Explore Your Shadows: Boomtown Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Our opening and closing ceremonies are a time when we bring our community together to celebrate our amazing five day adventure and share the Chapter’s collective teachings and wisdom.

For those who’ve seen them, you’ll know. For those who haven’t, they won’t disappoint. 

Our talented teams produce a spectacular show that takes you on a journey of the mind, body and soul that we hope inspires you to be part of the change, and help make our world a better place for all.

Chapter Two: The Twin Trail 

Closing Ceremony - It’s time to Go Deeper 

The Twin Trail introduced the concept of exploring our inner world and getting to know ourselves so we can take meaningful action and have a positive effect on the outside world. It’s the two paths we can walk that help us to be the people we want to be, in a world we want to live in.

At Chapter Two’s closing we asked you to take the time to go deeper, to inquire within, to meet yourself and to find out who you really are. During this show we introduced you to the concept of ‘the shadow’. 

But what is it? Read on to find out more…

What is a shadow?

Have you ever felt like you have a hidden side? A part of you that you don’t really like, or that you don't let anyone see? Well, that's your shadow.

The term “shadow” was first used by psychologist Carl Jung to describe all the parts of yourself that we think are bad or feel ashamed of, either because we were taught that they're not okay or because we were afraid that they don’t fit in. But our shadow is also the part of us that contains our creativity, our power, and our potential.

Why do we have shadows?

Many of us have experienced pain, blame and shame in the past, and it totally makes sense that we've tried to protect ourselves by keeping certain aspects of who we are hidden. But when we bury these parts deep within ourselves, they become what's known as our 'shadow.' 

How can I explore my shadows? 

You can choose to do Shadow Work which is all about meeting these hidden parts so that we can live our lives to the fullest by embracing and loving every single aspect of ourselves.

What is Shadow Work?

Shadow Work is a way of exploring the parts of ourselves that we hide away, The ones we're ashamed of or don't like to acknowledge. Shadow work is important, because it can help us to understand ourselves better, heal from past wounds, and become our true and whole self.

The work happens in a safe and supportive environment where we are encouraged to explore and evolve ourselves safely and purposefully. It allows us to explore and transform the parts of ourselves we want to change.

What does Shadow Work do?

Shadow Work can help us to understand ourselves better.  When we deny our shadow, it doesn't disappear, it just goes underground. And when it's underground, it can cause us problems in our lives, such as anxiety, depression, and self-sabotage.

How can I find out more about Shadow Work? 

If you feel a resonance and feel called to explore your shadows you could begin looking at https://shadowwork.eu/ where you can find out more about the shadow, Shadow Work and how you might work with a qualified therapist, coach, facilitator or practitioner.

Are there other ways I can explore my inner world other than Shadow Work?

We honour the many different and unique paths to getting to know yourself, to healing and to evolving. 

Shadow Work is one path that we have been exploring and wanted to share with you. 

Other ways you can explore your inner world, which is not exhaustive are as follows:

Journaling is a great way to get to know yourself better. It helps you to explore your thoughts and feelings in a private and confidential space. When you journal, you can write about anything that comes to mind, such as your hopes and dreams, your fears and insecurities, or your experiences throughout the day.

Meditation is another way to explore your inner world. It focuses your attention on the present moment and letting go of thoughts about the past or the future. When you meditate, you may notice different sensations in your body, such as your breath or your heartbeat. You may also notice thoughts and emotions arise. The key is to observe these thoughts and emotions without judgement and to then let them go.

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Groups and Retreats - there are many groups out there offering a space to do this kind of work, here are a few that we know and trust: 

Embercombe - for all to reconnect with nature, each other and yourself

Women Within - helping women to empower themselves and be their best possible self.

Women in Power - a space for all women to find their power

Mankind Project - empowering all men to live their true potential 

A Band of Brothers - Helping young men grow and develop, improving their lives and the communities they live in. 

Journey Man  - a registered charity dedicated to supporting boys aged 13 to 17 in discovering their potential as they navigate the choppy waters of adolescence. 

The Celebration of Being - providing a journey into the depth and beauty of your true self – your being – especially through the doorway of relationships.

Many of these offer bursaries for those who are unable to afford the full fees. 

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Talk to someone you trust

Talking to someone you trust, such as a friend, family member, therapist, or counsellor, can also help you to explore your inner space. This can be a helpful way to get feedback on your thoughts and feelings and to gain insights into yourself.

Finally it’s really important to remember the following when your start any journey of self-discovery:

Start small: Don't feel like you have to tackle this all at once. Start by focusing on one small aspect of yourself or your shadow if you choose that path.

Be patient: It takes time to do this work. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.

Be kind to yourself: Inner work can be challenging, it's so important to be kind to yourself along the way.

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