yeso Often, especially for sensitive people, our personal dark side is difficult to recognize. It is as if acknowledging the shadow somehow negates the good that we are doing in the world. Or perhaps the mere presence of a shadow means that we haven’t done enough ‘work’ on ourselves. Or that we are not spiritual enough. Or, worse yet, that there is something permanently wrong with us.
Yare. Our shadows are difficult to explore. They are designed to be sturdy. Strong enough to keep us from those unwanted parts of ourselves, banished so long ago. Sometimes we don’t even know they’re there.
THowever, the problem with shadows is that they never really stay hidden. They infiltrate our behavior, our reactions, our moods and our personality. Sometimes they yell at us. And they always push us out of alignment. They will continue to push us out of alignment, until we begin to notice. Until we hug them. Simply put, until we make friends with our shadows, we can never find true fulfillment.
If you’re new to shadow work, here’s a brief overview of some common types of shadows.
3 common types of shadows:
Dark shadows: These include mistakes, bad actions, and traumatic events. This is where we harbor shame. We typically expend excessive amounts of energy trying to hide, deny, and avoid these dark shadows. If neglected, they can lead to all kinds of negative, and even harmful, behavior towards ourselves and others.
Unacknowledged Gifts: Here we find our natural strengths and talents that have been pushed into the shadows. This usually occurs during youth, as a result of some form of rejection. They can be triggered by someone else’s success, along with resentment, anger, or jealousy. These shadows can lead to all kinds of self-sabotage, from unsatisfying work to procrastination and general stagnation.
light shades: These shadows can stem from an inner belief that we are not good enough, lovable enough, or worthwhile enough. Often these shadows include an unresolved need to be loved or validated. They can lead to behavior that is too friendly, too generous, and too responsible.
HASAn effective way to approach any of our shadows is with forgiveness, compassion, and love. Woven into our shadows are layers of pain and suffering that long to be healed. EFT Tapping, meditation, therapy, journaling, prayer, and deep self-care routines are helpful methods to help you work with your shadows.
RRemember, shadow work requires consistency, patience, compassion, love, and help from others. It’s worth it. It is an experience that will truly transform your life.
