If you always wanted to be “good” (shadow work on spiritual bypassing)

Here I’m demonstrating how I process my own shadow and insights I gained by asking myself some of these questions. (this is just my personal experience, this is not to be taken as advice. TY for listening!)

Spiritual bypassing is how we protect ourselves from the "bad," but in turn we lose our ability to be discerning.
There’s nothing wrong with spirituality or religion but when these set of beliefs or rules cause us to disown our natural instincts. This is basically the spiritual version of avoidance and distorted cognitions.

0:00 - preview
1:28 - morning pages exercise
2:56 - what is the 'shadow'
3:40 - what happens when we don't examine the shadow
4:46 - what do triggers got to do with the shadow
5:12 - what does the shadow give us
5:37 - other ways to encounter the shadow
5:47 - BEGINNING SHADOW WORK
7:01 - SPIRITUAL BYPASSING
8:10 - growing up religious
9:20 - the healing power of spirituality and religion
10:04 - disowning ANGER leads to LEARNED HELPLESSNESS
12:10 - using spiritual bypassing to stay stuck in toxic relationships
14:35 - practice REALITY TESTING QUESTIONS
16:19 - summary and closing thoughts

The shadow will wake you up from sleepwalking. We all have the instinct to self-actualize. Shadow work “triggers” us. And triggers are catalyst for our inner expansion. If you’re looking to dive into the deep end of self-awareness, hear your inner voice, and break old unconscious patterns ask yourself these questions…

SHADOW QUESTIONS:
-What qualities in others do I dislike or reject in others?
-When do I feel the most triggered or upset by others?
-How do I react when someone criticizes me? Why do I react this way?
-How do I project my own insecurities onto others?
-When do I feel the need to control situations or people?
-What aspects of myself do I struggle to accept?

REALITY TESTING QUESTIONS:
-Is there any evidence that contradicts this thought or belief?
-Is this thought or belief based on past experiences rather than the present reality?
-What are the real risks versus the perceived risks?
-Is this an emotional reaction, or is it based on facts?

(DISCLAIMER: Shadow work, suggested readings, and journal questions are not substitute for therapy.)

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
-The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
-Dreaming Through Darkness: Shine Light into the Shadow to Live the Life of Your Dreams by Charlie Morley
-Man and His Symbols by Carl G. Jung

#spiritualbypassing
#Shadowwork
#Codependency
#Victim complex
#mentalhealthawareness
#therapyjourney
#Empath
#religioustrauma
#Rescuefantasy
#Traumabonds
#subconscious
#pychoanalytic
#partswork
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#bpd
#addictions