The Dark Side of the Light Chasers

Carl Jung has two quotes that I love. First, “the gold is in the dark.” And second, “I’d rather be whole than good.” Both recognize that we’re complicated, contradictory, and gloriously messy beings. Debbie Ford’s book was the first time I felt I could actually do something with the profound wisdom of Jung. One particular exercise pretty much “cured” me immediately of some long-standing resentment I had with a former boss. Even though the language is sometimes a bit too woo-woo Californian hippy for me, it’s a book with some deeply useful exercises to help you become more whole, kinder… show more.

I picked this book up because I wanted to understand the concept of the Jungian Shadow more fully. Not only do I understand now how pivotal to wellbeing it is to work with my own and other people’s shadow but I found out how to do this work using simple yet powerful exercises. This book helped me reconcile with the parts of myself that I had been shoving away into darkness and to find acceptance and healing within myself. Working with the shadow is essential not just for artists who want to create more authentically but for anyone who doesn’t… show more.