Shadow Work Journaling

 

Shadow Work Journaling

"When you find out that there was never anything in the dark side to be afraid of... Nothing is left but to love." - Alan Watts

In adulthood, many people experience a growing desire for greater self-awareness and authenticity as well as a closer connection with others, both of which can be attained through shadow work. We suggest that this desire for awakening is a normal stage of adult development, one that has been described in the literature on the transpersonal and spiritual. Unlike the transition from adolescence to adulthood, which occurs biologically and thus automatically, the transition to greater consciousness must be intentionally chosen and then enacted. As Jung notes, "This process of coming to terms with the Other in us is well worthwhile, because in this way we get to know aspects of our nature which we would not allow anybody else to show us and which we would never have admitted."

A shadowless person is either superficially naive and shallow or profoundly immature and unconscious, it seems. Therefore, as stated by Jung, our aim is wholeness rather than goodness. As a result, our shadow work is an invocation to us, a calling forth, and it contains the seed of our potential wholeness. Each of us must exercise self-control, adopt a positive attitude, and be consistently intentional in our approach to shadow work. And none of us can avoid the discipline this work will require; it will require more rigor than technique. Shadow work can take many different forms, such as writing, mindfulness practice, meditation, or really any activity that makes you more aware of your triggers and passions.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER JOURNALING?

The purpose of shadow work is to bring the shadow self into conscious awareness. Shadow working journaling is one of the best ways to accomplish this. We have the ability to access the mind and reveal different facets of the shadow that you might be unaware of. Writing down your ideas and feelings can help you shift your perspective and see the situation from a different angle. Your shadow work journal may also serve as a mirror in which you explore your deepest feelings.

You can access your subconscious by using prompts to record your thoughts and feelings. Aside from making the process a little simpler, choosing one journal prompt at a time also makes it much less overwhelming and simpler to process. These questions are intended to push you to your limits and illuminate the darkest corners of your mind. Allow your thoughts and feelings to flow onto the pages of your journal as you write your responses to the prompts.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU JOURNAL?

This journal is highly personal, and nobody else ever needs to see it. You can be as honest and open as you possibly can in your journal. Make sure to move slowly when you're focused on journaling your shadow work. It is not necessary to devote hours to shadow work journaling. A few minutes each day can make a difference. The easiest way to write something down is to simply open a blank document or notebook and begin. You shouldn't give it too much thought.

GOOD PROMPTS TO GET STARTED WITH JOURNALING

If you're new to journaling and shadow work, I've listed some of the best shadow work prompts below that you can use. Some of these questions may be triggering, so be patient with yourself.

• Do you allow your potential to become actual?
• How naive or trusting are you?
• When was the last time you felt content?
• When are you hardest on yourself? Why?
• What triggers you? Can you identify where this came from?
• Make a list of the traits you consider to be the “worst” and "best" traits a person can have.
• Do you get along with your family? Why or why not?
• What are your toxic characteristics? How do they manifest themselves? How do you transfer these to others?
• How often do you forgive yourself?
• Who has caused you the most hurt in your life?

POST SCRIPTUM

Shadow work constantly tests the ego, overthrows it, humbles it, and occasionally even kills it. Jungian psychoanalyst Dr. James Hollis says when we do this work, we do it for more than ourselves. When we do this work, we find, in the end, that the light is in the darkness itself.

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