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May
Me and My Shadow
The famous Swiss Psychiatrist, Carl Jung, MD, wrote
about and developed the idea of the Shadow. The
Shadow is that part of us that we repress, avoid
and deny. As men, it's easy to hide real authentic
feelings: pain, sadness, depression, anger,
anxiety, shame, and even panic can be tucked away
until they come out "sideways" or erupt in violence
of many sorts--physically or verbally.
While Carl Jung,MD developed the concept the
concept of the Shadow, Robert Moore, Ph.D. and
Douglas Gillette, Ph.D. came up with the King,
Warrior, Magician and Lover Archetypes. These
Archetypes are common in all societies and
especially affect men in our modern, industrialized
countries.These Archetypes which are stereotypes of
character in our society and civilization such as
John Wayne or Clint Eastwood; they represent a type
casting, if you will, of a how a man ought to be,
especially in the 40's and 50's.
Obviously, these Archetypes are changing today.
However, the "dark side" or Shadow of these
Archetypes are problematic. A Shadow King would a
ruthless dictator like Stalin or Hitler. A Shadow
Lover would be a man who seduces and exploits women
sexually and emotionally. A Shadow Warrior would be
a killer like a Hit-man or someone who does
drive-by shootings for sadistic reasons. Finally, a
Shadow Magician would be helping professional who
takes advantage or his clients or professions for
financial or sexual gain.
In the Men's therapy work that I do (both
individual and group), I address the shadow issues.
We look deeply into what's behind the shadow or
causative in living an inauthentic life. We not
only root out the origins of what created the
shadow but look for ways to transform the shadow
into a positive, life affirming behavior that gets
the man back into integrity with himself, his
family, friends and society at large.
A wonderful book that I recommend is: King,
Warrior, Magician and Lover by Robert Moore, Ph.D
and Douglas Gillette, Ph.D. They explain Carl
Jung's Archetypes in very descriptive ways ; also
elaborate on the positive and negative aspects of
the Shadow. Of course, any of Dr. Jung's books on
the Shadow are excellent reads as well.
©2010, Michael
Shaffran
* * *
Mike
Shaffran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and
Psychotherapist with over 30 years experience in
the mental health profession. He's worked most of
his time in outpatient Psychiatric clinics where he
has provided individual, couples/marital, family
and group therapy. He is trained in multiple
therapies, including: Psycho-dynamic,
Gestalt,Structural-Strategic Family, Solution
focused, Brief Therapy, and other methods. He is
trained in EMDR ( a type of therapy for PTSD),
hypnosis, meditation and guided imagery also. Mike
is committed to ongoing seminars, workshops and
trainings to keep current with the latest therapy
to provide the best services possible to his
clients. www.sanluisobispotherapy.com
or E-Mail
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