Shadow

It is clear that for the Western world, Islam is the new favored projection object for the Shadow. Whatever in ourselves that is dark, unknown and frightening, and previously projected on the favorite scapegoat of the time (witches, communists, jews, japanese, etc.), is now projected on Islam and Muslims.

The Bush government is one of the major proponents of this pattern, and they play happily into the hands of those behind 911 - who most of all would like to see this split between the western world and the Islamic world...

And others follow. Not the least significant portions of the press.

There is an interesting and disconcerning historical parallel here: Many of the current descriptions of Islam and Muslims (as seen in some mainstream press) resembles closely the typical (and mainstream) descriptions of Jews in the lead-up to WW2... Descriptions born out of fear, blind projections, lack of knowledge...

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About the Shadow

The Shadow is a term coined by GC Jung. It describes those qualities and characteristics of ourselves that we do not want to consiously identify with. The parts that do not fit into our consious image of ourself.

Qualities end up in the Shadow when they do not fit in with our cultural and personal expectations of how we "should" be - of what is "good" and "appropriate".

We tend to relate to these qualities, when they come up in ohters and ourself, with aversion. And this aversion can take many forms - contempt, disgust, anger, shame, guilt etc.

This aversion interact with and fuels the initial ideals, and we tend to develop elaborate and - on the surface - plausible justifications around the complex.

Which again can justify dehumanization of those we see expressing these qualities...

Of course, the Shadow qualities contain gold as soon as we recognize them as part of ourselves, and integrate them in our consious perception of ourselves. They contain significant energy, which - when consious - can be channeled in very productive ways. They can also help us deepen our humanity and compassion for ourselves and others.