The teachings of enlightenment and non-duality, which were carried over (essentially) from the East, seem to have missed something that Western Psychology discovered. Western Psychology pointed out that the ego has shadows, which are stories of self repressed and then projected onto others.
You can carry shadows into enlightenment or even create new ones. You may find yourself repeatedly criticizing other paths, traditions, religions, teachers and teachings. It is true that some expressions are clearer than others. But if "you" find yourself repeatedly criticizing them, ask yourself: "Why do these other things and people bother 'me' so much?" If you are really honest, you will see that there is a still a story of self within you. It is really subtle, but the storyline is something like this: "I get it." In order for this little story of self to continue, the corresponding story of "they don't get it" must be told. When you make the problem about "others," no amount of inquiry or enlightenment will allow you to transcend that. How do you transcend a story that you are projecting onto others if you believe it has nothing to do with "you?"
Instead of facing that little story directly and seeing that you are trapped in yet another identity trap, look to see whether the story "I get it" has been repressed and projected outward onto others. Suddenly, all the "others" are engaged in false teachings, and all the other teachers are false. "They don't get it." "They aren't expressing it correctly." Of course there is no such thing as a statement of the truth, and if the awakening has really happened in your body and mind, this is realized. There is no such thing as "getting it." Enlightenment is about not knowing.
The whole storyline of "I get it" is way too embarrassing to face directly if a powerful awakening has happened in your body and mind. Have you built yourself up into a "pure awareness" that wouldn't dare lack humility and tell a silly story of self such as "the one who knows" or "the one who gets it?" On the surface, you may want to say, "No, all stories have been seen through." Look a little closer.
In the moment you notice that you are criticizing other teachings and teachers, an opportunity for honesty arises. See that the world is a reflection of your own mind. What bugs you the most "out there" is telling you everything about where you are stuck "in here." The story of self that you thought fell away in your awakening is still hanging around. It just took another, subtler form. It put on spiritual garb. In repeatedly rejecting other teachings and teachers, an opportunity arises to see that the others are simply mirroring back to you the story of self you refuse to face in your grand enlightenment.
The Enlightened Shadow
