SESSION 9 - APRIL 30, 2018
I. CORE preparation MATERIALS
1. Shadows or Shadow Personas - The term "shadow" was first used by Carl G. Jung to describe the repressed or denied part of the Self. Robert Bly popularized this idea in A Little Book on the Human Shadow. Bly says that we were each born into a "360-degree personality." As infants we expressed the full breadth of our human nature, without editing or censoring.
As we grew up, however, we learned that certain slices of our 360-degree pie were unacceptable to the people around us. Maybe we were shamed for crying or punished for being angry. Maybe we were ridiculed for wanting attention or acting proud of ourselves. So, we learned to repress those slices of our pie; the ones that got us hurt. According to Bly, it was as if we threw these unacceptable qualities over our shoulder into a bag, which we've been dragging around behind us ever since.
QUICK LINKS
Access Course Materials
- Agents of Change Materials Home .
- Getting Started To Do Checklist (not active for Alumnae) .
- Accountability Partners Page .
- Individual Coaching .
Connection Information
- Course Videocall Information (not active for Alumnae).
- Women Agents of Change Facebook Discussion group .
Need Help with Something?
- Email Dorian for questions or support
Informed by Cliff Barry's Shadow Work®, our WAOC program defines "shadows" as all the parts of ourselves we have stuffed into the bag. These may be "positive" parts or "negative" parts. Our shadows are all those parts we have split off, repressed or denied — the parts of ourselves we are afraid to show.
Some shadows are not useful and most likely need to stay in this 'bag', but many others are dimensions of us that need some care and attention and the opportunity to mature into the light so that we can reap their benefits, or find the gold of them. Noticing, naming and then gently befriending those parts of us is a series of first steps in reclaiming parts of us that are strengths and not merely negatives.
(my thanks to Cliff Barry, his work and his website for informing much of this overview - Dorian )
2. The Persona Interview document - this practice is informed by the work of Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks. I recommend doing it with a coaching partner or in your accountability partnerships.
3. The Slides document from our April 30th Videocall
II. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
See Cliff Barry's website for more information on Shadowwork programs and events around the world