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

When we think about healing, transformation, or spiritual growth, most of us imagine moving upward—towards light, clarity, or higher consciousness. But what if real growth begins not by rising above, but by descending—into the depths of our psyche, into shadow, into the unknown?

This descent into darkness is a vital part of any meaningful path toward wholeness. In many ancient traditions, including alchemy, mythology, and depth psychology, transformation begins not in the heights but in the underworld. It’s a journey into the unconscious—a space many fear but one that holds profound purpose and power.

Why Descent Matters

We're often not taught to see value in turning toward the uncomfortable, the dark, or the difficult. These spaces are easily dismissed or avoided. Yet, it is in these depths that many people find a connection to something deeper—the soul.

What Is Soul?

Jungian psychologist Thomas Moore, author of 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 is not linear or logical. It's abstract, intuitive, and often difficult to articulate. It may show up as a longing for something beyond words—a sense of remembering, of returning to something essential and meaningful. When our journey disconnects from this soulful dimension, our drive for healing or growth can become distorted—more about ego or performance than purpose and meaning.

The Hero’s Descent

In the archetypal “hero’s journey,” there is always a descent—a metaphorical or literal journey into the underworld. This phase isn’t regression. It’s where we meet grief, death, pain, and shadow—parts of life we’re often conditioned to avoid. But paradoxically, turning toward these experiences allows us to feel more alive, more intimate with ourselves and the world. It’s through this descent that we build the inner strength and capacity to hold space for life in its fullness, and to love more deeply.

The Allure of Ascension

Modern psychology and spirituality often emphasise growth, improvement, and achieving "higher" states of consciousness. There’s an entire industry built around maximising our potential, achieving goals, and striving toward enlightenment. And while personal development and achievement matter, these efforts must be grounded in something deeper.

We need to ask:
What truly matters to me? What is my purpose or calling? What do I want to offer the world?

True transformation integrates both goal-setting and soul-searching.

The Problem with Avoiding the Dark

A common trap on the spiritual path is spiritual bypassing—using spiritual ideas or practices to avoid facing difficult emotions or real-life struggles. This often shows up as an overemphasis on “positive vibes,” gratitude, or love and light. While these qualities are powerful and healing, they can become tools of avoidance when not balanced with a willingness to face the shadow.

Real joy and aliveness come not from avoiding pain, but from meeting it. The more we separate ourselves from the shadow, the more we fear it—and the more power it has over us. Shadow work is essential. Without it, the path to wholeness remains incomplete.

Moving Through Darkness

Most people, at some point in life, will face a descent: a period of grief, confusion, depression, loss, or existential uncertainty. These times may feel like you're stuck in a fog, unsure of what comes next. While this can be unsettling, it's often not a time to push forward or “fix” ourselves. Instead, it can be a time of quiet listening—being present with what is, allowing insight to emerge in its own time.

Nature shows us the value of such cycles. Consider the lotus that grows from the mud, or the way forests regenerate after destruction. There’s wisdom in allowing space for stillness, messiness, and rebirth.

Barriers and Fears

It's natural to fear the descent. People often worry: What if I get stuck there? What if the darkness overwhelms me? These are valid concerns. The descent can be triggered by trauma, loss, or crisis—and it can feel destabilising. However, with the right support and practices, shadow work can be engaged gradually and safely.

The darkness is not here to consume us, but to awaken us—to uncover creativity, power, and the capacity to love more fully.

Integration and Wholeness

Healing isn’t about striving for perfection or staying in the light. It’s about holding space for both dark and light, integrating what we discover in both realms. True wholeness includes our joy and our sorrow, our clarity and our confusion, our progress and our pauses.

We all have a role in this journey—individually and collectively. The more we can each learn to traverse and integrate these inner worlds, the more compassion, strength, and wisdom we bring into the world.

As Carl Jung reminds us:

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

So, let us not shy away from the descent. Let us meet the darkness with curiosity and courage, and in doing so, kindle the light that was there all along.

About the Author