“How is your shadow–your honorable shadow?”
This was a customary greeting between friends in Japan, a recognition that what we reject is as important as what we embrace.
I walk with my shadow behind me, sometimes ahead, and often to the side. It is my capricious companion: visible, then hidden, amorphous.
A shadow is never created in darkness. It is born of light.
We can be blind to it and blinded by it.
Our shadow asks us to look at what we don’t want to see. If we refuse to face out shadow, it will project itself on someone else so we have no choice but to engage.*
These lines are from When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams. Subtitle: “Fifty-four Variations on Voice.”
I love the idea of greeting what we reject and realizing its importance. How can we begin to do this?
exploring the mystery wishes you a Happy Fourth of July!
Nicky Mendenhall
4 comments
"How is your shadow–your honorable shadow?" Wow! I shall remember that one…it might evoke a more honest answer than the customary "How are you?" we tend to use. "When Women Were Bird" is such a great book. I have the audio version.
Hi Nicky,
I'm finding this discussion about the shadow really interesting, but I'm wondering if I'm not looking into it deeply enough. I know I have parts of myself that are not all that they could be. In fact, I have some parts that are really not very nice at all. But I know that about myself and take it as part of the Connie-package. I do try to work on those areas since I guess knowing they are there is half the battle.
Have a great holiday!
Connie
Connie – I know the feeling of not going deep enough with shadow work. Thanks for putting it into words. I will keep trying to address this issue.
I appreciate your contributions!
Nicky
Stacy – I am glad this question resonated with you. Let me know what happens when you actually ask someone how their honorable shadow is.
I would like to listen to the book When Women Were Birds. Thanks for the idea – I'm curious how the blank pages would be dealt with by the reader.
I'm always glad to hear from you!
Nicky
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