“What evil lurks in the hearts of men?"…The Shadow knows!




“What evil lurks in the hearts of men?"…The Shadow knows!

The last week has really got me thinking. I know I have not really shared a lot of posts or thoughts. A few words about travels, and Jimmy passing. But nothing deep.

This morning while I was having my daily meditation and “devotionals”, that part of what mediation is right? The comment from a 1954 TV show came to mind. "What evil lurks in the hearts of men?"…The Shadow knows!

It may have been due to the Masonic Ed I am and have been working on for a bit. Or maybe it was a day or so ago I saw a reel and sent to myself regarding the work of C.G. Jung. When I finish watching it may play nicely into the piece I am working on.

But, today as I was drinking my early morning coffee and having my stick the idea of the shadow came to mind. But what is “The Shadow”? The shadow is that part of yourself you more than likely do not want to recognize or even acknowledge is there. It is the part of use that most feel are negative, or we do not want to deal with. So, we sweep them “under the rug” and walk away. But we all know what happens when we do that.

In time there is a lump under the rug, and it will trip us up. What could be a “shadow trait”? Judging someone harshly without knowing the full story. Jumping to conclusions or acting on impulse. Maybe it’s being passive-aggressive, jealous or envious? Maybe even normally positive aspect such as self-confidence or being overassertive, to the point of being a braggart.

It has been said the things you see in someone else that really annoy you are a mirror reflection of yourself. This is normal when you are seeing your shadow with in them.

Is the shadow evil? No, not at all. It is a part of your make up and who you are as a whole person. Remember the second law of Hermitics? As Above, So to below. Let me add to that. As without, so the soul. While we do our best to suppress and hide our shadow self, that old lump in the rug trips us up. Others can see it even if we choose not to.

So, what does this have to do with Masonry? Well, I am glad you asked. Pull up a chair and let’s talk about it real quick.

What do we say out goal in Masonry is? I mean beyond “2B1ASK1” it is the second most stated thing in the Craft. “To make good men, better”, maybe? While I believe we assist in doing this through our ritual and lessons. No one can take the lectures, work tools, or the virtues of our Craft and make you look at your shadow to see what’s there. We just can’t.

That can only be done by the “true” neophyte of the craft that took it serious and not there for just the festive board, or social outlet (Opps, my Shadow self is showing).

How do we look at our Shadow and shine some light on it? First by doing some self-evaluation, soul-searching, and evaluation to discover it’s there. Knowing it is a part of who we are and something we need to work on. Taking a breath and asking ourselves some serious questions. Why do I feel that way? Do I really believe that? How would I feel if? Then take a few more breaths and continue on.

The shadow is not evil by any means, just needs a bit of attention. The fastest way to be brought to light is to look into the darkness. Maybe, just maybe that is the true aim of our Gentle Craft?

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams, who looks inside, awakes.” – The Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Vol. 12

I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly.

 


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