Illuminating the Hidden Self: Navigating the Jungian Shadow with Psychedelics
This interdisciplinary course delves into the profound realms of the human psyche, drawing upon the pioneering work of Carl Jung and the transformative potential of psychedelics. Participants will embark on a journey to understand the concept of the "Shadow" – the hidden, unconscious aspect of the self – and explore how psychedelics can serve as tools to illuminate and integrate these often-neglected facets of our being.
🧠 Are you curious about the mysteries of the human psyche and the role of the Jungian shadow?
🍄 Are you interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and their interplay with Jungian psychology?
✨ Are you looking for transformative tools to aid in self-awareness and personal growth?
👥 Are you looking for new ways to support your clients to work with the Shadow?
Illuminating Your Hidden Self
⚫ Has the Shadow or Shadow Work been coming up for you often?
⚫ Have you encountered the Shadow during a psychedelic experience?
⚫ Are you trying to understand better the shadow so you can integrate it into your life?
⚫ Ever felt there's a deeper, hidden side to yourself waiting to be discovered?
The concept of the Shadow originates from the work of Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung. In Jungian psychology, the Shadow represents the unconscious or repressed parts of the psyche. It's essentially the "dark side" of our personality: the hidden, unacknowledged, and often repressed aspects of oneself. This includes desires, fears, instincts, and behaviors that one might find disturbing or undesirable.
The Shadow isn't just negative and dark, as many portray it as. It can also contain positive traits that were suppressed during early development due to societal or familial pressures. For instance, a person might suppress their artistic talents because their family values more "practical" professions.
The Shadow and Psychedelics
Psychedelics have a profound effect on consciousness, and they can amplify thoughts, emotions, and memories, often bringing unconscious material into conscious awareness. Confrontations of the shadow are not uncommon with psychedelic exploration. But it is important to understand what the shadow is and how to work with the shadow to foster deeper healing and transformation during the psychedelic experience when the shadow is confronted and brought to the surface.
How the Shadow and Psychedelics Relate:
Illumination of the Unconscious: One of the most reported effects of psychedelics is the surfacing of repressed memories and emotions. This can lead to confrontations with aspects of the Shadow that have been long buried.
Ego Dissolution: Psychedelics can induce a state where the usual boundaries of the self (ego) dissolve. This can lead to a more direct encounter with the Shadow, as the defenses of the ego are temporarily down.
Amplification of Projection: The Shadow often works through projection, where we see in others the traits we deny in ourselves. Under the influence of psychedelics, these projections can be amplified, making them more noticeable and thus offering an opportunity for introspection.
Challenging Trips and the Shadow: Not all psychedelic experiences are positive. "Bad trips" can often be a direct confrontation with one's Shadow. While challenging, these experiences can also be profoundly transformative if approached with the right mindset and support.
Integration Potential: After a psychedelic experience, individuals often report a greater sense of wholeness and integration. This is partly because they've had the opportunity to confront and integrate aspects of their Shadow.
The psychedelic experience offers a unique window into the depths of the psyche, providing an opportunity to confront, understand, and integrate the Shadow. This process can lead to greater self-awareness, healing, and personal growth.
About the Course
In the vast landscape of the human psyche, there lies a hidden realm known as the Shadow. This is the part of ourselves that we often deny or suppress, the aspects we're unaware of, yet they influence our behaviors, relationships, and life choices. Psychedelics, on the other hand, have been used for millennia as tools for deep introspection, healing, and spiritual growth. When combined, the exploration of the Jungian Shadow through the lens of psychedelics offers a profound journey into self-awareness and transformation.
Illuminating the Hidden Self: Navigating the Jungian Shadow with Psychedelics is an 8-week live online course that will be hosted and facilitated by Ido Cohen, Pys.D.
During the course, students will explore the basics of Jung's psychology, explore the concept of the shadow, and dive into their own inner work. This course will blend theory and experiential learning to help students engage in their own shadow work.
As Fall and Winter slowly approach, this is the perfect time to explore the shadow and turn your attention inward. This course will help to support your inward journey as the days get colder and shorter, when the shadow becomes more prominent in everyday life.
By taking this course you will:
- Understand the foundational concepts of Jungian psychology, with a focus on the shadow archetype.
- Explore the history and cultural context of psychedelic use in therapeutic and spiritual settings.
- Examine the potential of psychedelics in facilitating shadow work and self-integration.
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Engage in reflective practices to identify and confront personal/collective shadow elements.
What Will You Learn: Course Outline
Week 1: Introduction to the Jungian Shadow and Psychedelics
- Presenters: Dr. Ido Cohen and Kyle Buller
- Learning Objectives: Discuss Carl Jung's theory of the psyche and understand the intersection between the Shadow and psychedelics.
