Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature

by Connie Zweig

Here is a quick checklist for spotting the signs of onrushing hubris: Endowing ourselves with special gifts. When we find that we have begun to take on certain airs of self-inflation, such as believing we can make unfailing assessments of others or avoid human errors, we are seeing the shadow’s face. Killing the messenger. When we denounce contrary informants as cranky, slow-witted, jealous, or unable to grasp the big picture, we are on the way to suffering in the future. If as leaders we seal ourselves off, pulling our circle of trusted advisors tighter and tighter, we have begun to kill the messengers. Needing to command the performance. When hubris is present, the ego begins to assert itself in power-flexing demonstrations, such as fretting about social forms, seating arrangements, and meeting turf. Needing to see our importance constantly acknowledged by others is a sign of denied insecurity. Living on higher moral ground. When a person or group is on the path of righteousness, those who think differently may be labeled as wrong, evil, or an enemy. This may temporarily relieve the tension between good and bad, but it’s actually hubris operating under the guise of goodness. When hubris is operating, we stop learning. Our swollen ego screens the shadow, which threatens to pull us down by its dark and stealthful rage. But once we know it’s there, it can be helpful to remember that new learning is contained within the very material that the shadow holds. The ego is only pr...