A simple, direct explanation of what simple individual shadows are.

Doshin gives a simple example of how a shadow is formed.

It may seem counter intuitive, but Doshin explains why we should appreciate and celebrate our shadows as we are integrating them into our whole personalities.

The word Ego is a relatively new addition to our language. Our personalities and the cultural context in which our egos develop are much more complex today than they were a mere hundred years ago. A couple of hundred years ago people didn't have "shadows", they were possessed by demons. There were no shadows yet. The solution to the demon problem was to simply kill the host. Things have become much more subtle now days.

Finding our hidden shadows, can be as simple as making room to allow all our different voices, both seen and unseen, to find their voice and speak their truth.

Finding and owning our shadows and then withdrawing our projections is how we can integrate the parts of ourselves we have disowned. This is how we reclaim the parts we have split off that we desperately need to become whole. This is a path to authentic wholeness.

Collective shadows are simply prejudices. The question is not do you have prejudices? Of course you do, we all do. The real question is can you see what your prejudices are and can you articulate what their impact is upon others?

The ego complex, the archetypal foundations of consciousness must be taken into account when doing deeper shadow work. Today, the very problem of evil has been disowned and cast into the shadows.

What does Integral Zen bring to the work of Shadow Integration? What is the deepest truth of who we are? The fear of death and the freedom of a direct experience of nothingness can lead to a path of Shadow Integration which includes: Waking up, Growing up, Fucking up, Cleaning up and Showing up as awake, compassionate, authentic human beings.

Integral Zen's Tools of Awakening and Liberation include: Conflict Liberation, Mondo Zen, 3-2-1-0 Shadow Work, Integral Voice Dialogue, Parental Bonding Patterns, Attachment Repair and various forms of Trauma Work.

Take in everything that has been articulated in this series and then throw it all away and follow your deep heart which includes your gut knowing. Deep gratitude for listening...

Thank you for starting the hard work that is necessary to begin to integrate your shadow.  This is often not easy material, and remember to leave yourself alone:  you will get what you need and let the rest of it go.

Here are some things you might look at next:

• The only person at Integral Zen who is paid is Doshin.  He has put many hours into creating this course, and if you feel it was of value please consider a donation to support our efforts.  
• We welcome feedback on the course at [email protected].
• The next class to take after this one is the Shadow and Integral Theory Fundamentals Self-paced Course, which is a more in depth class on the shadow.
• Also, don't forget we have live Dharma talks every Sunday, morning meditation sessions, saturday Chi-gong, and priests available for 1 on 1 meetings to help with your meditation practice.

Deep gratitude to you all.