a 20-minute guided shadow work journal meditation
A 20-minute guided meditation designed to complement shadow work journaling, particularly aligning with the 365-Day Journal Series available on Amazon.
NOTE: This is the 5th edition of the Community Resources series. To view past issues, click here.
A 20-minute guided meditation designed to complement shadow work journaling, particularly aligning with the 365-Day Journal Series available on Amazon.
Structure of the Video:
Introduction and setup (1 minute).
Grounding and initial meditation (2 minutes).
Visualization in a serene forest setting (3 minutes).
Interaction with the shadow self (3 minutes).
Transition from meditation to journaling (2 minutes).
Journaling session with background music (10 minutes).
Closing meditation and reflection (2 minutes).
Conclusion and farewell (1 minute).
Purpose: To create a ritualistic space for deeper self-exploration and subconscious unlocking through meditation and journaling.
365-Day Journal Series:
Three journals designed for shadow work, mental health improvement, and self-discovery.
Each journal offers daily prompts and resources for a year-long journey of introspection.
The series is crafted to be used individually or collectively for a compounded effect.
Rationale: Inspired by the importance of rituals in professional training, the meditation acts as a pre-journaling ritual to enhance the depth and quality of journaling sessions.
Audience Engagement: The video and journals are aimed at individuals seeking self-improvement, healing, and deeper self-awareness.
Repetitive Use: The meditation is designed to be used repeatedly, deepening its impact and the user's self-discovery journey over time.
Behind the Scenes
How This Meditation Came to Be
Obsessed.
That’s what I am.
With the way rituals sneak into our lives, wrapping themselves around our minds, molding not just habits but the very core of our being.
I saw it clearly—how the little things we do, day in and day out, hold the keys to something deeper. A chance to change. To find ourselves in places we didn’t even know existed.
And then it hit me. A guided meditation.
But not just any meditation—no fluff, no empty zen nonsense.
I wanted a journey. A path carved out with intention, leading folks straight into the depths of their own minds. I pictured it: a series of vivid visuals, prompts that don’t just nudge, but shove.
Stepping stones, each one pulling the curtain back on the subconscious, piece by piece, layer by layer. This isn’t about escaping—it’s about digging in, unearthing the truths that get buried under the grind of life. A mental treasure hunt, if you will.
The Power of Routines and Rituals
Over the years, I've had a front-row seat to a variety of professionals in their element. Athletes suiting up for a game that could make or break them. Musicians lost in their pre-show rhythm. Surgeons scrubbing in with an intensity that screams focus.
Across all these scenes, one thing kept popping up—rituals.
What I saw was like a shield—rituals wrapping around them, blocking out the noise, the doubts, the distractions. A sanctuary in a storm.
They weren't just getting ready—they were getting right—mentally, emotionally, in every way. These rituals were the secret sauce, aligning everything inside to face whatever was coming at them.
And then, a thought came over me.
What if this same magic could be bottled and used for something more personal?
What if the rituals that power athletes, musicians, and surgeons could be tweaked, reshaped, and applied to something like journaling?
Could creating a ritual around self-reflection turn it into something more powerful?
Could it transform journaling from just scribbling on paper into a deep dive into the soul?
Could it be the key to unlocking a richer, more meaningful path to self-awareness and growth?
Creating a Ritual for Shadow Work Journaling
Journaling—especially shadow work journaling—has always felt like a raw, intimate dance with the self. You’re not just scribbling thoughts; you’re digging deep, unearthing the buried bits of your psyche, confronting shadows you’d rather ignore.
But here’s the rub: getting into the right headspace, the one that really lets you explore those dark corners, isn’t always easy.
And this isn’t some small hurdle. No, it’s a serious block. You can’t just flip a switch and dive into deep self-reflection, especially when the task at hand is wrestling with the parts of yourself that like to stay hidden. You need more than just focus—you need to be mentally and emotionally aligned, ready to stare down whatever comes up from the depths.
So there I was, turning this problem over in my mind, and something clicked.
What if you didn’t have to fight to get there?
What if there was a way to just… slip into that mindset?
To be gently nudged, guided even, into that space where real self-exploration happens?
That’s when the idea took hold. A guided meditation.
