Concrete Shamanism Guide To Shadow Work

By Merrick Jacobson and William Eric Durchholz

The "Concrete Shamanism Guide To Shadow Work" is a transformative resource designed to guide individuals through the intricate process of exploring their shadow self. Drawing from the rich traditions of shamanism and the psychological insights of Carl Jung, this guide offers a unique synthesis that encourages deep self-reflection and healing. Throughout its pages, readers will encounter various tools and practices aimed at uncovering the repressed or ignored parts of themselves—those aspects that often remain hidden yet profoundly influence behavior and emotions.

Structured to support both beginners and those more advanced in their spiritual journey, the guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to engage with one's inner darkness in a safe and nurturing manner. Through exercises, reflective questions, and meditative practices, the guide encourages an interactive experience.

Each section is crafted to facilitate an understanding of the different layers of the self and to promote integration and acceptance. The goal is to empower readers to reclaim their whole selves, achieving a greater sense of balance and wholeness. As they progress through the guide, readers are supported by expressions of unconditional love and encouragement, reinforcing the message that all parts of the self are worthy of acceptance.

The "Concrete Shamanism Guide To Shadow Work" serves not only as a manual for personal growth but also as a companion on the journey toward self-discovery and inner peace. It is an essential tool for anyone looking to delve deeper into their psyche, confront their shadows, and embrace the light of true self-awareness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9781304745194

Book preview

The Purpose Of This Book

When we debuted the Concrete Shamanism Shadow Work Deck and began working with others, we noticed there was a distinct lack of understanding among clients as to exactly what they were getting into. There are many other books on Shadow Work and they are excellent in their own right. We decided to create this book to fill in the gaps or holes that we perceived in other works dedicated to Shadow Work. While this could be considered a companion piece to the deck itself, it is really an introduction and overview of Shadow Work, Concrete Shamanism and what to expect when healing the exposed shadow.

Do You Need To Do Shadow Work?

Shadow work might be a new concept for many, but it has its roots in Shamanic practices of old. Before we get into what it is and how it works, let’s pose a few questions to see if shadow work can be of immediate use to you. You may get out a piece of paper or being your shadow work journal by answering these questions.

Do you feel easily triggered by certain people, places or things? If so, what are they?

Is there an addiction present to anything? This includes sex, food, social media or binge-watching in addition to drugs and alcohol?

Are you stressed out or find it difficult to manage juggling life? Does there never seem to be enough time for children, work, marriage, dating or even working out and exercising?

Are there problems in your relationships with family, friends, co-workers? Has communication broken down in a close or intimate relationship?

Do you find yourself feeling intense anxiety in certain situations or there is just a general unease about life?

Do you constantly worry about the past or obsess about the future?

Are you stuck in a self-help loop without seeing any tangible results?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then shadow work might help. Shadow Work does not address the issue directly because the issue is a symptom of what is really going on.

For example, anxiety as defined within the context of shadow work, is the energy spent repressing who you really are. Doing this work releases you from the bondage of the false self and the anxiety goes away the more authentic you become.

Is Shadow Work Dangerous?

Doing Shadow Work can uncover deeply repressed memories and trauma, so we advise to avoid any deep work into your shadow until you have a better grasp of what you are dealing with.

Shadow Work cannot hurt you, but it can and will have a profound effect on your life and your relationships. In the majority of cases, doing Shadow Work can release long-suppressed energy and as this happens, you might feel physical symptoms such as nausea or dizziness.

These physical symptoms are evidence that you are doing Shadow Work correctly.

Overcoming the fear of doing Shadow Work can be an exercise in itself. Keep in mind that what is hidden in the shadows is already there whether you engage with it or not. If you are reading this book, then you are probably ready to engage with it. What we are repressing might be harming us or we might be missing something great about ourselves that is also hidden.

The fact is that not doing Shadow Work is causing us more long-term discomfort than dealing with the shadow itself.

We advise reading this whole book before taking a deep dive into shadow work. This is because once you know the reasons why things get repressed, it will be easier to integrate them when the time comes. Our techniques are unique and they are explained in detail on the following pages.

