Light and shadow are universal aspects of nature that embody physics, spirituality, life and art.

 

Light is a form of energy that comes from such diverse sources as celestial bodies, electric light bulbs, our inner self, spiritual beings and too many others to name.

 

A shadow is light that is blocked. The blockage can come in a variety of forms including physical objects, cultural rules and patterns held in our unconscious mind.

 

Light and shadow are linked in a relationship and humans are simply one medium for that relationship. If you're willing, take a few minutes to think about the sources of light in your life and how some of them are blocked. To put it another way, what lights you up and when is that feeling taken away or not available?

 

Toward wholeness

 

The shadow self as defined by Carl Jung are those aspects of ourself that we dislike, are ashamed of and would like to be rid of. We all have these parts but they are usually not the parts we want others to see, so we put a lot of effort into avoiding them, making excuses for them, compensating for them and may sometimes be hurting our

health because of them.

 

But according to Jung, these undesirable qualities play an important role and are even beneficial. They provide balance for the qualities that we like about ourself. Together, the qualities we like and the ones we don’t like make us whole, and striving toward wholeness is the purpose of our life.

  

Avoiding labels

 

The qualities we usually want to reject are emotions and behaviors that societies have labeled as negative. If we reveal or display these behaviors, we risk rejection, something most of us try very hard to avoid. As a result, we feel bad about ourselves when they happen because we tie our value and self-esteem to acceptance by the group. But emotions and many of these behaviors aren’t "good” or “bad” and we aren’t “good” or “bad” because we have them. "Good" and "bad" are labels, and they are often subjective.

 

That being said, there’s a difference between having an emotion and expressing it. And some behaviors are harmful to ourselves or others. But judging ourselves solely on this aspect of ourself is unfair and incomplete.

 

The solution, then, is to recognize how our shadow contributes to our identity and what we gain from it. Remember that light and shadow are linked and we can’t have one without the other. Balance and wholeness require both.

 

Acceptance

 

If revealing our shadow self puts us at risk of rejection by society, how do we accept these elements? First, we stop resisting them. The energy we’ve been using to fight them is then freed. We allow ourself to notice that

our shadow contains messages or opportunities. We can relax, something that is very beneficial to the easily-stressed nervous system of a highly sensitive person, and allow new information and perspective to become available to us.

 

Here are ideas to consider as you stop rejecting your shadow:

 

1. If acceptance is difficult, remember that your shadow is only part of who you are. Accepting its role in your life doesn't mean allowing it to overtake your sense of self. Remember that you're seeking balance, wholeness and

​      authenticity.

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   2. Become aware of how you typically react when your shadow appears. Are you so disturbed that you 

      automatically suppress those impulses? In order to accept them, you have to acknowledge their existence, not            shut them away. I think we all know by now that burying or resisting something doesn't make it go away.

      It lives on until we deal with it. Get in the habit of observing them without labeling them, or yourself, as 

      undesirable.

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   3. Notice your self-talk. When does it become critical? Do you criticize others when you see and hear them 

       expressing something that you'd prefer not to know about? These situations are often a reflection of how we

       feel about ourself.  

 

    4. As sensitives, we'll do well to remember that feeling other people's pain and discomfort, and any people-

       pleasing tendencies we have, can cause us to suppress our shadow side and emphasize what we consider

       more positive behavior. While we want to treat ourself and others with kindness, consider whether

       there are times when you're protecting yourself or them at the expense of healthier behavior. 

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    5. Remember that your shadow results from what you believe to be undesirable. These beliefs usually originated

        in external sources - your family, friends, colleagues, culture, etc. and are further shaped by your self-

        esteem. Underneath those influences lies your true self and for most of us, the freedom to choose what we

        believe. It may be a risk to reveal this side of yourself, but it isn't it also a risk of another kind to keep it

        hidden? Have you already experienced any ill effects from what is buried within?

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    6. With the objectivity of non-resistance, consider what our shadow can offer us. For example, what is our

        anger telling us? This is where our sensitivity-based self-reflection penchant can help us. What are the

        messages and opportunities that we've missed by ignoring this part of our identity? Work inward from

        situations when you feel angry. The source of anger is often hurt. Could that be the root cause of your          

        irritation? Do you need to set boundaries or be more assertive? These are actions we may have avoided

        because they're uncomfortable, and they arise from feelings that are also uncomfortable.

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     7. Accepting your shadow does not always mean that you're agreeing with or approving of it. Just let it breathe.

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     8. Maybe you'll discover creativity in your shadow self. Think of the art and inventions that have sprung from

        people who dared to explore. You're releasing restrictions that you can reinstate and alter if you choose to.

        Consider - what can you do with the energy you set free?

 

     9. You may inspire other people to be more open about their own shadow.

 

Consciousness Expansion

 

You may be familiar with the Consciousness Map created by Dr. David R. Hawkins. The Map, according to Dr. Hawkins, reflects all human emotions and consciousness, from “low levels” such as fear and anger to “high levels” such as love and peace. Further, Dr. Hawkins suggests that these emotions represent our life force energy. They rise along a spectrum with the highest levels reflecting an enlightened being. 

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All I want to say on this subject in this article is that I hope you don't confuse the shadow aspect of yourself with being an inferior human being. The purpose of recognizing our shadow self is to realistically recognize our humanness and that of others, not to dwell on our weakness. That being said, for anyone who is on the path of raising their consciousness level, this could be a subject we explore at another time.

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