The Book of Shadow Work: Unlock the True You—The Must-Have Guide to Inner Healing and Authenticity

by Keila Shaheen

“The self-help queen of TikTok” – The AtlanticStep out of the shadows and join the millions around the world who have learned to face their fears and love themselves in this essential companion to the bestselling, viral phenomenon The Shadow Work Journal.

Unlock your true potential with shadow work – your journey to inner healing begins here

From TikTok sensation and self-help trailblazer, Keila Shaheen, comes The Book of Shadow Work, a must-have guide for anyone seeking deep inner transformation and authenticity.

Keila has empowered millions worldwide to confront the uncharted depths of their psyches, helping them to heal, grow, and thrive. In this transformative book, you’ll discover how the practice of shadow work can unlock the parts of yourself you’ve been afraid to face, revealing hidden strengths, purpose, and untapped potential.

Ready to heal? Here’s what you’ll

Find your purposeTransform relationshipsUnlock hidden talentsBuild authentic connectionsShape a better futureThrough Keila’s personal journey and stories from mental health experts and shadow work practitioners across the globe, The Book of Shadow Work is an essential tool for anyone ready to dive deep, heal past wounds, and emerge more authentic and empowered than ever.

Join the millions of people transforming their lives through shadow work – one profound breakthrough at a time.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Spirituality

240 pages, Hardcover

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Katie (MoonbrainMushroom) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lesson learned; don’t buy “self help” books from TikTok influencers.

[Ky DeepDiveThis · Rating 2 out of 5]

REVIEW
The book started out strong, but it became a cumbersome read very quickly.

My bookmarks became less and less and the lessons felt further and further away. I enjoyed the references to Jung's work and at the start it felt very grounded in reason.

As it progressed I was less engaged and began to question the usefulness (for me) of the material.

I am grateful to LibroFM for this gifted audio copy, but this left me wanting more.

RATINGS
5 Writing Style
6 Intrigue
4 Logic
3 Enjoyment
1 Impact Bonus
TOTAL= 18+1= 19/8= 2.38

1.00/5.00 Impact Rating
--My takeaway mirrors the impact rating, only one thing really felt truly influential

2.50/5.00 Rounded Rating

Want to know more about my thoughts? Just ask, I'd love to discuss it with you!

[BigBlueSea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really think the author just read a bunch of philosophy and new age books and took a sentence from each.

[Tiara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usually, I'm able to finish a book, even when it's bad, but with this book I wasn't able to. Maybe I expected too much. Maybe I thought the approach would've been different. I don't know, but this falls short as a self-help guide. There were a lot of generalizations, and none of it really had an impact. It was most definitely a waste of my time. On the bright side, I didn't waste any money because I received this from a giveaway so it wasn't totally bad.

[Bradley Cowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but…

I definitely got something from this book, but I feel like it droned on a bit and that AT LEAST 50% of the book is her directly quoting other people.

[Sameen Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keila Shaheen’s The Book of Shadow Work is a profound and insightful journey into self-healing and authenticity. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to explore their inner world, confront their hidden emotions, and grow into a more self-aware and empowered version of themselves.What I loved most about this book is its structured approach to shadow work, making it accessible even for beginners. Shaheen’s writing is both compassionate and practical, offering a gentle yet firm guide through the complexities of the subconscious mind.
Highly recommended for anyone ready to embrace their shadows and unlock their true potential!

[Qurenna Bayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinite stars! I've learned so much about hidden emotions, how the body works during trauma, and so much more! I highly recommend reading this and purchasing the workbook.

[Stephanie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book without any clue if what shadow work was or how to deal with it. After reading this book i have a thorough understanding of how to do it safely and successfully.

[Lie^^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sparked my curiosity for the topics discussed in this book, but it’s more of an overview instead of a deep dive!! So definitely a good starting point😋

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Shadow Work is truly transformative. It felt like a safe and gentle guide into parts of myself I’ve always avoided, yet deeply needed to face. The way it combines practical exercises, psychological depth, and real life insights made it feel approachable, even when the topics were tough.

This book isn’t just about understanding your shadow, it’s about learning to embrace and integrate it in a way that brings clarity and healing. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s one of the most rewarding ones I’ve ever started.

