light & shadow

Isn’t it tempting, when reading a newspaper headline about a horrendous crime, decrying the perpetrator as being ‘evil’, to believe that ‘evil’ only exists in deviant others? It’s seductive & comforting to believe that we are kind & moral & ‘good’. It’s convenient to forget how only a few weeks ago, if we were truly honest with ourselves, we felt murderous rage towards our boss, or partner or that ‘rude & ignorant driver’ that nearly hit our car the other day? Can we be so sure, that under certain circumstances, we couldn’t or wouldn’t do unspeakable things to our fellow humans?

This post is more academic & wordy than usual. I’ll choose an easier topic next week! In this post I focus on the ideas of Jung & William Blake to encourage us to think about our ‘dark sides’. In an attempt to make these lofty concepts a little more concrete I then give 4 examples of the discussion of shadow: Dr. Jackal & Mr Hyde; Fight Club; The Picture of Dorian Gray; The Myth of Medusa.

Jung's theory of the shadow is a concept within analytical psychology developed by Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist & founder of analytical psychology. According to Jung, the shadow represents the unconscious & repressed aspects of an individual's personality. It consists of those thoughts, feelings, impulses, & desires that the individual finds unacceptable or incompatible with their self-image or societal norms.

The shadow is composed of both negative & positive aspects. On the negative side, it contains the darker & more primitive aspects of human nature, such as aggression, selfishness, greed, envy & other undesirable traits. These aspects are typically suppressed or denied by the conscious mind, but they continue to exist in the unconscious, influencing behaviour & affecting relationships.

The shadow is not solely negative. It also encompasses positive qualities & potentials that individuals may have overlooked or neglected due to societal conditioning or personal biases. These positive aspects can include creativity, vitality, spontaneity & other qualities that may be suppressed or unrecognised.

Jung emphasised the importance of acknowledging & integrating the shadow into consciousness as a means of achieving psychological wholeness & individuation. By recognising & accepting the shadow, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves & cultivate a more balanced & authentic sense of self. This process can involve exploring & confronting the shadow through self-reflection, dream analysis & other techniques to bring its contents into conscious awareness & integrate them into one's personality.

It is important to note that Jung's theory of the shadow goes beyond individual psychology & extends to collective aspects as well. He argued that the shadow can manifest in societal & cultural dynamics, leading to the projection of collective negative traits onto others or groups perceived as different. Recognising & working with the shadow at both the individual & collective levels is seen as essential for personal growth & the development of a more harmonious & compassionate society.

To honour & accept one's own shadow is a profound spiritual discipline. It is whole making & thus holy & some suggest it is the most important experience of a lifetime. Robert A. Johnson was an American author & Jungian analyst, a follower of Carl Jung's analytical psychology. Much of what follows about Jung comes from the work of Johnson. Exploring the inner world helped him tremendously. He wrote, Dr. Jung told me to spend most of my time alone, have a separate room in the house to be used for nothing but inner work, never to join any organisation or collective. Dr. Jung told Johnson that his unconscious would protect him, give him everything that he would need for his life, & that his one duty was to do his inner work. All else would follow from this. He said it was not the least important whether he accomplished anything else in this life. Since his one task was to contribute to the evolution of the collective unconscious.

Jung argued that if you trust the inner world, it'll take care of you. The world of innate wisdom is there all the time. It is a misconception to think that we produce it or earn it. It is not some other place or time, but a state of consciousness, an experience open to anyone at any time & at any place the kingdom of God is within. People often asked Jung, will we make it referring to the cataclysm of our time? He always replied, if enough people will do their inner work.

This seems a bit extreme to me but thought provoking. It is so tempting to see the main challenges in life as external events. The job, the marriage, the kids, the holiday. I find it interesting to reframe the principal human challenge as being to go within & really get to know ourselves - the good, the bad, the ugly.

There are many misconceptions regarding the concept of shadow. It is commonly seen as evil, dark & something to be avoided. However, this is not the case. The shadow is not a detached thing that is not part of oneself or the embodiment of the devil. It is a part of us. It cannot & should not be avoided for we will be going against ourselves. We all have a shadow walking behind us, both literally & metaphorically. It is a mirror image of ourselves that we cannot see. It represents those aspects that we lack. It has a compensation role that seeks to restore wholeness of personality.

