If you find yourself gravitating towards shadow work, congratulations! Learning how to do shadow work takes a lot of courage. Rumi states: “The wound is the place where the light enters”,  however healing can feel impossible when the pain is too raw and we aren’t quite sure how to navigate it.  

Shadow work is the process of entering the wound and the act of holding space for your pain with unwavering compassion and patience for your own suffering. And who better to hold space for you than you? It is the beginning of true self discovery, inner exploration and uncovering unconditional self love.

Learn how to do shadow work by embracing your dark side

Did you know that when a wound has been held for a very long time, it has formed a part of your belief system and personality structure? The person that you have come to know as you, is stitched together by wounds that are still a part of a false self. Sometimes we subconsciously sabotage learning how to do shadow work because the very act of healing would result in a loss of identity. This is otherwise known as ego death. 

Who would you be without your pain? That question can terrify some people into a lifetime of avoidance. Giving your pain the space to be felt, seen and heard begins the process of closing a wound and ultimately a former “you” drops away.

We have learnt to indulge our favourite forms of self destruction and lean on instant gratification as a coping mechanism. There are a variety of ways we fill the void using unhealthy relationships, trauma bonding, sex, entertainment, food, drink, drugs – even religion can be a filler. In fact any subject that is done to the point of excess can be destructive. Your unconscious pattern is what you default to, to avoid the pain that you have been unable to shift. 

How Do Shadow Work To Transform Your Life for the Better

Shadow work allows us to explore the depths of our inner conflicts, those parts of ourselves that we may find uncomfortable or even shameful. These unresolved issues often manifest in patterns of behaviour that hinder our personal growth and relationships. By acknowledging these shadows and bringing them into conscious awareness, we can begin to understand their origins and release their hold on us.

One of the key benefits of engaging in shadow work is the opportunity for deep emotional healing. By confronting suppressed emotions and traumas from our past, we can liberate ourselves from their grip and find true inner peace. This process requires courage and vulnerability as we navigate through layers of pain or discomfort. However, by doing so, we create space for healing wounds that may have been holding us back from living a fulfilling life.

Furthermore, shadow work cultivates a heightened sense of self-awareness. As we explore our shadows with curiosity rather than judgement, we gain insight into the intricate web of beliefs, fears, and desires that shape our thoughts and actions. This newfound awareness empowers us to make conscious choices aligned with our authentic selves rather than being driven by unconscious patterns.

Step-by-Step Techniques To Learn How to Do Shadow Work

Many places across the web will advise you on tried and tested tools for shadow work but ultimately, how to do shadow work will differ from person to person. It’s important to be conscious about what resonates and works for you by being embodied (in your body) during the process. 

Talking Therapy: Recording Yourself

Personal development teachers wax lyrical about journaling being a great technique for shadow work. However I found this method may to be ineffective when the pain is too intense.

When you are triggered and experiencing raw emotions the last thing you may want to do is write. Or if the speed at which you process your emotions is faster than how fast you can write, journaling can actually slow down or inhibit the shadow work.

Recording yourself speaking when you are at the mercy of the wound is one of the most overlooked and effective ways to work through your shadows. Recording yourself gives you the chance to process the  thought and emotion at the speed at which it is experienced. 

Taking plant medicine for shadow work

In the realm of personal growth and self-discovery, the concept of shadow work has gained significant attention. It refers to the process of exploring and integrating our unconscious thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be holding us back from living a fulfilling life. While there are various approaches to shadow work, one avenue that has gained recognition is the use of plant medicine.

Plant medicine, such as Ayahuasca or Psilocybin mushrooms, has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures for healing and spiritual purposes. These powerful substances have the potential to facilitate deep introspection and provide a unique perspective into our inner world.

When it comes to shadow work specifically, plant medicine can act as a catalyst for personal transformation. It allows individuals to delve into their subconscious mind and confront unresolved traumas or suppressed emotions that may be influencing their behaviour or limiting their growth. By bringing these shadows to light in a safe and supported environment, individuals can begin the process of healing and integration.

