Definition
A psychological and spiritual practice of exploring and integrating the repressed, denied, or disowned aspects of one's personality—the 'shadow self.' By acknowledging these darker or unwanted traits (anger, shame, selfishness), individuals aim to achieve greater self-awareness and wholeness.
Example Usage
She began shadow work in therapy, examining her tendency to be overly critical of others as a reflection of her own internalized shame.
Origin
Coined by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who developed the concept of the 'shadow' as the unconscious or repressed part of the psyche; popularized in modern therapy and spiritual practice from the 1980s onward.
Fun Fact
Shadow work has become a trendy component of both therapeutic practice and spiritual wellness culture, sometimes merging Jungian psychology with tarot, astrology, and New Age spirituality.
Related Terms
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