Shadow Self... and The Monkey Mind!
by Valerie O'Brien on 04/12/12
What is Shadow-self and Monkey-mind you ask...well it is an aspect of ourselves that when working in harmony with our higher good can bring lessons into our lives that help us to grow and understand what being human is all about. Shadow-self is an aspect of our human soul that in which our darker nature or more primal being resides. When we exist in balance...this shadow-self helps us with fight & flight situations... to protect our young & family from dangerous situations, as well as helping us recognize and warn us about the darkness in other people or situation....there-by keeping us safe! Shadow-self understands our grief and anger and frustration with life and its many ups and downs...it allows us to experience the full range of emotions that is part and parcel of being human. But if given full reign over our actions Shadow-self can descend too far into the darker aspects of life and take us to places that very little light can shine...so it is important to maintain the perfect harmony of the light that is our beautiful shining being and the dark that allows us to experience the more primal aspect of the human condition and life lessons...that allow us to move forward on our path!
Now Monkey-mind likes to create obstacles that are not really there! To throw challenges in our path to see how we strive to over come them and move forward. Sometimes we get caught up in the obstacle and become immobilized or it will make us feel we are not in control of our lives or our own minds... or allow our shadow-self too much power and it then continues to place obstacles and chaos onto our path...over-whelming and distracting us... which can then send us spiraling out of control.
Now you may think that monkey-mind is a bad thing and must be over come or eliminated...but in truth it is like shadow-self, a necessary part of our well being...the being we want to be in perfect harmony & balance...believe it or not! :) Monkey-mind through it's seemingly chaotic chatter actually gives us many scenarios on how we can deal or address many of our life issues and situations. It it is like a day planner...reminding us of where we need to be and what needs to be done in our lives like a constant moving kaleidoscope....and this can help us at times look at the bigger picture or at the smaller more detailed picture. We must learn to filter/master the more chaotic aspects of the monkey-mind and utilize it's more helpful characteristics...like how it can distract us from a stressful or boring situation. By learning to be playful with monkey-mind...you will stay in full control and actually enjoy the more amusing aspects of it!
So look at the complete person you are and see both the light and dark...the orderly & chaotic sides and realize it is everything and all this that makes you the very special and yes unique person that you are...we are are all one...in our own unique way!
Blessings, and may you always walk in harmony with every aspect of yourself! "I AM that I AM"...a divine being!....Valerie
