Most spiritual teachers will give you 100s of positive examples of how we create our own reality, but when it comes to something negative, we like to try to turn the responsibility back to fate. Frequently, when something negative happens to us, resentment, anger and fear begin to take over making it difficult to avoid blaming others or to blame circumstances that are seemingly beyond our control. By following this path, we sometimes gain sympathy from others, and validate our feelings of self-pity, which is a reward of sorts. And when confronted with the possibility that we have created our problems, our response is to state that we would never choose to create something so negative for ourselves. In this way, people often try to rationalize the idea that there must be some exceptions to the concept that we create our own reality, but as many have found, this is simply a way of giving up our power and remaining stuck in the illusion of helplessness.
It is possible to take personal responsibility for our unwanted experiences in such a way that we take back the power to create our lives in a healthier and more fulfilling way. The mystery of personal responsibility for all our experience begins to clear up when we begin to understand that who we are is much more than what happens in our conscious mind. We have a deeper side to our identity that most know very little about and for the most part are completely unaware. This deeper side is often called the unconscious mind. Many psychological processes take place within the unconscious that have a powerful effect on our lives. By gaining a better understanding of it, we will be better able to deal with our experiences of powerlessness and transform them into a life of greater freedom and accomplishment and in so doing, become the person we are meant to be.
It is possible to take personal responsibility for our unwanted experiences in such a way that we take back the power to create our lives in a healthier and more fulfilling way. The mystery of personal responsibility for all our experience begins to clear up when we begin to understand that who we are is much more than what happens in our conscious mind. We have a deeper side to our identity that most know very little about and for the most part are completely unaware. This deeper side is often called the unconscious mind. Many psychological processes take place within the unconscious that have a powerful effect on our lives. By gaining a better understanding of it, we will be better able to deal with our experiences of powerlessness and transform them into a life of greater freedom and accomplishment and in so doing, become the person we are meant to be.
In our society and especially when we are growing up, if we express feelings such as anger or jealousy, or other socially unacceptable behavior, we are often told by our parents to “stop it” or “don’t do that” which is a message to take our feelings and shove them inside. At first we may not do this well, but with repeated commands from our parents each time we experience these feelings, soon we develop skill at shoving our unwanted feelings inside. Eventually, we learn to do this automatically and the process becomes unconscious. We don’t even know we are doing it. These unwanted feeling are known as Shadow Aspects.
The shadow is the nothing more than emotions we ignore, bury, or attempt to forget. Emotions are a lot like energy, it cant be destroyed. So when you try to get rid of emotion it will eventually resurface in our reality, as if to say "hello, im still here!" So, if we want to get to know our Shadow Self, all we need to do is look at the condition of our life. Unwanted experiences are actually a reflection of our own Shadow Self. The Shadow Self exists because, rather than heal the feelings that have created it, for one reason or another, you chose to ignore and deny them. If you are to heal, it is necessary to reverse the process by paying attention to the Shadow Self and accept it as part of yourself. When you begin to do this, only then is it possible to heal.
There is no wrong or right way to face you shadow, I like to write about it. Some like to meditate on them, some like to talk to other people about there shadow. It doesn't matter how you approach this issue as long as you make the step to approach it. If you are willing to admit that part of you exists you are ahead of most the population. For those of you who have no idea where to start I have a short journal exercise you can try, that is great for beginners.
Our shadows exist to teach us, guide us and give us the blessing of our entire selves. They are resources for us to expose and explore. The feelings that we have suppressed are desperate to be integrated into ourselves. They are only harmful when they are repressed: then they can pop up at the least opportune times. Their sneak attacks will handicap you in the areas of your life that mean the most.
Your life will be transformed when you make peace with your shadow. The caterpillar will become a breathtakingly beautiful butterfly. You will no longer have to pretend to be someone you’re not. You will no longer have to prove you’re good enough. When you embrace your shadow you will no longer have to live in fear.
Have a great day!!!
The shadow is the nothing more than emotions we ignore, bury, or attempt to forget. Emotions are a lot like energy, it cant be destroyed. So when you try to get rid of emotion it will eventually resurface in our reality, as if to say "hello, im still here!" So, if we want to get to know our Shadow Self, all we need to do is look at the condition of our life. Unwanted experiences are actually a reflection of our own Shadow Self. The Shadow Self exists because, rather than heal the feelings that have created it, for one reason or another, you chose to ignore and deny them. If you are to heal, it is necessary to reverse the process by paying attention to the Shadow Self and accept it as part of yourself. When you begin to do this, only then is it possible to heal.
There is no wrong or right way to face you shadow, I like to write about it. Some like to meditate on them, some like to talk to other people about there shadow. It doesn't matter how you approach this issue as long as you make the step to approach it. If you are willing to admit that part of you exists you are ahead of most the population. For those of you who have no idea where to start I have a short journal exercise you can try, that is great for beginners.
- Write down the names of at least five people (living or dead) who inspire you. Alongside each name, identify one positive quality that they embody.
- Acknowledge that in order to recognize these qualities, they must be in you. They are already “yours.”
- Assume the direct opposite of each quality.
- Take a moment to recognize and acknowledge that each “negative” quality must also be yours. Now ask:
- “How do you serve me?” and “What must I learn from you?”
Our shadows exist to teach us, guide us and give us the blessing of our entire selves. They are resources for us to expose and explore. The feelings that we have suppressed are desperate to be integrated into ourselves. They are only harmful when they are repressed: then they can pop up at the least opportune times. Their sneak attacks will handicap you in the areas of your life that mean the most.
Your life will be transformed when you make peace with your shadow. The caterpillar will become a breathtakingly beautiful butterfly. You will no longer have to pretend to be someone you’re not. You will no longer have to prove you’re good enough. When you embrace your shadow you will no longer have to live in fear.
Have a great day!!!