Lets do something different (shadow work)

In the last four segments of my blogs, I talked about how shadow work is important and how to acknowledge those shadows and work on them. I also talked about the acceptance of the light and the dark of your shadows. So today I am back with something different I know some of you is wondering what is going on with Hannah Yemaya but as you all know I am working on my shadow self as well so while I lead you all into your shadow work, I am also doing it with you all.

So here we go, As I said in the first blog ever that I have made that your shadow is the part of yourself that you have tried to push away or ignore. It is not necessarily good or bad, but it is a part of you that you don't acknowledge. With meditation, we can look at these parts and accept them so we can work with them and not against them.

Often as children, we learn that we need to act a certain way to be accepted. We, therefore, push aside any parts of ourselves that don't fit that mold. As adults, we have the option to embrace those aspects of ourselves again and become whole. As children, we see the world as black and white. If we have to act one way to be "good" then the opposite is "bad," and needs to be suppressed. Say you grew up in a household that valued quiet; being noisy and standing out may have been deemed as "bad." This is not some sinister plan set up by those raising you, just a noise level preference, but the result may be that as an adult you struggle to voice your opinions and stand out in a crowd.

Some shadow aspects are caused by trauma, and we may learn some lessons that are very hard to undo. Our brain may have learned that it is very unsafe to try and access these parts of our shadow. We all learn these lessons while figuring out how to function in this world as children; in loving and not so loving families, from friends, teachers, extended families, books, and television, really anything that happens to touch and resonate in our young and malleable brains.

We also can form shadows as adults, but a fully formed adult brain has an easier time recognizing that we have formed a shadow. Those parts of the brain still need to be accessed and reclaimed, but the shadows formed as a child are harder to access. Those shadows seem to have always been there, yet, we don't always remember their creation, so they just seem to be a truth.

What if we don't access our shadow? Often we lose important parts of ourselves and those parts may act out in order to get attention. Have you ever had an angry outburst or a crying jag that was out of proportion to the situation? That is usually your shadow trying to get your attention. Accessing your shadow can feel scary but remember, it is already a part of you, and often a part that needs healing in order to rejoin you as a supportive part of your whole psyche.

Reaching for the shadow is an important process if we are going to become the whole adult we want to be. We want to choose who we are, not have it dictated by someone else. Often our shadow aspects are just scared children who need a hug. They need to be appreciated for how they tried to help us growing up, and they need to know that they can come out and will be heard and supported. The shadow will rear its head regardless of whether you acknowledge it. Would you rather put your arms around your shadow and tell it you understand, or have it periodically take over your body or prevent you from accessing some parts of your talent and abilities? Don't fear your shadow, it is you, but it is much easier to handle when you are familiar with it!

Today If you are reading this blog, I would like for you guys to think about the following questions to help you with your shadow journey, Go through these quickly as often your gut reaction is the most honest.

1. What are some traits in others that really bother you?

2. What traits do you admire in others?

3. What was the last situation where you feel you really overreacted?

4. What do you like most about yourself?

5. What do you like least about yourself?

Now come back tomorrow, and I will bring you to a better understanding of your answers. You may answer your questions in the chat section if you would like.

Enjoy your journey, it could change your life.