The Birth of My Shadow Work Coaching Practice
In hindsight, I see that my longing for shadow work was deeply rooted within me, even when I didn't even know it existed. It was a calling that emerged in the years that I worked with my own teacher. And while I wasn’t initially sure that shadow work would be my sole focus, I recognized an effortless flow and resonance with this transformative approach.
Even now, it's a little bit difficult to use the word ‘shadow work.’ Maybe it's working with polarities, working with paradoxes.
Unmasking My Shadowy Sensuality
Before going to my first shadow work retreat, I read Debbie Ford's book, 'The Dark Side of the Light Chaser'. In that book I was asked the question: what is the absolute worst thing that can be said about you? I asked myself: what is the worst thing that other people could think about me?
And even worse: what would I hate if it turned out to be me?
My answer: a manipulative woman.
And specifically with that word 'woman' behind it; not just a manipulative person, but someone who uses her femininity, sensuality and seductive power to get things done. To wrap others around her finger. I used my sensuality manipulatively, a distorted reflection of my true self.
But when I started to confront this shadow aspect, something incredible happened. I began to connect with my authentic sensuality, a sensuality that wasn't about manipulation or control. It was a sensuality that was rooted in self-love and acceptance, a sensuality that empowered me to connect with myself and others on a deeper level.
Shadow work had become an integral part of my own inner work.
Being Called to Shadow Work Coaching
My experiences with shadow work have revealed a profound truth: shadow work is not about forcing change or imposing external solutions. It’s about holding space for people to begin to examine their own polarities and contradictions, and then mirroring back their inherent wholeness.
When faced with conflicting emotions or seemingly insurmountable challenges, we often perceive our situation as impossible. My role as a shadow work coach is to explore the hidden side of the story, and guide them through the process of becoming “interested” in their situation rather than in conflict with it.
This shift in perspective and awakening curiosity invites exploration, creating space for new possibilities to emerge.
By introducing contrasting perspectives without judgment, I empower my clients to integrate their polarities and experience their own wholeness. And that creates a ripple effect through the rest of their lives. They often come back to me years after our work together, reporting that that moment really changed everything. It’s these moments that solidify my passion for shadow work. I have to do it. It’s a calling.
If you enjoyed this post, please join Sacha Steuns & Mai An Tran for the first ever Shadow & Grace Masterclass: a free, one-hour Zoom webinar where you’ll join with other women who are on the journey of healing through shadow work.
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