Shadow – a space where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. As I was reflecting today – it’s been one of my quieter ones – I connected with my feelings about several incidents that have happened to me lately. Petty acts of vandalism designed, I’m sure, to inconvenience me have been happening. However, three of those have had the potential to cause physical harm to me or other people. I’m sure the person responsible hasn’t considered the consequences of their actions. I’m also sure that they have justified their actions in one way or another as being appropriate.

What they are missing out is to understand their own Shadow side. We all have emotions that can block the Light within us. Those emotions can generate thought and actions which are harmful to others. What we don’t realise is that these feelings and thoughts are always harmful to us too. In his book Manual of the Warrior of Light, Paulo Coelho writes

“When somebody wants something, the whole Universe conspires in their favour. The warrior of light knows this.

For this reason he takes great care with his thoughts. Hidden beneath a whole series of good intentions lie feelings that no one dares confess to himself: vengeance, self-destruction, guilt, fear of winning, a macabre joy at other people’s tragedies.

The Universe does not judge; it conspires in favour of what we want. That is why the warrior has the courage to look into the dark places of his soul in order to ensure that he is not asking for the wrong things.

And he is always very careful about what he thinks.”

Keeping our Shadow side hidden from ourselves means that we ignore a part of the energy that we are broadcasting to others. We are wearing a blindfold, perhaps even thinking that we are kind, helpful or caring, when the energy underneath draws to it the opposite.We also forget that the Universe will deliver on that energy just as much as on the positive requests we make. It’s even possible for the Shadow energy to cancel out all of the positive manifesting energy we generate so that we end up stuck.

So how do we deal with our Shadow self? Carl Jung said “Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darkness of other people.” Allowing yourself to have a Shadow side is the first step. Be honest with yourself about what you feel. Track down where your thoughts are leading you. Admit that there are some feelings & thoughts that make you want to lash out, to harm or hurt. It’s much safer to acknowledge that you are capable of anything than to fool yourself you aren’t. Then look for ways to channel that energy in safe ways. For example, if you are angry, rather than lashing out with verbal or physical blows, or bottling the energy up, use that energy as a force to move you forward. Divert the energy into doing something to change your situation, to be active or to create. I often paint my anger out. It’s fascinating how the energy vibration of the pictures can change as I transform from angry to creative.

Let the free flow of your whole emotional energy bring you to a deeper understanding of your Shadow. Allow yourself to practice looking at it, exploring it and reducing it’s influence over your life. Make yourself whole – embrace your Light & Shadow.

Day 76 of my blogging challenge.