Question about Shadow Journaling

Personally, I feel that this would be unhelpful. Everyone gets dark thoughts, but thoughts are not reality. When I get a dark thought, I think something like, "Oh, that's an interesting thought" or "What a silly thing to think", or even just ignore the thought, and I let it pass.

I certainly would not like to dwell on such thoughts. I don't need to encourage them. I'd rather dwell on helpful thoughts.

That's my personal opinion. But, everyone is different, so why don't you try it as an experiment? If you find that it helps you, great. If you find that it makes things worse, stop doing it.

 

It's an interesting idea, one that I have never tried. The fact that I feel nervous at the thought of doing it is probably instructive in itself!

 

Interesting.

I'm afraid this logic fails in my case. I derive unparalleled excitement in being a horrible person, although seeing others suffer is never my motivation.

The way I see it, there is no evil to fear if I am Satan myself. I'm not very far if I keep up my pace.

People mistake evil; it is neither easy nor simple. It is recognizing myself as the sole beneficiary of my actions. It brings a power like no other, but at costs most people cannot endure. A lonely person has nothing to lose, however. I can only rise higher and higher. My journal is a reminder of this fact.

Try as I might to control my malice, evil is just what I am.

 

Nope because : « Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.«

 

That explains a lot. Let us know how the shadow journaling works.

Which is why you will never have a truly fulfilling relationship with anyone (romantic or otherwise).
I feel sorry for you.

 

I think "never" is a rather absolute word to use about my life, coming from someone who isn't me.

Outside of romance, I have several fulfilling relationships with people. In fact, I make it a rule to go out of my way to displease any girls who show interest in me. I am not here to share my life story, so I'll leave it at that, I suppose.

Being alone is something I actually want though. Any sense of fulfillment I may experience depends entirely on how successful I am at turning a situation to my own advantage.

I guess I didn't stand up to what your definition of what constitutes a happy, fulfilling life. How truly unfortunate for me.

 

This is a really, really interesting idea. Getting in touch with what Jung calls the "shadow" is essential to unlocking the self. The repressed shadow or the shadow that is ignored is actually, according to Jung, the shadow that controls the person.
I decided to do this as well. I'm going to write out my darkest fantasies for the next week, and then continue on maybe a 4 day basis. I'd love to know your thoughts/ developments as well.
Have you read any books on Jung's concept of the shadow specifically? I love everything I've read by the guy but most of his books that I've read touch lightly on other aspects of the mind. I am curious about the shadow as well.

 

Mmmm

i identify with the need to accept oneself.
You may be suffering from religious or existential guilt.

Honest journaling will help you a LOT.

DO not whitewash your regular journal; speak as you feel.

focusing on just one side of your character is lopsided and will skew your thinking or feelings.

you dont need a dark journal but an honest one.

 

All right, you got me. I admit my mistake. I apologise.

 

so Shadow work: I’ve done my share of it. I am an artist and naturally drawn to my interior world. I know my darker regions. Don’t do this lightly. This is serious stuff and the goal is to come out of these deep dives with transformative new knowledgeable about yourself and yet remain healthy and tethered to reality. In the old days, there were shamans, healers, priests that helped put this knowledge into perspective. Today we use books and go it alone, so you might want to find a “helper.” But somebody you trust. The danger of “shadowing” on your own is you can come to identify your ego with shadow, or you get depressed from what you find. Or your Judgmental self becomes stronger. Shadow work is more of a life long process as the same negative habits of thought will continually come up for healing, requiring evermore practice of forgiveness, mercy and compassion toward others. It’s not an intellectual exercise you think about, it’s a journey of the soul. What you’re really after is the “pearl of wisdom” being held closely to the heart of the “light devouring“ Dragon. That pearl of wisdom is will set you up for proper thinking, healthy instinct and open heart. Here’s a more direct route: do a test or go read about and find out your Enneagram type. Seriously, Start there. the Enneagram Personality type is a real wisdom teaching. Also, read Ecclesiastes in the Bible. That’s a wisdom teaching. Jesus was a wisdom teacher. He was tempted by “Satan” the Shadow during his 40 meditation in the desert. just knowing your shadow is not enough. We have live and be wise. culture/society has a shadow too. A shadow so many of us fall into thinking it’s “light” just look at Pop Culture and Porn. So that’s my best suggestions: discover your Enneagram type and seek Wisdom. And look at the negativity of Pop Culture including porn....so much of it is violent, aggressive, selfish, judgmental, angry and LOST. Good luck! God Bless!

 

Ok, that’s good...you have some good information about yourself as a starting point. The Enneagram will be very specific about what you are like in a integrated healthy state and a disintegrated unhealthy state. Depending on the book you reference there are specific ways each type moves from a Disintegrated to integrated and back. Congratulations you’ve taken some important steps. Also, the issue with our cultural shadow is that its like a collage or aggregate of everyone’s shadow “mixing it up” so it can seem complex, but like your own personal introspection look for the general themes within the specific storyline ie power, control, aggression, need for love and acceptance, need for security and safety. Anything that threatens these fixations can ignite our shadow to protect our egos. Does that make sense. As for Ecclesiastes, it’s a tough book, definitely a Wisdom teaching. There is nothing new under the sun. That tells you that within the seeming infinite stories, situations, there are general rules. When I read Ecclesiastes I sometimes hear similar themes spoken and told by Jesus. I just think seeking wisdom is the key to shadow work rather than just seeking and trying to accept it. Wisdom is sometimes called Sophia and comes from the heart not the head. That may be what your helper is talking about. So one last thing. I took it upon myself to “teach” or share, so to speak, but I am in no way an expert or arrived. Obviously I am here on NoFap to get help myself. I just know what I’ve encountered and some of the travails of shadow work. So to sum up:
*General themes within the specific fixations are all important
* Wisdom, how to live from the heart, it’s not wishy washy but tough and life giving

 

Anywaty right now, I am 73 days in a 90 reboot. Been here before but now I feel Something has shifted. I see more clearly how P is definitely corrosive to the soul. It’s corrosive because when we objectify another person (soul) we degrade ourselves and our relationships too. Culturally, I see how it’s degrading everyone but especially women. Culturally its seen as entertainment but we know that’s wrong. There’s nothing entertaining about the soul shattering themes P is pushing these days. We live in a sick culture. I am an artist, Enneagram type 4, I am open minded and liberal but I think I’ve been too accepting. The veil lifted and now I am evermore convinced this is a literal battle of the light and dark and I’ve been sitting on the sidelines assuming all positions are valid but that’s just wrong. I am awake now and not going back.

 

Yeah, sorry about the cryptic stuff. I am a type 4 so I get into the deeper aspects....but here’s what I have:

“The Wisdom of the Enneagram,” Book by Don Riso and Russ Hudson

also some good YouTubes by Richard Rohr on the types.

Regards