Jung Psychology Self Transcendence

An Introduction to the Shadow

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I had the opportunity to discuss the Shadow and Shadow Integration a couple of times this past weekend, and found myself unable to land on a concise explanation of its power. I feel this will play an important role in the life direction I’m heading, so I should spend some time refining my vocabulary around it, by exploring some more authoritative content on the matter and wrapping it around nuggets of my own subjective experience, having undergone a shadow integration myself.

To start, Jung’s refined version of the shadow has to do with an individual’s sense of Self.  Unlike your Ego, the shadow is a subconscious “dark closet” of your mind, where repressed versions of your Self live. Trauma tends to put elements of you in here, but many things contribute to your shadow’s development over time.

Your shadow can contain positive or negative traits, and lives in your unconscious mind (thus the “dark closet”). Most of us tend to go about our lives without even realizing it’s there. Or if you are aware of it – you may be “coping” with whatever’s inside. This can manifest as anger, anxiety, or depression, and a diminished sense of Self. You may rely on coping mechanisms including alcohol or drugs. Generally speaking, if you “suffer” in life, you may be engaged in a cognitive dissonance with your own shadow. You might blame others for your suffering, however much of the suffering is self-generated. And repairable.
 
Diving into your mind for the purposes of integrating your shadow isn’t easy, nor for the feint of heart. You go in to deal with your shit. Your emotional baggage. Your guilt or pride. The things you beat yourself up about. Your Ego. Your Identity. Your complete sense of Self. Who the fuck are you anyway?
 
If you can figure that out, and combine the best of both into a new Ego identity – congrats, you have integrated your shadow. You tend to be happier in life if you can share your light and dark in equal parts confident in your own self of Self in both.
 
Denying yourself hurts.
 
You deserve better.

I’ve gone through it. I called myself on my shit and emerged a different person. And I can help you do the same.

I’m looking into coaching paths specific to Shadow Integration Therapy. If anyone wants to discuss, my Inbox is open

Further Reading and Watching

The Wikipedia page on the Shadow

Nexus Void on Youtube does a fantastic job of breaking the entire thing down, both from a Shadow integration standpoint and then on to Anima/Animus integration, which was also a part of my integration.

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