Gaia: Shadow Talk

Re: Shadow tag

http://EyesInThePine.gaia.com — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:11:53 GMT

Thanks B,

I'll fix it.

T

Shadow tag

http://telesterion.gaia.com — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 22:43:41 GMT

I checked the tag word cloud on the main pods page, and I noticed there was no tag for shadow.

Re: Twin Shadows

http://EyesInThePine.gaia.com — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:29:09 GMT

I don't care if it doesn't grow, so long as it's a mix that works, whatever it's size.....

I'm thinking about it. Any suggestions from anyone here?
\
T

Re: Twin Shadows

http://telesterion.gaia.com — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:55:38 GMT

That there are only 4 is the nature of zaadz - once you fall off the new pods list, the only way for people to find you is if you figure out ways to attract them in, or if they are curious enough to search the pods listings. Which not so many are. ;-}

You have to be sure you have tagged and keyworded your pod correctly, so it can be found.

What to do depends on what youir take on shadow material is - if all you are doing is duplicating what is done in other pods, then you may not want to continue.

But, if you have a take on shadow which is a different approach, you may find starting small will let you explore and elaborate on that approach. Then, over time, the pod will grow.

I'm not gonna kid you, pod growth is problematic here in zaadz.

Twin Shadows

http://EyesInThePine.gaia.com — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 12:53:52 GMT

There are only 4 of us here so far- and I suppose all of you know the other shadow pod. Any suggestions for a way to spin this one so we're not redundant, or what?

T

Re: Shadow as Practice

http://telesterion.gaia.com — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 19:36:16 GMT

I may have a different take on shadow practice than the current modern patterns. (But then, I may not be current on the modern patterns. ;-} )

I think one of the tasks that faces every serious practicioner is first, exploring and mapping their own internal shadow material and territory, and then safely interacting with internal shadow material to the point where it loses it's charge, or at least enough of it's charge that it can be integrated into the selfhood.

Most of the shadow's charge, of course, comes from the 'approved" elements of mind and self, that reject and fear the shadow material.

Not all that much can be done with external shadow, the shadow of society, because working on that involves healing the repressed material, fears, and violent rages of the millions and billions of other humans.

Re: Shadow as Practice

http://EyesInThePine.gaia.com — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 13:34:26 GMT

Well, good question.

If 'shadow' is anything rejected by the personality as not fitting with an image, then shadow as practice' means, to me, saying 'Yes' to everything, and rejecting nothing. In other words, everything is delicious, even when it's disgusting. Especially when it's disgusting- since we could not know delicious without it. Disgusting is delicious; yet it is still disgusting. Working with shadow brings up humor, irony, paradox in ways that make life really fucking amazing.

Also, for me, if I notice what I'm wanting to avoid and bring that into awareness, that's a good ongoing shadow practice. But how do we become aware of what we deny? How do we see our own blind spots? Sangha seems crucial, of some sort.

But shadow also means the Lower World, not just denied aspects of the Self; although we tend to reject what is lower in a culture that wants to go up, always.

Shadow is the poison in the bee, the thorns in the roses. Shadow is a wake up principle, and to practice with that means to make the Devil your friend. He's great at parties. That doesn't mean I trust him though! Let's not be naive either.

What do you all think? I'm just musing, my mind could go a hundred ways on this topic.

T

Re: Shadow as Practice

http://peacemakerboulder.gaia.com — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:55:01 GMT

yes, i'm curious about that too!

Re: Shadow as Practice

http://telesterion.gaia.com — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 01:32:28 GMT

So what do you mean by shadow as practice?

Trungpa and Krishnamurti

http://EyesInThePine.gaia.com — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 16:43:20 GMT

I watched the one with Trungpa Rinpoche and Krishnmurti- I thought very appropriate to practice situations, as I see it- the eternal dilemma between practice as an attempt to impose order versus allowing chaos to be simply recognized as order itself. The former is aggressive- even if necessary I suppose- but the latter seems to be the point.

The razor's edge.

Krishnamurti and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5871006181947402801&q=tibet
12 Minutes

Shadow as Practice

http://EyesInThePine.gaia.com — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 13:47:57 GMT

Hi,

I've always been a person well aware of the darker side of life. As I've practiced meditation over the years, I've found much darkness as well as light. To me, one is not better than the other- light can be misused as much darkness in our habitual clinging and attachment.

I invite all interested to join any discussions on this!

Love,

Tharpa D