ABC of self-development aka "the path" and why it leads to shadow work
Self-development feels like an easy wishy-washy term everyone can accept. That is, until it is linked to walking “the path”. True self-development requires a great amount of courage and resilience, and for most people this means it stops being fun. This blog post discusses the basics of true self-development including the part generally seen as anti-fun: shadow work.
Self-development is such an all-encompassing term that it almost means nothing. There are countless ways one can develop oneself.
However, the way we see it, there is true self-development and what can be called truncated self-development. The difference between these two is immediately clear to those who have engaged with the former. All we need to say is that “it’s those who walk the path versus those who don’t.” A classic IYKYK.
For those who found this description annoying or confusing, let’s try to offer something less offhanded. The path, as we say, isn’t something mystical or magical. Simply, it is the systemic approach to self-development. In plain English it is the no-compromises option. As in, you’re not allowed to avoid or skip problems. (Especially that one problem you try to bargain with: “Anything but that. I can work on anything but that one.”) The systemic approach demands that all parts of the system are addressed in self-development. Quite often the matter you would least like to explore is the one currently hindering your development the most.
So, any self-development that only addresses the fraction of the system or leaves out aspects of the system is, as said, truncated. It might well be beneficial still, and certainly better than nothing. Going to the gym is better than not going to the gym. But understanding the need for gym at a deeper level, investigating the tension stored in one’s fascia and conversing with the skeletomuscular system to understand how it manifests issues hidden elsewhere, for the purposes of improved holistic wellbeing… That’s path kind of stuff.
Can't hide from shadow work
Many, many other names are used for what we mean by shadow work. We chose this quasi-Jungian term because it resonates with our approach. But it is important to be precise here.
The International Association for Analytical Psychology defines the shadow as “everything that the ego-consciousness does not know about itself, the entire unconscious part of the personality.” Notably, the shadow can contain both negative traits and hidden issues as well as unrealised potential and positive traits.
Our (fully anecdotal) experience is that the positive and negative aspects of the shadow are often interlinked, and the reason a lot of positive potential remains unfulfilled is because it can’t be “taken out of the shadow” without addressing the issues it is attached to.
Jung himself used the term shadow as per above, but rarely talked about shadow work. That term has been popularised as of recent, with a meaning approximately in line with what we are describing above. Perhaps at times too focused on just the negative parts of the shadow.
When one walks the path, it inevitably soon leads to what we call shadow work. The system begins to unearth inflexible patterns (emotional issues) for integration. Shadow work is such an extensive topic that trying to summarise it in a comprehensive way is like trying to capture a tsunami with a bucket. But in the context of this blog post, the point is that especially at the beginning, much of the path focuses on and is advanced by shadow work. Conversely, avoiding it (or even avoiding some particular issues) eventually erodes the path and turns it from genuine progress into something akin to sitting in a room talking to a mirror while basking in the heady smell of one’s own farts.
Every path is unique
The path can take countless forms. It is unique to every person. Many traditions, treatments or practices support walking the path, from things like therapy and philosophical discussions to something like martial arts or guided meditation. (But the path is always internal and internally directed… Story for another time.)
We believe that true self-development is always holistic, meaning it happens in mind, body, and spirit. Leaving one of them out will eventually jam the other two as well, although the person getting jammed rarely realises what is happening. Because there is a (shadow-related) reason why they have left one aspect out.
All that said, it can’t be emphasised enough how diverse the ways of the path are depending on person. Especially people with unique sensitivities or other traits may have a natural way of self-development that they haven’t seen anyone else talking about, let alone engaging with. In cases like these, support is especially recommended.
If you recognised yourself from the description or otherwise feel like you’d like to go through these themes with someone, help is nearby. You can contact Terhi directly at her Spiritual Spa to book an energy healing session or regression therapy. Alternatively, you can email to us with your questions or thoughts at yes@beingintegrated.com. All information is kept strictly confidential. When we know more about your situation, we can recommend something – either our own services, some great 3rd party providers, or something you can do on your own.
PS: As always, we emphasise the importance of seeking professional medical help if you suffer from an illness or suspect you have one.