When we begin trying to purify our minds, many of us find a natural and scary thing happen--the opposite of purification seems to become visible. Like Newton's Third Law of motion is at play (every action arises with an equal and opposite reaction).
Our shadow thoughts and feelings are not a problem. They are a natural co-arising which we do not need to attach to. Like the shadows of objects in the sun. For more depth, check my pamphlet on already-perfect. And see my self-hypnosis video (unfortunately the vid was cut short).
U.C. Berkeley also offers a free classbased partly on the experimentally validated Buddhist teachings to learn to be happy and help others to be happy.
I also have a poem here which altho it is not accurate in terms of the final realization (this is still stuck at an earlier stage of true self) it does kind of help when you are trying to get shadow thoughts in perspective:
THE JOKER
At the centre of the spinning circle sits the joker with a mirror in his hand, reflecting all to everyone to help them understand.
His face is fierce, yet gentle, his eyes, they pierce you through, you cannot escape his gaze no matter where you go, no matter what you do.
His smile is warm, he draws you in, he is so calm, why are you so confused by him?
Your thoughts are like a raging storm between the whirling sky and sea, nothing seems certain any more, nothing’s how it used to be.
Once things were clear in black and white, you thought you knew the wrong from right, you drew the line, and cut it fine, between the day and night; but now your world is crumbling, there’s nowhere you can call your own, nothing’s solid anymore, not even cities made of stone, not even your own body, not even flesh and blood, not even skin and bone.
The sun and moon are falling on your head, the stars are tumbling down, flowers sing like angels, in the winter town.
The dead are living, the living dead, fire turns to water, water burns instead, silence is so full of sound, time stands still, you hear the earth turn round.
Your life flashes before you, is that thunder, or the beating of your heart, you don’t know if this is the end, or something new about to start. You don’t know if you’re dreaming or if you are awake, and as you go on spinning you see the joker’s mirror reflecting every move you make.
You show him good, and he will show you evil; you show him truth, and he will show you lies; you show him life, and he will show you how all that’s living dies.
You show him happiness, and he will show you sorrow, you show him yesterday, and he will show you tomorrow; you show him poverty, and he will show you wealth; you show him sickness and he will show you health.
You fall as if forever, falling spinning round and round, tumbling into empty space, without up or down and thus you will go on falling until you understand how opposites arise mutually, then you and the joker will dance, hand in hand.
Then you will know the truth: that all is of one taste; then you and the joker will have the same face. - Unknown
