When Darkness Come

 

                                               (image: youtube.com)

Arang kadugyom pirme an kalibutan.

Affirmation plays a crucial role in childhood development. Young children need to feel valued and appreciated to cultivate a future where their confidence remains intact. Without consistent affirmation, developmental gaps in self-esteem may persist and even intensify as they age.

While some argue that adulthood offers the ability to overcome childhood insecurities, evidence and research suggest otherwise. These unresolved deficits often continue to affect individuals well into adulthood, persisting through old age.

When the desire for affirmation and other unmet needs overwhelm an individual, The Shadow begins to consume their persona, distorting how they present themselves to the world.

Carl Jung's concept of The Shadow(1921)  refers to the unconscious and often repressed aspects of an individual's personality—traits, desires, or behaviors that the person refuses to acknowledge because they are considered undesirable, socially unacceptable, or contrary to one’s self-image.

These aspects remain hidden in the unconscious but can strongly influence thoughts, emotions, and behavior, often manifesting in ways the person may not recognize or control.

This writer is deeply fascinated by Carl Jung’s concept of The Shadow, believing it holds profound significance in shaping an individual's psyche. It is as though this hidden aspect of the self, if left unchecked and nurtured, has the potential to haunt or even overpower the individual, exerting a powerful influence over their thoughts and actions.

While The Shadow cannot be entirely eliminated, it can be integrated and managed through conscious awareness and self-reflection. This process is central to Jung’s concept of individuation, where a person strives to become a more whole and balanced version of themselves by confronting and accepting their Shadow.

Jung emphasized that the goal is not to control or suppress the Shadow, but to integrate it. Suppressing the Shadow can lead to it manifesting in unintended ways, such as through projection or irrational behavior. By acknowledging the darker, hidden parts of oneself, individuals can gain insight into their unconscious motivations and desires, ultimately reducing the Shadow’s unconscious influence.

The Shadow cannot be "controlled" in the traditional sense, but it can be integrated through self-awareness, acceptance, and introspection. By doing so, individuals can harness its potential and prevent it from unconsciously sabotaging their life.

If not, darkness consumes their world.