What Is Shadow

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

Jung believed that the process of growing up is the integration of all parts of the personality. The shadow is the hardest part when it comes to acceptance. The shadow stores in itself everything that we deny and repress. Those traits, desires, aspirations, beliefs and feelings that we cannot accept in ourselves remain outside of consciousness. But they continue to exist and influence our lives.

Working with the Shadow, any approach to it is a complex, emotional process. Nevertheless, the consequences of this process are undeniable benefits. Authenticity, charisma, success, creativity - all these qualities, to one degree or another, are a consequence of the study of one's own shadow.

Growing up is a process that we often mistakenly attach to external circumstances. An adult is one who has reached a certain age, went to work, started raising children, started a family, bought an apartment, etc. That is, we usually associate our own development with external circumstances and how we adapt to the requirements of the environment. We associate growing up with the development of our own Person, that is, our social role. And this is, of course, quite important. But if a person completely trusts only the social standards of a good life and success, if he only identifies himself with a social role, he paves the way for himself into neurosis. Growing up has a completely different direction, not outside, but inside the self.

Exploring your Shadow is difficult, not only because it consists of what we would call disgusting, terrible and unacceptable. But also because we do not perceive the Shadow as something of our own. The shadow is that part of the personality that we have renounced.

What happens afterwards when we deny a part of ourselves?

We see it in others. This is exactly what is called a projection. We ascribe qualities to other people that we cannot accept in ourselves. It is important to understand that this does not happen deliberately. Projection is a psychological defense. It is important for us to continue to feel “good” according to the parameters that we once took to be the only true ones. For example, if in childhood a child was forbidden to feel anger towards a parent (“How do you talk to your mother ?!”), he could learn to suppress it in himself, and, over time, disidentify with this bad, unpleasant for mom, part. In adulthood, this person will perceive the world around him as hostile, and people as aggressive. He will feel that everyone is against him, that they want to harm him, that they do not like him. Thus, projections distort reality in order for us to retain good ideas about ourselves.

Therefore, one of the most important steps in working with the Shadow is being aware of one's own projections and appropriating unflattering parts of the personality to oneself. It's important to keep track of your reactions to other people and events. What worries us about others is most likely a part of ourselves.

It is also important to develop a positive attitude towards ourselves, acceptance of ourselves, not only in moments of success and manifestation of our own strength, but also in moments of weakness, when we are envious, angry, frightened, when we become selfish, weak-willed and irritable. Do not abandon yourself in these moments. Don't give up on yourself.