For instance, the shadow of a criminal would not have murderous impulses but the opposite: including sincerity, relatedness, tenderness. The shadow of a shy person would include assertiveness, commitment, responsibility. By displaying only the pleasant parts & highlights for himself & by denying one's emotions & inner feelings. Because one wants to, for example, be liked or avoid conflict, one will build for resentment that will go directly to the shadow & be projected onto others unconsciously.

We must recognise that we are capable of both good & evil. To deny darkness is to deny half of oneself. With this in mind, most of us strive for a life of goodness, tranquility, & happiness. The shadow is not to be seen as our enemy but our friend. It contains pure gold waiting to be integrated into our personality. The shadow only becomes hostile when it is ignored or misunderstood. That is when it takes control of us because we are not willing to explore it. You can either be led & guided in life by your shadow or be dragged through life by it leading to neurotic behaviour.

So how does the shadow originate? Refused & unacceptable characteristics do not go away. They only collect in the dark corners of our personality. When they have been hidden long enough, they take a life of their own. The shadow life. If it accumulates more energy than our ego, it erupts as an overpowering rage. Someone once told Jung, how do you find your shadow? He replied, how do you find the dragon that has swallowed you?

By definition, this is a part of you that you don't know. You don't talk about your own shadow. If you can talk about it, it is already conscious & no longer shadow. As such, other people are more likely to see your shadow first. An embarrassing reality, we are all born whole, but somehow culture demands that we live out only part of our nature & refuse other parts of ourselves. We divide ourself into an ego & a shadow because our culture insists that we behave in a particular manner. This is our legacy from having eaten of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. In the garden of Eden, gaining consciousness of good & evil.

Robert writes that curiously, people resist the noble aspects of their shadow more strenuous than they hide the dark sides. To draw the skeleton out of the closet is relatively easy, but to own the gold in the shadow is terrifying. It is more disrupting to find that you have a profound ability of character than to find out you are a failure. Ignoring the shadow is to ignore the inner gold & many only discover their gold when they suffer from severe or life-threatening illness. This intense experience shows us that an important part of us is lying dormant.

The only choice is whether we will incorporate the shadow consciously & with some dignity or do it through some neurotic behaviour. The tendency to see your shadow out there, within any specific person or a group of people, is the most dangerous aspect of the modern psyche. Not only does it affect others negatively but also oneself. It's only by taking the shadow back into oneself that one can assimilate it. It must return to where it first originated & where it is required for your own wholeness.

It is common for two people's shadows to fight each other. This rarely leads anywhere as both of them are entirely at the mercy of the unconscious. To be in the presence of another’s shadow & not reply is nothing short of genius.

All our energy lies in our shadow & ignoring it makes us feel lifeless, exhausted, & lazy. A confrontation with one’s shadow fills one up with energy & stamina, which we can use for our daily tasks & work.

One can endure any suffering if it has meaning, but meaninglessness is unbearable. ‘If you know the why, you can live any how.’

Friedrich Nietzsche

Every human experience can be expressed in terms of paradox.

Day is comprehensible only in contrast to night. Masculinity has relevance only in contrast to femininity. Activity has meaning only relation to rest. Up is only possible in the presence of down.

William Blake, the English poet, artist, and mystic, often explored themes of duality and the integration of opposites in his works. The quote: ’we should go to heaven for form & to hell for energy & marry the two,' encapsulates Blake's belief in the necessity of reconciling both the light and dark aspects of the self. Most people spend their entire life energy supporting the war of opposites within themselves. This only brings the despair in the miracle of the paradox. It is good to win. It is also good to lose. It is good to have. It is also good not to have.

In Blake's philosophy, 'heaven' and 'hell' represent more than just physical places or destinations in the afterlife. They symbolise contrasting states of being and consciousness. 'Heaven' represents order, reason, harmony, and the more positive aspects of existence. On the other hand, 'hell' represents chaos, passion, desire, and the more challenging or negative aspects of existence.

Blake suggests that it is important for individuals to embrace both aspects of their nature. By going to 'heaven for form,' he implies that we should seek structure, discipline, and moral guidance. This refers to the need for a moral framework, societal rules, and a sense of order in our lives. It represents the lighter, more controlled, and virtuous side of our being.

