The Shadow Knows!

Who knows what evil lurks in the minds of men?  This question, asked on the popular '30s radio show was answered each time-- the shadow knows!  The superhero, who started out as a comic character who could confuse the minds of men into not seeing him properly or not seeing him at all.  In many ways our Shadow Self is like this character, using tricks to disguise itself and the true effect it has on our lives.

I mentioned the Shadow Self briefly in my last post, but I wanted to explore it more fully here.  To understand the Shadow Self, first contemplate what a shadow is.  It is a  dark reflection of what is there in the light.  Details are hidden; only the outline can be seen.  But dark doesn't mean bad or evil. Its contents are only obscured and easily misinterpreted or misunderstood.

Unlike a real shadow, it is possible to shine a light on the Shadow Self, to understand what it is composed of, and how to bring the shadow into the light, to make it a healthy part of ourselves.

As I discussed before, all the parts of ourself that we wish to either downplay or eradicate collect in that shadowy part of ourselves that we disavow.  If we are told we are too loud, we stuff down that impulse for noise into our shadow.  If we come from a family that is unemotional, we tamp down on those sentiments we know will not be acceptable.  If we are the fat one, skinny one, funny one, athletic one, brainy one or whatever one, we may dismiss qualities in ourselves that do not jibe with the image we or others have built up of us.

These parts of us don't go away, they go underground, into the subconscious.  They become part of that internal voice that tells us we are not good enough, that we are frauds or fakers, because that unwanted part of us is there to tell the tale.  It is said that we attract to ourselves that which is like us (see Law of Attraction).  That doesn't mean just the parts of us we accept and admire, but those parts we dislike as well.  So when you find yourself falling into old patterns or never seeming to move forward in the ways that you would like, or in general feel that your life is not going the way that you feel it should, it may be time to examine what's been hiding out in your Shadow Self.

Now, remember, the Shadow Self, doesn't mean you any harm.  It is simply a part of you that you don't acknowledge.  It might be misunderstood, but it does want to help you.  It is attracting things into your life for a reason.  Like everything else hidden, the Shadow seeks the light to help bring forward that part of your personal power that abides with it.

Here's a simple meditation you can try to meet your Shadow Self:


Sit in a comfortable chair with your back straight and your feet on the floor.  This ensures your chakras will be aligned physically if not energetically and that you will have a connection with Earth energy.  Place your hands palms down on your thighs.  Close your eyes, breathe deeply and begin to relax your body from the feet up.  Relax your legs and thighs.  Relax your back and abdominal muscles.  Relax your chest, your shoulders and your arms.  Relax your neck, your scalp, your facial muscles.

Inhale deeply and imagine yourself someplace familiar in nature, someplace wooded.    Imagine yourself walking on a winding path that leads down into a valley.  As you walk down and down.  As you walk, you notice one tree up ahead that is more prominent than any others.  You feel it calling to you as you walk toward it.  Behind that tree is your Shadow Self waiting to meet you.

Understand that your Shadow Self may look like you or another person or a baby or an animal or an inanimate object.  Your Shadow Self might be a cartoon or a character from a story or any other form one might imagine.  How your Shadow Self presents itself to you should tell you something about its nature.

Now ask the Shadow Self to come out from behind the tree.  What does the Shadow Self look like?  What does it remind you of?  Ask the Shadow Self what it wants and what it has been trying to do to help you.  Ask your Shadow Self if it has a message for you.  Ask your Shadow Self if there is anything you can do to help it.  Let your Shadow Self know that you want to bring it into your life in a conscious way.  Hug it if you want to (or if you can) and let it know you appreciate what it's been trying to do for you.

As you do this, relax and let your intuition guide you.  This is not an intellectual exercise but one of letting go of control.  Follow where your subconscious takes you and listen to whatever your Shadow Self wants to share with you.

Then slowly bring yourself back.  Focus first on your breathing.  Inhale deeply and open your eyes.  If you keep a journal, write an entry about this meditation and what you have learned from it.

To really benefit from this meditation, however, you need to focus on bringing those parts of you contained in the Shadow Self out into your consciousness.  If your Shadow contains painful memories, for instance, you will want to examine them, work through the emotions related to them and release them.  You will be surprised how freeing it is to let go of issues that no longer serve you.

If you try the meditation (or even if you don't) let me know what you think.