Das Schatten-Prinzip

Ruediger Dahlke

(My note: This passage of the book is translated by me from the original Czech version, so there might be some mistakes. The page may not match the original either. I also don’t think this book is available in English.

The last masterpiece, Reconciliation, page 171

“The most difficult moment when working with the shadow is to admit in its conclusion: “Not only I’m like that, but I can also be like that”. It means that we not only accept our shadow, but even begin to love it. This is the culmination of work that will bring us a huge reward.

In this difficult exercise, where we have to accept our dark sides and lovingly accept them, we come across the basic principle of Christianity: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Many have circumvented the dilemma that lies in it by, in essence, turning it into the complete opposite: “Love your neighbor above all things,” but they are hopelessly failing and just cultivating a bad conscience. But whoever takes Christ and his teachings seriously in this (original) sentence must begin to love himself in order to have a chance with his neighbor at all. Indeed, the teachings of the Master are much more realistic and more feasible than what they have made of them.”