Corey Wolff Corey Wolff

🌑 When Dreams Carry Shadows: The Paradox of Creative Power

The Idea that You Create Your Reality — Across Different Traditions

Across religious traditions, we see the idea that “You create your own reality.” The Torah teaches that words hold the power of life and death, which mirrors our own inner dialogue. When we speak to ourselves with love and belief, we plant seeds of growth and healing. In the same way that God created the world with His words, we too have the power to create and shape our reality through the words we speak. This sacred truth reminds us that the language we use—both outwardly and inwardly—can either nurture our soul or limit our potential.”There are many sections in the Torah which support this. Proverbs 18:21 says: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." This verse reflects the idea that words are not just sounds; they shape reality, influence outcomes, and even determine the spiritual quality of the world around us. This idea ties into the concept that the language we use, including the words we say to ourselves, shapes the way we experience life.

“In the same way that God created the world with His words, we too have the power to create and shape our reality through the words we speak.”

We see the idea of free will and the power to shape our destiny in Deuteronomy 30:19 which says: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live." This passage reflects the idea that we have the power to choose our actions, and by extension, our future. Choosing life (making decisions aligned with goodness, growth, and positive values) actively shapes the course of our lives and impacts our reality. The idea that God created the world through the power of words, is in Genesis 1:3: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." This suggests that speaking things into existence is a core principle not only in creation but also in shaping our reality. Furthermore Genesis 1:26 states "Then God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.'" Judaism teaches that humans are created in the image of God, and this idea is often interpreted to mean that humans have the divine potential for creativity and co-creation. If God is the Creator, humans, too, have the ability to create, especially when aligned with divine purpose.

We also see this idea in Christianity. In the bible, Mark 11:23, Jesus says: "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." This illustrates the power of belief and faith in shaping the world around us. It's not about external forces but the inner power of conviction. In Matthew 6:10 it says, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." So just as God in heaven has the power to will the universe into existence, we have the power to create the life we desire here on Earth. this is supported by Matthew 8:13, “Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.” This shows that through belief, and faith we have the power to shape reality.

“So just as God in heaven can will the Universe into existence, we have the power to create the life we desire here on Earth.”

We can see this belief in manifesting reality in other religions. The Buddha said, "The mind is everything. What you think, you become." This is a direct statement on the power of the mind to shape one's reality, and it emphasizes the importance of cultivating right thoughts to change your life. In Hinduism, the Upanishads and other ancient texts also teach that the mind has the power to shape reality. In particular, the Maitri Upanishad states: "As a man’s thoughts, so is his life; as a man’s life, so is his destiny." And in Hindu philosophy, particularly in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, there is a strong emphasis on karma (action) and how one's intentions and actions shape one's future. Karma is the principle of cause and effect, where every action has a consequence. In this sense, individuals are seen as creators of their reality based on their actions and intentions.

How I Have Manifested What I Desire in My Own Life

I have found this idea of manifesting your own reality to be true in my own life. I have learned that consistency will take you places even beyond what you could imagine. Doing yoga for many years, I completely changed my body, and I was able to control my anxiety through various breathing practices. I even used breathwork to get me through a having a rather large cavity filled without any novicane. So it’s possible to train yourself to do amazing things with practice.

I have found that when I visualize my goals, it helps me to accomplish them When I was had a regular yoga practice, I would spend a lot of time visualizing myself doing different sequences, and breathing properly as I spent time in each position I think I tricked my body into believing I was actaully practicing the postures.

But what seems esoteric is really just common sense. . If you have no goals, then you cannot build anything substantial in your life. It’s like the old saying, “A ship, no matter how how well built, will just drift if it has no destination. You need to plot a course, and if you veer a little off, you can realign yourself. Why? Becasue you have a vision for your life, and you have goals for achieving that vision, with action steps to get you there. That’s why vision boards work, as long as you envison what is meaningful to you and you focus on it with emotional intensity.

Even in the garden of light, shadows take root

So manifesting the life we desire is true. But it’s not as simple as it sounds. Because there are needs we have which we are not even consciously aware of. What happens when the world we create begins to betray us?Karl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” And this is a crucial aspect of this entire process of the power of the imagination. Because we don’t always know what part of us is doing the creating. Is it the part of us that’s filled with light, vision, and healing? Or is it the part of us we buried—the fear, the rejection, the grief we haven’t yet faced?

