Thread by @ResilienttHuman

How to Accept your Dark Side and UNLEASH your True Potential

(Learn the dark psychology of shadow work and become whole again)

= THREAD =

"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

“Why did I say that?”

Ever said or done anything shitty on an impulse and regretted it later?

And hounded by shame once the damage was done?

It's almost like there's a stranger living within you.

Someone over whom you've no control.

Someone whom you've buried away deep.

Yet sometimes they break free and take control.

That's your shadow self.

A specter created out of the messy and ugly thoughts, rage, aggression, shame, envy, greed, desire, fears, unacceptable sexual desires, and lust for power.

Things that don't fit with social expectations.

So you bury them.

And go to great lengths to pretend that they don't exist.

But these disowned "dark traits" are also the source of your vitality.

When you repress these parts you get cut off from your life force.

But you never get rid of them.

They leak out in nasty ways.

Here are 7 signs of a repressed shadow:

1. Judging others harshly
2. Projecting your own insecurities
3. Quick temper over people who can't fight back
4. Playing the victim
5. Stepping on others for own gain
6. Bias, prejudice, and bigotry
7. Trying to be the savior

When you take up shadow work you learn that much of your shadow came from being hurt.

You were just trying to protect yourself from experiencing that hurt again.

The better way is to accept what happened.

Then reclaim these parts and become whole again.

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

- Carl Jung

7 benefits of integrating your shadow:

- Greater creativity
- Improved relationships
- More energy and vitality
- A clearer view of the world
- Sense of wholeness and balance
- Less judgmental, more accepting
- Becoming mature, peaceful, and comfortable with yourself

So how do you get started with the shadow work?

Shadow work is uncomfortable.

You shouldn't take it up lightly.

Prepare your mind before you delve deep.

1. Be Compassionate

Bring unconditional compassion for yourself.

You will find this hard if shame and guilt drive you.

But try your best to replace them with kindness and acceptance.

Without compassion, it's difficult to look at your darker side.

https://twitter.com/ResilienttHuman/status/1440679399750135818

2. Be Aware

Observe your behavior.

Reflect on them.

Do this without criticism or judgment.

Meditation and journaling will help.

https://twitter.com/ResilienttHuman/status/1418581359707115528

3. Be Honest

Coming to terms with your repressed side is not easy.

It will be uncomfortable.

That's why your ego spends so much energy repressing it.

You need honesty and courage if you want to see your darker side.

4. Keep a Journal Ready

The shadow side is slippery.

One instant it appears in your mind.

And the next moment it slips away.

Keep a journal ready to capture what you find.

And finally here are 5 exercises to know your shadow better:

1. Watch Your Emotional Reactions

You project what you've repressed.

Pay close attention to your triggers.

That's your repressed part stirring up.

Pay attention and you can catch your shadow in the act.

2. Talk to Yourself

You have many subpersonalities.

These parts just want your attention.

Give them what they crave. talk to them.

When you don't pay attention to them, they try to sneak past and control you.

They cause you harm without even intending to.

3. Challenge your Virtues

Society conditioned and rewarded you to be "good".

So you overhyped your virtuous qualities.

And in doing so, you get more detached from the darker side.

Make a list of your "good" qualities.

Now challenge them and highlight the opposite in you.

4. Know your Shadow Archetype

This is an area that is a work in progress for me.

I can't claim to know much.

I'm studying neo-Jungian Robert Moore.

I'd recommend his book "King, Warrior, Magician, Lover" (aff).

amzn.to/3FbjjiO

5. The 3-2-1 Shadow Process

Ken Wilber has developed a step-by-step method for working with your shadow.

Step-1: Choose someone who irritates or annoys you. Or someone whom you are attracted to or obsessed with.

Contd..

Step 2: Say out loud the qualities that upset you, or that you're most attracted to.

Step 3: Talk directly to this person as if he or she was there. Tell them what bothers you about them. Imagine the responses and write them down.

Step 4: Become this person. Take on the qualities that either annoy or fascinate you. Say them out loud in the first person. Fill the blank "I am _______"

Step 5: Notice these disowned qualities in yourself. Now you can re-own and integrate them in yourself.

Shadow work is incredibly hard.

But it's rewarding beyond belief.

Follow the steps mentioned above.

The progress will be slow.

But you won't want to go back once you own your shadow.

A new sense of wholeness awaits you.

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