Category: Shadow

Zombies: Symbols of Ego-Driven Illusions and the Path to Awakening

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Zombies, pervasive in contemporary culture, stand as poignant metaphors for the illusions and dualities that define an ego driven culture. These entities, often depicted as ravenous undead, symbolize the never-ending cycle of insatiable appetite and senseless pursuit, encapsulating the endless pursuit of illusions inherent in a dualistic worldview.

Philosopher Slavoj Žižek insightfully remarked that the undead represent “natural instincts transformed into a monstrous drive that can never be fully satisfied.” This profound observation unravels the core of what zombies signify – a monstrous drive within humanity, an unquenchable and relentless appetite. Zombies, in this light, embody the shadow symbols breaking through the consciousness of our ego-driven culture, manifesting as a rebellion of the undead.

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Myth of Madhu and Kaitabha: Demons as Symbols of Division and Conflict

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The story of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, as recounted in the Bhagavata Purana, is a symbolic tale from the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology. The myth, steeped in deep spiritual and psychological significance, begins in the cosmic stillness that precedes creation.

In the vast emptiness, the god Brahma sits atop a lotus that emerges from the navel of Vishnu, who is in a deep, cosmic slumber, floating on the ocean of causality. It is in this primordial setting that Madhu and Kaitabha make their appearance, born from the earwax of Vishnu. These two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, are not ordinary foes; they embody the qualities of diesire (rajas) and ignorance (tamas), respectively. They represents the division and conflict in the battle ground of the mind.

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Inanna’s Journey: Courageous Descent into the Shadowy Underworld

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Inanna, the ancient Sumerian goddess of love, fertility, and procreation, revered as the ‘Queen of Heaven’, embarks on a profound journey in the poem The Descent of Inanna (c. 1900-1600 BCE). This myth, more than a narrative, serves as a deep allegory of the “Great Round,” mirroring our transformative quests and personal growth. When I read this, I see powerful themes of non-duality woven throughout the story.

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Imprisonment: Metaphor for Entrapment in Dualism

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Buddhist philosophy, rich in metaphorical teachings, often depicts the spiritual journey as an escape from the metaphorical imprisonment of dualistic consciousness. This imprisonment, characterized by fear, ignorance, and suffering, represents the self-imposed confines within which many minds are trapped. Recognizing and transcending these mental barriers is a vital step on the path to enlightenment.

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Impermanence: Parallels in Buddhist Anicca and the Western Memento Mori

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In both Eastern and Western thoughts, there’s this big focus on life being temporary. We see this idea in lots of ways – like in symbols, sayings, or big ideas. They all kind of nudge us to remember that life doesn’t last forever, pushing us to really live our lives, be present, and care for each other.

In the West, there’s this thing called ‘Memento Mori.’ It’s Latin and means ‘remember you have to die.’ It’s a pretty direct way of saying we’re not here forever. There’s this old saying, “In all your works, remember your very end, and so you won’t sin, forever.” It’s like a reminder to think about how we live our lives.

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Those Witchy Feeling: Witnessing Feelings of Awe, Fear, and Desire on the Path of Self-realization

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In my pursuit of Self-realization, I’ve found profound guidance in Carl Jung’s illumination of the anima and animus. These archetypes transcend the binary labels of male and female, embodying the masculine and feminine duality within each soul. They stand as crucial elements in our quest for self-understanding, revealing the intricacies of our inner world.

In this exploration, the archetype of the witch emerges as a symbol of intense emotions like fear and desire, playing a pivotal role in our journey towards Self-awareness. Through the anima, we’re invited to confront these captivating emotions, to delve deeper into our psyche.

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Shadow Work: Insights on the Path to Enlightenment

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Embarking on the path to enlightenment, we sometimes envision a journey of ascending toward light, yet Carl Jung illuminated a counterintuitive truth, stating, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious” (CW 12, p. 99). This darkness, our ‘shadow’, comprises the aspects of our personality that we have relegated to the fringes of our consciousness due to their perceived negativity or incompatibility with our self-image.

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Between Envy and Compassion: The Lessons from Nemesis, Goddess of Retribution

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The myth of Nemesis offers a profound reflection on the interplay between envy and compassion, highlighting how these contrasting forces can influence our actions and shape our destinies. It is a story of divine retribution, but also of a deity who embodies justice and balances the scales of life.

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