Your shadow self contains all of the parts of you that are hidden from others and often from yourself. Nearly everyone has a shadow self.
Most of the aspects of the shadow self are unpleasant (what some people would refer to as “negative”), but some are pleasant. Pleasant aspects might be your special gifts or talents that you keep hidden to blend in and avoid attention. For example you might be able to feel and express your emotions easily, but in your family, culture or work community, the expression of emotions is discouraged, so you suppress your natural desire to express feelings.
However, the shadow self is mainly composed of all of your suppressed unpleasant emotions, desires and feelings. It holds outdated social ideas and beliefs. It feeds on discouragement, fears and doubts and grows each time we dwell on these types of feelings.
Its powerful impact on our behaviour mostly happens at a subconscious level, and consequently we often react to situations – rather than respond with awareness. The more we become aware of our shadow selves, the less power it has over us, and as a result we make better choices, we improve our relationships with others, and we have more energy – it takes a lot of energy to resist and suppress our shadow selves.
Horses often demonstrate a common behaviour around people who hold back – keeping their shadow self under cover. They display a glazed-over look in their eyes – as if the lights are on, but no one is home. They are only partially present, and that is what they are mirroring – someone who is only partially present. (Its worth noting that its not only horses that do this. How many times have you been in conversation with someone and you feel yourself drifting off – you are probably experiencing someone who is not totally present!)
As we become aware of our shadow selves, the horses become more present, more engaging. They help up to experience the change on a somatic level – with our body and all our senses. Working on mindfulness with the horses is an accelerated approach to revealing our shadow selves and increase our ability to be more present, aware, and purposeful.