When we look into
the light, a shadow is naturally cast behind us. This shadow is largely
ignored, hidden from our awareness. When we seek spiritual enlightenment, we
often ignore the negative aspects of ourselves and of life. The focus is on
“love and light.” This is one the blind spots that I see in the New Age
Movement. This is called "spiritual bypass."
In order to awaken,
we need to recognize and transform that which lies hidden, in what Carl Jung
called, "the shadow." Normally, we are blind to these disowned parts
within our psyche. Instead, we project them onto others. When we see our shadow
in them we react strongly—either by fearing them, judging them or in the case
of the "shiny shadow," worshipping what we see. We often labeling
them as angry, bossy, selfish or the opposite beautiful, brilliant or gifted.
Below is a 6-Step
Process for transforming your shadow into your ally. This practice is inspired
by discoveries I made in doing my own shadow work and while working with
clients. It was further validated and expanded after I was introduced to the
book, Feeding Your Demons by Tsultrim
Allione. I was delighted to discover that the process I had developed was very
similar to an ancient Tibetan Buddhist practice called Chod.
Step 1: Enter Your
Sacred Garden and Find the Cave of Transformation
See yourself
standing before the gate of your Sacred Garden. Notice the size shape and
texture of the gate. Enter your garden now! Notice the path beneath your feet.
Allow your senses to become activated. Explore your garden. Notice it the
sights, sounds, smells, and textures. What type of garden are you in? Is it
formal or wild? Is it vast or small? Does it have a particular theme--such as
Japanese, English or a Balinese Temple Garden?
Now direct your
attention to finding a cave that is here in your garden. This is the Cave of
Transformation. Focus your attention on the path and allow yourself to be
guided to where the cave is located. As you enter the cave you will notice that
it is lit by a soft glow emitted from the walls and air around you. Explore the
cave until you find an area with a pool. Near the pool notice there is a
comfortable place to sit down.
Step 2: Finding the
Shadow
Sit quietly and
take 7 deep belly breaths. Ask, "How has the shadow been showing up in
your life recently?" It may take the form of a repeating pattern in your
life that you react to with aversion or attraction. Call this shadow-part to
you in the Cave. Allow it to take form in front of you. Notice its size, shape,
color and texture. Does it feel hot or cold? Does it make a sound? Does it have
a smell?
Step 3: Allow the Shadow to Become Personified.
Once the initial
form is clear, invite it to become personified, by giving it eyes, a mouth,
arms and legs. Let you imagination be free to produce the image. Accept what
shows up, even if it seems weird or silly. Don’t let your rational mind censor
what is being revealed. This makes it easier for you to communicate with it.
Next, you are going to communicate with your shadow to learn about its
perspective, how it experiences life.
Ask your shadow
these two questions. 1.) What do you need? 2.) How will you feel if you get
what you need? In order to discover the answers to these questions you are
going to step into the body/form of your shadow. Now, ask the two questions out loud.
Step 4: Become the
Shadow and discover what it needs.
You are now going
switch places with the shadow and take on its form and perspective. As you step into the shadow feel its shape,
size, form and energy. Let the shadow answer the first question aloud, in the
first person. What I need is . . .
In this process you
want to discover what the shadow needs, not what it wants. Often,
the first answer is a want, instead of the deeper need. Giving it only what it
wants, addresses the symptoms and not the need. Once it states the need, make
sure and clarify that this is what it needs, not just what it wants. Until
the underlying need is met, the shadow will continue to operate in the
dark.
Now, ask the second
question. How will you feel if you get what you need? This is the deeper
question that will reveal what this shadow-part needs in order to be
transformed. Here is an example- If this
shadow-part's issue is control, it might answer: “I will feel like I can trust
life fully.” Then you will give this shadow-part trust. By giving it the trust
its desires, rather then the control it wants, the shadow is transformed.
Step 5: Transform
the Shadow and Meet the Ally
The time has come
to transform the shadow. Return to your body. Take a moment to settle back into
your own awareness. See the shadow-part in front of you. Notice the Pool of
Transformation near by. Walk over to the pool, use your intention and transformed
water into the essence of what the shadow told you it would feel when its need
was met. The pool can be transformed into whatever quality or emotion is
needed such as, truth, love, power or compassion. For example, if it said, “I
will feel like I can trust life fully." See the pool as the essence of
trust and the shadow-part absorbing it fully.
Invite the
shadow-part to enter the Pool of Transformation. See the shadow drinking in
what it needs through its mouth or through the pores of its skin, or taking it
in some other way. Imagine that there is an infinite supply of this essence,
and that the pool's essence is unlimited. While the shadow bathes in the pool,
watch it carefully, as it most likely will begin to change. When the
shadow-part has taken in everything it needs until it is completely satisfied,
it frequently shape-shifts into a new form, it may become something completely
new or disappear into mist.
The ally may appear
as an animal, human, mythic god or bodhisattva. Always ask, Are you my ally? If it replies, no, then invite another ally
to appear. When you see it clearly, take a few minutes to communicate with your
ally. Discover what gifts it has for you. How you connect with it in the
future? Finally, ask it to become one with you and merge together.
Step 6: Return Home
When the ally has
been integrated, dissolve into spacious Awareness, which may feel like
emptiness, freedom or being whole, even if this experience lasts only briefly,
it is a returning home to the Self. Offer gratitude and leave the cave. Make
your way back through the garden to the Gate. Step through it, back into this
room, this moment. When you are ready open your eyes.
By reclaiming our
shadow, we not only find more love and compassion for others, we tap into vast
new resources within ourselves. These resources can enrich our lives and
relationships. I hope you found this practice helpful.
This may be shared as
long as no content is changed and full credit is given to author and copyright
symbol is present. © Crystal Dawn
Morris 2011-2014
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