“A harmless man is not a good man, a good man is a very dangerous man, who has that under voluntary control.” - Dr. Jordan Bear Peterson.
The shadow represents the darker aspects of our personality, housing primitive impulses such as rage, envy, cruelty, desire, and the pursuit of power. All that we disown within ourselves, including positive attributes, persists and becomes a part of our unconscious, wielding its influence independently, often without our conscious knowledge, leading to actions and expressions conflicting with our mindful intentions.
Shadow work involves the process of uncovering concealed aspects of ourselves, resurfacing attributes, attitudes, and qualities set aside during our early development due to their incompatibility with our self-identity.
By confronting the shadows that lurk within the soul, one not only gains a clearer perception of oneself but also fosters improved relationships, a more accurate assessment of the world and correctly directed energy. Shadow work demands self-honesty and integrity, serving as a pathway toward achieving the inner strength and balance necessary to confront life's challenges, with the ultimate goal of attaining a state of wholeness.
Carl Jung believed that true goodness could only be achieved by understanding and controlling the evil within. Through this journey, one comes face-to-face with the knowledge that the most heinous of human acts can be perpetrated by individuals not fundamentally different from oneself.
“You should be an absolute monster and then you should learn how to control it.” Jordan Peterson is suggesting that naive people are ‘good’ because they cannot be otherwise, like a bunny rabbit. There is no morality in not having the capacity to be bad; the true measure of character lies in controlling one's monstrous potential.
Shadow integration yields a self-respect akin to the respect one holds for a wild beast tamed. The face of an individual who has undergone this work no longer exudes innocence but radiates a subtle aura of controlled power and strength. They are no longer someone to whom things only happen; they are someone who makes things happen.
Harnessing the darkness doesn't advocate cruelty; it suggests the ability to be vicious and then deliberately choose not to be. This ability to control one's deadly potential is comparable to the artistry found in a black belt fighter. Martial arts philosophy emphasizes practicing the ability to remain peaceful, while also developing the competence to fight if the need arises. Someone who has integrated their shadow is dangerous in a martial arts sense, radiating dominance and the potential for havoc if necessary.
Reflecting on a history of atrocities and the bloodshed witnessed today, we are reminded of the consequences of failing to grasp the depths of human capabilities. The understanding that individuals are capable of both profound good and unfathomable evil marks the importance of undertaking the challenging path of self-discovery. As Jung declares: “No tree can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell.”
Inspired by my Uncle.“I’ll extend my hand to shake, but it can turn to a fist if required.” ~ Callum Eddington
