According to Carl Jung, we have two sides to ourselves. The ‘the “Persona” and “Shadow Self.” ‘Persona-self,’ according to Jung, defines what we would like to be and how we wish to be seen by the world. Persona means ‘mask.’ The masks we wear to show the world who we ‘think’ we are or who we like to be.
The ‘Shadow Self’ is a hidden part of the unconscious mind and is composed of inhibited: ideas, perversions, instincts, impulses, weaknesses, desires, and embarrassing fears. We are not always consciously aware of these traits all the time; they are reactive when we are triggered. Otherwise, they are kept hidden for you.
To know the shadow sides of oneself is the very compassion we need for ourselves and others. The raw humanness that we are different but so alike and there is nothing to hide, because nothing is ever hidden. Hidden agendas are always in plain sight if we just look for the obvious. We are all on this journey together working it out.
Shadows are present in everything.
We all judge ourselves and others, like it or not. We have grand ideas and opinions about how to behave in the world, and how others do too.
We have repressed desires that can be daunting and undesirable to the surface life. It is our hidden secrets that sometimes drives our dark behaviors.
If you’re truly honest about self-discoveries during your journey here on Mother Earth, you will come across many hidden aspects and traits about yourself and in others that you will find difficult, if not completely disturbing to accept. The ticket to ride is ‘a knowing,’ an ‘awareness’ and ‘Acceptance.’ That shadows are a part of life and taking ownership is liberating.
To completely understand what it means to experience self-love, we must be willing to know and own up, accept, not necessarily like, the shadow parts of ourselves and that which resides in others.
The long journey into the night of the subconscious soul can get messy; it is a time to call out the warrior in yourself and to be courageous when you find the dark treasures that lurk within. Otherwise, every time we condemn or call someone out for their shadow traits, we’re in essence condemning our disingenuous selves in the act. Dolby Dubrow
I know yours because I know my own. Do you know your own to deal with someone else’s? And at times, it is “dealing”; it’s a negotiation just to survive it sometimes.~ Molly Field
"Just Another BlaH BlaH BlaH BloG." 