Plant medicine is a master teacher that shows how to do shadow work

Furthermore, plant medicine can offer profound insights and revelations about oneself and the interconnectedness of all things. It can enhance self-awareness, empathy, and compassion towards oneself and others. This newfound understanding can pave the way for personal growth and positive change in various aspects of life.

It is important to note that working with plant medicine should always be approached with caution and under professional guidance. The journey through shadow work can be intense and challenging at times; therefore, having experienced facilitators who provide a safe container is crucial.

In conclusion, when used responsibly as part of a holistic approach to self-discovery and healing, plant medicine can serve as a valuable tool for those embarking on their shadow work journey. It offers an opportunity for deep exploration into our inner landscape while providing insights that have the potential to catalyse profound personal transformation.

To discover how to do shadow work – Question everything

If you want to learn how to do shadow you have to decide to confront your pain. Do you exist without the attention of others? Validation can be addictive. It’s crucial to recognise and spot your patterns if you want to heal and this shadow work is especially true when you want to manifest a goal in your life. 

Ask yourself what ways you are settling in life? This question goes beyond stereotypical ideas about settling where you stay in relationships that are unfulfilling. Settling in life goes across the spectrum and can be applied to patterns that you are ready to outgrow but do not commit yourself to the changes that need to be applied. 

Do you want to cry or do you just need to acknowledge that you want to cry? Step into the role of a detective exploring your own consciousness for clues asking yourself where, what, what, when and how you are experiencing your shadow. If there’s a place that you are avoiding, become aware of your avoidance tactics.

Observing yourself through the lens of a shrewd scientist you are in a prime position to discover where your shadow hides.

Creative Expression: Using dance can show us how to do shadow work

In the realm of personal growth and self-discovery, there are various practices that can help us delve into the depths of our inner selves. One such transformative practice is spiritual dance for shadow work. This powerful combination allows individuals to explore and heal their shadow aspects through movement, expression, and connection with the divine.

When you dance you will invoke dormant emotion. By feeling into your movements and learning to listen to the guidance from your inner voice, you can reconnect to your higher self through dance and process your emotions.

Spiritual dance provides a sacred space where we can express ourselves freely without judgement or inhibition. It allows us to bypass the limitations of verbal communication and instead use our bodies as instruments of expression. Through intentional movement, we can access deep layers of emotions that may be difficult to articulate through words alone

Shadow prompts: Ask yourself cutting questions

• Who am I really?
• How do I fill my emptiness?
• How do I deal with feeling empty?
• What pain do I run from? 
• What don’t I allow myself to feel? 
• What parts of myself do I avoid sitting with? 
• Why don’t I like being with the feeling? 
• Why don’t I like to experience it? 

Conclusion: Embrace Your Shadow and Unleash Your Authentic Self

Stepping into the pain of the wound feels scary and counter intuitive, it’s like walking into the belly of the beast. If your approach to shadow work makes you fearful, flighty, anxious, observe these reactions. 

Get out of your head and into your body. Your body is a storehouse of wisdom unparalleled and paradoxically is a storehouse for pain and trapped trauma.

The only way out is in, the more that you can allow yourself to feel, the deeper the layers that get cleared.

When asking how to do shadow work it’s important that you approach it as a body of work. The more often you come back, the deeper the layers you clear. Sometimes pain is trapped in very deep layers of your consciousness.

Shadow work is effective when it’s just a one-off but for best results to really know how to do shadow work, approach it as a lifestyle choice. In the shadow you discover your pain but you also discover your gifts and hidden talents.

Process the emotions until you start to feel something starts to shift within you. The shift will be mild at first but when you are holding space for yourself eventually the difficult emotions begin to soften. You might feel sensations like something bubbling inside you. 

As long as you remain running, you’ll never experience what it is to be at the seat of your personal power.