By Adi Narayan Ji

In conversation with two students, Adi Narayan Ji gives an introductory sadhana on embracing one’s shadow projection. In the path of Bhakti Yoga, this realm of practice comes in the second stage known as Visesha Bhakti: the path of character development and human values.

Student A:
I have been walking around with some anger in my heart since last night. I think it’s a result of being out with some friends. I have been fighting and questioning why I have this anger towards one friend. It’s not justified at all. I know this anger is not me, and it’s not who I am either.

Student B:
Me too. I feel my whole world perspective has changed and I am filled with sadness and helplessness. How could this person neglect themselves so drastically? What happened to bring him to this point in his life?

Adi Narayan Ji (addressing Student A):
What if you took a moment to accept that it is you? That’s ok. Place your hands on your heart, breathe in and out slowly, and say: “I accept this feeling of anger and rage within me. I love you anger. I love you rage. You have helped and continue to serve me, protect me, and I acknowledge and accept you as a part of my own disowned self.”

Try it, tell me how you feel.

Adi Narayan Ji (addressing Student B):
What if you took a moment to accept that it is you. That’s ok. Place your hands on your heart, breathe in and out slowly, and say: “I accept this feeling of helplessness and neglect within me. I love you my younger helpless self. I love you my neglectful self. You have helped, and continue to serve me and protect me. I acknowledge and accept you as a part of my own disowned self.”

Student A (30 minutes after practicing the shadow embrace technique):
Wow, I felt a rush of energy and now I feel completely calm. All day I was fighting it when I just had to accept it. Thank you Swami Ji.

Adi Narayan Ji:
Deeper work has to go on. It will take time to rejoin that which we have actively separated ourselves from. I have been working deeply with this practice of integrating my disowned selves through shadow work for over a decade. It has raised my level of spirituality and connection to God.

With love, Swami Ji.