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168th out of 411 books
—
430 voters
Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche
This powerful work from the acclaimed Jungian analyst and best-selling author of He, She, and We explores our need to "own" our own shadow- the term Carl Jung used to describe the dark, unlit part of the ego. In this rich work, Robert Johnson guides us through an exploration of the shadow: what it is, how it originates, and how it interacts and is made through the process...more
Paperback, 128 pages
Published
March 5th 1993
by HarperOne
(first published 1991)
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First off, let me state that two stars on goodreads mean "it was OK" - which is exactly how I feel about this book. It was sort of OK.
It's grounded in Jungian analysis, so anyone looking for a shred of scientific approach will find that the author really needed to put a few thousand instances of "perhaps" in there. It takes the concept of "shadow" and "shadow projection" and applies it, rather ham-fistedly, to all of history, culture and behavior - which results in sentences such as: "It seemed...more
It's grounded in Jungian analysis, so anyone looking for a shred of scientific approach will find that the author really needed to put a few thousand instances of "perhaps" in there. It takes the concept of "shadow" and "shadow projection" and applies it, rather ham-fistedly, to all of history, culture and behavior - which results in sentences such as: "It seemed...more
In Owning Your Own Shadow, Robert Johnson takes the idea of the shadow, from Jungian psychology, and runs with it, providing guidelines for using the concept to develop ones psychological health and understand ones relationships.
According to these theories, the shadow is those aspects of the self that for personal or cultural reasons we have repressed. We either consciously deny our own expression of them or, more insidiously, they are unconscious. When they are unconscious, we are in danger of...more
According to these theories, the shadow is those aspects of the self that for personal or cultural reasons we have repressed. We either consciously deny our own expression of them or, more insidiously, they are unconscious. When they are unconscious, we are in danger of...more
Another short and fantastic read on the ideas of the shadow and its related elements. Johnson's text is extremely accessible, and goes into a well-rounded understanding of the shadow, examining both the negative and positive aspects we bury into our shadow. Johnson discusses how religion, properly understood, and Christianity, in a full process of the mass, really embraces the light and dark and helps us access/understand that in ourselves. He discusses where we are at in culture right now, and...more
This is one of those books that's easier to describe by what it isn't than by what it is. It's not a how-to self-help book, and it's not a scholarly analysis of myth. There are no theraputic instructions or any data sets or graphs. It's religious but not a tract for any religion.
So what is it? This book is a winding conversation with a thoughtful, spiritual, aging Jungian. It's a mix of meditation, Jungian worldview and interpretation of myth, and gentle guidance.
Reading it again I felt like it...more
So what is it? This book is a winding conversation with a thoughtful, spiritual, aging Jungian. It's a mix of meditation, Jungian worldview and interpretation of myth, and gentle guidance.
Reading it again I felt like it...more
The author, a Jungian analyst, reminds that we have not entered adequately into our consciousness, especially our own shadow. Let's face it, typically we do not integrate the shadow (unlit aspect) of our self as a pure and real unity. Help in reaching out to aspects of our true consciousness lies in the sign of the Christian mandorla. The union pictures two overlapping circles. The overlap looks like an almond (It. - mandorla) of the shadow and the individual persona (ego).
Johnson's books always have at least a few ideas in them to capture the imagination. The idea that the shadow contains some of our strengths and that our light side doesn't always embody our best qualities were two of these ideas for me. The concept of the mandorla as a way of rectifying shadow and light was especially intriguing. Weaknesses include the book's length-- the book is very short, so don't expect lengthy explanations or detailed logical argument. It's more like three extended essays...more
This concise presentation on the Jungian concept of personal shadow -- the yin of one's outward presentation of self versus the darker (though in parts golden) yang side more or less shelved during one's formative acculturation years -- is effective for provoking introspection about balancing our whole selves. I am drawn by truth in the idea that our selves are divided into opposites, good and bad, strong and weak, outward and inward, etc., and that these parts must be reined in and balanced to...more
While I'm not a Jungian, I have found most of the Jungian ideas that I have been exposed to quite interesting. This book seemed to fall short in it's Jungian psychology, Christian theology, and I'm guessing its Eastern philosophy. I don't think the synthesis of three impoverished perspectives makes for a strong tapestry of coherent thought or theory. It is a good work to prompt self-reflection. Its guidance is of not much use.
I enjoyed this book, but sections 1 and 2 are far better than the third final section, Much of what was in the third section, felt like a stretch to me, as the writer brought into the discussion sacred geometry. I became lost upon the relationship between geometry, and the psyche. However, the first and second sections are excellent and well worth the time to read this very modest book.
