Here’s a hypothetical scenario. Someone is planning an important dinner and business partners will be there, as well as the boss. The person gets ready and dress with their best clothing. They check their teeth, hair and any other physical defect. And practice smiling correctly, just for good measure.
When they arrive, there is no way for the higher ups to know that hours earlier, they were a nervous wreck. Yelling at their staff because they couldn’t do their job right.
There is no need for anyone to know that earlier that morning they were a literal dictator.
That put together person that we like to show to others(and ourselves) is the persona. The part of us that the world sees, and accepts. The civil and seemingly perfect outside. The mask. The person in the scene probably believes himself/herself to be quite nice and outstanding. Incapable of wrong. But said person is ignoring something crucial.
According to psychologist Carl Jung, the human Psyche has a shadow side. (See Jungian Psychology article The Shadow) The shadow hides in our unconscious mind. Coming out during times of great stress or when our insecurities are prodded. It’s the part of ourselves we discard because society deems it unacceptable. The aggressive, animalistic side humans deny. Where all of our anger and resentment go.
If we deny the shadow, it tends to manifest itself. A passive-aggressive comment, projection of another’s flaws and violently attacking someone. It will run our lives.
Sensei has mentioned the tiger within the circle in class. The tiger reminded me of the Jungian shadow. Because in order to achieve a more harmonious and whole existence, we must integrate it and encircle it. Not let it run chaotically everywhere.
While the shadow contains many primal qualities, many of them can be used constructively. That’s what the circle is for.
Just a thought.
by Nathali Carrera