The Dark Night of the Soul

Carl Jung described the shadow self as the part of us that we fear and try to avoid, or the traits we harshly judge in others. This is where the "dark night of the soul" begins—a transformative experience where everything dormant within you is brought to the surface. It is the resurrection of all that is hidden, or as Jung would say, everything that exists in the shadows: a collection of the qualities you despise and strive not to embody.

Have you ever gone out of your way to avoid a certain situation, fearing it might bring embarrassment, damage your reputation, or expose you to severe criticism? It’s a scenario you'd prefer to evade entirely rather than face the potential fallout. If this resonates with you, then you carry a shadow within—a collection of dormant, lifeless parts. You may not fully grasp why it unsettles you so deeply or wonder if, on some level, you’re drawn to those hidden aspects. Let me illuminate this further.

One of the core laws of creation is the law of motion. Everything must move; nothing stays still or hidden forever. No matter how deeply something is buried in the shadows, it cannot remain concealed indefinitely. There comes a day of reckoning—a moment when what was hidden begins to surface. Thoughts transform into actions, and suddenly, you become aware of these unfolding changes. You find yourself embodying the very traits you once criticized, becoming the person you worked so hard to avoid. The situation you feared and resisted has now become a part of you.

This realization brings profound pain. You are swallowed by darkness, longing for it to consume you while also desperately craving release. You question whether your ego can withstand the suffering and bear the shame. You retreat further within, only to find your inner world has become an endless void of darkness. You call out for help, but your cries go unheard, and so, no one can come to your rescue.

You then choose to “die”, believing that death is the only way to end it all. You embrace this metaphorical death because it seems to be the only path to rebirth. As Lao Tzu said in the Tao Te Ching:

“If you want to become whole, let yourself be partial.
If you want to become straight, let yourself be crooked.
If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.
If you want to be reborn, let yourself die.
If you want to be given everything, give everything up.”

You finally allow yourself to be partial, so you can become whole. You embrace your crookedness to become straight. You empty yourself of what no longer serves you, making space for what truly matters. You let your ego die, so you can be reborn, brand new, free from cares and worries. Ultimately, you give up everything you once were, so you can receive everything anew.

From my perspective, the Dark Night of the Soul represents a form of judgment—an inevitable event governed by the laws of creation. It brings forth and purges everything buried within your shadow.

Enduring the Dark Night of the Soul is an unsettling experience, made more so by the suddenness of its arrival. Judgment comes without warning, ready or not, and the light exposes every hidden shadow, casting you into darkness. Embracing this darkness is essential, for only then will you yearn for the light.

You must strive for the light, break free from the shadows, and cleanse yourself. With every ounce of willpower, turn your focus toward the Light. By doing so, you seek unity with the Universe, embody unconditional love, and become a beacon of light for others. The light that touches you will illuminate your being.

Having gone through the Dark Night of the Soul, which I now recognize as my personal judgment, I can attest that true purification comes only to those who have prepared their inner landscape. Look at those who have faced this reckoning—they have died and been reborn. Nothing is as it was, yet everything remains the same. You awaken and begin to live with conscious awareness.