(Article is ~600 words)
Have you ever tried so hard not to feel depressed that you end up faking a smile and end up more depressed than ever before? Have you ever thought of a worst case scenario and that
ends up becoming a reality? These are scenarios that are everyday parts of our lives that can be countered properly by recognizing the shadow effect.
I recently read the new release book entitled The Shadow Effect. Written by New York Times Best Selling Authors Deepak Chapra, Debbie Ford, and Marianne Williamson, The Shadow Effect focuses on accepting that we all have a sense of fear of our inner selves and that by acknowledging its existence, we can begin to capture our dreams.
Why You Should Read This Book?
The Shadow Effect captures the idea that we tend to ignore our darker side which makes it stronger within each of us. Those that preach against what is “wrong” end up being the ones that have the shadow living the life of what is “wrong”’. Let me provide a few examples. Clergy who preach against homosexuality and for being faithful that we find out live that exact life. Politicians that preach against back door deals, yet we find they are benefiting from this exact practice. These are shadows within people that they refuse to confront and manage properly.
There is a section I thoroughly enjoyed and want to share from Williamson’s part within the book:
Any thought not filled with love is an invitation for the shadow to enter…If I do not choose to love – if I choose to withhold my love at all – then in that moment there is created a psychic void. And fear will rush in to fill the space.
This resonated with me because it is exactly how I felt going through college. I decided to cut off connections to friends and avoid building strong relationships because I didn’t feel it important to fill the void. By doing so, I allowed negativity to persist within any structured relationship.
Another part from Debbie Ford’s chapter that I enjoyed is as follows:
To be a whole human being, we have to acknowledge the existence of all of our feelings, human qualities, and experiences and value not just the parts that our ego has deemed acceptable, but everything that we have deemed wrong or bad.
There are powerful tools that our shadow holds. Sure, we shouldn’t necessarily apply each of the consciously viewed unacceptable aspects, but ignoring them completely only makes them stronger. By knowing my faults and drawbacks, I am able to properly manage my approach and focus.
How Does Simplifying Apply to The Shadow Effect?
At any given time, there are more than likely two things providing information to us. At any given time, we are expected to be accomplishing a goal that someone else wants done. At any given time, we are being bombarded with little regard for our thoughts, meaning, and understanding of our actions and reactions. Through simplification, we can eliminate the barriers that are holding us from recognizing our dark shadow and start focusing on how we can appreciate its effect on our lives as well as countering its strength. Start focusing on your emotions and feelings in a quiet place. Think of what you are hiding within yourself and start tackling its intent.
The following are links to get your copy of The Shadow Effect:
The Shadow Effect (affiliate link)
The Shadow Effect (non-affiliate link)
Click here to get a copy of PROJECT M-31: Simply Your Life in 31 Days
Share