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Dr. Eric Perry
72 Comments

Do You Know Your Shadow Side?

Written by Dr. Eric Perry

“Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence”
~Simon & Garfunkel

Like Dr. Jekyll and his evil shadow Mr. Hyde, most of us are completely unaware of the constant dark companion that dwells within us. Our shadow side, according to C.G. Jung, the celebrated Swiss psychiatrist, is the dark side of our personality. It is an unconscious aspect of the personality of which we are not consciously aware. The shadow side is comprised of primitive and negative emotions. It resides within the deepest recess of our psyche, rarely seeing light. It is comprised of the least desirable aspects of our personality such as greed, envy, anger, rage, selfishness, power strivings, and sexual lust. These are parts of the self that we reject and dare not look at in the light of day.

According to Jung, the shadow serves as a reservoir for all human darkness. All that we reject in ourselves and deem unacceptable becomes part of the shadow. We create and invest ourselves into an idea of who we are as individuals. Anything that is inconsistent with this persona is suppressed and put in the inner well that contains our darkest emotions. I believe to truly know ourselves, we must be willing to acknowledge and accept the “Mr. Hyde” within us.

How to recognize your shadow side:

1. Irrational and instinctive
The shadow side is irrational and instinctive. It will psychologically project a perceived personal inferiority onto someone else. A person may project and attribute a quality onto someone else in order to defend against their own impulse. For example, a person who habitually engages in gossip may accuse others of being gossip mongers. These projections of inferior personality traits act as a wall that keeps a person from seeing this dark side of themselves. This suggests that the qualities we repress, we often see in others.

2. May manifest as psychological disturbances
At its most dangerous, the habitually repressed shadow will manifest itself in psychological disturbances ranging from neurosis to psychosis. In centuries past, the behaviors attributed to the shadow were seen as a form of demonic possession. Such is the strength of the unleashed shadow.

3. Appears when triggered
Stressful circumstances, extreme fatigue, and intoxication may trigger the shadow side to temporarily take over a person. For example, an intoxicated person might become enraged and want to fight everyone, or a person might be triggered by a loved one in a moment of stress and lash out in an uncontrollable and irrational manner. It is as if we go on autopilot and the unconscious shadow takes over.

We must not be afraid of our shadow side. C.G. Jung used the term shadow as a metaphor for the unconscious. It is not an evil twin that resides within us. It is a part of the human psyche that should be explored and assimilated into consciousness. It can be a source of positive, life-giving attributes and also underdeveloped creativity. For example, if you were led to believe at a young age that art is a waste of time and this ability was repressed, tapping into the shadow within may unleash this artistic talent. There is much to be said about C.G Jung and exploring the shadow through shadow work. Shadow works consists of exploring insecurities, weaknesses, hatred, and other dark emotions. By exploring our shadow side we can develop more self-awareness and as a result become more self-compassionate. By increasing our self-compassion we will become more accepting of others and even be less triggered by their behavior.

This blog is meant to give you an idea of what C. G. Jung referred to as the shadow and is not all-inclusive.

“There is no light without shadow and no psychic wholeness without imperfection” ~C.G Jung

The thoughts expressed in this blog post are my own and are not meant to create a professional relationship with the reader. This blog does not replace or substitute the help of a medical professional. Please note, I am unable to answer your specific questions as I am not fully aware of all of the circumstances.

Kindly,
Dr. Perry

Copy of Dr. Eric Perry

“I help ambitious and high achieving individuals manifest a life of success and fulfillment in order to achieve the life they truly desire.”

Dr. Eric Perry | drericperry.com

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72 responses to Do You Know Your Shadow Side?

  1. twinkletoes2017 says:

    Fab blog! Thanks. I’ve recently found some anger which scared me a lot and I’ve always thought of the shadow as a bad thing, reading this has helped me to understand this concept much better!

    Liked by 12 people

  6. boundlessblessingsblog says:

    Yes absolutely agree with MR. Jung that we all have our Shadows and mayas at every moment but only through darkness we will see light so only through awareness we will know how to get rid of our so called shadows and see the light. Great post and thanks for the awesome share

    Liked by 9 people

  7. The Wild Prose says:

    My dark side is one that I try to avoid my best! It’s like being in a depressed and suicidal stage that goes on for days or weeks even. At least now I’m learning to manage. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 7 people

  8. TheCatLady says:

    Very interesting read. I always saw our shadow side as our twin; it is the negative part of ourselves that brings on insecurities. I never thought about it as being our repressed emotions whether good or bad. I’ll be pondering over this for a while 😛

    Liked by 8 people

  9. Siege says:

    I really enjoyed this post. My shadow side is something that I’ve been struggling with for quite some time. I’ve been working on accepting it, but that is often easier said than done.

    Liked by 7 people

  10. neilsonanita says:

    if there was no shadow/dark, how would we clearly perceive the light! Ah, the duality of life on earth. This is a very interesting post. thank you.

