Introduction to the Shadow Self
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The shadow is a concept first coined by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. It represents the parts of ourselves that we repress and hide, the aspects of our personality that we deem unacceptable. According to Jung, the shadow is an unconscious part of the personality which the conscious ego does not identify in itself. Because one tends to reject or remain ignorant of the least desirable aspects of one's personality, the shadow is largely negative. However, the shadow can also contain positive aspects that have been repressed. As Jungian analyst Aniela Jaffé wrote, the shadow is a "moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real." [1]
The Shadow
The unconscious aspect of the personality which the conscious ego does not identify in itself.
Example: A person who identifies as being very kind and compassionate might have a shadow that is cruel and judgmental. They might have flashes of cruel thoughts that they quickly push away, or they might be drawn to movies or books with cruel characters.
In his book, "Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self," Jung delves deeply into the concept of the shadow, describing it as an integral part of the human psyche and a key to individuation. He emphasizes that the shadow is not inherently evil, but rather a source of vitality and creativity when integrated into the conscious personality.
According to Jung, the shadow is...