Unfortunately,
our Shadow grows in power and influence the more we try to hide from
it. To recognize it and to forgive it is to steal its life denying
influence.
The only way to deter
the force of the Shadow's power and influence is to be aware of it and
to offer compassion to ourselves and others. That is not to say we
don't embrace our values and morality but it is to say that we do
recognize the hypocrisy in all of us.
Often
we see the greatest sins among those that loudly proclaim their
saintliness and demand that saintliness in others. But human behavior
exists not in an arena of saints or sinners but on a continuum of
better or worse.
To understand that we all possess a Shadow of darkness that colors even the best of our intentions is to understand what it means to be alive and to be human. Paradoxically, once we come to understand our Shadow and to allow compassion for this aspect of ourselves and others then we take away much of the power of the Shadow.
In order for the Shadow to keep its power it must remain in the Shadow. To shine the light of understanding and love on the Shadow in ourselves and in others is to diminish its ability to do harm.
Truthfully, we are all hypocrites in one way or another. We all need to shine the light of awareness on our Shadow and to come to an understanding of it. The Shadow is that dark aspect of ourselves that rules in the darkness of our own ignorance. We can take away much of its reign over us by simply being aware that it is there and allowing some compassion for it.
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