I finished this over the weekend and started taking notes and reflecting. Shadow Work is definitely a long journey that can be very though, but I've found it very transformative so far. I’m going to be looking back at the exercises regularly. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in starting their shadow work journey.

[Tabitha · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of my goals this year was to look into shadow work, so I decided to start by reading up on how this practice actually works. While there was were some interesting tidbits, I largely feel like I could have skipped this book and just went with her other publication, "The Shadow Work Journal: A Guide to Integrate and Transcend Your Shadows". It was hard to stay engaged with the material, but I did learn that Swiss Psychanalyst Carl Jung was the first person to "conceive of and define the shadow as an unconscious aspect of our personality that we don't readily see in ourselves but that is integral to our whole being." He was also the person who came up with the concept of the inner child. Shadow work is "the act of confronting and embracing the shadow in a spirit of openness, curiosity, and acceptance" in an effort to achieve a greater understanding of who you are, including areas of potential strengths that you might have hidden even from yourself.

I appreciate that the book talks about different types of therapies, and how certain ones primarily focus on the conscious mind and the ego, which are easier for us to adjust; these are important areas for clarity and healing, but they often play a secondary role to shadow work when we've reached the point of putting ourselves back together and integrating after taking ourselves apart. Your shadow never goes away, no matter how much shadow work you do, so this process involves accepting that this underlying darkness is a part of you and not judging it or working around it.

[Viktória Vojteková (The_books_hunter) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prijmite svoje potlačené stránky a zmiernite ich negatívne prejavy.

Toto je knižka alebo skôr taký pracovný zošit, v ktorom nájdete praktické cvičenia a strany, v ktorých sa môže realizovať samotný čitateľ.

Knižka je rozdelená na štyri časti a práve prvá z nich je takým úvodom do knižky. Je to teoretická časť, v ktorej je vysvetlené ako začať spoznávať svoje tieňové ja, čo to je vlastne to tieňové ja, prečo to je dôležité a iné teoretické veci. Toto je časť, ktorá ma zaujímala najviac, vždy sa rada dozviem niečo nové.

Zvyšné tri časti sú praktické a venujú sa rôznym cvičeniam, ktoré majú čitateľovi pomôcť spoznať svoje vnutro, svoje tieňové ja. Okrem cvičení tam je jedna časť venujúca sa otázkam, pri ktorých sa ma čitateľ zamyslieť a je tam voľný priestor, v ktorom môže vyjadriť svoje myšlienky. Pri niektorých cvičeniach sa nachádza aj QR kód, ktorý čitateľa odkazuje na autorkynu aplikáciu Zenfulnote.

Tieto praktické časti mi prídu veľmi zaujímavé a pre ľudí napomecnejsie než len samotná teória. Ja sa však nikdy neviem prinútiť tieto cvičenia v knižkách spracovať. Na to je potrebný kľud, samota a trpezlivosť.

Knihu odporúčam, páči sa mi jej spracovanie. Páči sa mi teoretická aj praktická časť. Aj to prepojenie na aplikáciu, ktorá vám toho dokáže ponúknuť ešte viac.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book really impressed me—it covers such a wide range of topics! It touches on everything from Christianity and Buddhism to psilocybin trips, quantum physics, BDSM, divination, mediums, sound vibrations, Brainspotting, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). These are just a few of the themes that stood out to me based on my personal experience.

This was also my first formal introduction to Shadow Work, and I couldn’t have asked for a better starting point. If you have any interest in the subjects I mentioned or are looking to understand and heal your shadow self, this book is a must-read. It offers insightful guidance on the inner workings of the mind, and I truly believe you'll come away feeling lighter and radiating higher frequencies.

Thank you for this transformative journey, Keila Shaheen!

...
PS: The QR codes provided in the book are also fantastic resources, catering to different needs throughout your journey. Plus, the author’s voice is perfect for guided meditations—an added bonus that really enhances the experience.

[Lahari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book soo cool which made me think about myself. It helps you face your fears, past trauma, hidden emotions which you never knew existed and helps you to heal within and grow out of them. The exercises are very effective & simple but comes with a deep meaningful work, making you reflect on who you are.The tone of the writing is non-judgmental and supportive, which I appreciated. This book does a good job of encouraging deep introspection without making it overwhelming. The author links it to areas that one might not have thought of in connection to shadow work, such as relationships and spirituality. She also links it to society and how things work in a wider context.The author is quite articulate and has a beautiful way with words. This was an easy read and has me very intrigued in shadow work and understanding myself on a deeper level. Very happy with this purchase and excited to recommend this book to friends.