No one ever regrets doing Shadow Work, so the likelihood of not getting a benefit from it is nil.

What if I do not like what I uncover?

This is a common fear. That there is a reason we suppress things that are painful because remembering it can be traumatic. This is a valid question and we advise seeing a therapist to deal with the deep trauma or significant mental health issues. Our techniques are a wonderful complement to psychotherapy and we encourage anyone to work with a therapist to grapple with deep or intense memories.

However, since what is not acceptable to society or our parents is also in our shadow, it is very likely that you will uncover hidden qualities or talents that can be of great benefit to you in the present moment. You might uncover skills that you did not know you had. We call this the gold in the shadow, and it is waiting for you.

Ultimately, you are responsible for your own healing and recovery. This book and the techniques within are not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care. This book can be a wonderful tool as a companion to an already underway healing process. While the Concrete Shamanism Shadow Work Deck can be used to interact with the shadow, it is not necessary for the purposes of this book.

Introduction To Your Shadow

While the sun's rays bathe the earth in warmth and light, by their very nature, they also sculpt shadows at our feet. This duality, inseparable from and inherent to the sun's embrace, mirrors a profound truth within us all.

In this paradigm, we find a metaphor for the human experience. The sun itself represents the known, the visible, the acknowledged. In contrast, our shadows, cast by our very beings, symbolize the hidden, the repressed, the unexplored facets of our psyche.

Every person, like a tree under the sun, possesses a shadow side. This shadow harbors our repressed emotions, behaviors, and truths, often obscured from our conscious awareness. It is a universal truth, binding us in our shared humanity, that each of us carries within us these unseen aspects.

Shadow Work, the practice of exploring these concealed depths, is more a spiritual journey than a psychological one. While the guidance of a trained psychologist can be invaluable, the true exploration is a solitary voyage into the self.

Cultural tales and myths have long portrayed the shadow in various forms - the mysterious sorcerer, the dark wizard, or the corrupted hero. Characters like Darth Vader, Gollum, or the dual nature of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from literature and film illustrate the concept of a 'dark side.' Yet, these too are metaphors; symbols of the deeper, more complex reality of the human shadow.

The truth of Shadow Work lies not in the dichotomy of light and dark, but in the recognition and integration of the parts of ourselves we have hidden or denied. It involves unearthing aspects of our character unknown to our conscious mind, discovering dormant talents, and acknowledging wisdom yet to be realized.

This practice invites us to view our 'shadow' not as a sinister or malevolent force, but as a repository of qualities and potentials that were suppressed in our formative years. Perhaps these traits were discouraged by family, educators, or society, leading us to repress them to belong or conform. These repressed elements, now residing in the shadow, await our courageous exploration and acceptance.

In this book, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, exploring the hidden landscapes of our being, and embracing the totality of our existence - light and shadow in harmonious balance.

The Little Girl Who Wants To Sing

Imagine there is a little girl who displays a prodigious singing talent at the age of 6 years old. Being an excited little girl, she tells everyone that she wants to be a professional singer when she grows up. Everyone in her life encourages her because she is such a sweetheart, and looks adorable when she puts on mock concerts in the family living room. But as she ages, the support for her singing career gets squashed by her parents who want her to focus on something they believe is real, something they see as a reliable career that can make her money.

Her parents mean her no harm and genuinely want the best for her. And even though it is very possible to do what you love and make money at the endeavor, all her parents can see is a potential future of struggle, strife and hard work barely making ends meet. They ask her prodding questions like you don't want to be a starving artist, do you? or what are you going to do if you don't make it as a singer? Out of her parents' fear, this little girl neglects and ignores her singing talent, eventually repressing it so deeply that she is unaware she can sing at all. And she grows up, goes to college and gets a career in medicine that pleases her parents instead of herself, without ever recognizing her choice.

Under the surface, she is a bundle of nerves. She feels unfulfilled at her job and hates the city in which she lives. She has deep resentments towards everyone in her life – resentments that she does not understand. And she loathes the society she lives in because it did not support the very things that gave