Customer Reviews

Shadow Work: A New Guide to Spiritual and Psychological Growth

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In Shadow Work, Dr. Ruth encourages us to seek out, examine, understand and process through the shadow side of our personality -- that part of self that we all want to dismiss and hide from, but that will not go away! As Dr. Ruth explains, the shadow is as much a part of us as the part we do address as real, and to be psychologically and spiritually whole, we must face those issues housed in our shadow side, begin to understand and address them as part of who we are, and process through each one as we move forward in our human journey.

Dr. Ruth also addresses the corporate shadow, which is a very interesting study indeed, and one that has probably been experienced by most persons who have ever been part of a community.

I highly recommend this very readable book to anyone who is interested in discovering more about themselves, to anyone who is interested in growing through their shadow side to increased consciousness and light.

"Only the Shadow knows..." and only Dr. Mike Ruth in his skillfully adept book can aid in one's self-examination of the dark side of the personality known as, The Shadow. Dr. Ruth clearly states that to examine one's shadow side is to summon great inner courage, without it no man can walk towards his complete psychospiritual Self with intergrity and ultimately towards individuation. Dr. Ruth explains how through challenging ourselves to become a redemptive community within our own Self leads us to a psychospiritual maturity where one's indviduation triumphs over all conflicts. Simply put, Dr. Ruth encourages us to seek our Shadow and to learn of its treachery so we can cease our running from it inorder to grow to our fullest both psychologically and spirtually. He calls it 'the walk of life' whereby we walk ever increasingly in our consciousness and less inside the prison of our unconsciousness. Dr. Ruth terms it,'illumination,' and aptly so. Clearly stated, once something is made known to us, chances are it will not influence or frighten us as badly. But this confrontation within the Self takes courage and from this walk emerges 'self-love'. Self-love, according to Dr. Ruth, is love that is critqued by the question,"What is best?" regardless of the feelings one has about the situation. To do what is best is not always easy to do NOR that which makes us feel good. But the act of a true self-love brings great dignity and peace of mind because it is one of the highest callings of God. I encourage all who have begun to examine their shadow to read this book. By making the unknown known to us will enable us to live as examples of courage, intergrity, dignity and love for ourselves and fellowman which is precisely what Christ and the true Church is all about to me.

I found the book to be easy to read, honest and informative. But I found no tools for shadow "work", I would call it shadow "theory". Also, it was Christian based, which I found difficult to follow at times (being my knowledge of Christianity so little). I found "The dark side of the light chasers" much more practical.
But if you are looking for an introduction about the shadow, and are Christian or have enough knowledge about the subject, this could be the book for you.

Finally, someone has written a book which is easy to grasp and a joy to read that deals with our ultimate struggle as humans to defeat the darkness of our neglected personality. Despite such seemingly heavy content , Dr. Ruth has written a truly optomistic book that kept me in great spirits from page to page! As soon as I finished the book I was ready to start living life on a higher plane, a plane that was meant for human beings from the beginning. Dr. Ruth tackles the difficult topic of the "shadow," which is in essence the totality of our unwanted traits. Every person has a shadow, and Dr. Ruth not only explains all aspects of its nature, but also lays the ground work for bringing ourselves back into light. Perhaps the most refreshing part of the book is Dr. Ruth's insight into the shadows we don't think of so much--relational and organizational shadows! Wherever two or more are gathered, there is shadow. The specific section dealing with today's Church and its shadow is a message that religious circles are in desperate need of hearing. Master this book, and you will learn how to live better and love better!

I read every word with anticipation. Shadow Work made me take a look at myself and my past with great benefit. I finished the book weeks ago and the message of it is still fresh with me today.