It can be quite the challenge to come to terms with your shadow self — those less-than-ideal parts of yourself that you’re not fully conscious of. It’s understandable to want to keep those aspects of your personality out of sight and out of mind.
Of course, when you ignore your shadow self, it doesn’t go away — it’s still part of who you are. When you don’t understand or recognize these parts of yourself, you often unknowingly project them out into the world and onto other people.
For instance, have you ever met someone who possessed a trait or characteristic that just plain irritated you? Perhaps you couldn’t put your finger on why your aversion was so strong. Well, you may have been unknowingly projecting your unprocessed, less-than-ideal qualities onto that person!
In the short video above, psychotherapist and Enneagram expert Beatrice Chestnut explains why it’s so imperative to acknowledge your shadow side and learn to embrace your whole self.
Don’t miss these highlights:
- (0:28) — The dynamics that are often in play when you’re triggered by someone else, or you keep receiving the same feedback from others
- (0:54) — What happens when you don’t accept all of who you are
- (1:26) — How you can accept yourself completely and seek to diffuse and improve your reactions and habits
- (1:45) — How you can avoid (unknowingly) adding to the darkness in the world
The Enneagram is a map to wholeness that can help you better navigate your life. Each of the nine Enneagram personality types has a shadow side, and exploring them can lead to greater self-awareness, inner peace, and compassion for yourself and others — no matter what’s happening in the world.
You’re invited to attend Beatrice’s 1-hour mini-workshop, Illuminate the Shadow of Your Enneagram Type: Access Greater Self-Understanding, Resilience & Compassion to Better Navigate Your Life — at no cost.
Register in the box below.