Everything Belongs: Living the Teachings of Richard Rohr Forward

The Shadowlands With Connie Zweig

May 15, 2024

Connie Zweig, a retired therapist and author known for her work on shadow work and spirituality, dives deep into the complexities of self-identity and authenticity. She discusses the importance of embracing the shadow self in personal and spiritual growth. Connie highlights the healing power of humor in addressing flaws and the dynamics within spiritual communities. The conversation also touches on the tensions between societal expectations and personal desires, emphasizing the need for self-recognition to foster genuine connections and transformation.

01:31:35

Episode guests

Connie Zweig

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Engaging in shadow work allows individuals to confront hidden aspects of themselves, fostering personal transformation and authenticity.

Distinguishing between one's societal persona and true self is essential to avoid self-deception and emotional distress.

Cultural pressures and spiritual trauma can burden individuals; healing involves reclaiming self-worth and nurturing genuine spiritual connections.

Deep dives

The Importance of Shadow Work

Engaging with the concept of shadow work is crucial for personal transformation. It involves acknowledging and integrating the parts of ourselves that we often refuse to see, referred to as the 'shadow' by Carl Jung. This shadow consists not only of the negative aspects but also of rejected qualities, such as creativity or assertiveness, which can hinder our growth. By confronting these hidden aspects, individuals can break free from stagnation and begin the transformative journey, ultimately leading to a more authentic self.

Intro

2min

Unmasking the Persona: Authenticity vs. Societal Expectations

14min

Embracing the Rooster's Crow: Self-Reflection and Shadow Work

7min

The Healing Power of Humor in Shadow Work

2min

Exploring Shadows in Spiritual Communities

3min

Navigating Spiritual Expectations

8min

Exploring the Shadow Self

24min

Navigating Spiritual Shadows

25min

Exploring the Shadow: A Path to Inner Growth

4min

What is the shadow? How do we understand it?

In this episode, we're joined by Connie Zweig as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 11: "The Shadowlands." In this conversation with Connie Zweig, we explore the complex relationship between spiritual communities, the unconscious aspects of ourselves, and the potential for growth within ourselves and these groups. Before we dive in to the interview with Connie, CAC staff catch up with Richard at his hermitage to hear his reflections on the eleventh chapter a decade after he originally wrote it.

Connie Zweig, Ph.D., is a retired therapist, writer, Climate Reality Leader, and Citizens Climate Lobbyist. Known as the Shadow Expert, she is coauthor of Meeting the Shadow and Romancing the Shadow and a novel, A Moth to the Flame: The Life of Sufi Poet Rumi. Her award-winning book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends her work on the Shadow into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. It won both the 2021 American Book Fest Award and the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for best inspirational non-fiction. Her newest book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening is available now. It explores shadow-work into the religious and spiritual arena. Connie has been doing contemplative practices for more than 50 years. She is a wife, stepmother, and grandmother. After all these roles, she’s practicing the shift from role to soul.

Resources:

A PDF of the transcript for this episode is available here.
Grab a copy of the newly revised version of Falling Upward, with a new foreword by Brené Brown here.
To learn more about Connie's work, check out her website here.
We mentioned Connie's book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path, several times in this episode. You can find that here.

Connect with us:

Have a question or thought about this season that you'd like to share with us?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail here: http://www.cac.org/voicemail

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