Face Your Dark Side - Carl Jung and the Shadow 

Support our work and access our entire catalogue of membership videos - academyofideas.com/members/

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."

"Until you make the unconscious conscious it will direct you life and you will call it fate". - Jung

"One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious." *-Carl Jung*

"To confront a person with his shadow is to show him his own light" I absolutely adore this

I faced a terrible dark night of the soul a few months ago brought about by a co worker asking me “are you ok?” Just like that my “mask” fell and years of repressed emotions came flooding out. The following weeks I went through a depression sorting through my deep wounds and pains that I was masking and came out of it enlightened. I no longer identify myself as who I once was, I’ve integrated my shadow and now am trying to learn to live with this new me. One without shame, anxiety, fear, etc,. It’s like cleaning out a room filled with filth and seeing the cleaned room for the first time. You just stand there asking “is that what the carpet looked like?” And wonder what will you do now. It truly is a scary experience…

I've been addicted to heroin for 11 years, after trying out psilocybin treatment I will be 2 years clean 0:16

Nothing, and I mean _nothing,_ has done more to help me progress and redeem my life than the pursuit of befriending that which is shadow in myself. Every time I go deeper, I understand more. Truly a noble journey to love your enemy, the enemy inside you.

"Is it not an old truth that a woman loves the weakness of a strong man more than his strength, and the stupidity of a smart man more than his cleverness? Her love wants the whole man." Awww

One of the few channels that I actively am excited for when a video is released... as the popular saying goes.... When i see an Academy of Ideas video, I press Play!

I have grown to love my shadow, I see some parts of it in others, and it makes me smile. If you listen carefully, to what others tell you, you get to know theirs. Because, they really want to unburden themselves. Peace be unto you.

When you get up in the morning, let the world wait. Defy it a little. First learn something to inspire you. Take a few moments to meditate upon it. And then you may plunge ahead into the darkness, full of light with which to illuminate it. ~ Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

@academyofideas Thank you infinitely, for bringing back into my perception that I am not just acting up but bravely bringing up effort through all failure and epiphany. Even in aspect that it hurts as much as I can bare. Have a week of wholeness, dear catalyst of completeness!

when you figure it out you become the wounded healer and can help other identify where they are blind

I used to have nightmares where I was trapped in the house I grew up in, though it was always dark with the curtains drawn. In that house was a ghost - corporeal but wholly invisible, without even a shimmer. One dream I got tired of being afraid, so I began to lash out. After that, whenever I had the dream, I was still trapped in the dark house and still very much afraid, but I was on the hunt. I never really gave the dreams much thought; I figured it was just a feature of my experience in this universe. One day I realized - seeing as how everything in the dream is in my head - that the ghost was a piece of me, though what piece I could not infer, and that the next time I had the dream I would try instead to speak with it. It began avoiding me. In each successive dream, the house got brighter and brighter and slowly began to fill with people - family members mostly. Then the dreams changed. The ghost aspect remained, but I was no longer in the house. In another dream, we were in a gravel parking lot and it was walking towards me, though this time I could _see_ it. It had the form of a man wearing a cloak and it was made of dark blur. It was made of literal shadow. A Jungian construct, certainly, but never was it more obvious what this thing was. From then on, I endeavored to merge with it, thinking if I could do so in a dream, it might result in some real world application or a greater sense of wholeness, but the one time I encountered it since that decision, it screamed at me in a disturbed and demonic voice to leave it alone. Since then, I have left it alone. I am no longer afraid, and I endeavor to be whole, but it cannot be forced. Forceful integration of one's shadow should not be a means to an enlightened end. The head of a coin can never merge with the tail. Obverse and reverse already occupy one body. They are fully integrated and yet separate. Light can be shown on both sides simultaneously, and both sides can be in darkness. From this analogy, it makes more sense to me not to call this aspect of myself a shadow, but merely a flipside. Which is front and which is back? I do not know and honestly no longer think it matters. Just my two cents. Love your work. Peace.

What lurks in the hearts of Men? The Shadow Knows.

I’ve noticed when I fast suppressed thoughts, guilt anger, insensitivity arises. I don’t know if this helps with unveiling the shadow self, but with holding myself from pleasure for a period of time, allows me to really see what’s underneath me and what I’ve been avoiding and denying

We all have wolves in the shadows of our souls…..

Facing one's shadow is a grim yet, invigorating must, to lead one's true Life.

I'm so tired of life. I feel I'll never overcome the darkness and sadness and grief and pain.

I’m a recovering alcoholic. 5 yrs sober. W/ shadow work. It’s best to prepare for a year by learning to know we are not white knights; to save the world is projecting. There’s Red, white then black. Training in black, when finished is the best that leads us into shadow work. It’s very hard to get through. You can just go right into shadow work, absolutely.

This is how you access the divine creativity within you.

