The Importance of Shadow Work
Let me start off by saying that I know many people may not agree with my take on this matter. However, the whole point to a journey is to share our experiences and take from it what resonates with us.
I recently had an interesting conversation with a friend about Shadow work. One thing we both agreed on, is that many of us start our journey believing that everything is love and light, and that there is nothing more to it; when in fact, there is so much more to it.
I must admit that I am among the many that believe, spirituality is all about love and light. That in order to be a good Energy Healer, and an overall good person, one must be all love and light. Little did I know that my journey was going to take a very drastic turn and plunge me deep into the shadows, the likes of which I had never seen before. It is through this experience that I discovered, and can now share with you, the incredible importance of Shadow Work.
The term Shadow Work derives mostly from the Wiccan / Pagan practice of spirituality. Others may call it Intensive Integrative Healing or Alchemy. No matter how you want to label it, it all comes down to the same thing – it is work of a dark nature that forces you to face your greatest fears, traumas and the deepest darkest parts of who you are so that these pieces of you can be welcomed, embraced and molded into who you are to be going forward.
As humans, we cannot deny our human nature. As there is a balance between night and day, there must be a balance between the light and dark within our beings. The problem, as I see it, is that so many people making their journeys are being told “LOVE & LIGHT”, and that when the dark stuff does come up, they are made to feel horribly guilty for feeling that way. Then ensues the anxiety attacks, anger, and fear. They believe themselves to be horrible humans because as love and light beings – it is “wrong” to be thinking and/or feeling this way.
Well I am here to tell you, take a chill pill because it is PERFECTLY natural be angry, to feel guilty, to have fears – we ARE human after all! What is not normal, is to remain in that state. In other words, when these moments arise, instead of perceiving it as being a bad thing, and then furthermore being hard on yourself for it, see it as an opportunity for growth and learning.
It is a moment that you might take to truly dissect why you are feeling that way. What triggered the emotion? Why? How? Understand that this part of you, makes up who you are in your entirety. You can’t simply just push it back down and ignore it. It demands your attention and your respect. It deserves this much, as more times than not, that emotion you are feeling is a result of childhood trauma.
During the course your work, you may or may not be able to pinpoint the exact moment or incident that has given rise to this trauma. However, you can still work with it because it is about dissecting the emotion. It is about going deep into your psyche to extract the core reason giving rise to the anger, fear or other “negative” emotion.
Every person’s journey into Shadow work is unique. There is no timeline. There is no date of completion. This type of work never ends. Just like the spiral in our universe, this crap can keep coming back, each time forcing you to go deeper and deeper.
As a friend likes to say “own your shit”. If you are a bitch, then be a bitch; but understand WHY you are being a bitch, and more importantly be proud of it because it is who you are.
As of recently, my perspective on spiritual journeys and healing work has shifted. Where I often turned to teachers for answers, I don’t anymore. I have many reasons behind this but to be quite honest – my healing is not on anyone’s particular timetable. I heal when I heal. How I want to heal and when I am ready to heal.
Just as important to remember: Do not close yourself off to ideas, concepts and advice from others. In fact, open yourself up as much as you can. In doing so, you shift your sources from one teacher to many. Take everything you read and hear with a grain of salt. Absorb what resonates with you and leave the rest.
Most importantly – just because you might not agree with someone’s opinion or ideas does not mean they are wrong. We all know how wide and varied the concept of spirituality can be, so do not berate anyone for their beliefs. Just like myself, those beliefs are a reflection of their journey.
Last but not least, Shadow work is done when you are ready to take on the challenge. When Spirit speaks to you and calls on you to dive into this dark region. Because only then will you achieve the results needed to heal the hurt child.
Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t
~Be the Light Within~
Here are some of the materials I referenced during my year long discovery of my shadow self are:
“Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames” by Thich Nhat Hanh. By far an eye opener and the first book I read that help to propel me into deeper work.
