Shadows are an interesting phenomenon. They don’t generate themselves but rather are a dark area or shape produced by an object coming between rays of light and a surface. Further, often they produce a distorted representation of the object they are replicating. Sometimes many times larger and at times much smaller. This adds an illusionary nature to the shadow; a deceptive clone of sorts. Equally fascinating is that the shadow involves the blocking or interruption of light resulting in distortion. As if when the clarifying properties of light are removed, an impostor steps in to fill the void.
The shadow has come to be associated with a variety of sayings, beliefs and concepts. There is a fear of what might lurk in the shadows. The shadow has been related to doubt. When we follow someone closely we are said to be “shadowing” them. Having knowledge of our shadows is attributed with knowing our weaknesses. The shadow is our dark side. When someone is not acting in the way we are used to experiencing them, it is said they are a shadow of themselves.
Carl Jung viewed the shadow as a psychological projection. Essentially, he proposed that on some instinctive and irrational level we are prone due to our own issues, to cast them upon others. This projection then represents a shadow of something within us that we are likely not seeing clearly. Parts of ourselves that we repress and push down into the unconscious psyche (i.e. shadow). We pretend they don’t exist. These shadows can be projected in a variety of ways. Harsh judgement of someone. Pointing out one’s own insecurities as flaws in another person. Quick tempers with persons in a subordinate position to oneself. Frequently playing the “victim” in every situation. A willingness to step on others to achieve your own ends. Not acknowledging our own biases and prejudices.
A very important part of the role of the shaman in cultures worldwide has been to work with the shadow-side of a person. Finding ourselves separated from source into this very complex creation, we need the ego to help us deal with this state of being. Peter Ariz, in an article entitled “The Importance of Shadow Work” says “As we forget so much of our power by limiting our consciousness within this reality of separation, we also create a shadow to hold sacred everything we have disowned, until we are ready to own it again. The ego and the shadow are diametrically opposed, as the ego keeps us in separation, whereas our shadows are our way home. The two are therefore natural enemies. The ego always lies, while the shadow always tells the truth. At the root of all illusion and limitation is the fact that people tend to run from their shadows and listen to their egos.”
Believing that our illnesses, maladies and challenges are connected to a loss of spiritual connection to source, the shaman works with an individual to breakdown the ego, examine the shadows and bring them back to divine consciousness by confronting everything they deny. This is sacred work. It requires not fighting with your shadow, as the shaman knows this is a losing proposition but rather forming an alliance with the shadow. It is in the shadow where the secrets are hidden of all you have not owned and where the key to your highest self lies in wait.
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