The person we lie to the most is ourselves.

each morning the unconscious pours itself into our consciousness

Few quick tips from me. Don’t look for perfection look for improvement. Run every other day and incorporate sprints of 1 minute. Eat a lot of herbs. Go places with a lot of people and people watch and interact with them.

It's fine and all to see this as an individual issue, but keep in mind that as you can see slivers of others' shadows so can they see slivers of yours. In a way, people who know you deeply and have a significant relationship with you will sometimes know things about you that you might not notice and as our narrator says we can notice things about ourselves when we compare ourselves to others, so confronting your shadow is also a process you do with others, not only with yourself.

Age.... maturity....and acceptance seem to bring a strange contentment.

The world is a dark enough place. Living in the light is where the heart & soul thrive~

The future is so so bright!!!!

Merci!

The art, the writings, the tone. Powerful stuff, like it alot man! Keep it up

The glimpses I have had with the shadow on the spiritual path, to connect and truely feel my greatest repressed fears, to embody that existential dread of a meaningless existence with no escape. It is the hardest thing I have ever undertaken in my life… To realise how my mind projects to create the reality I see…

"I am thou, thou art i. I am a shadow, the true self."

I was afraid of not being able to become an alcoholic but I faced my dark side and now I’m getting drunk each day

Thanks!

Excellent as usual 👏🏾

“Flowing through all there is balance.”

One hard truth I found out for myself was self realization through projection. I learned my own insecurities through listening to what I had to say from within myself. Once you can hear out loud and really let your inner most insecurities sink in you will be heading in the right direction to truly knowing yourself. I've been unknowingly subjecting myself to a catharsis through music for a long time. Because the words spoke to me on a different level more than just words being spoken. The meaning behind the words had really let me understand the feelings I never knew I could feel

The algorithm is scaring me. This video hit hard. 💯

We rise by lifting others ✨️

Yeah, I faced my dark side. But after 20 long years of fearing it, I have come to embrace it. No longer is the old cowardly me who played by the rules only to be swindled by those with higher powers. No, no. That's what you will see me as on the outside. Inside, I've become a demon who shall never conform or cower when those who claim moral authority attempt to bring about retribution. Fellas, take a good look at your dark side and see him as the realist he is. Embrace him.

This got even more intense when I integrated the shadows of each one of my alters as I have DID. going through each one of their journeys took years but was amazing and beautiful.

However, "awareness" doesn't necessarily help solve the problem; in fact, sometimes, "awareness" exacerbates the problem..... the reason why there are many threads online about how "therapy doesn't work" is because for so many patients, understanding the source of your trauma doesn't necessarily resolve it; that is why eventually therapists prescribe drugs

You make the best videos on RU-vid, keep up the tremendous work.

Trust me society doesn't want that...I keep my dark side in check for others safety.

The shadow has been walking with me all this time.

I always felt this intuitively but it feels good to hear it spoken and clear metaphore

I have been actively trying to start shadow work today, this is a sign ahah

Shadow work is important, mostly for yourself though it does affect others. But those who hide their shadows from others and themselves, when confronted with someone who does the opposite, will instinctively avoid that person. This happens on the individual level, but also on the level of the collective. So what happens is you get these “whole” men and women scattered throughout the world and surrounded by people who pay them no mind 😂 because of the fear most people have of confronting uncomfortable realities. I sometimes wonder how different the world might become if people cared less about being comfortable and more about being free. Not for too long though, since I know a good number of people are still obsessed with pointing fingers at illusory scapegoats. Anyone but themselves.

"Getting in touch with the shadow" in this story reminds me of having a very bad trip on LSD and after it changes you and brings out the good in you. Bad trips to me aren't fun but teach way more.

You are my absolute favorite RU-vid channel! Thank you for helping me understanding the world!

i think that when we hide our evil from ourselves by making it unconsious, so when we get angry or something we cant control our consious the unconsious control us so if we know our dark/evil/shadow side we can have more control on ourselves do you agree

As men it is our IMPERATIVE to overcome our dark and integrate it as part of our essence as being. Others will suffer inevitably if we do not, especially our loved ones and family. The chain of suffering and poverty MUST end with us.

The pairing of images with themes in these videos are sublimely matched.

Change is coming through my shadow. My shadow's shedding skin I've been picking My scabs again.

I had to watch this one a couple time to get the full grasp. You always make me pause and reflect. thank you for enlightening me just a bit more

So grateful for your work. Thank you!🦋🕊🌹

Efect timing as always! Always great thought food for my spiritual self.

Dear AoI, thank you for this material. I already did faced my dark side and did not like it. Yet I can appreciate the fact that I recognized it in me. And it is a valuable lesson. Love from Poland ❤

Thank you!! I’ve been waiting for this exact video!

I can't get enough of those Doré prints!

“Between the idea and the reality Between the motion and the act Falls the shadow.” T.S. Eliot

Jesus. I was actually reading and writing about this concept for an Instagram post a few days ago. Great timing.