A must-read if you want to understand yourself better and grow as a person!

[Tvisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in tears!!



"The Book of Shadow Work by Keila Shaheen."  claims to Unlock your true potential with shadow work

Your journey to inner healing begins here!!!

Shadow Work means facing and understanding the parts of yourself you've hidden or denied; like your fears, negative traits, or past traumas; to become a more complete and authentic person.

This book provides a deep insight on: 


What is shadow work?


Why is shadow work important?

 
How to do shadow work? (Through self awareness, exploration, integration)


Tools and Techniques for performing shadow work (journaling, meditation, reflection, visualisation etc.)

My favourite line is:
"To learn who you are, you have to unlearn who you were told to be."

Shadow work is an ongoing process and not a one-time event. It needs time and consistent efforts; to quickly embark on this journey of shadow work to heal your inner child, clear your shadows. This book is a must-have guide to inner healing and authenticity, to unlock the inner you. 

[Jaspreet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extended version of The Shadow Work Journal, The Book of Shadow Work by Keila Shaheen allows the reader to navigate through the path of self awareness and explore the untouched wounds. The acceptance of one's own self allows for a deeper relationship with themselves, after-all irrespective of who you are, admitting struggles takes immense amounts of courage.

Different quotes across the 8 chapters kept my curiosity alive throughout allowing me to delve deeper and resonate with the author's thought, but the meagre act of deep belly breathing was the major takeaway for me and rightfully described by the author as Perfect-go-to for all states while being upset.

This book offers the perfect kickstart for an Individual's exploration of personal growth and emerge stronger towards the end. Highly recommended.

[Living My Best Book Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keila Shaheen has quickly become the author I look to when I am in search of a book that promotes working on yourself and healing. In this book, she teaches us about shadow work and how becoming vulnerable with ourselves can lead to inner healing. Keila provides personal examples, stories from mental health experts, along with exercises that will allow you to transform into the person you want to become. Yes, it makes you face your fears and bring up old wounds, but you can finally learn to recognize emotions, triggers and how you can make them a positive in your overall well being. I think this is a great book to get your friends for the new year when we are all thinking about our goals/resolutions for the upcoming year!

[Kimberly Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was forced to consider the aspects of myself that I usually disregard or ignore after reading this book. Shadow work is made approachable by Keila Shaheen, who guides you through self-discovery without being overbearing.

I adore how she explains Carl Jung's idea of shadow work in a way that is relevant to the modern world. Accepting and utilizing your "dark" sides to reach your full potential is more important than simply confronting them.

The book explains the benefits of shadowing for relationships, career advancement, self discovery, and even confidence. Its packed with challenging activities that force you to consider your prior experiences, convictions and behaviors in a way that feels more empowering than frightening.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Shadow Work: Unlock the True You is a formidable tool for deep introspection and healing. It conveniently unpacks shadow work for beginners but still offers the more experienced valuable nuggets in inner work.

What sets the book apart is its mild but effective nature. With challenging prompts and practical exercises, it allows readers to bring to light the suppressed emotions, limiting beliefs, and hidden fears they harbor. The tone is supportive and congenial, so that the process feels easier and rewarding.

Whether you're unraveling past trauma, searching for self-awareness, or ending negative patterns, this book shines a light on growing and embracing oneself. A must-read for anyone who is deep in the path of healing and unlocking their full potential!

[Heather Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Shadow Work by Keila Shaheen is a clear and well-organized guide for exploring hidden parts of yourself. The explanations are simple and the exercises make learning easy.

The writing is supportive and encourages deep self reflection without feeling overwhelming. The book connects shadow work to relationships, spirituality and society, offering a fresh perspective.

If you're experienced in shadow work or Jungian psychology, some parts may feel basic. This book is a great starting point but doesn’t cover advanced techniques.

I recommend it to anyone beginning self-healing and personal growth. It’s a valuable guide for understanding and accepting yourself.

