“The shadow knows” is part of the infamous opening line of the radio late 1930’s radio show, The Shadow. I was reminded of the line, and its part in my life (my Mom’s says it often), when reading a chapter in the book, Integral Christianity, in preparation for a meeting to discuss how to identify and resolved shadow issues* in our own lives.
Then an everyday example came through a client encounter. A client sent me the photo shown here after one of our sessions. He commented on its meaning for him. Part of his explanation included how grass can grow in cracks. During our next call, he mentioned his observation how people were so technologically involved during their commutes, they were not noticing, nor were they connected to, nature. This observation lead to a discussion about a business line he wanted to develop. “His shadow (unconscious) knew”…and was pointing him in the direction of his idea all along. His shadow was also showing him an area of his own life he wanted to explore – how he does not notice his surroundings, he rushed, potentially took beauty for granted. Not major psychological challenges, yet attributes that can erode the quality of life. Once the challenge is brought to light, the ability to see other areas more clearly is easier.
*Shadow issues in Integral Christianity are described from the Jungian perspective. Simplistically, shadow issues generally refer to ways of behaving or responding that we are unaware of in psychological development are defined as: “the entirety of the unconscious, i.e., everything of which a person is not fully conscious” (Wikipedia, Jungian Shadow)
Dr. Success Challenge: What does your shadow know that you are not paying attention to? Sit for 10 minutes with no distractions and repeated ask yourself that question. Do not expect to get an immediate answer. Just become observant of what you begin to notice in your day to day life.
Thank you, Andrea Goeglein
