I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. - Robert Louis Stevenson
Facing your Shadows
In a recent SoulCollage® workshop, one of the participants asked whether she should make cards that expressed the aspects of herself she didn't especially like. She was concerned that by creating a card that acknowledged the darker parts of her personality, she would in some way be giving them more power. Yet in order to grow beyond our weaknesses, we must first be able to see them clearly. By bringing our shadow parts out into the light, they not only lose much of their power; they also offer us necessary guidance to become better individuals.
According to psychologist Carl Jung, " there can be no doubt that man is, on the whole, less good than he imagines himself or wants to be. Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is." Repressing those shadow parts of ourselves causes them to emerge in others ways, but "if [a shadow] is conscious, one always has a chance to correct it" as it is "constantly in contact with other interests, [and] is continually subjected to modifications." So by acknowledging our darker shadow parts, we give ourselves the opportunity to confront them and grow beyond them.
Shedding Light on your Shadows
Whether you are a SoulCollager or you are exploring yourself in other ways, you can learn from your Shadows by interviewing them using the "I-Am-the-One-Who" method (see the example that follows) to speak through your cards (or shadow presences), and asking the following questions:
- Who are you?
- What do you have to give me?
- What do you want or need from me?
- Is there anything else you have to tell me?
As an example, I have conducted an "interview" with the above Shadowy SoulCollage® Committee card called "The Gossip."
Meet "The Gossip"
Who are you?
I Am the One Who gets pulled into gossip, listening to and sharing stories about other people when deep inside I really don't want to be doing this. I get caught up in the moment, influenced by another who wants to talk. It's an easy trap to fall into. I Am the One Who, while I am gossiping or listening to gossip, mentally steps back and watches myself doing something I really don't like.
What do you have to give me?
I want you to know that there is no reason to participate in gossip. You already know that it brings no pleasure and you don't enjoy it; and gossip never makes you a stronger or better person. You already know this, so rely on what you know is the truth.
What do you want or need from me?
I want you to visualize me whenever you're in a situation where you might be involved with gossip. It's as simple as deciding to turn off a switch and changing the subject. You'll be doing the right thing and you'll feel better about yourself. I want you to remember that "The Gossip" is not who you respect or want to be.
Is there anything else you have to tell me?
It is not your job to correct other people's behavior. Show by your example and avoid judgment.
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Good does not become better by being exaggerated, but worse, and a small evil becomes a big one through being disregarded and repressed. The shadow is very much a part of human nature, and it is only at night that no shadows exist. - Carl Jung
How do you learn from your Shadows? What are your practices for reflection and growth? Share your thoughts in whatever form you like...
- SoulCollage®
- Art
- Poetry
- Writing
- Anything that expresses who you are!
When you're ready to share, post your static link in the comments section so we can visit your blog and see what you've created.
Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light. Above all things reverence thyself. - Pythagoras
Have a beautiful and creative day! Namaste,