On the other hand, by suggesting that we should go to 'hell for energy,' Blake emphasises the importance of embracing our passions, desires, and vitality. He recognises that there is inherent energy and creative power in the darker, chaotic, and more primal aspects of our nature. By exploring and accepting this side, we can tap into our creativity, emotional depth, and personal authenticity.

The idea of 'marrying the two' implies the integration and harmonisation of these contrasting elements. Blake believed that true self-realisation and fulfilment come from the synthesis of these opposites. It is not about suppressing one aspect in favour of the other but rather finding a balance and understanding that both light and dark are essential parts of our human experience.

In Blake's view, denying or repressing the darker aspects can lead to a life devoid of vitality, authenticity, and creative expression. Similarly, indulging solely in chaos and passion without any moral compass can lead to destructive behaviours and the loss of one's sense of purpose.

Ultimately, Blake's perspective encourages individuals to embrace and integrate both their light and dark aspects. By doing so, one can achieve a more complete and authentic understanding of oneself, tapping into their full potential for creativity, energy, and spiritual growth.

Fanaticism is often a sign that one has adopted one of the pair of opposites at the expenses of the other. The high energy of fanaticism is a frantic effort to keep one half of the truth at bay while the other half takes control.

Dr. Jackal & Mr Hyde

'Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde' is a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson. It tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected & honourable scientist who develops a potion that transforms him into Edward Hyde, a sinister & immoral alter ego. As Hyde, Jekyll indulges in vices & commits heinous acts without consequences. However, the transformations become increasingly difficult to control, & Jekyll realises that he is losing control over his dual nature. The story explores themes of duality, morality & the dark side of human nature.

How is this relevant to shadow side?

The story of 'Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde' is highly relevant to the concept of the shadow side. The character of Mr. Hyde represents the shadow side of Dr. Jekyll's personality, embodying his repressed desires, impulses & darker instincts. In the novella, Dr. Jekyll's attempt to separate & suppress his own shadow side through the creation of Mr. Hyde ultimately leads to his downfall. The story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of repressing or denying the shadow side within ourselves, as it can manifest in destructive & uncontrollable ways. It emphasises the importance of acknowledging, integrating, & finding balance with our own shadow side for personal growth & psychological well-being.

‘Fight Club’

'Fight Club' is a novel by Chuck Palahniuk & a film adaptation directed by David Fincher. The story revolves around an unnamed narrator who suffers from chronic insomnia & a mundane, unfulfilling life. He forms an alter ego named Tyler Durden, a charismatic & anarchistic character. Together, they create an underground fight club where men gather to engage in violent & cathartic physical confrontations. The club evolves into an anarchistic movement called Project Mayhem, which aims to disrupt & dismantle societal norms. As the story progresses, the line between reality & the narrator's fragmented psyche blurs, leading to unexpected twists & revelations about the true nature of Tyler Durden. 'Fight Club' explores themes of masculinity, identity, consumerism, & the destructive consequences of suppressing one's primal instincts.

How is this film relevant to the shadow?

'Fight Club' is highly relevant to the concept of the shadow. The character of Tyler Durden can be seen as a manifestation of the narrator's repressed & unconscious desires, representing his shadow side. Tyler Durden embodies qualities such as rebellion, aggression & anarchy that the narrator suppresses in his daily life. The formation of the fight club & later Project Mayhem can be seen as the narrator's attempt to confront & embrace his shadow side, to rebel against societal constraints & express his true, authentic self.

The film delves into the psychological journey of the narrator as he grapples with his own identity & the duality of his nature. It explores the destructive consequences that arise when the shadow side is ignored, denied, or allowed to run rampant without conscious integration. The story emphasises the importance of acknowledging & integrating the shadow to achieve personal growth & psychological wholeness. By confronting & accepting the darker aspects of the self, the narrator ultimately gains self-awareness & a better understanding of his own identity.

'The Picture of Dorian Gray'

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a novel by Oscar Wilde. It follows the story of a young & handsome man named Dorian Gray, who becomes the subject of a portrait painted by the talented artist Basil Hallward. As Dorian admires his portrait, he expresses a desire to remain forever young & beautiful, while the portrait ages & bears the burden of his sins & immoral actions.