    Liked by 7 people

  11. HikingGirlWithDog says:

    Thanks for this post. I had an experience with my shadow side yesterday. It totally caught me off guard and felt embarrassed by the resentful feeling that creeped up all of sudden but you are right. It was triggered. First I felt embarrassed by the feeling. Then I embraced my feeling and thought nurturing words to myself. It’s still lingering but I don’t feel upset anymore. Now I am working on healing the hurt feeling that surfaced up. On a good path, I think.

    Liked by 6 people

  13. Reticent Writer says:

    This is an enlightening read. I felt jealousy rear it’s ugly head last week when a friend shared some of their good news with me. I tried to push it down because it felt so absolutely “anti” who I am/what I stand for but that wasn’t helpful for me. I might now try sitting with the feeling for a while and accepting it instead of rejecting it. That seems a far more healthy approach.

    Liked by 5 people

  16. MTM says:

    I love reading this kind of thing. I am desperately aware of my shadow self. She’s constantly lingering just under the surface, but she keeps me on my toes! Luckily, she doesn’t fully come out to play in the world, but the internal conversation is a hoot!

    Liked by 6 people

  18. Jenna says:

    I have to admit ‘Hello darkness my old friend’ is actually something I said aloud to myself very recently when I was at a particularly low point emotionally. Coincidence that this post of yours is the one I landed on?

    Liked by 5 people

  19. freiedenkerin says:

    I guess, most of us want to see ourselves bright and full of light, being nearly flawless. The knowledge that everybody has a dark side can be very disturbing.

    Liked by 5 people

  20. Do it your way says:

    Basically the shadow side are emotions, it’s simplify, but as everyone know negative emotion can make harm to yourself or hurt someone, then a lot of people neglects other emotions, which can lead to reckless decisions. In other words (which are still a simplify) all emotions going under control is your shadow side. Reason should control emotions and keep it balanced.
    I can be wrong, so then correct me please.
    Take care and have a nice day.

    Liked by 5 people

  21. Jazz Jaeschke says:

    Coming to terms (acceptance) of my own shadow (a work-in-process) helps me cope with occasional bizarre behavior in loved ones, understanding where it comes from and that I do not need to take it as a grading of my value to that person. Life is relationship driven, lots of shadows overlapping in any interaction – never a dull moment.

    Liked by 6 people

  22. gecko1000 says:

    Reblogged this on gecko1000 and commented:
    Here’s an interesting blog on Jung and his theory of the shadow – that primitive part of ourselves that pops out of our civil selves from time to time and occasionally overwhelms us. I sometimes think that Positive Psychology ignores our darker side. Do you have a view?

    Liked by 4 people

  23. arealwookie says:

    Reblogged this on EclecticChoices and commented:
    I find this article on Carl Jung’s thoughts and insight into human nature to be highly interesting. It echoes the Judaeo-Christian concept of the soul, the inward battle between good and evil, i.e. humans created in the moral likeness of God versus our fallen and/or carnal nature.

    Jung refers to greed, envy, anger, rage, selfishness, power strivings, and sexual lust as being part of our primitive and negative emotions, the dark, unconscious aspects of our personality. A Judaeo-Christian worldview would point to this darkness or “shadow” as the result of Original Sin in the Garden of Eden, our carnal nature resulting from sin and separation from God.

    Even to the casual observer, with some knowledge of the theological concepts of our essential human nature, it is easy to see that Carl Jung was also influenced by a Judaeo-Christian worldview, albeit a somewhat twisted and reinterpreted worldview. To the secular mind, Jung ideas are palatable, to the theologically trained, they fall far short of the ancient writings (scripture) and the historical account of Jesus Christ, and the meaning of His life, death, and resurrection.

    Nevertheless, the author (Eric Perry, PhD) fleshes out some fascinating ideas applicable to the practical realm of our lives. Human beings do, indeed, tend to suppress the aspects of their dark nature and often project those same “shadows” on others.

    In the final analysis, the post is a good read 🙂

    Liked by 6 people

  25. newbycoachlive says:

    Hello again, and hope you enjoyed your holiday! Thanks for this post. I agree with you that we shouldn’t fear our ‘shadow side’. It’s part of being human. I’ve found that over time, a mindfulness practice helps us recognise the different inner ‘voices’ all of us have – and this includes what you’ve called the ‘shadow side’. We also have a ‘vulnerable side’ and lots of other ‘sides’. Sometimes the ‘shadow side’ leaps up in times of stress to ‘protect’ our ‘vulnerable side’ when it feels attacked, and what we might call our more ‘mature side’ somehow opts out and vacates the room! I suppose it’s a matter of learning to accept ourselves as we are with kindness and compassion, and then to work with that to move forward and progress…

    Liked by 5 people

  29. Grabbety Covens says:

    The song lyrics grabbed my eyes and made me enter. The excellent writing used in sharing your topic, a topic which deeply intrigues me, kept my attention all the way to the last word! Psychology amazes me; abnormal psychology even more so. I truly enjoyed this post!!

