Fuente: https://stockcake.com/
It happened one of those afternoons, cold but sunny, while I was walking my son’s pet, Panda.
In front of us, a little dog was happily playing, running around and frolicking endlessly.
Then I noticed he was playing with his own shadow.
I found it very funny and laughed along with the owners, who were also amused with the situation.
I continued my walk, and that’s when I became aware of my own shadow and Panda’s.
At this time of year, as the winter solstice approaches and the sun is at its lowest point in the sky, shadows appear incredibly long.
Suddenly, I realized that the image of the little dog playing with his own shadow was more powerful and symbolic than it might seem.
Looking at those elongated figures on the snow that followed Panda and me, I remembered the Jungian concept of shadow.
I’m not at all an expert on the subject, but from my old readings (and with a little help from Google) I remembered that, according to Carl Jung’s analytical psychology, the shadow refers to the unconscious aspects of the personality that the conscious self represses or denies.
This “shadow” is autonomous and influences our thoughts and behaviors, and if we aren’t able to integrate it, it can sabotage our own efforts and goals.
Apparently, the best approach is to recognize these shadowy aspects without judging them and simply accept that they are part of ourselves.
It’s easier said than done.
Anyway, before heading home, Panda and I decided to have some fun, just like the little dog we saw, and we invited our long, happy companions to play.
Perhaps taking it so lightly is the beginning of that complicated thing they call the “path to individuation.”
As always, I prefer not to delve too deeply, so I’ll leave you with this riddle, one of my grandchildren’s favorites:
“What doesn’t get wet in water and doesn’t burn in fire?”
You guessed it, of course! (It’s not so obvious to most people.)
Answer: The shadow.