Not just any meditation, but one crafted as a doorway—no, a ritual—to shadow work journaling. A smoother, surer way to step into the shadows, pen in hand, ready to face whatever comes up.
Birth of the 365-Day Journal Series
This idea sparked the creation of my 365-Day Journal Series.
A collection? No.
These journals are more like hand-picked tools, each one serving a purpose—helping people tap into self-discovery and healing in a way that feels... right. Each journal is a different path, leading to places most people don't even know they need to go.
When I started crafting these journals, it hit me—hard. Journaling isn’t just scribbling down thoughts and walking away. It’s a gut-wrenching, soul-shifting process. Each journal can be powerful, yes, but it needed more than ink on paper. If your mind and heart aren't in the right place, those pages are just... blank.
You need to be ready.
Ready to face yourself.
Ready to look inward and deal with whatever’s hiding there.
It's not just about the act of writing; it’s about showing up for yourself, prepared for the mess that might unfold.
Every single journal in the 365-Day Series has one goal: get you closer to you.
Day by day.
Each page, a breadcrumb on the trail to a deeper understanding.
But here's the thing—jumping into this kind of work without preparing your mind is like wandering into the woods with no clue where you're going. Pointless, really.
You need something to ground you first. A tool, a prelude, something to set the tone before diving into the mess of your mind. Without that, these journals are just pretty notebooks.
The Power of a Guided Meditation Video
As I kept mulling over how to create the perfect space for journaling, the idea of a guided meditation video popped into my head. Not just some prelude, but a vital piece of the whole journaling ritual. This video wouldn’t just be a “relax and unwind” moment—it’d be the spark that lights the fire, the nudge that pulls you into the zone for some serious self-reflection.
I pictured it as a bridge. A way to leave behind the noise of the outside world and step into a quieter, deeper space within. This meditation wouldn’t just calm you down; it’d guide you, step by step, into the mental landscape where real journaling magic happens.
Think of it as a mental reset button.
Visualizations, prompts—all designed to sync up with the themes in the 365-Day Journal Series. Every word, every image, carefully chosen to help you dive deeper into your thoughts, setting the stage for real introspection.
This video, in my mind, had layers.
First, it’s the warm-up—a way to get your head in the game before you start writing. Then, it becomes a ritual, something you can lean on every time you need to tap into that reflective mindset.
Over time, it wouldn’t just be a video; it’d become the signal that you’re entering sacred territory—your time for self-discovery. Every session with it would be a step into that inner world, marking the start of something meaningful.
The Ritual of Journaling and Meditation
When I crafted this video meditation, I wasn’t just aiming for a practice—I wanted to build a ritual. Something that seeps into your daily routine, a sacred moment you return to, day after day. Each session isn’t just a repeat of the last, but a spiral, taking you deeper into self-awareness, nudging you closer to your core.
The meditation isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s designed to become a habit, a daily touchstone. Something you look forward to, a consistent pause in the chaos.
Why?
Because that consistency matters.
It’s what anchors the habit of introspection.
By starting your journaling sessions with this meditation, it becomes the essential first step. A bridge, if you will. From the noise of everyday life to the quiet needed for true self-discovery.
But this isn’t just another tool. It’s an invitation.
An open call to those who want more than just a skim across the surface of their thoughts. It’s for the ones ready to go deeper, to push past the easy stuff and dive into real, transformative self-exploration.
The meditation video and journal series together are not just guides. They’re your companions on this journey, pushing you beyond basic reflection into the depths where real change happens.
—Ryan Puusaari
P.S. Your time and engagement with this edition mean a lot. Every reader adds value to our journey together. Thank you for being here!
P.S.S. "Rituals are the breadcrumbs we leave for our soul to find its way back to healing."
Stepping into yourself—bold move. Props to you for that.
But don’t kid yourself; this isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s a relentless trek inward, and trust me, it never really stops, just shifts and twists with time.
And to give you a hand, here’s something I’m stoked about: the 365-Day Shadow Work Series. Think of it as your deep dive into self—no fluff, just real, raw reflection.
This series doesn’t play around.
It throws you into the thick of it, with pointed questions that push you through the muck of sadness, self-doubt, and grudges.
Every page, crafted to steer you, challenge you, and yeah, maybe even break you open a little. It’s not just a journal—it’s your new ritual in self-discovery.
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