Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path

“In my half a century of spiritual practice, I’ve seen countless examples of teachers and students becoming seriously waylaid because of a failure to meet the shadow. This book is a must-read for anyone wishing to accelerate and safeguard their spiritual progress.” * Rick Archer, creator and host of Buddha at the Gas Pump and cofounder of the Association for Spiritu *
“A mature, sophisticated reflection on yearning, religion, and the shadow. Connie Zweig recognizes the power of going deep into darkness in order to find our way toward the light.” * Lama Willa Blythe Baker, Ph.D., founder of Natural Dharma Fellowship *
“Many of us fondly imagined that spiritual practice would do it all: with enough meditation or yoga we would swiftly awaken to abiding love and light. But then we ran into problems: ourselves and our shadows— those powerful inner dimensions and dynamics that remain unconscious but can overwhelm and humble us. These shadow dynamics are best recognized and healed with the help of wise friends, counselors, and guides, people like Connie Zweig—a master guide and illuminator of the shadow, our inner world, and the spiritual path.” * Roger Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at the University of California at Irvine *
“This book is vital for anyone who yearns to fully awaken. Skillfully drawing upon her hard-won contemplative insights and expertise as a depth psychotherapist, Connie Zweig offers us a brilliant road map for navigating the inevitable peaks and valleys of the Great Way. I highly recommend this book to new seekers and seasoned spiritual veterans alike.” * David Chernikoff, M.Div., LCSW, author of Life, Part Two *
“If consciousness is a sea of limitless depth, Connie Zweig is a deep sea diver who brings back treasures for us. By examining the spiritual, psychological, and emotional dynamics between mentors and students, she demonstrates how shadow-work can help us move into deeper self-awareness and wholeness. This book is a compelling read—I couldn’t put it down!” * Robert A. Jonas, Ed.D., author of My Dear Far-Nearness *
“The shadow has emerged as a key concept in contemporary spirituality as communities wrestle with the recurrence of sexual violence and various forms of abuse across traditions. Rooted in depth psychology, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path offers a comprehensive, much-needed treatment of how the shadow and spiritual abuse operate. Updated with attention to the impact of the #MeToo movement, this new edition provides practitioners with the tools for both understanding and transforming abuse dynamics in a spiritual context.” * Ann Gleig, associate professor of religion and cultural studies at the University of Central Florida *
“Most spiritual traditions have a dirty little secret: when you surrender to an authority, you will face the dark side of human nature. At last, this book explains why and how to recover.” * Aaron Kipnis, Ph.D., author, psychotherapist, and professor emeritus of psychology at Pacifica Gradu *
“True spiritual wisdom invites all the energies within, including the darker ones. Blessings to Connie Zweig for shining a light on our shadows, allowing insight and joy to move our consciousness toward wholeness.” * Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, cofounder and abbot of the Village Zendo *