We all have characteristics that we don’t like, disagree with, or even wish we didn’t exist. These feelings of self are natural, and everyone has felt them before. It is referred to as the “shadow self.”
Your shadow side might not be the most favorable part of you, and you may wish it wasn’t there, but it is part of what makes us who we are. This shadow exists due to a negative experience growing up. We may feel uncomfortable with this “ominous” side and want to repress it. Think of it as a Yin and Yang and find balance.
The darkness is the part of the self we keep hidden from ourselves. It is a psychological term that describes an aspect of a person’s personality that the individual does not want to acknowledge.
What The Spiritual Self Does
The shadow side is the inner dialogue of an individual’s personality or repressed desires. It is often seen as a reflection of one’s true nature and may be considered shameful or dangerous.
The term “shadow” was coined by Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. In his theory on the collective unconscious, which he described as a “second soul” he speaks of how this would usually be the side we’re not proud of. He also refers to it as the one we repress because of severe trauma or negative experience. The shadow work of self can also be seen as an archetype in some philosophies, such as Jungian psychology.
Understanding The Shadow Types According To Jungian Psychology
According to Jung, the shadow is buried deep because it is something that society frowns on and shunts because these might be “darker” desires, lusts, wants, even anger and other emotions. Therefore many folks seek to put it out of their minds and pretend it doesn’t exist.
People suppressing their negative traits often wear a social mask for acceptance in society.
Examples of shadow self types
- The Victim – This shadowy self is a product of the person’s past. They have been abused or neglected. The person might resort to self-blame and blaming others for how they feel.
- The Rescuer -This shadow self is the opposite of the victim. They never want to be in a position where they need help. And instead, they want to help others.
- The Pleaser – This type of personality is someone who tries to please everyone to avoid conflict or confrontation.
- The Perfectionist – The perfectionist needs everything to be perfect all the time. They will never feel like they have done enough and constantly push themselves harder. Still, this approach can lead to burnout.
Core Concepts Of Shadow Work According To Carl Jung
Jung’s work also focused on certain aspects which form a pivotal role in why low self-esteem and other negative feelings exist. He believed that we have the ability to want to balance ourselves, and that may be what the mind tries to achieve in some ways by having a “good” and a “dark” side.
What happens, for instance, is that an overly angry person may also be very gentle and less angry. Because the person has both traits deeply set within themselves, it seems that it is intended for balance.
- Collective Unconsciousness – this is the “untapped” part of the mind which may have ancestral, maybe even primordial consciousness. Psychedelics could “unlock” this part of the mind during a trip or psychedelic journey.
- Archetypes – Two main archetypes in human personality or consciousness manifest in how we react to life. For instance, a “warrior type person” a warrior is strong and independent, and fierce, and this also describes the way a “warrior type” person acts. A “hero type” type is often seen as caring, open, intelligent and reliable, to name a few.
- Dynamic psych energy refers to the “good” and “bad,” if you will. Carl Jung speaks of our personality wanting to balance by incorporating polar aspects. For instance, aggressive and non-aggressive to create a somewhat neutral response.
The shadow is a part of the psyche representing the repressed parts of one’s personality. The shadow can be described as an unconscious, instinctual and primitive force.
A person’s shadow typically includes traits that are not acceptable to society, such as feelings of anger, resentment, and jealousy. It also has all those qualities we hide from ourselves and others because they are “unacceptable” or “taboo.”
How To Deal With A Negative Or Shadow Traits Of Ourselves
As mentioned earlier, the “darker side” is a part of ourselves that we do not like and try to avoid. It can be seen as the part of our personality that is more selfish, self-centered, aggressive, and less in control. It can also be seen as the part of our personality that is more emotional and less logical.
A traumatic experience may have created the unconscious conscious. These include past and recent negative events, neglect or abandonment, physical or psychological abuse, etc.
FAQs
Is the shadow self the ego?
Not exactly. Shadow self and ego are two different aspects of your personality. In psychology theories, the ego is who you are when you’re yourself. However, a persona “mask” is also put on to fit in with society’s expectations.
Shadow, on the other hand, is the shadow manifestations that are often suppressed to “fit in” and be accepted. Shadow self is described as the dark side since it’s something we’re not usually proud of.
“Self” combines the “ego” and “shadow self,” and together, they create a balance called self which is who you truly are with positive aspects and negatives included.
Conclusion
Jung believed that everyone had a shadow side, and this side, even if it wasn’t created as a result of trauma, it is still there. Because people have certain wants and desires, the opportunity for the shadow self to exist is possible for anyone. It does not discriminate against race, ideology, or religion.
If you are dealing with part of you that you’re not happy with, you can get therapy to help balance your shadow and light sides. Allow yourself to live in harmony with who you are as a whole person.
