"One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious." — Carl G. Jung.

Descending into the unconscious or a space of darkness is a fundamental aspect of our journey towards healing and wholeness. This can seem counterintuitive as so many of us believe that healing, wholeness, enlightenment, or psychospiritual growth involves ascending and reaching higher states or levels of consciousness. Yet, in alchemy and many other frameworks of psychospiritual transformation, the work starts with the descent into darkness - the night sea journey or the journey to the underworld. We are not taught to see the value in the movement towards the underworld - it’s something many of us fear.

However, there is a profound purpose in this kind of descent, and many of us will experience it at some point in our lifetime; many perceive it as the place where we uncover and connect with the soul.

What is Soul?

Thomas Moore, a Jungian psychologist famous for his book Care of the Soul, wrote:

"The Soul is not a thing, but a quality or a dimension of experiencing life and ourselves. It has to do with depth, value, relatedness, heart, and personal substance."

Soul exists and moves in non-linear and non-rational ways - it is abstract and ethereal - we cannot grasp onto it, and often, when we try to, our connection to it fades or weakens. The soul can be experienced as the part of us that remembers its source. There is often a longing and yearning for a deeper connection to something we cannot always put into words, a reconnection to source or something we remember in the depth of our soul.

Any sort of transcendence or psychospiritual development that doesn't include the soulful deeper, darker aspects of ourselves is problematic, as without a connection to the soul and our shadow, many of the desires to ascend become delusional, based on egoic striving and grasping rather than from the deeper, more meaning- and purpose-driven aspects connected to our soul calling.

In the archetypal hero’s journey, there is a descent into the underworld, which can be interpreted as a literal or metaphorical space of darkness, and it is a crucial component in the transformation process. It’s important to recognise that descent isn’t synonymous with regression but a necessary process in which we become familiar with death, grief, and the aspects of life we often don’t want to turn towards. It’s a movement towards all that we fear will bring us more suffering but which, counterintuitively, brings us into deeper intimacy with ourselves, others, and the world. By becoming familiar with darkness, we develop the psychic and energetic strength to hold space for everything it contains while also cultivating the essential capacity to love fully.

The Ascent

Contemporary psychology and spirituality continue to emphasise the growth, ascension, and progression of the psyche and imply this is synonymous with our individual and collective healing. Questions arise such as: How do we maximise our potential? How do we continue to develop our egoic goals while also striving towards spiritual progression, enlightenment, Buddha-nature, or nirvana? In line with this philosophy is a continuous expansion of the self-development industry. As a coach, I value self-development and the necessity of setting intentions and goals and helping individuals reach success and competency. Yet, what’s crucial is ensuring these goals integrate and stem from the deeper and more soulful aspects of oneself, acknowledging that the spiritual and psychological process of reaching one’s purpose is not linear.

Helping individuals connect and come into relationship with the depth of their soul nature becomes the foundation on which we can encourage questions such as: What is really important to you in life? What is your calling or vision? What do you want to bring into the world?

The Dangers of Spiritual Bypassing

There is also a steady inclination towards spiritual bypassing, whereby spiritual practices and concepts are used to negate or avoid the embodied human experience. Emphasis is placed on psychospiritual development to be liberated from the suffering of the human body and experience, with a focus on moving towards light. Positive psychology values working on attitudes of gratitude, compassion, and forgiveness to improve overall psychological well-being. I also emphasise these qualities - cultivating compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness are important and necessary for our well-being. However, if we only place our attention on these more ‘positive’ qualities, it leads to a type of spiritual and psychological bypassing - it’s an attempt to feel better, ‘good,’ happy, and of course, that’s something we all strive for.

Ultimately, the joy, wonder, and awe of experiencing the world through the full spectrum of our senses is an incredible gift of the human experience, and it’s important to be fully conscious, alive, and embodied. However, in order to experience the full experience of awe and aliveness, we need to be able to go into the depth of our suffering, too. An overemphasis on the ‘light,’ ascension, and movement away from suffering, pain, and what exists in the shadow only creates a greater separation between what is light and dark. It creates fear of the shadow, which only fuels and escalates the power of the shadow. It avoids one of the most significant aspects of our psychospiritual journey: the ability to turn towards and navigate the shadow.

The Common Barriers and Fears

Naturally, many individuals fear moving towards the shadow or the unconscious. There are usually concerns about remaining stuck there or the darkness consuming them. Many assume that a descent into the shadow will mean they’ll continue on this trajectory forever with no ability to emerge or move into the light again. It can be a painful and overwhelming experience. It is often trauma, complex life events, or crises that result in the descent, and for some, there is a breaking open that results in the emergence of unconscious and shadow material. For some, it can be a terrifying, unsettling, and ego-shattering experience; however, if we find ways to tap into shadow work in a more gradual and resourced way, we are preparing individuals to navigate this material without becoming consumed by it or stuck there.

A Shared Purpose

Many individuals are driven towards healing and finding solutions to their suffering. I propose that trying to find solutions, fixing ourselves, or working towards positive outcomes is not always what’s needed. I have had many experiences in which the person I am working with expresses frustration because they don’t appear to be moving forward and feel stuck in this ‘no man’s land,’ where they don’t have clarity on what’s next or how to feel better. It can feel very counterintuitive, but there is a lot of wisdom in staying present in this liminal space - perhaps right now is not the time for solutions or clarity.

Instead of trying to ‘fix’ or get out of this liminal and more chaotic space, we can try to be receptive and open to what might emerge. There are some beautiful expressions of this in nature, for example, the lotus flower, which grows out of the mud, and the many cycles of re-birth we engage in throughout life - the movement back and forth between the dark and light - just like the natural cycles of the seasons and the regeneration of woodlands or other ecosystems that naturally occur for their survival.

It can be uncomfortable to engage with the energies or parts of ourselves that we have denied or repressed. In the process, we can find ourselves uncovering emotions that we’re afraid of or are overwhelmed by. However, as Carl Jung proposes:

"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being."

By engaging in the descent and shadow work, we bring to light our creativity, our power, and our strength. We can then experience greater wholeness in ourselves and experience a deeper connection to that which we are all connected to.

​​For transpersonal, integrative, or depth-oriented coaches, understanding the importance of the descent is vital in supporting clients through their journey to wholeness. A coaching practice that incorporates shadow work, deep inner exploration, and soul connection allows individuals to embrace their full humanity rather than strive for an idealised state of enlightenment. By guiding clients through both the darkness and light, coaches help cultivate authentic transformation, ensuring that healing is holistic, grounded, and deeply integrated into their lives. This process not only supports personal growth but also contributes to a more conscious and integrated collective evolution.