Shadow Work vs. Inner Work
Which One Is Which?
So many practitioners, healers and mentors are urging shadow work and inner work, yet for you it may seem mystifying. What is shadow work, really, and what is inner work? That’s motivated me to take some time to share what each has meant for me as I’ve forged ahead on my road to soul evolution.
Shadow work and inner work are both practices aimed at self-awareness, discovery, and personal growth. They focus on different aspects of the self and play different roles in awakening and the healing process.
Swiss psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, popularized shadow work which involves exploring and integrating the “shadow” or hidden, repressed parts of ourselves that we may be unaware of or deny. The shadow often includes emotional aspects we’ve been conditioned to see as ‘bad’ or unacceptable like anger, jealousy or shame. Left unchecked, these traits may lead to patterns of behavior that disrupt relationships and your self-esteem. Through shadow work you can bring these hidden aspects to light, accept them as part of your whole self and transform them in a way that fosters healing and wholeness. Often, this involves confronting uncomfortable feelings or past experiences that hold you back.
Some examples of shadow work are:
Noticing and accepting judgements you have about others that may reflect parts of yourself you haven’t acknowledged;
Identifying the patterns in your life where you act out of unresolved emotions like fear, envy or resentment;
Working to integrate these “shadow” parts so they don’t unconsciously control your actions.
Now onto inner work…
Inner work is a broader term that includes any practice focused on developing self-awareness, healing, and personal growth. It encompasses shadow work but can also include practices aimed at enhancing positive aspects of self like mindfulness, self-compassion, and connection to purpose or higher self. Inner work aims to help individuals align with their authentic values and intentions, address limiting beliefs and foster inner peace and wholeness.
Some examples of inner work include:
Meditation and mindfulness to develop awareness of thoughts and emotions;
Journaling to explore one’s values, dreams, and purpose;
Practicing self-compassion to heal inner criticism or self-doubt
Engaging in personal development through mentorship or therapy to uncover limiting beliefs.
All this said, the key difference between shadow work and inner work is…
Shadow work focuses on hidden or suppressed parts of the self, often associated with pain or discomfort.
Inner work is broader and can include any practice that fosters self-knowledge and growth.
Shadow work aims for the integration of the “darker” aspects of the self, while inner work seeks overall alignment, self-acceptance, and personal fulfillment.
Both are powerful paths to self-awareness and healing. Often, when you practice inner work you will find yourself naturally engaging in shadow work when you encounter unresolved aspects of self.
Finally, being grounded and balanced is the starting point for doing any shadow work or inner work. If you would like to try a complimentary grounding activation with me, please follow this link for more information and to schedule your 30 minute session.