
Psychological Projection is the projection of one’s own shadow traits upon someone else, or even a group of people. Below, are a few examples of what these tentacles may look like to an observer. The Shadow cannot be destroyed, and even if it is repressed into the darkness, its tentacles will still surface. Repression, or failure to embrace the Shadow is a recipe for psychological trouble. He also knew that it can do a lot of damage to one’s psyche if not integrated. We also know that it is dangerous to suppress it, because the unconscious is life and this life turns against us if suppressed, as happens in neurosis.” Carl JungĬarl Jung discovered that the Shadow can provide great insight and revelation. “If we understand anything of the unconscious, we know that it cannot be swallowed.

These topics include Neurosis of the Shadow, Individuation and Making Peace with the Shadow. This article will cover a few aspects of the Shadow. Or maybe your creativity was neglected because you were taught that it less valuable than “hard skills.” This is why Shadow Integration is such an important tool for making progress in the process of Individuation– a term coined by Carl Jung which represents the journey a mind must undergo to achieve wholeness. Maybe you have associated your natural assertiveness with shame, because you were disciplined away from it at a young age. Shadow traits can also be positive aspects of a personality. For example, in the case of sexual taboo, you may have heard that certain behaviors or desires are not acceptable by your family, so you hide them- thus, the urge is cast into the shadow- only to show itself when the environment is safe from judgement, or even repressed away completely. These characteristics are thoughts, desires, wishes, feelings, cravings and urges that one’s own ego does not accept. Shadow characteristics are mostly formed by shame.

The Shadow is composed of hidden aspects of an individual’s personality that are deemed as “unacceptable,” and tucked away into the hidden parts of their mind. One of his most powerful discoveries was his concept of “The Shadow.”Ĭarl Jung’s “Shadow,” is a symbol that represents the hidden side of every human psyche. Carl Jung has captured the interest of both academics and spiritual seekers alike.
