Why looking at our shadow is integral to our spiritual awakening.
All shadow is is the lack of light and many spiritual practises shy away from our opposites -- our shadow selves; this feeds the dark. This manifests into form to mirror back. Now is the time to embrace all our parts with an open heart and a willingness to look deep within, to understand, to embrace and to let go.
This takes courage for when we truly step into our shadow it is about accepting this is also a part of us and as the yin and yang of life there is no light without dark for we would never have the contrast to relate.
It is ok to face that which we have hidden, for in facing our shadow we accept its presence, and in acceptance we are loving all parts of who we are. The process is not to dwell on our shadow past for self-love will forgive and let this energy go. However it is making recognition that the shadow energy is there within us, when we shine light on our shadow it is lit up, it is recognised and the need to be in the energy of shadow is released for we have accepted.
When we accept shadow we take responsibility for our lives, we are no longer in denial of this part of us. We recognise that everything in our external world is a direct mirror of what is being shown to us from within.
Our souls wanted the most diverse learning experiences for our physical lives, but over time our manifestations had tipped over into the negatives, our energy became too yang, too masculine, too overpowering and we were left for years in the dark as to our true essence which is light. We fought for life times in shadow, coming from the energy of reaction and not one of balance. We were taught to be strong, to always be pushing forward and to take what is ours for there is shortage.
It is then in this completion and surrender of ourselves, that we may collectively evolve as a species and as a planet, for we will now embrace and nurture ourselves in complete love which was all shadow ever needed.
When we are back in balance with self, each other and the planet -- the sacred union of energies is restored once more. Our lives become free from ALL ties to the past, for we understand it was our energy form that wanted to experience the shadow in order to fully integrate the light. When we become conscious of our existence we expand back into all our awareness and understanding for life. We understand we are here to learn unconditional love in physical form and to enjoy the experience of being human. The more we heal, learn and let go the more we expand back into who we are.
This shapes and changes our lives in so many ways from our health, our relationships, to our experiences. We hold more light and become complete and grounded into each present moment. Everyone we meet is showing us something we need to learn about ourselves. This understanding will get us out of each other's business and into our own, for the time spent in drama of another is really a deflection of what we are ignoring within ourselves.
So love your shadow, own your shadow and set it free.
By Zoe Davenport
Excerpt from the new book Love is the answer -- a guide to awakening the heart and stepping into true authenticity Sign up at www.zoedavenport.co.uk