We have a breakthrough. After months, years or even decades we break through the fear that was holding us back and take the brave action. And then…..we’re done, right? We’re Rocky Balboa running up those stairs, conquering it all. Fade to black. Perfect. Forever.

Nope. We’ve broken through the inner shadow archetype mesh, it feels great (it does, it is) and then? It could be an hour or a day, it could be just a few minutes and we’re back in shadow. It’s insidious. It feels unfair.

The Hollywood story tells us all we have to do is get the thing. The physical triumph, the girl or guy and, especially, the money. The more the better. It equates having the money with conquering the shadow. Permanently conquering the inner and outer struggle. That is a lie. Money may or may not show up when you’re mostly (or completely) out of the shadow archetype matrix, but it is not the same. Seems like that should be obvious, but it isn’t. Not in our culture. Not in the world.

Rocky had his moment and then he was back in the ring. Fighting a human opponent and his own inner shadow. Watch what happens after your victory. Do you collapse? Be vigilant. It’s insidious. Don’t collapse.