The need for shadow work in order to come to a greater understanding of our own inner dialogue and our conscious self is a task often undervalued in Western culture, where introspection and looking within are not always on top of the list of priorities. Understanding the shadow self: the path towards greater conscious awareness The key to overcoming this is called shadow work. Without a solid understanding of the shadow part of ourselves, and without the ability to confront our shadow selves can lead us to feel triggered unexpectedly, or lead us towards certain behaviors and emotional reactions that prevent us from deep healing or being our authentic self. In other words, shadow aspects like limiting beliefs, past trauma buried deep within ourselves, low self esteem, dark thoughts and negative past experiences can sneak up on us. Jung perceived that neurosis (mental health issues) are often caused by a separation between ego-consciousness and the rich inner-life of the unconscious. But as long as he is unable to control his moods and emotions, or to be conscious of the myriad of secret ways in which unconscious factors insinuate themselves into his arrangements and decisions, he is certainly not his own master. In Man and His Symbols, Jung writes:Ī man likes to believe that he is the master of his soul. The magnitude of the unconscious can’t be understated. Jung’s exploration of the unconscious implies that there is a vast intelligence in ourselves that, in many ways, runs the show from behind the scenes. That which isn’t is understood as our shadow self, the shadow side of our psyche that resides in the unconscious.

For Jung, the ego is the conscious part of the mind, the contents of which are illuminated by the light of awareness.

I am a shadow the true self