Mental Judge & Shadow Work

In Carl Jung's concept of shadow work, the mental judge represents the critical and judgmental part of our psyche that often suppresses aspects of ourselves we find unacceptable.

To effectively work with this aspect, it's important to acknowledge and become aware of our inner judgmental voice, understand its origins, and practice self-compassion and self-acceptance. Oftentimes, this voice can be recognized by acknowledging the many voices that imprinted your psyche as a child. These are the adults in your life that had most impact on how you survived and thrived as a child.

• Your parents

• Your other family members

• Teachers

• Coaches

• Strict Religious and Cultural practices

So at what point does it become shadow? We know we are working with the shadow of anything once we are willing to stretch into the unknown of a repeated pattern of feeling. This doesn’t mean positive or negative feelings; it actually guides us to understand the nuance of each of our feelings and the details of each sensation. This is very valuable information for each of us on this Tantric path!

By integrating and accepting these shadow aspects of ourselves, we can move towards self-liberation and greater wholeness.

The mental judge is often obsessed with seeking approval because it may stem from a deep-seated fear of rejection or abandonment.

And truly, we are working to not battle or separate from any part of ourselves; we are here doing the work to better understand ourselves so that we can learn to accept these parts. The more we connect all parts of us— we can connect to all parts of our families, communities and humanity.

This need for approval can contribute to the outer self by shaping behaviors, decisions, and interactions based on external validation rather than internal values and authenticity. Over time, this reliance on external approval can lead to a disconnection from one's true self and hinder personal growth and fulfillment.

It is important to remember that at the core of the Mental Judge and Shadow Work is the desire to protect you from inviting deep suffering into your life again. There are some ways to gently work with these parts of you; read these and see which ones resonate:

1. Reflection:

Set aside time to reflect on your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Identify patterns of self-judgment and fear-based beliefs.

2. Movement:

Engage in physical activities like Yoga, QiGong, TaiChi, dance, or walking to release tension and connect with your body, allowing for a more holistic approach to self-exploration. Do these acts with a deep awareness of your intention to get in touch with the perfectionist within.

3. Writing:

Keep a journal to express your innermost thoughts and feelings. Write freely without censorship, allowing insights to emerge about your self-judgments and fears. Be sure to go back and read your work! Underline and highlight words and themes that pop out for you.

4. Meditation & Mantra:

Practice mindfulness meditation to observe your thoughts and emotions with detachment. This can help you understand the root causes of self-judgment and fear-based beliefs. Use Sanskrit or other spiritual Mantra to en-trance your ruminating thoughts.

5. Body Scan Meditation:

Conduct body scan meditations to connect with your physical sensations, identifying areas of tension or discomfort that may be linked to self-judgment and fear. Tantric movement that is based in self sourcing and independent practice will help you get to know your own body before allowing others to create any sensations for you. This will deepen the power of your body scans also.

6. Guided Visualization:

Use guided visualization techniques, embodied meditations, soundscapes & sound healing to imagine a safe space where you can explore and address your inner critic and fears in a supportive environment.

7. Affirmations:

Create positive affirmations in your native language to counteract negative self-talk, ruminations and worries to cultivate self-compassion. Repeat these affirmations daily to rewire your thought patterns and create a more Rumi like presence for your thoughts.

8. Creative Expression:

Engage in creative activities like painting, music, or crafting to express your emotions non-verbally and access deeper layers of your psyche. In Yoga, Kriyas are used to activate the Tantric body and it is critical to not become rote or too disciplined in these approaches.

9. Therapeutic Writing Prompts: Use specific writing prompts focused on self-exploration and healing to delve into the root causes of self-judgment and fear-based beliefs. These prompts can come from working with other parts of yourself as well as working with a coach or therapist.

10. Therapy or Counseling: Consider seeking professional help from a therapist, guide or counselor trained in techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based approaches to address and work through issues of self-judgment and fear. Much of this work can feel overwhelming as you get closer and closer to your own source. To ask for help is a powerful way to show yourself you are worth it!