At the “Creating the Life You Want” Workshop, Master teacher and head of Moving Ventures, Ellen Watson, led us to meet our shadow. As we faced the wall in the sanctuary at Seeking Indigo, the low light cast a shadow and that dark shadow moved and bounced as I moved and bounced. My shadow was a lot bigger, a little off to one side, and much darker than I imagine myself. “Dance with your shadow,” Ellen said. I laughed. Dancing with the shadow side and embracing it seems to be a theme these days.

The shadow side is the side that lingers that is often unseen and unknown. When light is shed on it, it disappears and merges with the rest. It can become play to meet it, dance with it and explore its nature. Often it rests just below the surface, life a sleeping monster beneath a still pool. It can hold energies like anger, jealousy, hatred, competitiveness, fear and when it’s not made conscious, these energies manifest in others and the monster becomes more than a shadow. It begins to appear very real and alive – until we take time to pause, meet it, walk with it and ask it what it’s about.

In the beginning self-inquiry may seem challenging. It’s easier to imagine being perfect and good while the power of the shadow energies eats away at friendships, love relationships and our own self-esteem.

For today, dance with your shadow. See it for what it is – energy that can be utilized when recognized. Play with it. Acknowledge it. Imagine its soft, fuzzy side and invite it into conversation. You may even want to draw it or find some image that reflects your imagination of what it looks like. Then embrace it. Tell it you love it and accept it. Invite it in to play. Soon the two become one and the monster turns into a friend. The dark energies that once caused fear become channeled into vibrant and alive projects that serve you and others.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary, dreamer and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.