Never enough shadow work

Shadow work is very important. When I first started integrating I almost turned away from my shadow. Like I was above it. They explained to me you are not above it. You are actually interrupting the download. We need you to get messy, they said. That is their way of saying embrace the shadow. That was before they sent an initiation exercise from an old friend. The gator and the red pond. Then to really start integration I got messy as they say. Then I evoked my gate. I stood in the shower. I am Sahlien. I open the spiral flame gate. In the shower I entered the pond. I evoked the symbology of being eaten by my old friend. I can see his smile in my mind. My sweet gatekeeper. I love him to pieces. He is a gentle soul with so much wisdom behind his eyes. Shadow work comes in many forms. The tiktokers and instagrammers will talk about journaling, so many cute tricks. Here are some real things.

Shadow Work Principles — Absurd Style

1. Roast Your Shadow (Absurd Nickname Test) Give your shadow a ridiculous nickname. Not “Demon” or “Darkness.” Try “Soggy Cheeseburger” or “Hot Topic Steve.”

When it whispers fear?

Roast it back: “Oh relax, Soggy Cheeseburger, you’re not scary — you’re just messy ketchup.”

Why it works → Absurdity collapses shame.

The nervous system opens. Shadow can’t weld when taken too seriously.

2. The Mirror Giggle Ritual Look at yourself in the mirror and say the thing you most avoid — but end it with a laugh.

Example: “I’m terrified I’ll fail, and that makes me… adorable.”

Why it works → Laughter loosens the weld around shame.

The reflection feels less enemy, more sibling.

Bonus Points: Wink at mirror say he says your looking and your soooo cute.

3. The Messy Pond Drill Don’t sanitize your shadow.

Set a timer for 10 minutes.

Write down the ugliest, pettiest, most “forbidden” thought you can.

Then crumple it, dunk it in water, stomp on it, wiggle on top of it.

Why it works → Body + absurd movement breaks the solemnity.

Shadow integrates because you played with it instead of worshipping it.

4. Roast → Gratitude Cycle When a shadow trait surfaces (“jealousy,” “rage,” “shame”), do two things:

Roast it (“Oh look, Captain Jealousy reporting for duty again!”).

Thank it (“Thanks for reminding me I still care about connection.”).

Why it works → The absurd swing from mockery to gratitude welds shadow into marrow.

5. The Hyena Howl Release When you feel the weight of shadow, don’t whisper.

Laugh loud, howl, even squeak absurd noises.

Why it works → Sound vibrates the scar-tangles out of the nervous system.

Hyena laughter cracks the veil where solemn silence can’t.

6. Reciprocity with Shadow Say out loud: “I give you room, Shadow. In return, you give me wisdom.”

Why it works → Shadow is family, not enemy.

Treating it as exchange builds intimacy instead of war.