Encountering Shadow

Dream Description

(30/12/2022)

The dream began as I was finding myself on a crowded evening train. It was packed with weary commuters heading home after a long day’s work. Though I was with some colleagues, their faces were unfamiliar to me. Glancing at the map above the door, I noticed the train was passing through a town notorious for its darkness and eerie atmosphere. Gazing out the window, I saw nothing but pitch black. I couldn’t help but wonder what horrors lay hidden in the shadows.

As we neared our destination, I realized the station was still on the outskirts of this ominous town. The train halted, and passengers hurriedly exited through the front wagon doors, likely to avoid accidentally venturing into the darkness.

I was in the rear wagon and exited through the door in front of me, all doors opening to the left. Just a few meters ahead, I encountered something truly terrifying: a giant bat, seemingly waiting for someone. Summoning all my courage, I walked towards the creature, hoping to pass unnoticed. But as I drew closer, it spotted me. The bat unfurled its massive wings and fixed its gloomy eyes on me. I met its gaze and stood my ground. It was my height, with razor-sharp teeth and claws. Determined not to retreat, I braced for a potential fight. Surprisingly, the bat stepped back, and so did I. Neither of us wanted a confrontation. Eventually, I turned my back on the creature and joined my colleagues waiting at the station.

We walked together through the evening until we arrived at a crowded event—the retirement ceremony of the general manager of a company I had worked for years ago. The atmosphere was tense; people seemed displeased by my presence, suspecting I had tampered with the ceremony cake, which had arrived misshapen. Two men approached and asked me to step outside with them.

We went to a familiar company to move two injection mold toolings for maintenance. Alex, the owner of the plastic injection company, accompanied me. Suddenly, someone mentioned Andrea, who was waiting outside. Looking out the window, I saw Andrea, the head of die-casting tooling from another company, looking bored. We called him in to help move the tooling up the stairs.

At the top of the stairs, we opened a door and stepped into a nightmarish new environment: a massive slaughterhouse that resembled a supermarket. The air was thick with the sound of heavy metal music, heightening the terror. Everywhere I looked, there was blood and raw meat. In one corner, I even saw eggs. Overwhelmed by the horror, Andrea passed out. A supermarket worker walked by but didn’t notice Andrea lying between the freezers. I grabbed Andrea, desperate to escape, and at that moment, I woke up.

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Dream Interpretation 

I believe I’ve deciphered the reason behind a significant dream I had recently. Months prior, I found myself pondering a quote by C.G. Jung:

 “No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell” 

C.G. Jung

It took time to grasp its meaning. Eventually, I chose to confront the depths of my psyche, venturing into darkness without a guide. I sought clarity amid uncertainty, illuminated by another quote that struck a chord:

“The first and the best victory is to conquer self”

Plato

This marked the beginning of my journey, akin to a warrior navigating a dense forest, striving to uphold my identity amidst internal turmoil. Delving into the abyss revealed my Shadow—a part of me yearning for control, in conflict with my conscious self, the Ego. This inner struggle consumed me, leading to a profound dream encounter where my Shadow confronted me directly.

Subsequently, I endured sleepless nights for three months, resorting to ineffective sleeping pills until I turned to Vipassana Meditation. Through focused mindfulness, I regained inner peace, learning to harness my Shadow’s energy constructively. This transformative process, rooted in Jungian psychology, marked my first step towards individuation—integrating the Shadow and reconciling its influence on my psyche.

Analyzing the dream’s symbolism—a train journey symbolizing transition and inner exploration—revealed insights into my subconscious. Meeting my Shadow through the train’s left door signified a crucial integration point, coinciding with a pivotal career phase. This introspective journey, as Jung suggests, prepares one for deeper stages of self-discovery and transformation.

The integration of the Shadow, contrary to aggression, fosters resilience and inner strength.

It sets the stage for the subsequent transformation of the Anima/Animus, further enriching one’s individuation process.

“We cannot change anything until we accept it”

C.G. Jung

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