The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.―Carl Jung
Before you plunge into the deep work of shadow alchemy, it helps to limber up. These warm-up prompts are designed to draw you gently into self-reflection, to lift the veil on the edges of your conscious mind, and to give you a taste of the insight that lies ahead. Use them:
- Anytime you need to centre yourself before an exercise; treat any of these as your opening ritual.
- As a daily check-in, to stay honest with yourself about what’s stirring beneath the surface.
- When you hit a creative or emotional block, to clear your mind and remember why you started this work in the first place.
Go through them at your own pace: one a day, several at once, or whenever you feel called. There’s no right or wrong answer here: the value lies in the questions themselves and the cracks they open in your mind’s armour. You can use these as prompts for writing or contemplation.
What principles or beliefs guide me, and why do they hold significance?
What am I passionate about, and how does this reflect my desires and values?
What do I like about myself? How does this contribute to my sense of identity?
What people and activities bring joy into my life? What about them do I like?
Who or what do I not like? Can I pinpoint what’s behind these aversions?
What frustrates or angers me? What might this reveal about my unresolved issues?
What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me?
Who in my past has hurt me, and how do I currently feel about them?
As a kid, what was the most trouble I ever got into?
How do I feel about my family and friends? How could I improve these relationships?
What do I not like about my personality? How does this affect my daily life?
When do I feel most vulnerable, and how do I typically handle this?
In what circumstances do I feel tempted to lie?
What is my biggest regret?
What makes me happy? What does this tell me about my values?
What makes me sad, and what thoughts or memories often surface when I’m sad?
What lessons have my mistakes taught me?
What do I need to forgive myself for?
How do I express affection? What might this show about my emotional availability?
How do I typically respond to compliments? Think about why this is.
Is there anything I know about myself deep down inside, yet I choose to deny it?
Am I content with my life, or is something missing? What are my aspirations?
If there was one thing about the world I could change, what would it be?
If I had endless time and resources, what would I use them for?
What unique quality do I possess that the world could benefit from?
Who am I? Question the nature of your true self beyond ego and conditioning deeply and repeatedly, as in atma vichara.
Closing Invocation
When you’ve answered these questions, close your journal and take a few slow, grounding breaths. Notice any shifts in your body or mood. Carry the edges of these discoveries forward into your deeper shadow alchemy. These insights will be your compass as you navigate Exercises 1 through 31.
Remember: this isn’t busywork. It’s the spark that lights your path. Whenever in doubt, return to these warm-ups; your true self awaits in their insights.
Proceed to the Core Shadow Alchemy Automatic Writing Exercises