[Joe Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Shadow Work by Keila Shaheen is a thoughtful and accessible guide for anyone looking to explore their deeper self. As a beginner I found the explanations clear and the exercises practic making the process feel approachable rather than intimidating. The author’s supportive and non judgmental tone creates a safe space for self reflection.

What I especially appreciated was how Shaheen expands the concept of shadow work beyond personal growth, linking it to relationships spiritual and even society as a whole This border perspective adds depth and relevance making the book not just a self help tool but a meaningful exploration of how we navigate the world.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful & Effective!

I've read multiple books related to Shadow Work and I must say this one is by far the best. There was a tough phase in my life when I came across shadow work and since then it has helped Me deal with inner conflicts and improve overall wellness. This book has helped Me improve my exercises and filled in some knowledge gaps as well. The author's tone is so compassionate which throughout the book made Me feel supportive rather than overwhelming. It was truly a transformative experience and even if you're new to shadow work you can trust this book. Highly recommended for anyone seeking inner growth!

[Harsh Barnwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keila Shaheen's "The Book of Shadow Work" is a transformative book that provides a practical approach to recognizing and working with our shadow selves. The author provides activities and approaches for confronting our anxieties and inadequacies and increasing self-awareness. This book is suitable for anyone who want to improve their self-awareness and create skills for positive transformation in their lives. Shaheen's writing is straightforward, understandable, and kind. This book is intended for those looking to better their self-understanding, build positive change skills, and find a practical guidance.

[Shelby Cinea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard of shadow work before, but never fully understood what it actually is. This happened to me my first introduction to shadow work thanks to Goodreads giveaways, and I think it was a very well written introduction and overview of what shadow work is and what it entails. I ordered The Shadow Work Journal after only being about 3 chapters in because this book got me excited to start another avenue of healing that I haven't delved into yet. I will also be on the lookout for other books/journals by this author!

[Jocelyn]

I find jungian philosophy and shadow work fascinating, and because of that I was excited to pick up this book. As an audiobook, it didn't particularly work for me because I found myself tuning out and getting distracted because of Shaheen's soft and calming voice. Because of this, I'm not going to write a full-length review because I don't think I gave the book a fair chance. I am looking forward to reading (a physical copy) of Shaheen's first shadow work book.

I received a copy of this book from the Libro.fm influencer ALC program

[Tom Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true gem for anyone on a journey of self discovery and shadow work. The exercises are simple yet guiding reader to uncover hidden emotions and beliefs with ease. The author’s compassionate writing makes even complex topics feel approachable and relatable. I particularly loved the section on deep belly breathing it was incredibly effective in helping me stay grounded during stressful moments. If you're ready to dive deeper into personal growth and embrace your self this book is a must read Highly recommend.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Shadow Work by Keila Shaheen is a guide for people who want to understand themselves better. Shadow work means looking at the hidden parts of your mind like fears, painful memories , triggers or habits you don’t like. This book teaches how to accept and heal those parts so you can live a happier and fulfilling life. For instance if you get angry easily, shadow work helps you find out what are your triggers and how to make amendments to rectify it. I found this book a beginner’s friendly like me. Highly recommended.

[Bibha Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Life Changing Practice worth trying

This book shows how shadow work can improve your life and relationship with people around you. Shadow work means exploring the parts of yourself you might ignore like past hurts, negative thoughts, insecurities or traumas. If someone is afraid of speaking up, shadow work helps them understand where that fear comes from and how to understand , accept and heal. Keila Shaheen gives simple steps and real stories to help readers on their healing journey. If you want to grow emotionally this is it.

[Rebecca Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book deals with shadow work and understanding those hidden parts of oneself that shape one's feelings, thoughts, and actions. This shadow work considers occasions when we feel trapped, repeat past mistakes, and are held back by old fears and insecurities. It discusses how this inner world contributes to making sense of our life, relationships, and choices in the framework of spirituality, psychology, and personal experiences. It is sort of a guide to beating bad habits and being more genuine.

[Naveen Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about this book is how gentle yet powerful it is. Shadow work can feel intimidating, but Keila breaks it down in a way that feels safe. One chapter made me cry because it helped me realize I had been holding onto childhood guilt for so long. The mix of personal stories and expert insights kept me engaged. I took my time with each exercise, and I’m already noticing a change in how I react to stressful situations. After finishing, I felt hopeful and more compassionate toward myself.