Dr. Rick and Forrest explore one of the most interesting concepts in psychology: Carl Jung’s concept of the shadow. The shadow includes “the things a person has no wish to be,” the uncomfortable aspects of ourselves that we deny or ignore. Facing those parts can be difficult, but becoming aware of the shadow, accepting it, and integrating it allows us to embrace all of who we are and become our true self.
In this episode of the Being Well Podcast, they start by explaining what the shadow is, where it comes from, and why it’s valuable. Rick shares some examples of shadow material, what we lose by leaving them behind, and how we can start reintegrating them on the path to becoming our true self. Forrest talks about modern approaches to shadow work, and viewing the shadow through a less dualistic lens. They then map out the “typical” path of what is usually a highly individualized process.
Hope you enjoy it!
Key Topics:
- 0:00: Introduction
- 1:50: Defining the shadow – things we leave out, or don’t care to know
- 4:30: Individuation
- 12:05: Some examples of shadow material
- 18:35: What do we lose by not incorporating the shadow?
- 24:10: Agency, creativity, authenticity, and unrecognized capabilities
- 27:50: Patience, knowing your why, inner refuge, and befriending parts
- 33:00: Acceptance, awareness of projection, and being in dialog with our shadow
- 39:10: Deliberate practice, stepping into the wild, and showing curiosity
- 47:25: The golden shadow, and accepting impulses vs. acting on them
- 56:30: Recap
Forrest is now writing on Substack, check out his work there.
