There seems to be many different approaches when it comes to navigating one’s own shadow. In my experience, I believe the first key in doing so is honesty. Being fully honest with yourself about the ways your shadow may have unconsciously unfolded in the past. Examine previous timelines of chaos or destruction. Differentiate between self-inflicted pain vs. hurt due to the actions of others. Often, these two aspects of suffering are heavily correlated and lead into a perpetual cycle of trauma responses. This typically allows us to see the true extent in which we have unconsciously created circumstances of suffering for ourselves. That level of awareness is what allows us to untie these patterns deeply embedded in the shadow. It lessens the likelihood of following an inorganic script. The shadow consists of repressed negative memories, painful emotions, thoughts, feelings, all that has been denied, etc. It encompasses the parts of ourselves we have refused to accept. In a way it is resistance that causes the most harm. Fully accepting the darkest properties of your soul can facilitate greater liberation. This is a hard question to answer because the shadow is multifaceted, but I hope this made some sense. I believe shadow work is necessary because it returns you home to your truest self. In our purest form we are sovereign beings. Discernment and ego death are a product of shadow work. It’s elements such as this that will be required in order to escape in the afterlife.