Our "shadow" is the collection of negative or undesirable traits we keep hidden-the things we don't like about ourselves or are afraid to admit: egotism, offensive proclivities, forbidden sexual desires, and so much more. But it also includes our positive, untapped potential-qualities we may admire in others but disavow in ourselves. Befriending the shadow makes fear an ally and enables us to live more authentically. It also improves our interpersonal relationships because we are freed from the need to project our own negativity onto others-and we become more acutely aware when theirs is projected onto us. In this quintessential guide to shadow work, David Richo shows where the shadow manifests in personal LIFE, family interaction, religion, relationship, and the world around us. And he reveals how we can use the practice of mindfulness to work with our shadow side, providing numerous exercises for going deeper and making the shadow concept not only easy to understand but eminently practical for enhancing the quality of our lives.