Thankyou so much for this, Dr Kim. This resonated so strongly for me. Been riding the aware “horse” (loved the analogy!) and progressing through my work in progress for life. Had a major fall feom said horse and have still been feeling ashamed about it, since October ‘22, as it signalled a no going back point with my Dad. And emergence into some new way I know I have to be now, at age 48. The “recovering people pleasing empath” is what I am!

Commenting to boost the algo. This videos need to be pushed to the masses… unlike other things that are being shoved in our faces. Keep it up!

Another excellent piece of work.!

some people live in denial of our nature, then point the finger at others.

I’ve seen a number of videos on the Shadow, but this one is the best and most succinct. It’s a basic but comprehensive explanation that can lead to a better understanding of deeper, more detailed material on the subject. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for the powerful paintings and drawings that you include. They add very much to your message.

People need to be in touch with their souls. Otherwise people will be lost wandering around without any aim.

Perfect. I needed this reminder, and the clarity with Wich it was delivered.

This is one of the best, if not the best, videos on Jung and the Shadow I’ve ever seen. Thank you.

Inspirational work❤. Life is so much more peaceful when you are true to yourself.

this is good stuff. and you CAN fight the shadow. you'll never win, but you can keep it in check. and you do fundamentally change when you make a concious decision to take up arms against it.

Priceless Wisdom. Thank you!

After the pandemic started getting political, I noticed the hypocrisy in my criticism of policy I didn’t agree with. So I decided to hold off on criticism until I knew I wasn’t doing the same thing. I have been quiet for 2 years now. It sucks because I loved pointing out peoples stupidity. Now I just see my own. Shouldn’t have gone down that road. Everything was cushy with ignorance.

Great video!

Just started to watch more of these videos and It really opens my eyes to the beauty to literature and history and what we can learn for past philosophers. These videos motivate me to become a diplomatic leader for the betterment of all. Wondrous videos!

the thing is, as far as I know, the point of integrating "the shadow" is not to start looking at yourself as part "evil" and just letting that bad side flow out as it likes. You become aware of your negative side and qualities, and what you could not see about yourself. But then you have to work out how to live wholly without doing damage and harm, while still allowing those "worse" qualities their (acceptable) outlet and life. I think that needs good judgement, making compromises, deciding and negotiating. And inner awareness. Because you can't act badly freely without facing moral consequences, conscience and punishments of society. That is why I think integrating of the shadow is tricky and not to be taken lightly. There is a book called "owning your own shadow" by Robert Jhonson, if a person wants a book on this subject.

I don’t know why I have a difficult time comprehending the shadow but this video did a better job than most. Especially explaining that the shadow isn’t all bad. I thought it was about inner evil but it’s really about shining a light on what is hiding with in us both positive and negative.

Thank you for the lecture!

this is the type of video I like to ingest.

AOI, love your work. There is a lot of talk of late about working on the shadow side but let me throw in a curve ball - not all thoughts come from within. We live in a reality with an attached astral dimension/realm; within that astral realm there are many types of entities. Many, if not most/all are malevolent and many can attach or psychically influence. Things like trauma, stress, anxiety etc provide an opening for these entities. I think what many believe is their dark-side, shadow-side etc does not come from their true essence but from external forces exploiting their life-force/energy.

I accepted that i would do horrible things under the right circumstances a while ago. I accepted that everyone is capable and willing to do "evil" under the right circumstances, especially if they're know they won't be punished. I now happily identify as a misanthrope.

This channel is awesome. I've had a huge transformation in my life since I discovered Eastern philosophies and one of the things which I always struggled with is explaining myself to others. This channel is giving me academic knowledge which helps me to structure my experiences, thoughts and feelings in a precise way so I can verbalize my inner states and thus spread my message to others. Thanks a lot!

Very nice explanation. Much appreciated! 🙏

Excellent video as always, thank you for the work you do. It's true we have an instinctive suspicion of people who act too nice to be true. It baffles me how people fall for the fake niceties dished out by politicians and pop culture figures. It seems like some people just want to be deceived.

This is clinical mate so easy to understand, really well done

Super cool as usual. TY, always.

Ευχαριστούμε!

Thank you so much for this

Dang iv been looking for this knowledge for a while you do a great job at explaining shadow work

Beautiful!

My shadow is mad, just had a dream where I was walking around my neighbour hood in my mind and I passed a house where a mad man was screaming inside. He sounded beastly, beyond human. So scarey to think I must confront this part of me. He’s probably why I got anxiety

This reminds me of The Manual of the Warrior of the Light, written by Paulo Coelho. Thank you, I loved this and I think I need to lie down to process what I just watched 😅 I will share this with my family. You are doing good for the world and making a difference ❤

Wonderully presented. Immensely relevant! Thank you!

We improve quickest not by dwelling on our strengths but by focusing on our weaknesses. As we are often blind to our unconscious weaknesses, we must consult our friends and family for input.

My fav one so far. Thanks for this great work jung and of course you guys!❤

Absolutely loved this!

Thanks, great video. Really inspiring...