Shadow work gets discussed a great deal but I thought a demonstration might be instructive. Furthermore, re the theme of this conference, healthy “Inter-subjectivity” requires healthy individual psyches entering the field. Shadow work is one path to this goal.

I attempt to demonstrate my own shadow work around a negative reaction to an Integral talk. I describe my triggers, uncomfortable bodily sensations, dark feelings and negative thoughts. I then describe my process in facing my bias, “unpacking” it, what I learned and how I re-integrated the instructor’s message. E.g., my process included self-reflection, a deepening of the awareness with meditation and journaling, an intellectual review of the brain in so-called “Authentic” states, and a more honest look at what I’d learned, and what I’ve yet to learn from the experience.

I’ll begin by asking the audience to monitor their own reactions to me and my material in hopes of generating a discussion about their process.