived flaws, but brilliance too. 

Light can not exist without shadow. 

Both light and dark, you are whole as you are.

So what can you find submerged in shadow? Things like..

Anger, rage, greed, selfishness, striving for power and desire to name a few.

Sounds like things you’ve been told were bad? From yourself or others?

Sound like things you deny within yourself? 

Within this acknowledgement or existence alone, lives so much healing. We need to claim that shit too!

But,  we need to claim it in responsiveness vs. reaction, which requires observation and a huge does of love for the nervous system. 

So why is shadow one of our greatest gifts?

The shadow self holds some of the deepest personal wisdom, unique to each light it is cast from. We can’t eliminate it, nor should we want to, and it will never be “healed”, but we can dive deep into befriending it and trusting it to share its secrets with us, if we are open and willing to listen.