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Karas

What is a shadow ?

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@Leo GuraHow can we distingush between our Shadow and clear observation ? 

Edited by Karas

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@Karas I'll take the liberty to answer your question, even if it is directed at Leo. I hope you don't mind.

The distinction is simple, but radical. Whatever you find repulsive and unacceptable about the world, is your own shadow.
There are things so monstrously different from what we expect that they can overwhelm us. Especially when we're young.
To deal with them, we shut off and deny a part of ourselves that came in contact with it. This denial is what gives birth to shadows.

A shadow is an externalized version of our repressed self. Something that threatens a part of us that we deny that exists.
The more you repress a part of you, the more it sticks out in others. That is because:

  1. Others don't share the same trauma so they don't need to repress that part of themselves.
  2. Your subconscious mind became skilled in noticing that, which it constantly represses, so it sticks out like a sore thumb in others.

So, how can we distinguish between our Shadow and clear observation? You gotta do your shadow work :).
The most straightforward way is to observe what's appalling about the world and:

  1. acknowledge your capability of doing it
  2. acknowledge your vulnerability to it

The other, more sophisticated method of spotting shadows is establishing the relationship with your subconscious mind.
Your subconscious mind is tricky because it is very subtle and its language is artsy. It speaks in symbols, dreams, prophecies, etc.
If you really want it, it will open up to you and tell you all of your dirty secrets.
Beware though, it's a beast. There is a reason why it's not a part of your conscious experience 9_9.

The rules of thumb of shadow work are:

  1. you feel like shit while doing it and for some time afterwards
  2. your baseline experience improves

The rules of thumb of clear perception are:

  1. you meet evil with various forms of love such as compassion or curiosity
  2. it is receptive and has no need to react to what it perceives
Edited by tsuki

Bearing with the conditioned in gentleness, fording the river with resolution, not neglecting what is distant, not regarding one's companions; thus one may manage to walk in the middle. H11L2

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