What is Turning into the Shadow Self?
Turning into the Shadow Self sounds scary and elusive, but in actuality it is the most empowering act one will ever do. The Shadow represents our emotions – fear, shame, and regret.
The Shadow within Self is the Dweller of the Threshold – what we all must feel without judgement to reconnect to the True Self.
Many people think that if they put ‘negative’ feelings aside, or on a shelf, or in the back of their mind it will eventually go away. It never does.
It does not matter if we create every distraction in the world, whether that is drama, overworking, food, exercise, pills, alcohol, sex…whatever! We can run and run, do whatever we can to numb ourselves, but eventually we will have blamed everything and everyone around us, and participated in every drama (including revenge).
A feeling of unfulfillment and longing will still reside. This feeling of unfulfillment, longing or boredom has a purpose. Its purpose is not to endlessly torture us. Its purpose is to bring us back home.
Feeling the Shadow Self
For most people to actually Feel the Shadow Self completely sounds like a situation in which one may never escape. What if we really acknowledged every dark aspect and felt everything completely? Would we fall into a deep abyss and never come out?
How can we really feel the fear, sadness, hate, shame and regret? Might we go insane, explode, or do something irrational and hurt those around us? Actually, when the shadow self is felt the opposite happens.
All of those difficult or horrible situations occur when we do not do the work, and face our shadows, and recognize who we truly are.The Ego, or Shadow wants everyone to believe that the truth within us is so horrendous, that the shame would overtake us. It wants us to live endlessly in fear, regret, sadness and hate.
In truth, if one actually wholeheartedly confronted the Shadow within, its power would be completely lost.
Being Okay with Turning into the Shadow Self
Confronting the Shadow sounds like a daunting task, but once we decipher the difference between the real, authentic Self and the Shadow, it becomes easier. Start by asking, “Is what I am feeling coming from Love or Fear?” It may not feel like fear, but if it is not love, then it is the Shadow Self and stems from fear.
Make the time, to be alone, journal write, and sit with the feelings. At first it may be difficult to express, or even know what it is that is being felt inside. The feelings may seem to come from one issue, but through deeper exploration, may be rooted in a completely different place.
To be completely honest with oneself, without judgement, is a skill. Remember our true fears have nothing to do with anyone else. It is what represents the pain that has power over us.
If we completely feel the pain, or fear, the emotions, and stories build within us, like a great hurricane. They can appear to have such power, and take over, spinning around us, creating havoc on our minds and hearts. But, if we really wholeheartedly feel, unconditionally accept, and be present, a consciousness will be discovered. An awareness that is separate from the storm.
This awareness is still peaceful yet powerful, like the eye of a hurricane. The emotions, stories and pain spin around, but the observer is detached, and completely aware.
The Observer
The observer is our True Self. It is the state of complete awareness, unconditional love and peace. In the place of complete awareness, the storm lifts and the heart to stays open. We discover we are not our stories, or fear, shame, guilt and anger. We realize that those stories no longer have power over us. To access this state of awareness is to remember who we truly are.
