Do you do or say things you are not proud of? Do you lash out at your spouse, your children or your co workers? Do you have addictions to alcohol, drugs, food or something else? Have you sabotaged your new diet or a new goal? These are all parts of the Shadow’s Effect on our lives. The Shadow Effect is a movie by Debbie Ford and features such inspirational leaders as Dr. Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson and Mark Victor Hansen. This movie not only shows us how to unveil our shadows but how to understand and deal with them. Bringing our shadows to light accesses power, happiness, consciousness and confidence that we are living our lives to their fullest potential. It is my pleasure to review the Shadow Effect.
Debbie Ford
The movie opens with Debbie Ford telling her inspirational story of knowing she had to overcome years of drug abuse or face death. Even though it was after four other rehab stints she KNEW this time she would do it. Debbie truly understands how facing our shadow are important for us to live consciously and create the life we want. I highly recommend the two disc set because on the second disc Debbie offers stopping points for you to reflect and write. These exercises are wonderful for finding your shadows and working to control them before they control you. The quote in the beginning of The Shadow Effect sums it up well:
It is only when we have
the courage to face things
exactly as they are
without any self-deception
or illusion
that a light will develop
out of events
by which the path to success
may be recognized
–I Ching
The Shadow Effect
Why do politicians speak badly about homosexuals or prostitutes and then get caught doing exactly what they said they detested? Why did someone like Rush Limbaugh bad mouth drug addicts when he himself had a pill addiction? These are examples given from the movie to show that our Shadow will find a way to express itself if repressed. Our shadows can present themselves by having us project onto others things we seemingly despise. Our shadows are those messages we send ourselves when we are not CONSCIOUS that belittle us. Facing our shadows DOES empower us to be MORE than we ever felt safe to dream we could be.
This movie has some of my favorite speakers along with some of my favorite quotes. I wrote about Rumi’s brilliant poem “A Guest House” in “Appreciate All the Moments NOT Just the Good Ones“. I also wrote “Claim Your Personal Power” which included Marianne Williamson’s brilliant quote on power that is also included in The Shadow Effect. The term Shadow Effect was new to me in this movie but some of these methods were what I used while healing since it was imperative I face my Shadows to heal.
The movie is easy to understand. The Shadow Effect calls attention to some of the masks we wear and assumptions we make. It shows us that in acceptance and turning inward to face the dark we can allow the light to shine in. This movie WILL awaken people. This movie WILL inspire people. This movie is another very important film at a crucial time for humanity. Some people might consider facing these shadows scary but I consider it scary NOT to face them. Faced, you can understand them, control them and become a conscious creator of your life. Not dealt with — these shadows WILL surface — and usually you will not notice until damage is done to yourself or to the people around you.
Here is the trailer for The Shadow Effect. I would love to know what you think.
Please share your thoughts on Shadows and share if you have seen this movie. I applaud Debbie Ford for making a movie that will awaken many. As I mentioned the two disc set is a wonderful tool for confronting and dealing with your shadows. The Shadow Effect also offers a support system on their site and more resources.
I just watched the trailer on your site. The movie sounds very interesting! I’d be interested to watch it. I guess I will have to make time for more than 70 mins to watch it. Thanks, Jenny, for another recommendation!!
.-= Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..The Story Of The Wounded Child =-.
Hi Evelyn,
There were many people in my life and clients that instantly came to mind when I watched this. I think you will experience the same…. Makes me want to buy a bunch of copies and send them out anonymously.
I LOVE all these movies coming out to raise consciousness and each is so different yet hold the same goal.
We have been on similar journeys so I wouldn’t be surprised to hear you have faced a lot of your shadows as well in order to heal and grow. Debbie Ford brings up many good points and as I said some may think of this as very scary — to delve into this part of themselves or possibly embarrassing — but it is so empowering.. it just takes a little vision to see what awaits AFTER the work is done.
Always LOVE hearing from you Evelyn and your last post on the Story of The Wounded Child is brilliant!
Love, xoxo
Jenny
Jenny, this looks fantastic! I went to netflix and they don’t have it so I guess I will have to buy it. It looks to be well worth it though!
.-= Stephen – Rat Race Trap´s last blog ..Let’s Get Some Perspective =-.
Hi Stephen,
Funny — after reading your post this morning I thought you would enjoy this.
We can do so much damage with our limiting beliefs or falling into the victim role.
You also had to look at some of those shadows to overcome an MS diagnosis and get off meds. I am sure you had those times where it was challenging but you KNEW you could be better. And you did it Stephen and that is AMAZING and inspiring! I truly feel as I mentioned the answer to all our problems lies in consciousness. Knowing we create our lives is so powerful. Old patterns and our current perspective on how things are CAN be altered but first we have to even recognize what they are. This movie has wonderful tools for doing so.
