Shadow's work was first brought to mainstream attention through the psychologist and behavioral therapist Carl Jung. As per Jung, everybody has a shadow self, which needs to be integrated. The less the person integrates the shadow and expresses it openly, the blacker and denser it will be. Additionally, the shadow will often project its failings onto other people.
The Topic Summarized:
·The shadow refers to those aspects of our personality that we are not aware of because it doesn’t fit in with our identity.
· The danger with ignoring the shadow is it can lead to a situation where it becomes almost impossible for us to like ourselves.
· Working with the shadow allows us to slowly begin removing the obstacles to unconditional love.
Shadow Work and Addiction
Shadow work is an important part of dealing with substance abuse and other addictions.
Sure, it’s possible to stop using drugs or stop a particular behavior without shadow work. However, taking that approach always leaves open the possibility of relapse. Without shadow work, a person in recovery of an addiction won’t be able to truly understand the source of their problem and will thus be at risk for falling into the same patterns of behavior.
It is possible to do your own shadow work, but one of the reasons that a #recoverycoach is important is because shadow work requires a huge degree of honesty with yourself. A good recovery coach, as part of a #holisticaddictionrecovery will be relatable and compassionate and will patiently guide you through this challenging process. He or she will be able to help you figure out why you acted a certain way and will help you find ways to replace that behavior with a more positive attribute.
Transformation Comes From a Place of Acceptance, Not Rejection
Shadow work allows us to integrate the parts of ourselves that we have long resisted, so we may act consciously instead of having our subconscious shadow-driving behavior. The key to transforming the negative aspects of ourselves is through accepting and finding love or appreciation for the parts we don’t like. Only then can we finally be free from the burden of fear that our shadow operates on.
Shadow work, while uncomfortable and possibly even painful in the moment, is extremely important if lasting #recovery from substance abuse or behavior addiction is to be achieved.
As Carl Jung said, “What you resist persists.” We can never run away from the negative parts of ourselves, and when we try to, they undermine us and become even more powerful, negative forces in our lives. Our shadow, when left ignored, can manifest into #addiction, #codependency, lack of #mentalhealth, chronic disease, and much more. Doing the necessary shadow work to integrate the darkness within us will help stop our subconscious from controlling us and wreaking havoc on our lives. Shadow work is a valuable component to a recovery program and is offered at Centre for Wholeness & Well Being.
At Centre for Wholeness & Well Being, we offer #holisticaddictionrecovery and #transformationaladdictiontreatment, along with #integrativementalhealth programs; including yoga, art therapy, writing therapy, critical alignment, Compassionate Inquiry, breath work, meditation and counseling to help our members heal their mind, body, and spirit as part of their treatment for #addiction and mental health concerns. Through the use of these integrative healing modalities in our comprehensive
#transformationaladdictiontreatment programs, we will help you find recovery and acceptance of your whole self–shadow and all. Call or text us today at 587-323-4246 .
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