Re: The Shadow and Spiritual Development

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: : : : : What happens to the shadow aspect of a person as they develop spiritually? Wilber seems to indicate that we all develop at different rates and in different areas. So, does the overall shadow diminish? Or does the shadow in certain areas diminish? Or does the shadow stay alive and active in some areas but diminish in others? : : : What about the guru/master/teacher who is spiritually evolved but socially undeveloped? Or the guru/master/teacher who is spiritually evolved but, yet, violates the trust of his/her devotees/students? Are they really spiritually evolved at all? What role does the shadow play in the lives of the "masters" after they make claims of spiritual evolvement? If we put this in a Christian context, did Jesus have a shadow? : : You want ALL these questions answered? : :) Vintage Diana.....:) Yes, Phil. : : : Well, first, Jesus had a shadow to the extent that he was human as we are and had undeveloped aspects of the unconscious. A shadow is not necessarily a sinful thing, only undevelopment. : As I understand it, according to Jung, the shadow is also the place where we find our true "gold." : Nothing sinful about that. : So, Jesus must have had to learn to integrate his unconscious feminine side as all men do, and other archetyes as well. Only, to do so in a state of perfect union with God must have been a great advantage. : : Yes. : : : Now, RE: enlightenment and the shadow: of course the latter still exists! But the enlightened persons sees it more clearly and doesn't have identity collapse into it. It can still affect behavior, though, and so we shouldn't be surprised when we see enlightened people doing some pretty dumb things--esp. in the area of addictions. : I remember reading an interview with Helen Nearing, co-author of "Living the Good Life." : In it, Helen talked about being friends with J. Krishnamurti. Apparently they were very close friends, perhaps lovers, at one point in time. : However, later in life, he would not so much as stop in to visit her when he was in the vicinity of her house. Helen seemed so hurt! K appeared so cold! : I've also been told that K had an ongoing affair with the wife of someone close to him. As I heard it, there were numerous pregnancies, abortions, etc. resulting from this affair. Yet, K is looked upon by many as an enlightened guru/teacher. So, : were his actions the result of his shadow? (This is a rhetorical question.) : : : Enlightenment does mean that skills are not needing to be developed, and this includes social skills. : Are NOT needing to be developed?? I don't quite understand you here. Would you send that again? : : Poor social skills might sometimes be interpreted as ill-intent, and that would be a mistake. : Yes. : : : : The way I see it, there are three separate, but related journeys: : : 1. spiritual - to union with God : : 2. metaphysical - dev. of powers of chakras : : 3. psychological - individuation : : Some people have gone further in one than the other. To have gone far in #1 and 2 doesn't mean one has resolved the shadow issues which are at the heart of project #3. : : Thus, we have guru/teachers like Krishnamurti, who may be enlightened but have numerous issues, eh? : : Thanks for your response Phil. : Namaste. : Love, : Diana

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