What is the Shadow? A construct developed by Dr Carl Jung, the Shadow for the sake of this post is synonymous with the unconscious aspects of ourselves. Beyond its pertinence to this blog post, the Shadow in Jung’s theory of the psyche extended to repressed memories, as well memories of our primordial beginnings and evolution; additionally, the term refers to individual and collective archetypes. As previously mentioned, however, in this post, the emphasis is on the Shadow as it relates to disposition, or personality. In this sense, Jung defined (in Psychological Types, ‘Philosophic Index of Jungian Terms’) the Shadow (Schatten) as “The unconscious aspect of the personality, ...”.
For information on the four modes (eight with introversion and extroversion added), see the ‘Insight’ post ‘Know your Modal Disposition’; to know which mode is your primary mode and which is your quarternary, or least conscious and therefore least optimally functioning mode (your shadow mode), see the ‘Discover your Mode’ ‘Insights’ post.
The shadow mode is for many of us our Achilles heel. Thus, dealing with this limiting aspect of ourselves could potentially enable us to live happier lives. That much is clear, but how to do it?
The most important guideline is just not to overdo it. When we spend time operating in our unconscious mode – mostly because it is required in our everyday lives, as demanded by modern society – it is stressful. This is because it entails what is known as a hyperflexion, or moving beyond the normal, or natural, range of ability. (For further information, see PASS, Prolonged Adaptative Stress Syndrome.)
Skills training is one solution to operating in our unconscious (least well-functioning) mode. Another is seeking the input of those whose primary, secondary and tertiary modes complement our own primary, secondary and tertiary modes; this is also referred to as intermediation.
Quarternary-mode-integration (shadow mode integration) skills training should preferably be tailored to the primary mode. So, for example, intuitives – for whom the keywords ‘patterns’, ‘symbols’, ‘vision’ apply – will benefit from using colour to organise (typically easy-going for ‘sensates’; a typical sensate activity), e.g. in their filing systems and their work with spreadsheets. In principle, skills learning materials for operating in the least well-functioning mode should be adapted to the cognitive style of the primary mode. Hence, functional literacy syllabuses (for example, organizing and filing for intuitives) must be differentiated – in the spirit of differentiated learning, to accommodate differing cognitive styles – according to dominant-mode learning styles.
On the notion of avoiding overexposure of unequipped physical and mental dispositional capacities to certain activities – with the associated physical and psychological harm, e.g. burnout (as with PASS) – returning to operating in the optimally functioning (primary) mode for relatively more regular and prolonged periods is essential for overall (physical and psychological) health and wellbeing.
The same principle applies to exposure to psychologically unintegrated individuals whose dispositional modes are opposite to our modes: more time and energy may be required to communicate, and this should not be done at the expense of our own wellbeing. However, in making this assessment, it is important to bear in mind these individuals’ openness to differentiation, integration, and hence, individuation; also the extent to which they have become differentiated, integrated and hence individuated (see the ‘Knowledgebite’ post ‘The stage is set, but the actors have yet to play’ for more on ‘free will’ and ‘determinism’). Those who have integrated their complementary and especially their opposite modes will require less energy expenditure, and our time spent with them may be enjoyable and energizing, due to the levels of open-mindedness and consciousness that they share with us.
When we learn skills – including the skill of intermediation – that enable us to function more easily in areas that require us to operate in our least well-functioning mode, we procrastinate less, we have more time for what and whom we enjoy, our self-confidence is boosted, and overall, we experience a greater sense of wellbeing. The benefits to us and those around us, as well as to society at large are enormous and exponential.
References
Jung, Dr Carl Gustav. Psychological Types. Translated by Shaun Maley.
Pascal, Eugene. Jung to Live By. Souvenir Press, 1994.
Sharp, Daryl. Personality Types: Jung’s Model of Typology. Inner City Books, 1987.
Note: For more information on the publications in the above 'References' list (and for more on personality typology), see the 'Publications' page of the Mode State Stage website.
All rights reserved ©2023