Dorian's wish mysteriously comes true, & he remains youthful & unscathed by the passage of time, while the portrait gradually reveals the effects of his corrupt & decadent lifestyle. Dorian indulges in various vices, leading to a series of immoral acts & destructive relationships. He becomes obsessed with his own beauty & pursues a life of pleasure & hedonism, all while his portrait serves as a reflection of his true inner self.

As the novel progresses, Dorian's actions become increasingly heinous & the portrait becomes increasingly grotesque & distorted. Haunted by the consequences of his choices, Dorian becomes consumed by guilt & paranoia. In the end, faced with the horrifying image of his own corrupted portrait, Dorian seeks to destroy it, leading to his own demise.

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' explores themes of vanity, morality, the pursuit of pleasure & the consequences of unchecked desires. It serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of living a life solely focused on external appearances & the suppression of one's conscience.

How is it relevant to our shadow side?

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is highly relevant to the concept of the shadow side. Dorian Gray's portrait can be seen as a metaphorical representation of his shadow self. The portrait absorbs & reflects the consequences of Dorian's immoral actions, while he maintains an outwardly pristine & youthful appearance.

Dorian's journey can be seen as a battle with his own shadow. He becomes entranced by his own beauty & desires, indulging in a life of hedonism & moral decay. By separating his external image from his inner reality, Dorian attempts to repress & deny his shadow side. However, the portrait serves as a reminder of the hidden darkness within him, ultimately leading to his own downfall.

The novel explores the theme of the shadow side & the consequences of denying or suppressing it. Dorian's refusal to acknowledge & integrate his shadow leads to its gradual magnification & distortion in the portrait. It illustrates the dangers of not confronting one's inner demons & the destructive power that arises when the shadow is left unchecked.

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' serves as a cautionary tale, emphasising the importance of recognising & accepting one's shadow side as an integral part of the self. It highlights the need for self-reflection, moral accountability & the pursuit of inner harmony to avoid succumbing to the destructive forces that the shadow can unleash.

How does the Greek Myth of Medusa illustrate our shadow side?

In Greek mythology, Medusa is a well-known figure associated with the Gorgons, a group of monstrous creatures with snakes for hair & the ability to turn anyone who looked at them into stone. Among the Gorgons, Medusa is the most famous & is often depicted as a terrifying & powerful creature.

According to the myth, Medusa was originally a beautiful mortal woman with long, flowing hair. However, she caught the attention of the sea god Poseidon & they engaged in a sexual encounter within the temple of Athena. Outraged by this defilement of her sacred space, Athena punished Medusa by transforming her into a hideous monster with snakes for hair & a gaze that could turn anyone to stone.

Medusa's monstrous appearance & deadly gaze might represent the darker aspects of femininity & the destructive power of the shadow side. She embodies the potential consequences that can arise when one confronts their own inner darkness or attempts to violate sacred boundaries. In some interpretations, Medusa is seen as a symbol of female rage, power, & the threat posed by female sexuality if not controlled or repressed.

In mythological stories, Medusa is often depicted as a formidable foe & is eventually slain by the hero Perseus. Perseus successfully beheads her by using a mirrored shield to avoid looking directly at her, thereby avoiding her petrifying gaze. He later uses her severed head as a weapon, turning enemies to stone with its power.

The story of Medusa serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked or distorted power, the consequences of violating boundaries, & the need to confront & integrate the shadow side. It highlights the importance of balance & understanding in the face of the darker aspects of human nature.

Medusa’s monstrous appearance & deadly gaze represent the shadow's capacity for terror, destruction & the petrification of those who confront it. Medusa embodies the darker aspects of femininity & the potential consequences of facing one's own inner darkness. It emphasise the importance of recognising & integrating these aspects into a balanced & harmonious whole.

Wow, this turned out to be a rather long & academic post. I’ll be sure to write something a little lighter next week! I hope the idea of shadow by Jung & William Blake have proved thought provoking. And the examples I took from literature & Greek myth also illuminating. It is not good that makes us holy. It is the union of both good & evil that gives way to the transcendent.

One final thought: we are pressingly dealing with the accumulation of a whole society that has worshiped the light side & refused the dark. The residue of this collective denial, & the subsequent projection of our shadows’ onto others, appears as war, economic chaos, strikes & racial intolerance. To stand a chance of survival, we must integrate our shadow & be whole whether we like it or not.