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Shadow Work’s Most Overlooked and Misunderstood Facets With Kim Barta
The subtle nuances of shadow work
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Shadows are a word for the unconscious distortions that undermine our experience. Example shadows include limiting beliefs, unhealthy patterns, suppressed emotions, little and big traumas. We all have them and we can liberate ourselves from their influence through shadow work.
When I realized my life was quietly being directed by unconscious patterns and concepts, I became obsessed with uncovering and healing my shadows.
This went on for a few years. I experienced a lot of growth, but also realized that there is actually a shadow to shadow work. We talk about this paradox in today’s conversation.
I’m a bit older and maybe a smidge wiser now, and continue to learn about the vast nuances of working with the unconscious.
Today’s guest Kim Barta helped expand my perspective and understanding of shadow work. Kim’s background as psychotherapist and teacher has culminated in him developing several new forms of therapy and models for understanding human evolution including the evolution of shadow resolution and the stages model of human development.
As part of this journey, Kim performed a meta-study of all the different shadow work practices and realized that there are actually 3 different types of shadows that are best served by different interventions.
Many people get into shadow work and then just start treating everything like a shadow and using the same technique on everything.
Imagine a Dr. trying to give everyone the same remedy for every type of ailment? This may actually cause more harm then good.
According to Kim, the same type of precision ideally can be applied to our shadow work.
In the conversation, we dive deep into the different types of shadow and how you can work with them at a high level.
Other interesting ideas:
Why substitution techniques do not resolve shadow
How unconscious distortions are formed
How we can uncover shadows and begin to work with them
The difference between projection, interjects, and split ego states
How context shifts as we heal our shadows
What we can learn from the inspirational story of Daryl Dawkins
Kim’s perspective on intuition
Why we need to think of shadow work more like a lifestyle than something to be completed
Kim has great energy and the fruits of his own shadow work are clearly visible in the freedom he expresses himself.
I was curious to further my own understanding of his ideas and took two of his courses. I really liked them and have linked them here. I am not an affiliate or anything, just wanted to share.
I hope you enjoy this conversation and wisdom from Kim!
-Scott
If you liked reading or listening to this, feel free to click the ❤️ or 🔄 button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏
Recommended Resources:
Episode Transcript
Show notes:
00:00 - Introduction and Context
00:30 - Defining Shadow
01:35 - Substitution Techniques and Symptom Work
04:20 - Formation of Distortions
06:15 - Unconscious Patterns and Lack of Updates
08:23 - Calcified Patterns and Flexibility
09:05 - The Impact of Early Childhood Experiences
10:03 - The Process of Investigating Shadows
12:09 - Different Types of Shadows
14:36 - Interject Shadows
32:18 - Compassionate Evaluation
33:15 - Changing Perspective through Projection Work
36:46 - Dealing with Racism: The Story of Daryl Davis
37:46 - Moving from Reaction to Flow
39:14 - Developing Multiple Perspectives
41:53 - Healing Internal Culture
44:19 - The Shadow Side of Shadow Work
46:47 - The Importance of an Ecology of Practices
48:11 - The Role of Intuition in Shadow Work
56:57 - The Process-Oriented Nature of Shadow Work