Hah! There are three now! LOL!
I filled up one journal that was an extension from 2012. There are some dark things in there. I've come to terms with a lot.
One journal is for business. Two are personal. One personal journal is completely filled up. I'm 1/3rd of the way through the second. I've been writing daily for a few weeks. I usually don't keep track and write at salient/inflection points near or around my inner work.
I've gotten a lot of high level perspective on myself. It's ridiculous. I've come a long way since like 2011 or 2012. I only had a few entries then. There are major gaps along the way like there should be.
Most days are a repeat of the same day. Groundhog day doesn't stop. It's really creepy or Erie when you see it for what it is.
I will post contents and sections soon for a personal project I'm working on. It's very deep and reflects some important points in growth areas of the mindset.
Confronting your shadow isn't as deep as you think. There are actually really nasty labels for everything dude. However, the funny thing about the shadow is that those guys are the jackasses in you.
No seriously, unmasked your shadow is mostly harmless and is a revolting mechanism meant to protect you. It's everything that's too dark or too unsavory, unsafe, or dangerous etc. To be accepted by society or yourself. It's mostly harmless. There are some STRONG "characters" in there that can be fuel or motivation.
Accepting your shadow is the first step to wholeness. Like, not being unified. It's more like being cool and unaffected. I've come to realization that we shun lots of things all the time. There will be many competing interests. You just have to accept it. That's less about the shadow, but that's how the shadow is born.
FYI, Religion played a critical role for me in dealing with the shadow. I had to learn to be cool without religion. I had to learn to be cool with imperfections with everything.
Grinus' quote is quite appro pro here. However, the perfection doesn't come from the statue. The perfection is in the artist and canvas. It's when the artist has realized they have moved as close as they can. It's when they realize the canvas reflects them. The canvas started perfect. You can only add imperfections when creating the statue.
You have to consciously seek to abstain from tainting the channeling of desire. You can then see every discarded piece as the shadow. It's what wasn't useful. You just have to be cool with the jackass stuff in you. They're very strong feelings honestly.
I'm probably rambling here and have actually been drinking. I've had a really good week. I will post a complete synopsis of the project I'm working on soon.
Edit:
Needless to say, this stuff usually boils down to the punitive super ego of society. Rejections, pain, struggle, religion, crime etc. The deeper you go the darker it gets. The harder you work the brighter the light at the end of the cave.