Children enjoy playing with their shadows. This picture from the Children's Series by artist Juana Evans serves as a powerful reminder that shadow work and shadow play can be interconnected.
The Work of Shadow
The former, the concept originated by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, suggests we all have repressed or overlooked parts of our personality hidden in the dark recesses of our psyches. Some people understand this notion as having blind spots. Although shunned in some Christian circles as a New Age philosophy, shadow work has psychological as well as spiritual dimensions that can be instructive in the Christian walk. Fortunately, as a young Chrisitian dealing with trauma wounds and self-esteem issues, I found a therapist who subscribed to the benefits of shadow work.
In midlife, my pastoral counselor utilized techniques from shadow work like journaling and dream analysis to aid in the therapeutic journey. And then later, in seminary, maintaining a dream journal was a requirement for a course studying the life and works of American theologian, civil rights activist, and Christian mystic Howard Thurman.
The Divinity of Shadow
Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus posed the question: Why do you notice the speck in your brother's or sister's eye but fail to see the beam in your own eye? In Matthew 7:4-5, he then advises his followers to first remove the log from their own eye before attempting to help others with their specks. Here, we find him calling us out on our blind spots. When we are able to see ourselves as he sees us, including those parts hidden in the shadows, we can begin the process of transforming into our better selves and in turn extend the same grace to others. Nobody is perfect. God does His best work in brokenness.
The Psalmist declares in 51:17 that a broken spirit and a contrite heart are offerings that are pleasing to God, as He does not reject them. Oftentimes, it is in our moments of darkness, failures, and deepest sorrows that we develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and reach the limits of our human nature.
In the Christian faith, this signifies a transition from the old self to a new life in Christ. It is both a divine encounter and a lifelong journey. The New Testament frequently refers to this transformation as a crucial part of the process of sanctification. It involves releasing unhealthy aspects of the ego, distinct from healthy self-assurance. Ego issues addressed in shadow work often relate more to feelings of isolation and alienation, hardness of heart, excessive pride, and selfishness.
The Child's Play of Shadow
The playful and imaginative interaction children have with their shadows highlight the importance of paying attention to our inner child in our shadow work. Everybody has one. The inner child is the one who carries our childhood memories, negative and positive. Our inner child remembers the aroma of fresh pine at Christmas and the joy of receiving their first bike. Our inner child remembers warm hugs and feeling loved cuddled in the arms of grandma.
Our inner child is the one that can still see the look of pride on our parents' faces at graduation. Our inner child also remembers being bullied by the mean kids at school. Our inner child remembers being ostracized and being the only child in class not invited to a classmate's party. The list for many of us could go on and on: betrayals, lies, and misunderstandings, like a thousand paper cuts, they wound the inner child's soul. Many of our wounds stem from our childhoods. Learning to listen to our inner child can be an important part of our shadow—or not. Again, the key is to learn to be aware, to listen, and learn to respond in ways that support your growth and development.
In the meantime, we can take cues from the children in our lives. As they travel their paths, many in far from ideal circumstances, they show remarkable resilience, brilliance, and capacity for joy. They laugh out loud. They sing without worrying about how they sound. Children still learn best through play and fun activities.
They chase, dance, and run with their shadows. And so should we.
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