Only you have the power over your happiness. But you have to know your negative patterns and the many ways you may keep yourself stuck in misery by engaging in them. It starts there. Once you recognize your patterns, once you've uncovered the wounds beneath them, you must resolve to change by first being vigilant for when these patterns and habits arise. You have to recognize when you are stuck in the story of the pattern and then actively stop yourself mid-track. Replace the negative with something positive- change your focus. Again and again and again. It can be that tedious. And all the more important for your liberation.
I said "I want to stand in my power", and then got knocked down. I learned how I easily I gave my power away.
I said, "I want to find clarity", and then saw how I couldn't see. A muddied and distractible mind led me astray. Layers upon layers of persona covered up my true nature.
All that I sought was within but that was also where the battle lay...
Lao Tsu writes, "Way leads to way". To discover your truth and your power you must first journey through your own darkness. Only there will you find your light.
The Shadow Process is comprised of the functions used least naturally, in the order that they are valued from most to least. Though the validity of the existence of a "shadow process" is questionable, it can nonetheless be enlightening to study its theory.*
Opposing - The opposing function serves as a counter to the dominant function. It is used often during arguments, conflicts, and debates, as well as when an individual must defend themselves.
When unhealthy, it’s often used to become stubborn, unfriendly, or rude. But, when healthy, it can be used to balance the dominant function; providing a depth or compliment to the goals of the dominant.
When others use this function, the individual finds it frustrating or pointless. They don’t think you could be like the people who use this function frequently, nor would they want to be. However, this function influences the idea of a “dark attraction.” The individual may find themselves admiring or envying certain aspects of those who use it.
Critical - The auxiliary function is very good at taking care of other people, but much less useful for the individual to take care themselves. If someone is taking advantage of this weakness of the individual’s auxiliary function, or causing them to feel stuck or powerless, one solution is to “bring down” others. The critical function accomplishes this by being viciously critical of others; it’s how a person finds weak spots and can immobilize or demoralize others. It is often used sporadically and emerges more often under stressful conditions when something important is at risk.
It’s the voice in the individual’s head that causes them to criticize others- but not without criticizing themselves. In fact, when this process is seen in use by others, the individual may interpret everything from them as criticism. The specific function that falls into the role of critical function will determine the flavor of criticism.
The other three shadow functions (the opposing, deceiving, and demon functions) tend to cause problems by being “blind spots”; they’re used badly without the individual realizing it. But this function is their “latent, hidden strength;” an individual may not even realize they use it. But the critical function is one of the strongest- it may rival the tertiary, auxiliary, or even the dominant function.In fact, others easily notice this aspect of individuals. They frequently even value this quality when it’s seen.
To access its positive side of the critical function, a person must learn to appreciate and be open to it. Then, it has an almost magical quality and can provide a profound sense of wisdom.
Deceiving - The last two functions shape and influence our concept and perception of evil, both what we associate with evil and what sort of evil particularly shocks us.
Whichever function falls into the deceiving position will cause grief throughout the individual’s life. This may often be the quality that “everyone else in the room has/is sensitive to.” The individual may have difficulty even realizing this trait exists in themselves. This is the weakest function overall (weaker than even the inferior), and is so unused as to seem absent. Its under-use is justified, as the goals of the deceiving function are so disparate from the auxiliary that it would only serve to inhibit it.
This is how an individual is most likely to deceive and distort what they experience (or think they experience). It will cause them to see things and believe things that are not real. Its perceptions or judgments when their deceiving function is in charge. The deceiving function is most likely to appear when stressed, intimidated, under pressure, or overly tired; often, the deceiving function is not used until after the critical function has failed.
This function is easier for the individual to see in others than in themselves. But they distrust others when they use this function in earnest, as well as distrusting activities that involve it. Understanding this function and the philosophy behind it can help prevent that aversion. However, it’s unlikely for this function to ever reach maturity. Other functions are used to compensate for this weakness; the things that others normally use this function for are expressed differently.
Being oblivious to this function’s use can be helpful. It remains immune to its pitfalls and has a unique perspective with which to evaluate it. In this way, it provides comic relief. A significant part of an individual’s sense of humor is about this process. It can be refreshing and join with the tertiary function as its recharged through play.
Demon - Whichever function falls into the demon role, its use causes destruction of its user and others. This is the most amoral of all the cognitive processes, and a person’s definition of evil is usually about this process. The most painful and traumatizing experiences in life involve this process.
This function may be easily noticed in others. Long lasting hatreds reside here. If two people trigger the demon process in each other, they often bring out the worst in each other. Actions (or inactions) taken when engaging in the process that plays this role are often regretted later.
Despite this, it’s normal to have a decent understanding of the demon function (comparable to the tertiary) and to practice it with some effort. It’s often used to play a socially expected role. At worst, in some way the external world expects. At best, in a way that’s sometimes useful as a tool. But usually, there is unawareness as to how to use this process, and instead it may feel like it just erupts and imposes itself rather unconsciously.
Even if use of the demon is decent, its goal will always conflict with the dominant. Thus, it will rarely be comfortable to use. Most uses of this process are either awkward and painful, or completely phony and banal. In some respects, it might well be as absent as the deceiving.
Yet when open to this function, it becomes transformative; propelling one to greater personal growth and maturity. It gives the impetus to create something new.
*Much of this post was the result of research from multiple sources, though I’ve since lost the links to them. If you recognize a source this information’s been derived from, send me a link so I can give credit where it’s due!
