The Middle Way to Wholeness

“Anyone who perceives his shadow and his light simultaneously sees himself from two sides and thus gets in the middle.” ~Jung

Why is it vital to “get in the middle,” as Jung states? Because otherwise, we are behind the curve. Otherwise, we are outflanked by idealism, idolatry, and idleness. Getting in the middle flips the script. We go from being outflanked to outflanking, ahead of the game, playing the Infinite Game while those stuck in black and white thinking are stuck playing petty finite games.

To “get in the middle” is to achieve a balanced, integrated self-awareness that embraces both the dark and luminous aspects of our personality. This article explores why this act of psychological centering is vital for personal growth, self-understanding, self-overcoming, and living authentically.

Understanding the Shadow and the Light:

“The shadow holds both the gold and the dross of our being.” Robert A. Johnson

Between the gold and the dross, we shine: luminous, analogous, numinous.

The shadow refers to the unconscious parts of the personality that we repress or deny—traits, desires, or impulses deemed unacceptable by our conscious self or society. These might include anger, envy, or selfishness, but also hidden strengths we fail to acknowledge like fierceness, rebellion, and radical skepticism. The “light,” conversely, represents the conscious, idealized aspects of ourselves—qualities like kindness, ambition, or creativity that we readily embrace and display.

Perceiving both simultaneously is no small feat. It requires confronting uncomfortable truths about ourselves while maintaining pride in our virtues. It requires sacrificing both dependence and independence to interdependence. It requires audacity, insouciance, and revolt against cultural norms. It requires winning a staring contest with the abyss. It requires the fortitude to cut through orthodoxy with an unorthodox sword. It requires surrender.

This dual awareness allows us to see ourselves “from two sides,” fostering a holistic perspective that transcends one-dimensional thinking.

The Middle Way is about balance:

“The shadow is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived.” ~James Hollis

To “get in the middle” is to occupy a psychological space where neither the shadow nor the light dominates. This is not about suppressing one in favor of the other but about holding both in creative tension, thus catalyzing a dynamic equilibrium. This balance is essential for individuation—the process of becoming a fully realized, authentic individual.

Why is this vital? First, it prevents the shadow from sabotaging our lives. Unacknowledged shadow traits can manifest destructively, projecting onto others or erupting in harmful behaviors. By recognizing and integrating the shadow, we disarm its power to control us unconsciously. Secondly, embracing the light without arrogance or denial ensures we don’t overidentify with an inflated self-image or cultural ideal or indoctrinated idol, which can lead to rigidity, closemindedness, dogmatism, or even narcissism.

Honoring the Middle Way despite the black-and-white culture, means blurring Yin-Yangs and melting idols into molten puddles of “try again.” It reveals how nothing is separate; how everything is connected to everything else in a glorious smearing of black and white, dark and light, life and death.

Do not fear absurdity, paradox, or even chaos. Harmony is always humbling. Poise is always an antidote to extremism. Balance is always a sacrifice. As Heraclitus said, “Opposition brings concord. Out of discord comes the fairest harmony.”

Harmony emerges when the tension between opposites is held in sacred alignment. When awe and fascination are discovered between reciprocal dynamics, then you know that you are holding the tension. Balance is key. Poise is paramount. Nonattachment is the secret.

The Middle Path to Wholeness:

“The middle path does not go from here to there. It goes from there to here.” ~Jack Kornfield

Between attachment and nonattachment there lies the Middle Way.

The Middle Way is about wholeness, not enlightenment. It’s about truth seeking, not clinging to a given “truth.” It is recognizing that we are all a mighty pivot between finitude and infinity, between being and non-being, between form and formlessness.

“Getting in the middle” fosters wholeness, a state where we are neither fragmented by self-denial nor blinded by self-idealization. This wholeness is vital because it enables authentic relationships, self-compassion, and resilience. When we accept our flaws alongside our strengths, we relate to others with greater empathy, recognizing their own dual nature. We become less judgmental, more forgiving, and better equipped to navigate life’s complexities.

Moreover, this balanced self-awareness fuels personal growth. By acknowledging our shadow, we uncover hidden potentials—perhaps a suppressed creativity or assertiveness. By tempering our light, we remain open to learning and evolving. The Middle Way is a place of humility and curiosity, where we are neither paralyzed by shame nor complacent in pride.

Achieving this balance requires intentional practices like self-reflection, journaling, therapy, and deep meditation. Jungian shadow work, for instance, involves identifying projections—moments when we attribute our disowned traits onto others—and then reclaiming them, reshaping them, reorienting them, and catalyzing them. Similarly, recognizing our light without overattachment involves gratitude for our strengths while remaining open to critique.

In a world that often demands perfection or polarizes good versus bad, the Middle Way is a radical act of self-acceptance. It challenges us to embrace complexity, to see ourselves as neither villains nor heroes but as beautifully imperfect humans.

Indeed. As Joseph Campbell said, “All the gods, all the heavens, all the hells are within you.”

Middle Way wisdom reminds us that true self-awareness lies in perceiving our shadow and light simultaneously. To “get in the middle” is to stand at the crossroads of our dual nature, fostering balance, authenticity, and growth. This vital process not only heals our inner divisions but also enriches our connections with others and the world. By courageously embracing both sides of ourselves, we step into a fuller, more vibrant existence—one where we are whole, grounded, and truly living life to the fullest.

Image source:

Everyday by Stuz0r

About the Author:

Gary Z McGee, a former Navy Intelligence Specialist turned philosopher, is the author of Birthday Suit of God and The Looking Glass Man. His works are inspired by the great philosophers of the ages and his wide-awake view of the modern world.

This article (The Middle Way to Wholeness) was originally created and published by Self-inflicted Philosophy and is printed here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Gary Z McGee and self-inflictedphilosophy.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this statement of copyright.