What is shadow work according to Jung?

Shadow work comes from the term “the shadow self,” which was coined by famed 20th-century psychologist Carl Jung. In Jungian psychology, this term describes the unconscious parts of the personality that our conscious ego doesn’t want to identify in itself.

What does it mean to do shadow work?

Shadow work involves getting in touch with the parts of yourself that you’ve repressed — or what many might refer to as their “dark side.” It’s called “shadow work,” and involves “diving into the unconscious material that shapes our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors,” according to therapist Akua Boateng, Ph. D.

What is shadow work in psychotherapy?

Shadow is a zapping energy that lurks in the area of emotional suffering caused to oneself or to another. Shadow is often the very issue that brings someone into therapy, although they may not recognize that aspect of themselves when they begin therapy.

How do you integrate a shadow self?

How Do We Integrate Our Shadow?

1. Your shadow self is part of you. But it doesn’t define you.
2. Journal your revelations. As you discover hidden parts of yourself, it is crucial to write it out.
3. Pay attention to your reactions.
4. Don’t second guess or intellectualize your intuition.
5. Shadow Work Is a Lifetime Process.

How do I accept my shadow self?

How to Accept Your Shadow Self

1. Make a list of 5 positive qualities that you see yourself as having (e.g., compassionate, generous, witty, etc.)
2. Look at each positive quality that you wrote down – describe its opposite (e.g., unfeeling, stingy, dull, etc.)

How can I face my shadow self?

How do I get in touch with my shadow self?

Here are simple ways to begin your shadow work.

1. Review your childhood. Ask yourself:
2. Become aware of your shadow. We are unaware of the shadow in the same way we can’t see in the darkness.
3. Don’t shame the shadow. Once you become aware of your shadow self, don’t shame or blame it.
4. Use Your Triggers.
5. Observe without judgment.

What are shadow qualities?

What is the Shadow? The shadow is the “dark side” of our personality because it consists chiefly of primitive, negative human emotions and impulses like rage, envy, greed, selfishness, desire, and the striving for power. (However, we cut ourselves off from many of our best qualities too.

What happens after you integrate your shadow?

Shadow includes everything outside the light of consciousness and may be positive or negative. Integrating the shadow leads to greater integrity and healing in relationship to the hidden and perhaps more negative parts of the psyche.

Why does Carl Jung believe in shadow work?

Jung’s belief that healers must work with their own shadows in order to be in integrity and to help others effectively. For this reason, Shadow Work® facilitators and coaches are required to continue their own growth work in order to maintain their certification.

When does the shadow appear in Jungian analysis?

The shadow appears at the beginning of the Jungian analysis and for a long time during the analytical effort. The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort.

What are the benefits of Jungian shadow work?

Let’s look at five benefits that result from Jungian shadow work: As you integrate your shadow side and come to terms with your darker half, you see yourself more clearly. You become more grounded, human, and whole. When you can accept your own darker parts, it is easier to accept the shadow in others.

Where can I find more about the shadow concept?

More about the shadow concept may be found in Carl Jung’s book The Relation between the Ego and the Unconscious, published in Volume 7 of the Collected Works. You can order this book from Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2ySZ2xj. Our paper entitled The Meaning of a Dream with Shadow, illustrates the occurrence and function of shadow in our dreams.