Managing the shadow.

The escape from darkness involves two stages: First, the recognition that darkness cannot hide. This step usually entails fear. Second, the recognition that there is nothing you want to hide even if you could. This step brings escape from fear. When you have become willing to hide nothing, you will not only be willing to enter into communion but will also understand peace and joy.T-1.IV.1:1-3

A Course in Miracles . Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

We usually don’t like being kept in the dark. We want to know. When we consider being kept in the dark by others or even by our ego, it is helpful to understand a couple of things. First, keeping things hidden doesn’t work. Sooner or later what is hidden will come to light. Second, when we see the light we realize there was nothing to be afraid of to begin with.When we come into the light with nothing any longer to hide there is great peace and joy. We sleep better at night.

People in Alcoholics Anonymous who work the steps are afraid of doing the fourth which is a “fearless moral inventory.” In Catholicism this is called “examining your conscience.” Socrates taught that “an unexamined life is not worth living.”

In Unitarian Universalism we covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. This search takes us from the dark into the light.

Today, examine your conscience and prepare yourself to articulate your findings to another human being. We all have a shadow side and it is best that we recognize it, acknowledge it, and clean it up.