Week 2. The Jungian Shadow: Deepening into Theory and Concepts
- Presenters: Kyle and Ido
- Learning Objectives: Define the Shadow, explore the personal and collective Shadow, and delve into the relationship between shadow, affect, and the body.
Week 3. The Archetypes of the Shadow in Emotional Attachment and Interpersonal Relationships
- Guest Presenter: Johanna Hilla
- Learning Objectives:
- Explore the shadow from the perspective of relationships, giving perspective to the prevalence of the shadow especially in romantic partnerships.
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Explore Jung's writings on shadow and intimate relationships may illuminate the challenges people face in intimate relationships, and give them tools to encounter, and befriend aspects of their shadow giving way for more fulfilling and compassionate relationships.
Week 4. Piercing the Veil: An exploration of the mytho-somatic shadow in psychedelics
- Guest Presenter: Dr. Danielle Alexander and Rick Alexander
- Learning Objectives:
- Understand how mythological images reveal themselves in psychedelic experiences.
- Explore three archetypal images of the shadow common to modern psychedelic experiences
- Explore depth-psychologically oriented Somatic Experiencing as a method for engaging with mythological images.
Week 5. Reframing Bad Trips, Ego Death, and the Shadow
- Guest Presenter: Marc Aixalà
- Learning Objectives:
- Understand the reasons behind the occurrence of challenging experiences during psychedelic journeys.
- Investigate which aspects of our psyche become active during these moments, how we should approach and work with the material that emerges, and whether there's any underlying structure to the contents that surface. By drawing from concepts in Jungian psychology, Grof's expanded cartography of the psyche, and the concept of ego-death, we will delve into the depths of these intriguing experiences.
Week 6. Beyond the Shadow: Integration and Transformation: Part 1
- Presenters: Dr. Ido Cohen and Kyle Buller
- Learning Objectives:
- Learn the differences between shadow encounters and shadow work, integration techniques, and understanding spiritual bypass.
- Explore how to integrate the shadow and psychedelic experiences into your everyday life.
Week 7. Integration and Transformation: Part II - The “90% Gold
- Date: December 13
- Presenters: Dr. Ido Cohen and Kyle Buller
- Learning Objectives:
- Understand what the Golden Shadow is, its post-Jungian understanding, case examples, and in-class practice.
- Learn tips for integrating and embodying the Golden Shadow.
Week 8. Solstice Ceremony and Closing
- Date: December 20 (Solstice)
- Presenters: Dr. Ido Cohen and Kyle Buller
- Topics: Continuing integration, understanding the shadow of ending, and a special solstice ceremony.
Meet the Teaching Team
Dr. Ido Cohen
Dr. Ido Cohen, Psy.D – serves individuals, couples and groups in San Francisco. He received his Psy.D from the California Institute of integral studies and trained at the Jung Institute In San Francisco. He works with a diverse range of challenges childhood trauma, inner critic, relational issues, lack of fulfillment, psychospiritual growth as well as psychedelic integration and preparation sessions with individuals and groups. His doctoral study researched the integration process of Ayahuasca ceremonies, while applying Jungian psychology to better understand how to support individuals in their process of change and transformation.
He is the founder of “The Integration Circle” and facilitates workshops on the different dimensions of integration and the intersection of mental health, spiritual health and the entheogenic experience. Ido believes that the intersection of our psychological, emotional, somatic and spiritual dimensions can develop our relationships with our inner and outer worlds and create the changes we want to see in our life. Ido is passionate in supporting individuals to create long term, sustainable change leading to vibrant, authentic, expressive and love filled lives.
Kyle Buller, M.S.
In 2016, Kyle Buller and Joe Moore co-founded Psychedelics Today, one of the world’s leading psychedelic media and education companies. Kyle's interest in exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness began at the age of 16 when he suffered a traumatic snowboarding accident. After this near-death experience, Kyle’s life changed dramatically. Kyle subsequently earned his B.A. in Transpersonal Psychology from Burlington College, where he focused on studying the healing potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness by exploring shamanism, Reiki, local medicinal plants and plant medicine, Holotropic Breathwork, and psychedelic psychotherapy. Kyle has been studying Dreamshadow Transpersonal breathwork with Lenny and Elizabeth since October 2010.
Kyle earned his M.S. in clinical mental health counseling with an emphasis in somatic psychology from Prescott College. Kyle’s clinical background in mental health consists of working with at-risk teenagers in crisis and with individuals experiencing an early episode of psychosis and providing counseling to undergraduate/graduate students in a university setting. Kyle also has experience offering psychotherapy services specializing in psychedelic integration, spiritual emergence, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
Johanna Hilla-Maria Sopanen
Johanna Hilla is the Coordinator of Education and Training at Vital, and also a part-time Ph.D. candidate at the University of Exeter in Philosophy, (past: University of Groningen). She wrote her Master’s dissertation with Dr. Bernardo Nante on The Red Book. She has taught a course on the interlink between Depth Psychology and the psychedelic experience through Psychedelics Today.
