A Shadow Work® process starts when a facilitator asks, “What would you like to have happen?” (In a group seminar, there are always at least two facilitators present, and in a coaching session, there might be one or two.) You can then explain in your own words what you want for yourself. And if you’re not sure what you want, the facilitator can listen carefully and help you determine what it is that you want.
Generally, people want something that falls into one of these categories:
To understand why they behave in a certain way;
To get help or support for unfolding more of themselves;
To work with feelings like fear, grief, or anger;
To break through old patterns of behavior.
Using the Shadow Work® tools, the facilitator helps by reconstructing your issue, so that you can identify the shadow and view it objectively. The facilitator suggest perspectives about the shadow and can facilitate powerful techniques for re-integrating the energy that has been in shadow. The facilitator will ask for your choice at each step, so that what you want guides the process. No one is ever pressured to go beyond their own comfort level.
In a group setting, Shadow Work® processes only begin after a strong sense of safety and trust has been built among group members through carefully designed group exercises. Exposing parts of your shadow can feel risky. To effectively work with your shadows, you need a place where you can feel safe and trust others. Shadow Work® provides you with such a place.