I’ve been working on my golden shadow as of late and was very surprised while reading ‘Dreaming Through Darkness’ how short the questions for the golden shadow were. Then how quickly the book moved onto another topic.
Questions:
“What things in life bring out the best in me?
If I didn’t need money and were following my bliss how would I spend my life?
Based on a playful amplification of my own personality, if I had one superpower, what would it be?
What things in life make my heart sing?
In what areas of life do 1 hide my light?
What do I want to be when I grow up?”
For the opening text in chapter two Charlie used Carl Jung’s quote “The truth of the matter is that the shadow is ninety percent pure gold.” Using this train of thought I’ve searched other resources to help me to uncover aspects of my golden shadow I’d like to begin working on.
Wanted to start a thread on this because if it is indeed ninenty percent of the shadow it warrants much further exploration and personally I found it harder to unconver aspects of my golden shadow I wanted to begin working on. If anyone has any other resources on the golden shadow feel free to share.
One note on my exploration of the golden shadow is that there are a lot of resouces that express how important it is to use visualization. I have aphantasia so while I was doing my exploration I have excluded these.
Some of the helpful starting points I have found so far (still working on it):
Self-Reflection: Take time for self-reflection and introspection. Consider the qualities, talents, or potentials that you admire in others or feel drawn to. Reflect on the activities or interests that bring you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. These can provide valuable clues to your golden shadow.
Seek Feedback: Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or mentors and ask for their observations and feedback regarding your strengths and positive qualities. Sometimes others can see our golden shadow more clearly than we can. Listen with an open mind and consider their perspectives.
Inner Child Work: Connect with your inner child, the part of you that embodies innocence, curiosity, and playfulness. Engage in activities that you enjoyed as a child or explore new hobbies that spark your interest. This can help you reconnect with forgotten passions and talents.
Engage in Childhood Activities: Reflect on the activities you loved as a child. These could include playing with toys, drawing, coloring, dancing, singing, building with blocks, or playing imaginary games. Choose one or more activities that resonate with you and that you feel drawn to in this moment.
Play and Explore: Engage in the chosen activity as if you were a child again. Let go of any self-consciousness or judgment. Allow yourself to fully immerse in the experience, embracing the curiosity and playfulness of your inner child. Give yourself permission to be creative and spontaneous.
Games and Playfulness: Engage in games and activities that bring out your sense of play. Play board games, card games, or outdoor games like tag or hide-and-seek. Embrace the competitive spirit or simply enjoy the laughter and camaraderie that comes with playing.
Explore Nature: Spend time outdoors in natural settings like parks, forests, or beaches. Explore your surroundings. Engage in activities such as collecting natural objects, or simply lying on the grass and watching the clouds. Allow yourself to be fully present in the moment, observing the beauty of nature and embracing the sense of wonder that comes with it.
Creative Expression: Engage in creative outlets such as art, music, writing, or dancing. Allow yourself to freely express your emotions, thoughts, and ideas through these mediums. Creativity often unveils hidden aspects of ourselves and can serve as a gateway to accessing the golden shadow.
Listening and Enjoying Music: Music has the power to evoke emotions and inspire us. Actively listening to and enjoying music can be a valuable part of engaging with the golden shadow. Pay attention to the music that resonates with you, whether it’s a specific genre, artist, or song. Notice how different melodies or lyrics make you feel and reflect on the qualities they evoke within you.
Creative Writing: Engage in creative writing exercises such as short stories, poetry, or personal essays. Use your imagination to create characters, narratives, or worlds. This form of writing allows you to delve into your inner landscape and explore different aspects of yourself through storytelling.
Stream of Consciousness Writing: Set aside time for stream of consciousness writing, where you simply let your thoughts flow onto the paper without censoring or editing. This can be a powerful tool for accessing hidden thoughts, emotions, and ideas that may be connected to your golden shadow.
Art Generation with AI: AI-generated art can be an outlet for creative expression and exploring the golden shadow. Using AI tools to create art can be an innovative way to tap into your creativity, especially if you enjoy working with technology. Experiment with AI-generated art platforms or software, and see how they inspire you to explore new ideas, styles, or forms of expression. Remember to engage with the process mindfully and infuse your personal intentions and emotions into the art you create.
Integration: Once you’ve identified and acknowledged your golden shadow, focus on integrating these qualities into your daily life. Embrace opportunities that allow you to express and utilize these positive aspects. Actively seek out situations and relationships that align with your authentic self and reflect your golden shadow.
. At the same time I’d be helping out with bug control in the area for the campers. I dug some small channels with a stick and had a blast.
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