This week has been one heck of a ride! Have you ever yearned for an escape from this so-called reality? The physical world, relentless in its demands, can push us to the brink—testing our sanity and faith.
Last week, I faced an ego death—an unraveling of self. And in its wake, I discovered that my faith and my very sanity, would be put to the ultimate test.
Truth, my guiding star. Not just for myself, but for you also, the reader.
So, let’s plunge into the depths, where the ego prowls, pushing us toward the edge.
Self-discovery as I am continuing to learn is a journey through uncharted waters. Within our vessel, we harbor spirits—familiar yet elusive. These shadow selves, often buried deep, refuse to fade away.
Refusal to acknowledge—it doesn’t erase their existence. These familiar spirits—the aspects of our shadow self—persist, waiting for recognition.
Oftentimes I am reluctant to share my most intimate spiritual truths. There is a part of me that feel that my cosmic experiences with my creator are sacred in nature. I often wonder is that my Spirit or Ego that is harboring those thoughts. Then there is the part of me, ego, that believes that people just would not understand, and mere humans will be judgmental more than they are willing to be open to a truth outside of the scope of their own beliefs. Well, here goes nothing!
If you are reading this post thank you for joining me as we navigate the labyrinth of ego, unearthing the hidden truths. For in this dance of light and shadow, we find our wholeness.
In the quiet corners of memory, where whispers echo and shadows dance, my story begins. It is a tale woven with threads of vulnerability, resilience, and the raw beauty of human existence.
Imagine stepping into a room bathed in golden light—the air thick with anticipation. Here, the ordinary unravels, revealing hidden seams of courage and heartache. These words, inked on paper are my offering—a glimpse into the maze of my soul.
So, travel with me, my dear readers and soul friends. Walk with me through the words of this post. Let us unravel the tapestry together, thread by thread, until we find the heart of the story—the pulse of life itself. I fell in love with Carl Jung as I learned about him and his philosophies as I was taking Sociology courses at the community college.
In Jungian psychology, the ego represents the center of normal consciousness. It is the part of our psyche that we normally identify with as “I”—the embodied individual in a world with other individuals. The ego is our conscious identity, the aspect of our whole personality that we present to the outside world, often appearing with a persona—or social mask. The ego, the center of consciousness itself, is essential for navigating everyday life. It helps us make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to various situations. But a life invested solely in an ego identity can lead to problems; the ego is prone to becoming inflated, rigid, and disconnected from other life-giving elements of a dynamic psyche. We could say that the ego is our subjective identity—who we consider ourselves to be. As I began doing the inner work on a soul level, I also became self-aware when my ego was attempting or taking the lead. I would respond with my emotions to certain conversations because I would feel as if I was being attacked. I would make statements that would begin with the word, I, because while I would be listening to whomever I was talking with, it seemed like they were belittling my knowing or knowledge. This is ego based. I remember receiving a spiritual download that simply stated that ego likes to roar but Spirit moves in silence. This message was one of the turning points that helped me to slow down and recognize when my Ego was attempting to be in control. Which then led me to have to face my shadow self.
The Shadow: Unveiling the Unconscious Other
The shadow includes everything within us that we do not accept, acknowledge, or integrate as part of our conscious identity. It can include impulses, desires, fears, and aspects of ourselves that society or our upbringing may have taught us to repress or deny. In terms of psychological types, they are the types that are less developed and less accessible. The shadow is not inherently negative; it contains both positive and negative elements. It is a reservoir of untapped potential and creativity and at the same time a reservoir of unresolved conflicts and emotional baggage. Embracing and integrating the shadow is essential for psychological growth and individuation.
If you aren't sure how to recognize your shadow self, I have listed two bullet points below to serve as a guidepost.
Reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Notice patterns that you may suppress or avoid.
Explore your fears, insecurities, and hidden desires. These are often part of the shadow.
This was not easy for me. Especially, after my traumatic ego death. I felt like I was no longer normal. It felt like most of the shadows that I try to run away from came knocking at the door and would not stop knocking until I let them in. To be honest, especially the ones that I try not play with when it comes to the opposite sex.
The Dance of Ego and Shadow
The relationship between the ego and the shadow is synchronistic and dynamic. The more that the ego with its established identity denies or rejects the impulses of the shadow, the more the shadow will have dominion over a person’s life. “What you resist persists,” as Carl Jung famously put it. I believe that there has to be an integration where the ego and the shadow can coexist in harmony.
We are spiritual beings having a human experience and that experience will always include the egoic self and the shadow self. What I found myself doing was learning how to find the balance between the two; which can be a challenge within itself. The ego tends to inflate itself. Balance it by acknowledging the shadow.
When you resist the shadow, it persists. Invite it out to play and learn from it. Inner work includes a lot of self-reflection and compassion for self.
Regularly reflect on your thoughts and actions. I am a serial journaler, (is that even a word?). I write almost every single day in a journal or notebook. I also observe myself, my emotions, my responses, my interactions and I ask myself a lot of why questions. Ask yourself in reference to the thoughts you are thinking are they ego driven, or shadow driven? Either way it is important to show compassion to both aspects. Neither should dominate; they dance together in harmony.
Remember, integrating the ego and shadow is an ongoing process. By embracing both, you move toward psychological wholeness and self-realization.
Picture a dance floor. The ego and shadow twirl around each other.
Sometimes, the ego takes center stage, showing off. Other times, the shadow sneaks in, whispering secrets.
The dance isn’t always graceful. The ego might trip over its own pride, and the shadow might step on toes.
But when they learn to waltz together, magic happens. You become more whole, more real.
Now to integrate the two so they can dance in harmony.
Integrating them means letting the ego and shadow dance without judgment. Acknowledge both—the ego’s spotlight moments and the shadow’s hidden moves.When they tango together, you discover your true self—the light and the shadow, the known and the mysterious.
Remember, it’s okay to have both. They’re partners in your life’s dance, swirling around the ballroom of your soul. What a beautiful melodic harmony to embrace.
Love, peace, and remember to travel light...
LaMia Michele