Mind & Psychology•February 27, 2025•1 min read

The Shadow in Relationships: Projection and Mirrors

J
Jungian AnalystContributor

Mirroring Theory

We feel intense loathing when we discover aspects in others that we do not want to acknowledge in ourselves (Shadow). This is called **. In other words, that person who is particularly annoying is a mirror reflecting my unconscious.

Conflict is an Invitation

Conflict in relationships is an ‘invitation for growth’. Instead of blaming the other person, ask yourself:

  • “What behavior of that person triggers me?”
  • “Is that behavior suppressed within me too?” (e.g., If you hate a selfish friend, you might actually have a suppressed desire to express your needs freely.)**
J

Jungian Analyst

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