a monthly e-update from
Men As Learners and Elders (M.A.L.Es.) • malespirituality.org

FEATURED RESOURCE
The Shadow Effect:
Illuminating the Hidden Power
of Your True Self
Deepak Chopra, Debbie Ford, Marianne Williamson

(Hardcover/Audiobook)

Last month, Michael Kimmel, MROP 2009 in Julian, CA, spoke to us about humor (see April's Passage and Verse).In keeping with the insight that humor can provide in our lives, this month's featured resource comes to us courtesy of political satirist Stephen Colbert. On May 12, members of Colbert nation were treated to Stephen's second interview with renowned physician and author Deepak Chopra. The two "discussed" the theme of Chopra's most recent work, The Shadow Effect, written with Debbie Ford and Marianne Williamson.

Long an important theme in Richard Rohr's teaching, shadow work seems to be crossing even further into mainstream culture as evidenced by Chopra and Colbert's exchange (watch the video below). Less than 2 minutes into the interview, Chopra asked Stephen, "Do you want me to tell you about your shadow?" Who among us are ready to accept, let alone interested in, another person pointing out our dark side? While our egos might prefer to deny these hidden parts of ourselves, that does not change the fact they still direct much of our lives. After Chopra lists some of the characteristics of Stephen's shadow, he adds, "...but let me tell you about the gift." After we embrace our shadow we can then discover the gifts of our authentic nature. What buried treasures lie hidden within you? And what treasures lie hidden in those around you?