Enter Integration

Integration means to blend into a unifying whole. Integration means going on a journey of self-discovery, by grabbing a flashlight and venturing into the shadow to find what it holds and then love it back into wholeness.

We often think our shadowy parts are unique and so much worse than they actually are. The truth is, we all know what shame feels like and what it feels to be rejected, abandoned, betrayed, and made fun of. Our unexamined shadow is like a monster under the bed. It is the story we have created about the monster that generates our fear, not the monster itself. Our shadow is most powerful in its secrecy. In reality, when the light of awareness is shined on the monster what we find is that the monster is not a monster at all but a story about a monster. Such is what happens when the light of compassion is shined on the parts of ourselves we may despise or fear. When we bring our shadow into the light we realize there is nothing vile at all hidden there. We realize that the imperfections we perceive we possess do not make us weak, flawed, or broken but, in fact, they make us whole.

When we integrate our shadow we have the opportunity to heal old wounds. We can heal past pain and trauma. We find old beliefs that are being habitually played out and now can be consciously forgiven and released. Integration is accountability, it is responsibility, and it is being empowered to choose a new way. This is crucial to transformation because it is the reframing of limiting beliefs that we ignite the fire of change. We have the power to put new energy into the system and thus experience different results.

Imagine letting go of the belief…

What could happen?

When we shine the light of compassion on the unloved parts of ourselves we can love them back into wholeness by giving them a voice. We can relish in the knowing that we have co-creative power in our reality; an empowering and vital stance. We will never find wholeness, peace, healing, or unity by more separation. Empowerment is found by integrating into wholeness.

And there’s more…

The shadow does not just house our fears but our lost gifts. The person that was “too loud” becomes the voice of a jazz singer. The budding artist that was told “art wasn’t a real job” picks up the paintbrush again. The dancer that was told “boys don’t dance” begins to find a beat. The seeker that was told “this is all there is” can explore new territory.  The intuitive that saw other realities may become a beacon of hope and inspiration for others.  When we integrate those edited parts we find the lost treasure of our souls. Integration leads to authenticity- it leads to inspiration- it leads to knowing we have a purpose. If there is disconnect from a sense of purpose then take a shadow walk. You may find the lost treasure of who you are and who you are meant to be.

Because the truth is we do not just project what we dislike about ourselves we project what we love.

When we integrate our projections of love we are inspired, infused, and connected to the infinite and radiant love that is ever present within each of us.

Coaching applications:

We cannot transform or change what we do not acknowledge and neither can our clients. So, for coaching purposes, projection can be used as tool for self-realization and empowering integration. The dance of energy between projection and integration is one of conscious balance. Utilizing awareness and practicing mindfulness by looking at projections can be a powerful tool for change.  Our projections carry profound wisdom about our client’s lives: their stuck spots as well as their gifts, talents, infinite self-love, and purpose.  As coaches we can compassionately assist our clients down the winding path of their projections into unseen parts of themselves, to find the buried treasure of which they are, and integrate these parts into wholeness.

Integration leads to accountability and accountability to real and lasting change. As coaches we must be clear that this is not a denial about what in fact happened or is happening, or a denial of feelings attached to an experience. It is about the realization that when we project we give our power to change away when we integrate- we take it back.