Shadows are a blockage of light. If we are standing with sunlight behind us, we cast a shadow before us, which continually moves as we do. It is just the absence of direct light, attached to its host. Not “real” in itself, only appearing to be.
Emotions arise from interactions with life experiences, either in the present moment, from memories or future projections. They are more than just thoughts. They can be seen as having a life energy of their own. The term emotion can be read as E (energy) in Motion. A type of Energy in motion. As we are aware, they are able to initiate a vast number of reactions. They can be seen as the animators of our bodies, the spice of life. Entwined with our minds, they create another level of integration with our world.
People experience emotional states of consciousness from mild to extreme. They can be either positive, negative, or neutral, depending on one’s situation, perspective, or conscious state. They can form joyous excitement to morose depression.
Processing that which we consider positive are the easiest to file away. For the heart, and other manifestations of “storage locations”, incorporates them as the joy that they are. Our minds recognize such experiences with a smile, fond memories, and the uplifting associations that go with them.
Neutral, of course, is just that. Recognized for what they are – just experiences to be remembered or observed, then let go. A part of life flowing by. This contains an underlying acceptance of that which is. Ideally an appreciation for the presence of the moment, bringing forth the tailored circumstances for our conscious growth and evolution.
Negatively experienced emotions can be a different story. Obviously. These can create the emotional scars, regrets, the pain and more. These we carry with us. Not only from this incarnation, but from previous ones as well. These may also include residuals from our family lineage, history – in the DNA, so to speak. All of which can build in intensity over time. For as we know, these experiences, do come to the surface, consciously, or unconsciously as a metaphorical shadow. An unrecognizable shadow which can have a life of its own. A memory prone to being blown out of proportion from the original incident. A darkness unwilling to let go.
Reacting to such an emotion, the rational mind, or even the perception from our heart center, is put on “hold” for a moment. Which opens the door to the filters or unresolved fragments of those past experiences. Clouding our perception. Old buttons that are triggered, generating reactions, creating even more emotional baggage, anger, etc.
Eckhart Tole refers to a “pain body”. It is a “place” of repressed, unprocessed emotions. Having a type of consciousness unto itself. There they attempt to maintain a control in the “egoic mind” aspect of our consciousness. In a sense, this process “thinks” that it is being a protection of the personhood. Not letting the pain of the old emotions “out” into an awake consciousness recognition. But by so doing, it becomes a filter, distorting our ability to perceive clearly. Creating a heaviness that weighs us down. A pain barrier. An obstruction to a direct recognition of the Now, and life.
These have become our internal shadows. Not real, per se. Yet able to cause havoc, emotionally and physically in the body. And to others. These repressed emotions contain a paradox, a contradiction. They do have the “intent” of protecting us from the original unprocessed pain experience. On the other hand, they are like small children, hoping to be cared for and loved. Wishing to find resolution, to be brought into the light for healing. Losing their shadow nature and their forced life in the subconscious.
Release requires processing the new or old emotions experienced from an expanded perspective. Firstly, this is acceptance. It begins with the understanding that all these pieces of our lives have an importance, a relevance to our unique expression of conscious life. Here, the mind involvement is important for this recognition. We can’t accept what we are not aware of. But the mind in itself can’t truly understand the nature of emotions, that type of energy – in – motion. Something more is required to remove the leftover charge that the old fragments hold over us.
There are various methods and therapies available to address these old fragments of unprocessed emotional experiences. But ultimately, our individual consciousness must come to terms with the shadows. This is done by using our heart centered awareness. It melts the underlying resistance of the fragments, and moves us beyond the confines of our subconscious storeroom of shadows. The sharp edges of old fragments are made soft by the heart, becoming a cushion we can rest upon. So that the original negatively perceived experiences may be reborn to a new life, supported by our conscious mind’s recognition and acceptance. Capable of a transformation into a positive memory through our transcended source nature.
A.S. 8/31/25
