This page houses the Shadow Collaborative Training Program, a work in-progress "by Shadows for Shadows", where all the current members of the Shadow Aspect participate and cooperate in the creation of a Shadow training program.
Program Layout
The following is the outline for the program's construct. Note that it is currently dynamic and prone to change.
The program is comprised of lessons, organized under study subjects, divided into general units:
Unit 1 – Before we start... (getting started)
Unit 2 – Introduction to the Shadows (basic Shadow stuff)
Unit 3 – Origins of Shadow thought (opening up to more Shadowy stuff)
Unit 4 – Shadow self-development (self-development oriented)
Unit 5 – Shadow Activism (action!)
Before we start...
This first pre-introduction unit is designed to get the adepts started and ready to begin their training. The adepts will be prompted to establish a preliminary notion of what they would be looking for throughout their training – their current goals, as well as to look into their background.
These goals and their background should be referred to during their training, to emphasize change in both their goal-relative state and their perception.
Lessons:
Introduction to the Shadows
The purpose of this unit is to introduce adepts to the basic ideas of Shadow philosophy.
Adepts will be required to present interpretations of "classic" Shadow texts, as well as Shadowy interpretations of various issues.
Ideas for study topics:
- Historical review of the Shadow aspect in the FA
- Major essays and teachings
- Core Shadow principals, symbolism, terms and ideas:
- Balance
- Perspective
- Non-duality
- Unlearning
- Compassion
- Personal Responsibility
(The above are key examples. More can be added, of course)
Lessons:
Origins of Shadow Thought
Review of influences on the creation of Shadow thought:
- Taoism
- Zen Buddhism
- Shinto
- Western Philosophy and psychology: duality/non-duality, science, relativism, constructivism
- Joseph Campbell
- Native American spiritualism?
The "Shadow" in various Earth traditions:
- Jungian philosophy
- Literature (Le-Guinn, Andersen, etc...)
- Physics
Self-Development
- Recognizing, feeling and connecting to the Force around us
- Awareness – drills and discussions dedicated to broadening sense-ability and expanding the scope of awareness in everyday life
- Learning about, developing and relying on Intuition
- Metamorphosis – the art of change
Lessons:
Shadow Activism
- Interpreting the “will of the Force”
- Action/inaction, WeiWuWei
- Developing Vision
- Forming a path
Lessons: