Your Shadow Self
Carl Jung and Star Wars
As I was editing this week’s Beltway Bantha’s podcast (On Star Wars and redemption) I was taken aback by the eye-opening discussion Stephen and Brittany’s had of Carl Jung’s ‘Shadow Self’ theory. I’m probably gonna butcher the concept but here goes.
The Shadow self is the instinctual part of our being that we can’t see in ourselves - at least not naturally.
It’s the opposite of Jung’s concept of the ‘persona’ which is how we present ourselves to the rest of the world. Our persona is tied to our desire to be liked and accepted and has great value in integrating socially. Most of us go to great lengths to protect our self-image from anything unflattering or unfamiliar. From ourselves just as much as from others.
The shadow is the “dark side” of our personality because it consists of primitive human emotions and impulses like rage, envy, greed, selfishness, and desire. Every young child knows kindness, love, and generosity, but also anger, selfishness, and greed. These emotions are part of our shared humanity. But as we grow up, something happens. Traits associated with “being good” are accepted, while others associated with “being bad” are rejected. Thus begins the repression of some of the most fundamental human emotions that are a core part of our identity.
It reminds me of the Jedi in the Old republic. They are aloof, afraid of the most potent emotions for fear of attachment. Passion is very much considered a Sith trait. In Return of the Jedi, Luke had to face the evil he was capable of when he lost control while fighting Vader and cut his mechanical hand off, thus realizing what he was capable of. In the end, the old Jedi were wrong. It was Luke’s attachment to his friends and his love for his father and won the day.
As you integrate your shadow side and come to terms with your darker half, you see yourself more clearly. You become more grounded, human, and whole. I see it as integrating your most primal human instincts and recognizing them in order to use them to accomplish great things.
When you can accept your own darker parts, it is easier to accept the shadow in others. Another way of looking at this is from a faith perspective. In the Christian tradition, humanity is fallen and sinful by nature. If we don’t recognize this, we can’t face our worst instincts and have no hope of salvation from our sin. In order to turn to God (or to see your own flaws at all), you have to recognize your own ‘shadow’.
Thanks for reading!
I have to admit, I’d kinda lost my passion for Star Wars a bit recently. The evidence is clear by the lack of Star Wars Report episodes recently. It’s a bunch of factors but honestly, editing BB this week was a God-send. This is the Joseph Campbell, hero’s journey stuff I LOVE about the Star Wars mythology.
For further reading (and where I sourced most of my reading on the shadow self) check out Scott Jeffrey’s blog
I’ll be back soon with a much lighter newsletter with wedding reception pictures!!
MTFBWY
-Riley