Reiki Support for Shadow Work

Carl Jung, world renowned psychologist, brought the concept of “the Shadow” into our awareness. He described it as the unconscious and disowned parts of our personalities which our ego pretends not to see, acknowledge, or accept, hiding these aspects of ourselves in the so-called Shadows – the “dark” part of our psyche where we hide our repressed and ignored emotions, habits, tendencies, desires and even our gifts that we perceive as undesirable.

So, what is Shadow Work? Shadow Work is the process of exploring this inner darkness or Shadow Self so that we can shine a light into this darkness to understand, embrace and heal every part of ourselves that we have so carefully hidden. Shadow Work is simply becoming aware of what is in the “dark” and gradually healing those aspects of yourself so that we become fully integrated beings, accepting of all aspects of ourselves – the good, the bad and the ugly. It has been said that this process of integration is one of the most authentic paths to enlightenment.

Through Shadow Work we delve deep into our personal psyche to gain insight into all the thoughts, emotions, beliefs, behaviours, patterns, and habits we have kept hidden, from the world as well as from ourselves. It is only when we understand our Shadow and start shedding light on it that we can transmute negative thoughts, patterns and behaviours and embark on a journey of healing, particularly healing our archetypal wounds of abandonment, shame, and betrayal.

There are many reasons to do Shadow Work, and here are some of the benefits…

• It helps us gain more confidence, courage, and self-esteem to pursue a life of truth, authenticity, and purpose.
• It helps to build better relationships with ourselves and others through increased compassion and understanding, shifting away from judgement.
• It brings about self-acceptance and self-actualisation through a greater awareness of who and what we are – our talents and gifts, what we are passionate about and our creative abilities.
• It helps improve our overall health and wellbeing of body, mind, and spirit, instilling a sense of wholeness and wellness.
• It helps us gain emotional maturity through greater clarity and supporting a healthy self-concept.
• It helps us gain spiritual maturity with greater access to and understanding of our Soul or Higher Self, having a balance between our spiritual and personal life.
• It helps us release that which holds us back on going forward in our life’s journey – outdated beliefs, negative thought processes, harsh judgment, and unhealthy and toxic patterns of behaviour.

How to Support Shadow Work with Reiki

Here are some thoughts on how to incorporate Reiki healing to support your Shadow Work…

1. Use Reiki for Self-love and Self-care: Shadow Work can be an extremely overwhelming and draining process. Remember, we are delving into the darkness of our psyche. If we are already in a state of low self-esteem and self-worth the Shadow work process will accentuate these feelings. So, being in a healthy, balanced state of body, mind, and spirit is essential. During the process it would also be advisable to maintain a good body-mind-spirit state with a strong and healthy sense of self. Doing regular Reiki healing, whether self-healing or with the support of a Reiki practitioner is advisable.

2. Use Reiki and the Reiki Symbols: When we do Shadow Work it is important that we do so from a relaxed state of being as stress, self-judgmental and self-criticism will frustrate us and hamper our progress. With the support of Reiki and the Reiki symbols you can…
   • Use the Mental/Emotional Symbol to heal your emotional body and the emotions you are experiencing that are specifically related to the archetypal wounds of abandonment, shame, and betrayal.
   • Use the Distant Healing Symbol to heal the situations that caused the archetypal wounds of abandonment, shame, and betrayal.
   • Use the Master Symbol to gain greater insight into the Shadow self and what needs to be healed. The Master Symbol will also channel much needed wisdom and the power from your Soul or Higher Self into the healing process.
   • Use the Power Symbol for focused support during your Shadow Work process and for protection whenever you feel vulnerable.
   • Use the Karuna Ki Reiki Symbols as and when appropriate to support the physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual aspect of the Shadow Work healing process.

3. Use Reiki to Set Intention and Healing: When doing a Reiki healing session and bringing the Shadow Self into our awareness, it is important to set an intention for healing that is for our highest good. Whatever is brought into our awareness during our Reiki healing session are the aspects of our Shadow self that we are healing, releasing, and integrating. Use the Distant Healing Symbol and allow Reiki healing to facilitate this process.

4. Use Reiki for Self-acceptance: Through the Gokai, i.e., the Reiki Precept we can embrace self-acceptance and compassion. By showing love and understanding to ourselves, the overwhelm and flood of negative emotions, particularly of our archetypal wounds of abandonment, shame, and betrayal brought about by our Shadow Work, can be negated. The Gokai form the foundation from which we practice Reiki, enabling us to live a happy, healthy, peaceful, and spiritual lives. Use these as a daily mantra and as an affirmation to focus your mind-set for the day. Soon enough this will become your attitude towards life – a beautiful and prosperous life.

5. Use Reiki for Gratitude: Shadow work is a slow and often daunting process. Monitoring our progress and being thankful for the love and all the wonderful blessings that we receive every moment of every day are paramount. Take time in the morning and/or evening to reflect on all the wonderful blessing and your gratitude towards the Universe. Through Reiki we will naturally become thankful for all the blessings we receive, including the benefits that Shadow Work, supported by Reiki healing brings into our lives.

And as a final thought, it is often beneficial to keep a journal of everything you find and experience during your Shadow Work process and Reiki healing sessions. Each person journals differently but keeping a journal to record your feelings, emotions, thoughts, dreams, and inner dialog will support you staying on track with the Shadow Work you are doing. You can easily use it to reflect on how far you have come, what difficulties and victories you have encountered and what shifts in your beliefs, thought processes and behaviours have been brought about. Journalling is a powerful method to process, to keep track of your progress and to support your gratitude practice.

Article by Thea van der Merwe, Ph.D.

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Thea van der Merwe, Ph. D. is a nationally and internationally trained holistic energy, certified and experienced Master Reiki Practitioner, qualified in Usui Reiki, Reijukido, Karuna® Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, Crystal Reiki, and Gendai Reiki. She obtained the title of Shihan (full master/teacher), the highest level in Gendai Reiki Ho. Besides her greatest passion which is Reiki, Thea is also a spiritual shaman, healer, and teacher, offering readings as a way of accessing spiritual guidance. Her journey of personal discovery, growth, and healing started back in 2005 when she was personally in need of healing and searching for something more than what conventional medicine and therapy could provide. Thea is currently nationally and internationally registered with the South African Reiki Masters Association and The Reiki Healing Association respectively – both professional associations for the local and global Reiki communities, working to promote the wide-reaching practice and healing effects of Reiki throughout the world and where the primary philosophy is that together, we can do so much more. You can get into contact with Thea van der Merwe at viterra.co.za, which is her website, and at facebook.com/viterrahealing on Facebook.