The Shadow Archetype

Everyone has a shadow on the ground when they walk in the sun. But did you know you have a shadow inside your mind, too? It is the part of us that holds our fears or the things we do not like about ourselves. If we pretend the shadow is not there, it might trip us up! But if we turn around and look at it, we realize it is just a part of who we are. Understanding our dark side helps us be even kinder and brighter people.

Understanding your dark side helps you be even kinder. True enlightenment is not the subtraction of darkness. It is the recognition that the darkness is simply the light that has not yet been understood. Do not fight your shadow. Interview it.

Jung defined the Shadow as the unknown dark side of personality. From a systems perspective: unintegrated information. Suppressed aspects of the Self do not disappear — they become latent variables influencing behavior from the background. The Everlasting We requires radical integration. True enlightenment is not subtraction of darkness but convergent recognition that darkness is simply light that has not yet been understood or integrated into the conscious model.

SOUND: The minor (sad) chords in a beautiful song that make it feel deep.

SMELL: The smell of old books: a mix of dust and wisdom.

TASTE: Dark chocolate: bitter but rich.

TOUCH: Feeling the edges of a bruise as it heals.

SIGHT: Looking at your own shadow on a long summer evening.

BODY: Facing a fear and suddenly feeling your whole body relax and become stronger: integration.

Music: Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

Part of Light & Darkness — NATURE — Education Revelation