[quote]The Shadow

If the archetypes were movie or literary genres, the Shadow would be Horror. This is where our demons chatter – where our most destructive, demented, anti-social instincts lie. More than any of the other archetypes, our relationship with the Shadow defines our personalities.

At one personality extreme, there are people who deny their Shadow exists. They refuse to acknowledge, even to themselves, that they have a “dárk side.” The denial is futile, however, because the archetypes find expression whether we acknowledge them or not.

Those who disavow their Shadow develop neurotic relationships with projections of it in the outside world. They see evil in people everywhere and constantly put themselves in situations where they are either its victims or its shrill, hysterical – and ultimately ineffectual – combatants.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who give in to their Shadows’ morbid imperatives – who becóme the rapists, thieves and killers others fear.

Obviously, most people fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.

As we grow spíritually and develop a better understandíng of our Shadows, we find that although this archetype contains hideous and frightening depths, it is also a profound source of creativity. We learn to navigate our way through its dárkness, often uncovering sources of brilliant, life-affirming light.

Developing a useful relationship with the Shadow – scary as it may be at first – is the first step to personality integration and spíritual growth. The Shadow is the doorway to the other archetypes.

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