Embracing Your Shadow

For me, it means I’ll climb trees and dance down busy streets.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth” (Matthew 5:5) Many will assume meek means weak, vulnerable, timid; but nay…

The meek person is one who carries a sword, knows how to use it, but chooses to keep it sheathed. (paraphr. Dr J.Peterson) When someone knows they have the power to create chaos, instil fear, or cause damage; but instead stay idle, does that not require greater strength than those who give in to the temptation to become radical without thought? Or does it make them cowardly? Perhaps the meek understand that the power they carry can be released by other means. They can be just as destructive in more subtle motions and carefully chosen words. However, with this attitude comes a trap. If the meek become over-trained into holding back, they will become those who listen to conversations, think of a witty line, but keep it unspoken to prevent offence. They could fall so far into that trap, they become harmless; like a domesticated pet. So how do we keep our wild streak? It requires control. It requires trial and error; and play. Carl Jung speaks of a shadow; a dark, often-ignored part of your personality that awaits your discovery. It follows you; hoping you’ll turn around to see that you have the potential to integrate sides of you that allow for instinctive, sometimes irrational behaviours. This doesn’t mean you go around causing danger. For me, it means I’ll climb trees and dance down busy streets. If you allow the shadow to enter you, you must not allow it to take over you. Sometimes the shadow will bring people to do bad. They can test the bad, but should ultimately choose good. “Most good men are dangerous men.” (Dr J.Peterson) I’ve chosen to view this as a concept that means good men or other genders are ones that you would choose to stand behind in battle. They will lead with strength, but not violence. They will show dominance through knowledge. So, how can we distinguish someone who holds a sword, from someone is a harmless domesticated pet? Most introverts could easily be misinterpreted as the pet. Same too for extroverts… all bark, no bite. At my previous workplace, I was often referred to as being a 'secret ninja'; one who others would least like to fight. A previous housemate of mine said if we were in a Hunger Games scenario, and he had been given the power to eliminate someone at the start, he would 100% choose me; because he felt I’m “that person who always survives till the end of the movie.” Yet others are oblivious to these traits. Perhaps, it takes one to know one. Only those who carry a sword, or contain parts of their shadow within, recognise their fellows; like people with face tattoos or mighty moustaches; who nod in passing. Belle, the Beauty is not enchanted by a pure Beast, nor a neat civilian; but by a Beast who can be civil.