As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence

 is to kindle a light

in the darkness of mere being.   

... Carl Gustav Jung ...

The goal of a seeker on the path is to come to a place of balance between chaos and order, good and evil, the dark and light that we hold within. Resistance and fear of the results can halt progress in its tracks and following the needs and desires of ego and personality wanting to remain in control do little to elevate our consciousness.  To stand at the Threshold of the Abyss is to bring awareness to the darker nature and shadow aspects. Until these aspects are brought under the domain and power of the void of Da'at contact and connection with the Supernals is never achieved. It is at that juncture that we have come upon the divergent path that offers choice of either embrace or retreat. So, what exactly is this shadow self?

  The Dark Night of The Soul

The first contact with the concept of  the Dark Night of the Soul occurs on the 25th  Path of the Tree connecting Yesod and Tiphareth. This experience is one that is described as one of utter loneliness, despair and the utter sense that the Divine has forsaken you. It is a moment that stands the test of true “faith” for in that hour of disconnect the realization of separateness and the intense yearning for union with the Divine are brought to the forefront of the experience.  This descent into a type of abyss is what serves to strengthen the resolve and conviction of the human and releases the vestiges of ego and personality that do not serve well the spiritual nature.

To quote from the book- The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross

“....the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.”

This great light that that is referenced is ultimately the way of ascent on the Middle Pillar towards the culminating union with the brilliance of Kether. The first or Lesser Light that is encountered on this ascent is that of Tiphareth. And, if successfully navigated, continues forward towards Kether. The pain of this endurance is at once physical, spiritual and mental and it is at the point of the darkest hour when the darkness seems most pervasive that the reflection of Tiphareth points the way.  

“ Pain is never permanent.”

… St. Theresa of Avila …

Embracing the Shadow Self

To follow this line of thought and in keeping with the refinement of energies and forces as we ascend the Tree we see similar dynamics within the “hidden path” or the stream of energy that connects Chesed  to Binah as we ascend.  It is on this path that a certain similar  Dark Night of the Soul is replicated at a Higher Level of refinement and issues test once again of faith and Knowledge (Da’at) that has been worked upon as result of emanation from Tiphareth to Geburah and finally arriving at Chesed.  This is the call to final surrender of personality and ego to enter the supernals of Higher Mind and the Triad of creation (Kether-Chokmah and BInah). It is at this juncture that the shadow or darker nature of the self is met and aligned with its polarity of Light.

Facing the Shadow Self

Jung and The Shadow

At some point along a spiritual path we must also encounter what is often called the “shadow self”.  This is an important milestone towards forward movement, and it is at that juncture that we have come upon the divergent path that offers choice of either embrace or retreat. So, what exactly is this shadow self?

According to Carl Jung, there are within the human experience and consciousness several  archetypes that define the human psychological experience. These archetypes are closely linked to our physical nature and are often brought to the surface through the varied preconditioned responses that we have gathered from our environment of both instinctual and mental learning. These become the patterns that play out in our lives in a continuous thread until some upheaval of either a conscious or unconscious level brings out what has lain hidden within our psyche.. ..

" The most basic potential for patterning is the Shadow Archetype. This is the potential of experiencing the unconscious side of our unique personalities. As we move deeper into the dark side of our personality personal, identity begins to dissolve into "latent dispositions" common to all men. We experience the chaos which indicates that we are drawing close to the material structure of psychic life. This "Other Side" may be manifested in a wealth of images. The image of "wilderness" is fundamental. Remember that Hanzel and Gretel were led "into the woods" and were trapped. Knights discover dragons, ogres, and thieves in the woods. Robin Hood is at home in the wild. The image may be that of the mob and its underworld, an urban equivalent in which "Pretty Boy" Floyd is a hero. There is always "the concrete jungle." Dragons sail the sea, "the watery wilderness." Jesus and John the Baptist met God "in the wilderness," as did Israel at Sinai."

This often plays out in the form of projection; or seeing the negative traits in others we encounter that are actually in resonance to those same qualities within ourselves, albeit latent and for the most part unacknowledged at a conscious level.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Beginning shadow work can be a bit like going down the rabbit hole.  It is not the most comfortable process and what may be lurking at the base of that unknown can be  daunting.

Many times what you thought to be true for yourself will be challenged and tested as you reveal some of the underlying reasons for the way in which you move through life.  We all wish to be seen in a positive light and the work of exploring our shadow self can provide clues and greater understanding of those qualities we wish to enhance and accentuate, those that we hold in reserve for the appropriate times and those that serve no useful purpose in this lifetime other than now we are more aware of those characteristics in a way that is informed. Additionally, this is a journey that only you can make with only your own resources, experiences and inner knowing as guides. It can also be one of the most rewarding types of work. 

 The Mirror of SELF

To confront a person with his own shadow

is to show him his own light.

--Carl G. Jung

As the quote above beautifully states, embracing those parts of yourself that are not usually brought into the light of day can, nonetheless, open the doorway to the greater light that ever burns within our being.  If we think in terms of polarity and synthesis than we must acknowledge that the darkness only appears dark because we know of the polarity of light.  Each gives validation, support and energy to the other in an, albeit transparent, way. Each relying on the other’s existence to support and enhance the other’s. This is the point of synthesis and the thought that within that give and take process, each also must, in their dance of cohesion and balance, contain the other within itself.

The Midnight Sun

If we hold these principles as viable occurrences within a natural order of being, then we could also say that in the darkest night the sun is still brilliantly shining whether we can see it from the perspective we are aligned with.  But, with a shift of geographical coordinates, we move into its light and what was night becomes day.

This is the understanding that is useful when approaching our darker nature. Despite what we may find lurking in the darkened corners of our personality, there is still shining that inner light that connects us with our higher state of being. When we learn to accept, acknowledge and embrace those parts of ourselves that we consider unlovable or undesirable we open to having conversation with those aspects and the potential to modify, change or completely transform that energy.

There are several good resources listed below if you would like to explore this topic in more detail. It is best to do a little research first, rather than diving right into this type of work as it can dredge up past memories, experiences that may cause unproductive discomfort. Be gentle with yourself and approach this work slowly and with reverence, affirming the best results for your highest good.  The greatest journey we take is that which is the path back to ourselves, in dark and in light that brigs us home to our Divine nature.

Blessings Bright….

To Find Out More:

"Penetrating the Darkness"

A Daily Om article

 The Shadow Class Challenge offered by Katrina Messenger of Reflections Mystery School

The Dark Night of the Soul. St. John of the Cross