We would never encourage anyone to go into shadow work with the aim of finding things to feel guilty about. However, guilt can arise when we look at ourselves honestly, and our past behaviors objectively, and realize we caused harm (whether we intended to or not).
The purpose of shadow work then isn’t to provoke guilt, but it isn’t necessarily to eradicate it altogether either. There can be productive as well as destructive forms of it. Like anything, emotions fall along a spectrum. When guilt is used as a tool to help us correct behavior and reduce harm, that can be seen as helpful. On the other hand, when guilt is used to prolong difficult feelings or punish ourselves and others, that can become very harmful and counter intuitive to long-term growth.
❂ Reflection: How have I used guilt in the past? Was it harmful or helpful to my growth?
❂ Draw A Card Prompt: How can I use guilt more productively going forward?