Our shadows by their very nature are acted out unconsciously. We have become habituated to them and they are lost amid the noise of daily life. When we are triggered, whether through someone else pointing out our blind spots, acting out, or through introspection of repeating patterns, a moment of potential insight arises. What was unconscious becomes conscious. This can be extremely confronting, to face evidence that we are not living in alignment with our values, but if we take responsibility for what has arisen it can be an opportunity to grow into the next version of ourselves. This fleeting moment can be squandered if we don’t approach it with gentleness. Shame and resistance is not a foundation to build on and push shadow patterns further down into unconsciousness. By refusing to engage with it we are pasting the blinders onto our eyes.
We have to approach the new information with gentleness knowing that shadow patterns were the innocent coping strategies of the past, back before you were the person you are now with expanded awareness. These coping strategies that they may be expired in the present time. Now that you have the knowledge the next step is embodiment. Set the intention to become aware of when the unconscious pattern wants to creep up again. Sometimes you won’t recognize it in time before acting out on it, and that’s ok because embodiment is a process of gentle refinement. It takes as long as it takes. Healing can’t be rushed. Through self-love, forgiveness, and a commitment to grow we walk through the portal into a new way of being and relating to the world.