“You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise L. Hay. I had never picked up one of her books before but this one is worth it as she helps you to dive into your psyche and expose that which you really don’t want to see.
June 2019
I recently had an interesting conversation with a friend about Shadow work. One thing we both agreed on, is that many of us start our journey believing that everything is love and light, and that there is nothing more to it; when in fact, there is so much more to it.
I must admit that I am among the many that believe, spirituality is all about love and light. That in order to be a good Energy Healer, and an overall good person, one must be all love and light. Little did I know that my journey was going to take a very drastic turn and plunge me deep into the shadows, the likes of which I had never seen before. It is through this experience that I discovered, and can now share with you, the incredible importance of Shadow Work.
The term Shadow Work derives mostly from the Wiccan / Pagan practice of spirituality. Others may call it Intensive Integrative Healing or Alchemy. No matter how you want to label it, it all comes down to the same thing – it is work of a dark nature that forces you to face your greatest fears, traumas and the deepest darkest parts of who you are so that these pieces of you can be welcomed, embraced and molded into who you are to be going forward.
As humans, we cannot deny our human nature. As there is a balance between night and day, there must be a balance between the light and dark within our beings. The problem, as I see it, is that so many people making their journeys are being told “LOVE & LIGHT”, and that when the dark stuff does come up, they are made to feel horribly guilty for feeling that way. Then ensues the anxiety attacks, anger, and fear. They believe themselves to be horrible humans because as love and light beings – it is “wrong” to be thinking and/or feeling this way.
Well I am here to tell you, take a chill pill because it is PERFECTLY natural be angry, to feel guilty, to have fears – we ARE human after all! What is not normal, is to remain in that state. In other words, when these moments arise, instead of perceiving it as being a bad thing, and then furthermore being hard on yourself for it, see it as an opportunity for growth and learning.
It is a moment that you might take to truly dissect why you are feeling that way. What triggered the emotion? Why? How? Understand that this part of you, makes up who you are in your entirety. You can’t simply just push it back down and ignore it. It demands your attention and your respect. It deserves this much, as more times than not, that emotion you are feeling is a result of childhood trauma.
During the course your work, you may or may not be able to pinpoint the exact moment or incident that has given rise to this trauma. However, you can still work with it because it is about dissecting the emotion. It is about going deep into your psyche to extract the core reason giving rise to the anger, fear or other “negative” emotion.
Every person’s journey into Shadow work is unique. There is no timeline. There is no date of completion. This type of work never ends. Just like the spiral in our universe, this crap can keep coming back, each time forcing you to go deeper and deeper.
As a friend likes to say “own your shit”. If you are a bitch, then be a bitch; but understand WHY you are being a bitch, and more importantly be proud of it because it is who you are.
As of recently, my perspective on spiritual journeys and healing work has shifted. Where I often turned to teachers for answers, I don’t anymore. I have many reasons behind this but to be quite honest – my healing is not on anyone’s particular timetable. I heal when I heal. How I want to heal and when I am ready to heal.
Just as important to remember: Do not close yourself off to ideas, concepts and advice from others. In fact, open yourself up as much as you can. In doing so, you shift your sources from one teacher to many. Take everything you read and hear with a grain of salt. Absorb what resonates with you and leave the rest.
Most importantly – just because you might not agree with someone’s opinion or ideas does not mean they are wrong. We all know how wide and varied the concept of spirituality can be, so do not berate anyone for their beliefs. Just like myself, those beliefs are a reflection of their journey.
Last but not least, Shadow work is done when you are ready to take on the challenge. When Spirit speaks to you and calls on you to dive into this dark region. Because only then will you achieve the results needed to heal the hurt child.
Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t
~Be the Light Within~
Here are some of the materials I referenced during my year long discovery of my shadow self are:
“Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames” by Thich Nhat Hanh. By far an eye opener and the first book I read that help to propel me into deeper work.
“You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise L. Hay. I had never picked up one of her books before but this one is worth it as she helps you to dive into your psyche and expose that which you really don’t want to see.
June 2019