In Carl Jung’s concept of Individuation, one must fully confront and accept their shadow self. Jung compares this journey to the fable of a hero who must confront a dragon to get to the “treasure that is hardest to obtain.” The one who is able to recognize and explore all aspects of their shadow self, while still remaining civilized, is the one who... See more

Individuation

“Individuation is a process of transformation whereby the personal and collective unconscious are brought into consciousness (e.g., by means of dreams, active imagination, or free association) to be assimilated into the whole personality. It is a completely natural process necessary for the integration of the psyche... Individuation

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The Unconscious mind can be accessed in a variety of ways, from traditional meditation, to more experimental forms such as psychedelics. Any confrontation with the unconscious is beneficial, even the scarier experiences. Dreams are also another great way of accessing the unconscious, you can read this article to learn more about dream work.

Another... See more

There are four basic steps in Jungian Shadow Work

1. Accept the truth that our shadow traits cannot be repressed out of existence.


2. Introspect and accept the root of each shadow trait.


3. Work to bring aspects of shadow traits into the light.


4. Allow shadow traits to express themselves in healthy ways.

Shadow work is the practice of facing one’s own unconscious through the practice of introspection

Carl Jung realized that mental-balance cannot exist without a direct confrontation with the Shadow. This confrontation requires an individual to explore and acknowledge every aspect of their Shadow, no matter how grotesque it may be.

The act of simply acknowledging shadow traits, and accepting them into reality, will bring more balance to the mental... See more

How to Make Peace with the Shadow

“The shadow is a living part of the personality and therefore wants to live with it in some form. It cannot be argued out of existence or rationalized into harmlessness.”

Carl Jung

Insecurity

If one is unable to accept their Shadow, it can lead to low self-esteem. If an individual brands and labels certain parts of themselves as “dirty,” or “embarrassing,” it can lead to a generally negative self-perception. If left untreated, this negative self-perception is capable of enveloping one’s entire psyche. This could produce... See more

Shadow traits may come out as rudeness or ill-intent. Have you ever been around someone who rubs you wrong, even though you haven’t done anything to them? They may be Shadow possessed, and giving off bad energy because of their own discomfort.