S1E3 Shame Guilt and the Shadow Self

Over the years, shame has been what has clung too far too many folks who’ve grown up in religious communities. Meanwhile, sometimes, the religious wolves who have caused trouble ignore, downplay, or outright deny guilt. Sorting through the difference between shame (a tool used to control people and get them to comply) and guilt (the reality of a situation) is an important part of healing through all this. That’s the subject of the first segment.

The second segment discusses a powerful lecture by Carl Gustav Jung, delivered to Swiss clergy. In this, he encourages church workers (and indirectly encourages us all) to fearlessly confront our shadow selves in order for us to help with the healing of others. It provides a way for us to have compassion even on the religious wolves, whose lives are a riddle. We don’t condone evil or ignore danger, but release hatred as we find empowerment in this process.

The third segment involves a game Jeff and Stacie created to help folks identify and confront their shadow selves in a fun way, using celebrities as examples of character traits. Here are the questions for reference, if you want to think it through before listening:

Answer the following, using a celebrity or fictional character.

1.   Who has qualities you admire & also see in yourself?

2.   Who has qualities you admire but don’t see in yourself?

3.   Who has qualities you dislike & don’t see in yourself?

4. Who has qualities you dislike about yourself?