Her other interests include transpersonal psychology, ecopsychology, holotropic breathwork, process philosophy, and Western esotericism. She is on the board of the Dreamshadow Group, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on transpersonal education and holotropic breathwork. Johanna lives in the countryside of Devon, UK.
Rick Alexander
Rick Alexander is an author, speaker, psychedelic practitioner, and coach. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Pacifica Graduate Institute where he studies comparative mythology and depth psychology, following the path of scholars like Joseph Campbell and C.G. Jung. His written material, lectures, and personal client work draw heavily from contemplative spiritual traditions of the East and West and are centered in Depth and Archetypal psychology.
He speaks and writes on psychological wellness, psychedelic integration, and the quest to find meaning in life. Recently, he's taught workshops and lectured for organizations around the world including the United States Air Force, and Bell Canada, as well as for specialized retreats, private events, and academic conferences.
Dr. Danielle Alexander
Dr. Danielle Alexander is a depth psychologically oriented Somatic Experiencing Practitioner®.
She helps individuals tune into the body's unspoken voice in order to help them navigate difficult transitions and integrate past experiences of trauma in order to provoke the soul's movement. She holds an M.A. and is a Ph.D. candidate in Depth Psychology with an emphasis in Jungian and Archetypal studies. Danielle is also a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy.
She is a light-hearted introvert who loves to explore the mysteries of the unconscious psyche, especially the somatic unconscious. She has dedicated her life to the exploration and construction of the bridges between science and the sacred, the inner and outer, as well as the mind and body.
Marc Aixalà
Marc Aixalà is a telecommunications engineer, psychologist, psychotherapist and certified Holotropic Breathwork facilitator specializing in supporting people who face challenging experiences with expanded states of consciousness.
Since 2013, in collaboration with the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Aixalàhas offered integration psychotherapy sessions for those seeking support after psychedelic experiences. At ICEERS, Aixalà also works to develop theoretical models of intervention and trains and supervises therapists. Aixalà has served as a team leader and trainer in emergency psychological assistance at Boom Festival through the Kosmicare harm reduction program. He also worked on the first-ever medical trial on the use of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, a study chronicled in the 2018 documentary, “Magic Medicine.” He continues to work as a therapist in clinical trials researching psychedelic substances.
Aixalà is trained in the therapeutic use of Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness as well as in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Aixalà works as a psychologist in his private practice in Barcelona, Spain and offers trainings, lectures, and talks related to psychedelic psychotherapy, Holotropic Breathwork and integration.
Included in your Enrollment:
Psychedelics and the Shadow: The Shadow Side of Psychedelia
When you enroll in, Illuminating the Hidden Self you will receive access to our Psychedelics and the Shadow series. This series includes 6+ videos and interviews exploring the shadow side of psychedelia. Interviews included guests; Dr. Ido Cohen, Dr. Joe Tafur, Dr. Gita Vaid, Dr. Scott Hill, Jessica DiRuzza, MFT, Laura Mae Northrup, MFT, and Deanna Rogers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Course Format?
This is a blend of pre-recorded and live sessions. You will receive access to a variety of materials such as pre-recorded videos, journal articles, blog posts, and you will be expected to review these materials before class. The live classes will include presentations, time for Q&A, break-out rooms, and experiential exercises.
When Does the Course Start?
This course will run for 8 weeks live on Zoom.
Course Dates: Wednesdays, Nov 1 - Dec 20 - 8 weeks.
Course Time: 9:00 am-11:00 am PST / 12:00 pm-2:00 pm EST
How Long Do I Have Access to the Course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own. You will receive access to the course replays and other materials that were presented during class.
Do I Need to Attend the Class Live or Can I Watch it on My Own Time?
This course will be interactive and requires participation. If you are not able to join the live calls, we recommend waiting to join the course when you are able to join live. We may have a self-study course in the future.
What if I Can't Make a Class?
Life happens, we understand. If you happen to miss a class because of a life event, you will receive access to the course replays.
Does this Course Certify me to Work with Psychedelics?
No, this course does not teach or certify anyone to work with psychedelics. This course is for educational purposes only. During the course, you will explore the concepts of psychedelic integration and how to work with previous psychedelic experiences
Are there Payment Plans Available?
Yes, you can choose a payment plan at checkout via Affirm or Afterpay. If you live in a country where these options are not available, please email us [email protected]
How much is the Course?
The course is $750 USD plus tax. If you purchase before October 13th, you will receive $200 off ($550 USD).
Do you Offer Early-Bird Discounts?
Yes, you will receive $200 off if you enroll before October 13th
Do you Offer Scholarships?
We have very limited scholarships for this class.
If you are seeking a scholarship for this class, please take a moment to fill out this application.