Episode 1 Podcast— Meeting the ShadowMeeting the shadow is the beginning of reclaiming the hidden self. In this opening episode of Shadow as Teacher: Reclaiming the Hidden Self, Patrick Ryan introduces shadow work not as something to fear, but as a path toward integration, healing, and wholeness.Carl Jung defined the shadow as everything we deny, repress, or refuse to acknowledge in ourselves. Sometimes it’s qualities we dislike, like anger or jealousy. Other times it’s gifts we’ve pushed away — creativity, ambition, or joy — because they felt unsafe to express. Shadow is both darkness and brilliance, and when we learn to engage it, we uncover energy, insight, and vitality that has been waiting for us all along.In this episode, Patrick explores:What the shadow is and how Jung’s definition still shapes modern psychology and spirituality.Why we bury parts of ourselves and the cost of keeping them hidden.The ways shadow shows up in everyday life — irritations, projections, and repeating patterns.The “treasure in the cave” myth and why what we most avoid often holds our deepest gifts.A personal story of facing anger as a teacher rather than an enemy.Listeners are invited to reflect on their own encounters with shadow: noticing who triggers them, who they admire, and how both can reveal unclaimed parts of themselves. This is the first step of shadow integration — recognizing that what feels like a threat may actually be a guide.As you walk through this conversation, you’ll hear the core themes that guide the entire series: Jungian archetypes, shadow integration, golden shadow, and the ongoing process of becoming whole. The invitation is not to get rid of the shadow, but to walk with it, listen to it, and allow it to transform fate into conscious choice.Whether you are new to inner work or deep on your path of self-discovery, this episode sets the foundation for understanding shadow as an ally. It blends story, myth, psychology, and reflection to make the unconscious conscious — and in doing so, opens a door to healing, creativity, and freedom.Because shadow, when welcomed, doesn’t destroy us. It teaches us how to be more fully ourselves.Note of Support: This podcast is for reflection and education only. It is not a substitute for therapy or medical care. If anything you hear feels overwhelming or unsafe, please pause and seek support from a qualified professional or trusted guide.

Ver todos los episodios