The Shadow, comprising our deepest fears, shames, and regrets along with judgments, core
beliefs, and unconscious contracts, resides in our subconscious, influenced by past lives and
ancestral ties.
Shadow Work delves into profound self-awareness, aiming for forgiveness, release, and
growth towards newfound freedom and positivity. Coined by Carl Jung, the concept of the
Shadow Self highlights its prevalence in every individual’s life. Suppressed, it can lead to
detrimental consequences such as addiction, low self-esteem, and mental or chronic illnesses.
Unchecked, the Shadow can escalate to extreme behaviours like infidelity or violence, often
exacerbated by substances like alcohol and drugs. However, Shadow Work offers a means to
confront and integrate these shadow aspects, preventing them from consuming our lives.
Historically practiced by Shamans and spiritual leaders, Shadow Work now finds application
in psychotherapy, employing creative techniques to embrace and integrate the shadow self,
fostering wholeness and resilience.
Contrary to its negative connotations, the shadow also harbours positive attributes, described
by Jung as “ninety percent pure gold.” Within lie untapped creativity, intuition, and other
potent gifts suppressed by societal norms.
Exploring the Golden Shadow presents opportunities for both psychological and spiritual
growth, as each negative aspect holds a corresponding gift waiting to be unearthed.
Through acceptance and liberation, participants will harness their positive qualities,
embracing creativity and passion.
The Shamanic Healing Perspective
The shamanic healing perspective posits that unresolved wounds from our past affect our
present by continuously attracting similar experiences. This stems from the energetic
vibration linked to these deep-seated wounds, which are often guarded by our Shadow Self,
also known as the Protector Self. This part of us is shaped by past hurts—such as rejection,
abandonment, betrayal, humiliation, worthlessness, or prolonged abuse—and it strives to
protect us by avoiding situations that may cause similar pain. By facing our Shadow, we can
become more whole and live with greater authenticity, creativity, and joy.
The Protector – Shadow Self
The Shadow Self acts as an inner saboteur, keeping us in fear and reinforcing limiting beliefs.
While its actions might seem counterproductive, its intention is to shield us from pain based
on past experiences. This protective mechanism is deeply embedded in our psyche, causing
us to react emotionally and repeat past patterns. The goal of the Shadow Self is to avoid
revisiting the original hurt, which often leads to self-sabotage and a cycle of negative
experiences.
The Purpose of Repeating Patterns
Despite the Shadow Self’s protective efforts, we often encounter recurring situations and
people because our Soul aims to confront and heal these past wounds. This process is
essential for resolving past Karma and fulfilling our Soul’s divine purpose. Shamanic healing
practices, such as journeying and energy work, help reveal and address repressed parts of
ourselves. Identifying and integrating our shadow helps us become balanced and complete. It
involves acknowledging the parts of ourselves that need healing, often tied to our Inner Child,
and working with spiritual guides and allies for insight and transformation. By understanding
and integrating these old wounds, we can dissolve the protective programming of the Shadow
Self.
Alice Miller’s Insight
Alice Miller emphasized the necessity of addressing our distress on three levels: body,
feeling, and mind. She argued that unresolved trauma remains in the body’s cells,
perpetuating our distress until it is acknowledged and understood. This holistic approach
underscores the importance of comprehensive healing.
Dealing with Shadow Moments
When our behaviour is out of control, it signifies pure shadow at play. Post-shadow moments
can bring shame, but they also offer an opportunity to confront and understand our shadow.
By seeing the shadow as a friend acting out of protection, we can work with it to achieve
personal empowerment and individuation.
Understanding Triggers and Trauma
Traumatic events create sensory associations that can trigger memories later in life. Shadow
work involves recognizing and addressing these triggers. When triggered, asking reflective
questions about our judgments and reactions can reveal our own shadow traits. This self-
awareness helps us understand where these traits appear in our lives and how they may serve
or hinder us.
In conclusion, shamanic healing and shadow work aim to uncover, understand, and integrate
the repressed parts of ourselves. This process helps us break free from past wounds, enabling
us to live more authentically and fulfilling lives.
The following just a few ways you might work with your shadow:
Decide Your Approach
Therapy vs. Solo Work: For therapy work, evaluate whether you work better with a shamanic
practitioner or a counsellor guiding you. You might prefer to work on your own. Therapy
provides guidance and a safe space, while solo work offers personal control and
introspection.
Express Through Art
Art is the highest form of self-expression and is a strong way of allowing your shadow to
manifest itself. Counsellors use art therapy to help clients explore their inner selves. It is not
about being a good artist but by letting the inner child have its play, healing and processing situations can take place. Artistic expression reveals much about your obscure darker self in a
safe way.
Artistic Expression: Use mediums like drawing, painting, or writing to express your shadow.
This spontaneous creation can reveal deep insights.
Storytelling: Write stories projecting your shadow elements onto characters to explore your
inner darkness.
Continuous Observation
When disowning our shadow qualities, we can become unbalanced and explode in
frightening ways. What we deny in ourselves we project/manifest onto others and into our
lives. Understand that your everyday life reflects your Shadow self.
Reflect on every action.
Reflect on every reaction.
Reflect on every interaction.
Allow judgements to melt away, just observe.
Use your breath to calm your heart rate and just observe.
Positive Signs of Progress
Increased Self-Awareness: Greater understanding of your thoughts and behaviours.
Emotional Resilience: Better acceptance and management of emotions.
Improved Relationships: Healthier interactions with others.
Release of Repressed Memories: Healing past traumas.
Healthy Boundaries: Clearer personal boundaries.
Less Self-Sabotage: Reduced negative self-behaviours.
Authenticity and Wholeness: Embracing your true self.
Inspiring Shadow Work Quotes:
The secret is out: all of us, no exceptions, have qualities we won’t let anyone see, including
ourselves – our Shadow. If we face up to our dark side, our life can be energized. If not, there
is the devil to pay. This is one of life’s most urgent projects.
— Larry Dossey
If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not really living. Growth
demands a temporary surrender of security.
— Gail Sheehy
Who has not at one time, or another felt a sourness, wrath, selfishness, envy, and pride, which
he could not tell what to do with, or how to bear, rising up in him without his consent, casting
a blackness over all his thoughts … It is exceeding good and beneficial to us to discover this
dark, disordered fire of our soul; because when rightly known and rightly dealt with, it can as
well be made the foundation of heaven as it is of hell.
— William Law
If we do not work on all three levels — body, feeling, mind — the symptoms of our distress
will keep returning, as the body goes on repeating the story stored in its cells until it is finally
listened to and understood.
— Alice Miller
To confront a person with his own shadow is to show him his own light.
— Carl Jung
© Thomas Marty June 2024
What is Shadow Work? Steve Wolf and Connie Zweig
What is Shadow Work by Kateri Berasi, PsyD
How to Love Your Dark Side By Leo Babauta
Shadow Work - Carl Jung
Shadow Quotes - Alice Miller, William Law, Gail Sheehy, Larry Dossey.