    Liked by 6 people

  32. Blueinkwriter says:

    I believe this theory aligns well with the therapy I am currently undergoing: Internal Family Systems.

    Understanding that the shadow
    “is a part of the human psyche that should be explored and assimilated into consciousness” seems to go along with the idea that we are composed of many inner parts, and our true self can be a conduit of healing for those parts that have experienced pain and trauma by bringing them to the conscious level and understanding why they developed.

    Jung was one of my favorite theorists to study when I was in college. He had a fascinating grasp and viewpoint on human beings.

    Liked by 5 people

  34. Maya Northen says:

    I love this. I feel like I know my shadow side all too well, unfortunately. It seems to come out especially when cycling (mood, not the biking activity). As mentioned above, it feels more accessible because of my disorder. Or maybe I just recognize it more than others might, because of this.

    Liked by 5 people

  35. Happyspirit says:

    This is something sadly I’ve only just come across as I found my way to shamisam by walking with trees. If I get intoxicated not so much these days, but I would change into a different person so much anger and pain. Thank you for sharing

    Liked by 6 people

  36. ValerieEstrella says:

    I love my shadow. She’s with me everywhere and now we just have fun. I used to not like her and think she was weird. But now I adore her.

    Liked by 6 people

  37. righteousbruin9 says:

    Yes, i know this darkness. It has not caused irreparable harm to anyone, but it has to be allowed to surface, face the light and be be set to dissipation, every so often.

    Liked by 4 people

  38. asimpleview2017 says:

    Thanks for posting Doc. I have heard the phrase Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Never looked at the in depth nuances though. Just assumed that for everyone there was a trigger point which caused one to have a “psychotic moment “🤔👍🏾 It had me take a look at what I have been suppressing.

    Liked by 4 people

  39. Spouse of a SA says:

    I blogged just yesterday about the importance of integrating the shadow because it we don’t, it plays out in the world. Thank you for communicating this, it is so important 😊

    Liked by 4 people

  41. debyblogs says:

    My shadow side reared it’s head just minutes before I read this blog. Someone said something that is a huge trigger for me and I may have gotten louder than I liked. This article is very helpful

    Liked by 4 people

  42. meximinnesotana says:

    Great insights. I know I have struggled to come to terms with my shadow side, but embracing and loving all parts of ourselves helps us to heal in ways we can never imagine otherwise. Thank you.

    Liked by 4 people

  43. bcparkison says:

    Interesting. I wonder if this is what happens in the end stage of life when someone has a drastic change of person. I have wondered if their ‘real” self is actually coming out and they have been living a deception.

    Liked by 4 people

  44. HelsinkiBudapest says:

    Thanks for this. I need to make friends with my shadow side. It (he? / she?) has been trying to get my attention about something for a while now. I’m sure there’s a message trying to get through.

    Liked by 5 people

  45. Rebecca Fegan says:

    It’s interesting. In my religious practices, we confess all the attributes of the shadow side every week so that we can acknowledge its existence and keep it close enough to the surface that it can be recognized and dealt with. Those that truly practice this recognize the shadow side and instead of being blind-sided when it shows up, react with, “Oh THERE you are!” The shadow side then doesn’t have the power and the ability to completely control the light side of the person. It’s like standing on stage with a klieg light, a follow spot and ambient light. You have shadows (multiple) but they are very faint.

    Liked by 5 people

  47. Juliet Elizabeth Petersen says:

    Really insightful post. This makes me want to do some studying, but I’m not going to lie, it makes me a little bit nervous to study that dark side. But you’re right, it is a part of us and should be learned from. Thank you for writing this!

    Liked by 5 people

    • Dr. Perry says:
      Author

      Hi Juliet, thank you for your comment. I am happy to hear this post made you think. Happy exploring!

      Liked by 2 people

  51. Theresa Henige says:

    This is so interesting. A friend once told me I didn’t have a dark side. I figured I was just hiding mine better. haha. Your posts are always thought provoking. By nature and by profession, I am fascinated by what motivates people to do the things they do, and why they think the things they do. I could converse with you for hours on this, but I’ll just say thanks for posting.

    Liked by 3 people

  52. agavin724 says:

    This was great to read because this reaffirmed something I’ve long thought about myself- I have a dark side. I’ve realized I had suppressed parts of it but as of the past few years I’ve been working on diving into that side and getting to understand the other part of me. You’ve got a new subscriber!

    -Andrew Gavin from Takes One

    Liked by 4 people

  55. Author says:

    This is very interesting. I’ve heard of the shadow side. I like that it has something to teach us about ourselves. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it.

    Liked by 3 people

  57. josborne17602 says:

    Wow, just wow! I spent time in therapy learning that anger is just the tip of the iceberg and learning to delve below ‘the waters’ to find its cause. With that, I’ve remained almost completely without show of anger – until recently, when a situation caused me anger and I’ve been unable to digest it so it keeps showing up consciously. I will have to read this a few times, but I think fully understanding it will serve a positive purpose for me. So thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

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