Thanks so much for your comment Stephen. Let me know what you think after you see it.
Love,
Jenny
Jenny, I didn’t know about this movie, but the title in your post grabbed me right away, as I am very interested in the idea of shadows, and the importance of facing them. The Buddhist tradition I am most familiar with is Tantric Buddhism, and it focuses on not only facing but transforming our shadow parts – i.e. if we are prone to anger, learning how to work with the aggression of anger to transform it to an assertiveness and clarity in service to enlightenment, etc. and doing this with any force we might consider a shadow in our path. I will definitely have to look this one up. Namaste- Lisa
.-= Lisa (Mommy Mystic)´s last blog ..7 Steps to Seeing =-.
Hi Jenny,
Wow, this movie looks to be so powerfully done. Just watching the trailer has me thinking about what my shadows are, and how I can turn to the light.
Jenny, thanks so much for sharing this…
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Leading From Within =-.
Thanks Jenny this is so timely and the trailer has me asking questions, I reconise one shadow that I allow me to stop me, put the brakes on- fascinating.
Love & Hugs
Suzie
Hi Lisa,
I do confront things that come up now gladly because I can recognize the dealing with them as leading to growth and evolution which I welcome. Yes, it sometimes means facing the yucky stuff but I truly am on a quest to learn as much about myself and become as conscious as possible… don’t think I’ll be Tolle any time soon… 
What you talk about is as the movie sees it as well.. finding out your shadows to work with and transform them so we are working with them and not letting them work without us being aware. I’ve conquered a LOT of major shadows in my healing but of course know I have mini ones lurking.
There is light in facing the dark and the beautiful thing is this movie gives you tools to do so.
Lots of Love,
Jenny
.-= Jenny Mannion´s last blog ..The Shadow Effect — How learning about your Inner Shadow can Heal You — A Movie Review =-.
Hi Lance,
We definitely all have shadows we can face. I love that in facing them we shed light and can receive clarity and healing. I have had many clients that get stuck at this point — they believe it too painful to delve into their shadows… and there can be some discomfort. But what is gained from facing and transforming them is so meaningful it minimizes the pain and can be the most empowered people ever feel. When we realize that we CAN heal from within and our true power it is truly beautiful This movie provides practical tools for facing those shadows.
Always a joy to hear from you Lance.
Love,
Jenny
.-= Jenny Mannion´s last blog ..The Shadow Effect — How learning about your Inner Shadow can Heal You — A Movie Review =-.
Hi Suzie,
Yep, we CAN psych ourselves out can’t we? Self limiting beliefs, fears, pre-programmed messages we have not dealt with… It is beautiful to recognize these shadows because in acknowledging you are taking the first step in mastering. I know you can conquer any shadows you may have Suzie.
Love ya, xo
Jenny
.-= Jenny Mannion´s last blog ..The Shadow Effect — How learning about your Inner Shadow can Heal You — A Movie Review =-.
Jenny,
The trailer is quite captivating and the quote you started with is exactly what I have been thinking to myself this year. That I want to live honestly and without delusion for what I need to work on. To see clearly where my thought needs to change and grow. I am excited to learn more!
Thank you!
Katie
.-= Katie West/The Levity Coach´s last blog ..15 Minutes with The Levity Project: A Laughter Flash in Portland, Maine =-.
Hi Katie,
There is such strength in going through these processes and facing our shadows and anything that is limiting us from using our full potential. I can definitely see this movie helping many to have the courage to face these shadows and learn and evolve because of that.
That is SUCH a beautiful quote, isn’t it?
Always a pleasure Katie. I love your work and laughter is so very important for us all!
Lots of Love,
Jenny
.-= Jenny Mannion´s last blog ..The Shadow Effect — How learning about your Inner Shadow can Heal You — A Movie Review =-.
The Shadow Effect trailer is so epic! Debbie even makes epic trailers for her books — Why Good People Do Bad Things has one that’s over the top. Anyway, just expressing my gushing Debbie fandom.
A book has been published, based on the movie. There is much to gain by reading “The Shadow Effect.”. The book captures the aspects of life that I have hidden and try to contain within. The concept of the shadow; what the shadow is; how it shows up in my life, and how it limits me as a human being is defined and made clear by the author Debbie Ford._Deepak and Marianne also share valuable information and insight from their unique perspectives. It resonated with me because I find the complexity and demands of life and work eroding my idea of who I am, and why I am here. I seek to regain a more peace filled life.
Another excellent book to read anytime especially during a relaxing vacation is “Little Gifts of Sustainable Contentment” by C.J. Good. This book, like no other, has me constantly reading and re-reading its pages. What amazed me about this book was that a writer could strike such a deeply-felt chord in me. It’s a roadmap for one’s life journey. Blends perfectly with “The Shadow Effect.” So few pages, so many gems. Elliot Farmington.