Awakening to Wholeness is a series of prompts, reflections, and teachings about how holding the tension of opposites can help us to heal division and experience wholeness. If you feel moved to share your own reflections, we invite you to email us with the subject line “Wisdom of Opposites” or tag us on social media with #EHoPWisdomOfOpposites.
In order for a shadow to exist, something must come between the light and the surface against which the shadow can then appear. In psychological and spiritual circles, it can be common to denigrate the shadow as something negative, bad, or even evil.
But in truth, the problem is not the shadow itself. The shadow is actually a friend: it helps us to see that something has come in between us and the Light.
Theologically, we might think of the Light as the constant, boring source of Life, of God. The shadow is our friend, companion, elder, who guides us and points out to us areas of possible growth and transformation.
The “things” that block the Light, causing the shadow, are what we might designate as our demons: areas in inner darkness that need to come into the Light. Categorically, these are all the things that cause us to feel the illusion of separation from the Holy One, and that leave us feeling in the dark, alone and afraid.
Every human has an interior world where the work of light and shadow takes place. I like to think of this space within me as a cavern. Just like geological caves, our own inner caves are dark places. Yet there are wonderful treasures and mysteries within.
Unless we become curious about what is in the cave, most of the treasure is left untouched. The invitation of the mature spiritual life is to explore the cave, to seek out ways in which the light can reveal what is hidden in the darkness.
Contemplative Questions
We offer the following questions as prompts to help you reflect on the presence of opposites in your spiritual practice and your life.
- What role does shadow play in your spiritual life? Is it your natural tendency to avoid your shadows, or explore them?
- When has the shadow helped you grow? Can you describe a time when it has guided you toward transformation?
- What words would you use to describe your own inner cave? What mysteries or treasures have you found there?
Join the conversation! If you feel moved to share your reflections, we invite you to email us with the subject line “Wisdom of Opposites” or tag us on social media with #EHoPWisdomOfOpposites.
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