I appreciated this short book, and gained some wisdom that I applied to my life at the moment. I had a thoughtful discussion with my friend over the material--so if anything, it's worth reading because most people like to discuss what it means to have a "dark side." Most interesting were Johnson's thoughts on hero worship as a form of shadow projection, the pitfalls of romantic love (and how what we see in our beloved is actually the "golden" parts of our shadow), and the mandorla.
It is pretty good, if you are into Jungian psychology. I'd prefer to hear a bit more about why he thinks what he says is true, instead of just stating it as true, for example, the reason for the difference in the shape of the cross in western Europe vs. the shape of the cross in Eastern Europe.
In any event, it does a good job of making you less scared of your shadow side and more willing to express it.
In any event, it does a good job of making you less scared of your shadow side and more willing to express it.
I finished this today and remain as confused as when I started it. IMHO her never clearly defines the Shadow. He argues by comparison, and these often don't make sense or work. Even though it's a short book, 118 pages, I don't think it's worth rereading. Jungian studies do interest me, so that's why I bought this.
We all have things about ourselves that we would rather other people not know about us. The more we try to hide these things about ourselves the more these things attempt to see the light of day. This book is a great read for someone that has hidden for so long and they need to be in the light.
Nothing terribly original about shadows, though the notion of the mandorla as a symbol for the integration of light and dark was new to me; I found it useful. An extremely short, quick read. Decent, kind of Christ-y introduction to Jung's shadow stuff.
I found myself writing down lots of quotes from this book. Here's one I liked at the end:
"People often asked Dr. Jung, 'Will we make it?' referring to the cataclysm of our time. He always replied, 'If enough people will do their inner work.'"
"People often asked Dr. Jung, 'Will we make it?' referring to the cataclysm of our time. He always replied, 'If enough people will do their inner work.'"
I thought I already had a pretty good idea of what the Shadow is before I read Owning Your Own Shadow, but this book was a major eye-opener—and, to my surprise, a tremendous relief! I wish I'd read it twenty years sooner. I strongly recommend it.
Read this as part of a larger interest in Dreamwork- I haven't really read much about Jung etc before this year. The book is really more of a booklet- short and written in a far more casual tone than I am used to.
Inner work is important, no matter who you are or what you believe. Robert Johnson's books are short, easily digestible and hard to wrap your brain around at the same time. Which may be why I enjoy them.
This book explains the Jungian concept of The Shadow, what it is, how it conflicts with the Ego and how we project our shadows onto others and society. A good primer to start with if you are interested in Shadow work
very good introductory reading into Jungian psychology. This one imparticular is very readable and relevent. Interesting paralleles between the Catholic Mass and the archetypical Myths.
Lyrically written.....wonderful, clear and updated interpretation of Jung's shadow theories. I read it one night and it left me feeling ecstatic and inspired to experiment and explore.
I have not read as much on Jungian psychology as I would like to and this was a great, easy to read introduction to the concept of the "shadow." I read it as being about balance.
Excellent Book ! A road map to peace with ourselves, our community, our culture, our country, our orld. I love how robert johnson uses mythology to tell thesee stories.
Mediated Carl Jung with religious overtones. An easy read, with somewhat helpful suggestions for making a better life for yourself and those around you.
May 26, 2010
Dani Golomb
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
jungian-themes,
psychology-related-literature
Simple -- makes complex Jungian themes so accessible. Not as profound as inner work, but he manages to convey brilliantly complicated ideas simply, modestly, and poignantly.
This is a very great book on human psyche. Mr. Johnson describes the theory of ego and shadow damn well. I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed the first half, not quite as much the second half. It just didn't have the stay-power of a 5-star book.
I found the last chapter to be the most inspiring, but overall this book makes a lot of sense.
This book had a lot of good points about the problem in the first 30 or so pages but offered no ideas on how to solve the problem. I recommend the first part of the book and then move on.
Excellent introduction to the concept of the shadow.
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Robert A. Johnson, born 1921
More about Robert A. Johnson...
Robert A. Johnson, born 1921
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“Though no one notices at the time, in-loveness obliterates the humanity of the beloved. One does a curious kind of insult to another by falling in love with him, for we are really looking at our own projection of God, not at the other person. If two people are in love, they tread on star dust for a time and live happily ever after—that is so long as this experience of divinity has obliterated time for them. Only when they come down to earth do they have to look at each other realistically and only then does the possibility of mature love exist. If one person is in love and the other not, the cooler one is likely to say, "We would have something better between us if you would look at me rather than at your image of me.”
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15 people liked it
“To consent to paradox is to consent to suffering that which is greater than the ego. The religious experience lies exactly at that point of insolubility where we feel we can proceed no further. This is an invitation to that which is greater than one's self.”
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3 people liked it
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