“In the drama of our evolution, the shadow is the character of greatest interest. The shadow is only dangerous when we keep it locked away in the dark cellar of repression. That’s when we run the risk that it will blow up in our face, derailing our diets, sabotaging our relationships, and killing our dreams.

But if we allow our shadow characters to serve as integrated parts of our whole self—as colorful, powerful forces for the good—they will lead us to richer experiences, more genuine connections, more laughter, more authenticity, and honest self-expression.

The battle with our dark side will never be won through hatred and repression; we can’t fight darkness with darkness. We have to find compassion and embrace the darkness inside us in order to understand it and, ultimately, to transcend it.”

Excerpt From: Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson & Debbie Ford. “The Shadow Effect.”