Embrace Your Whole Self: The Power of Shadow Work

Shadow work is a powerful process in spiritual and personal growth that involves exploring the “shadow” side of your personality—the parts of yourself that you might not be fully aware of, or that you may have hidden away due to past experiences, cultural conditioning, or fear of judgment.

The Origin of the “Shadow”

The concept of the “shadow” comes from the work of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. He described the shadow as the unconscious part of our psyche that contains qualities, feelings, and desires we may have repressed or denied. These can include things like anger, jealousy, insecurity, guilt, or even positive traits like creativity or assertiveness that we’ve been told are “too much” or “unacceptable.” This can also happen because we identify, with for example ” being lazy” so part of your shadow will be “being productive”. This is also the reason the shadow fosters our biggest potential. It includes the parts of yourself that have experienced pain or trauma, your inner child and even the thoughts and patterns you have inherited from your family. Its our subconscious programming, our self sabotage, the parts we reject and deny about ourselves.

Why Do We Have a Shadow?

As we grow up, we’re taught (often unconsciously) to behave in ways that are acceptable to our family, community, or society. When we experience shame or rejection for certain emotions or behaviors, we tend to push those parts of ourselves down into the “shadow.” Over time, these hidden aspects can influence our actions, thoughts, and relationships—often without us realizing it. Some parts of our shadows we are accutely aware of, but we might feel a lack of control of, like triggers that shoot at certain times, and we just “loose it”. This is also part of our shadow, and it is in these moment that it takes control.

What Happens If We Ignore the Shadow?

When we ignore our shadow, it doesn’t disappear; it often shows up in our lives in subtle (or not-so-subtle) ways, such as:

• Repeating the same relationship patterns
• Self-sabotage or procrastination
• Intense emotional reactions or triggers
• Feeling stuck, anxious, or unfulfilled
• Triggers

Unacknowledged shadow aspects can also drain our energy and limit our personal growth.

What Is Shadow Work?

Shadow work is the intentional practice of exploring, understanding, and integrating these hidden parts of ourselves. The goal isn’t to “fix” or “get rid of” the shadow, but rather to bring it into the light with compassion and curiosity. To embrace it, love it, and accept it into ourselves. By doing so, we reclaim lost energy, heal emotional wounds, and unlock greater self-awareness and authenticity.

I like to explain that there are many ways to do this, we host a monthly shamanic shadow workshop with my favorite tools for shadow work. A workshop in which you can learn them and later use them on your own. Shadow work goes beyond simply journaling, that is jus the tip of the iceberg and I invite you to explore these other methods in our community workshop, a safe space to go deep within yourself, and face the one thing that has been holding you back. Yourself.

Shadow Work Private Sessions at Sacred Journey Experience

Have you ever felt like certain patterns keep repeating in your life, no matter how hard you try to break them? Or maybe there are parts of yourself you struggle to accept or understand? If so, you’re not alone—and you’re exactly who our Shadow Work Private Sessions are designed to support.

We’ve been over what shadow work is, well sometimes, because it is one of our blind spots, it is extremly fruitful to do it with a facilitator.

We can go deep into you shadow, and look into your self worth, the parental wombs, the female and masculine lineages, this may deeply affect areas of your life like: your career success, recognition, your confidence, your value, you relationships or lack of there of, even you ability to receive income, love, support.

The techniques we use are deep and powerful, and integrate and aid in the recovery of deep emotional wounds.

If this resonates and you find you are ready to experience these changes, and explore these subjects, book with us.

Shadow Work Private Sessions at Sacred Journey Experience are intended for personal and spiritual growth. These services are not a substitute for medical, psychological, or psychiatric care. I am not a licensed therapist, counselor, or psychologist, and do not diagnose, treat, or cure mental health conditions. If you are experiencing emotional distress or mental health concerns, please seek help from a qualified healthcare provider. Participation in these sessions is voluntary, and left to you discretion.