Walking with Shadows

Introduction:
It’s often said that children possess an innate wisdom that can leave adults in awe. Recently, a grandmother shared a profound moment with her 4-year-old granddaughter, who, while walking hand-in-hand, asked, "Can our shadows hug each other today?" This question, seemingly innocent, holds a powerful metaphor for self-awareness, integration, and embracing both our light and dark sides — concepts deeply embedded in the teachings of Carl Jung and the philosophy of the Journeymen Collective (JMC).

Shadows: The Hidden Aspects of Self

In Jungian psychology, the “shadow” represents the unconscious parts of our personality — those traits, emotions, and desires we tend to repress or deny. The shadow is not inherently negative; it’s simply the aspects of ourselves we do not acknowledge or express. Jung teaches that integration of the shadow is essential for wholeness, as rejecting these parts leads to fragmentation of the self. In this light, the young child’s inquiry about their shadow hugging theirs invites us to consider how we relate to our own hidden parts.

• Jungian Insight: Jung believed that embracing the shadow through self-reflection and acceptance was necessary for achieving the individuation process — the journey of becoming who we truly are, both light and dark. This process requires acknowledging, not rejecting, all parts of ourselves.

The Invitation of the Child's Innocence

What makes this question so profound is the innocence with which the child asks it. Children have not yet learned to fear the shadow; it is simply part of their experience. To them, the idea of shadows hugging each other is natural, as if they see shadows as companions in the journey of life.

From a Journeymen Collective perspective, this highlights the importance of embracing every aspect of our journey, including the uncomfortable or hidden parts of ourselves. Just as the child sees the shadow as a partner on the walk, we too must recognize that our shadow is not something to be feared, but embraced as part of our wholeness.

• JMC Reflection: The process of healing and self-discovery within the Journeymen Collective is rooted in the understanding that personal growth comes from embracing all parts of ourselves, including those we are uncomfortable with. The act of integrating our shadows is a form of self-love and surrender.

The Hug of Acceptance: A Metaphor for Self-Integration

The question "Can our shadows hug each other?" can be interpreted as a metaphor for acceptance and integration of both our light and shadow sides. By accepting the shadow and allowing it to embrace us, we are allowing all parts of our being to coexist in harmony. In this space of acceptance, we transcend the duality of good and bad, light and dark, and simply BE.

• Jungian Insight: Jung suggested that true freedom and growth come when we no longer fight our shadows, but allow them to be fully integrated into our conscious life. The shadow is not something to erase; it’s something to understand and incorporate.

• JMC Reflection: In the same way, the Journeymen Collective encourages individuals to embark on their own journeys of self-acceptance and healing. This is not about denying parts of ourselves, but about embracing them fully so that they can contribute to our growth and expansion.

Walking Hand-in-Hand with Our Shadows

When the child asks about the shadow hug, there is an implicit reminder that we are not alone in this process. Shadows, like all aspects of ourselves, walk with us. We can walk beside them, not in conflict but in recognition of the fullness they bring to our experience.

In the spirit of the Journeymen Collective, we can view our shadows not as enemies but as partners in the journey. Every part of us — the parts we celebrate and the parts we hide — can be a source of wisdom and growth when we allow them to come together in balance. The hug represents the healing that occurs when we stop running from ourselves and instead, embrace the fullness of who we are.

• JMC Practice: As part of our work with clients, we encourage exercises of self-inquiry, where individuals are invited to meet their shadows, listen to their messages, and begin to integrate them consciously. This is not always comfortable, but it is always transformative.

Conclusion: A New Way to Walk with Our Shadows

So, what can we learn from the simple yet profound question of a 4-year-old? It invites us to walk with our shadows, not as something separate or to be feared, but as a companion in the journey toward wholeness. The shadow is part of us, and by accepting it, we are able to move through the world with a deeper sense of integrity and peace.

• Final Reflection: In embracing our shadows, we no longer need to hide or reject parts of ourselves. Instead, we can greet them with the same openness and compassion we offer the light. Just like the 4-year-old and her grandmother, may we all find moments in our journey where we ask, “Can our shadows hug each other today?” and allow ourselves to be held in that embrace.