You have to not only develop an awareness of your how your unconscious affects you, but you need to influence your unconscious, retrain it so it is your servant, not your master. Or else you will find yourself following the template from your childhood and repeating the patterns that you learned to help you survive. There. is a big differnece between survival and self-actualization. And until you progress farther on the path, your ability to manifest will be influenced by your unconscious survival needs.

In Unbroken Legacy: The Divine Seed, Isabella possesses an extraordinary gift—the power to imagine a world and bring it into being. With sketches and dreams and whispered mantras, she manifests Monsterville: a whimsical realm filled with candy-colored trees, talking monsters, and light-hearted magic.

But even this dreamscape is not immune to darkness. Because Isabella’s creation, as radiant as it is, was not made from pure light. It was shaped by everything she carried inside her—including fear. And in that fear, something old stirred. Something ancient. Something hungry.

👁️ The Beast Was Not Her Idea—But It Found a Way In

The Beast, in its purest form, is not a monster she dreamed up. It is older than her. Older than her father.
It is the embodiment of pain, shame, fear, and powerlessness—the kind that lives inside all of us. Not just personal trauma, but the collective unconscious: the generational ache of being human.

This entity once clung to Horatio’s family line, hiding in shadows. But when Isabella—a frightened girl in the throes of a panic attack—created a monster out of fear, the Beast saw its chance. It wasn’t created by her. But it was given a body by her. This is the terrifying and tender truth at the heart of the story: The imagination is sacred. But it is not safe. It builds with what we feed it—which begs the question, what reality are you creating?

🌓 The Power to Create—and the Shadows That Co-Create

In Monsterville, this paradox takes form. As Isabella creates, her unconscious pain helps shape what’s built. As she dreams, so too does the Beast awaken. This story is a mirror, and it asks us: “What if the world you’re building isn’t just shaped by what you hope—but also by what you haven’t healed?” Because the garden blooms with all that lives inside you—both the light, and the shadows it casts.

What Can You Do Create the Life You Desire?

Just as God created the world with words, we too have the power to create the world around us. By choosing our words wisely, we can reshape our thoughts, emotions, and ultimately, our reality. The first step to healing is recognizing that the language you use holds power. Speak to yourself with love, speak your truth, and watch how it transforms your life. But also, you need to transform or embrace the shadows through the process of healing. And that takes time. It is a process of unfolding, much like a flower coming into bloom, and much like the DelaFleur family, going through the process of becoming.

By choosing our words wisely, we can reshape our thoughts, emotions, and ultimately, our reality.

Embrace the Shadow

integrating the shadow doesn’t have to be overwhelming or something that will take years to work through. It’s more about creating awareness and shifting how we engage with our darker aspects. Here are some practical action steps you can offer your readers to begin embracing their shadow:

1. Acknowledge the Shadow

Action Step: Take time to reflect on the parts of yourself you tend to avoid or deny. These might be feelings, behaviors, or aspects of your personality that you've labeled as “bad” or “undesirable.” Begin by journaling about these areas. Ask yourself: What do I feel ashamed or afraid to confront in myself? Write without judgment—just observe.

Example: You might recognize a tendency toward anger that you suppress, or perhaps an unresolved fear of rejection. Write about these tendencies without trying to "fix" them.

2. Accept the Shadow

Action Step: Practice self-compassion. Understanding that every human being has a shadow side is key. Embrace the truth that your shadow isn’t inherently "bad"—it’s part of being human. Practice saying, “I accept all parts of myself” as a daily mantra. This helps to soften your resistance and begin the healing process.

Example: When you notice a judgmental thought about yourself or others, pause and say to yourself, I accept myself for having this judgmental thought, but I am not defined by it. This helps reduce the shame tied to negative traits. As one of my students told me once, “People make mistakes. That’s why pencils have erasers.”

3. Observe Reactions in Daily Life

Action Step: The shadow often shows up in our reactions to others. Notice when you feel strong negative emotions—such as irritation, jealousy, or anger—toward others. Instead of dismissing these emotions, ask yourself, What is this revealing about my own fears or insecurities?

Example: If you feel jealousy toward a colleague’s success, ask yourself what that feeling of jealousy is about. Is it about your own sense of inadequacy? This can reveal parts of yourself that may need healing.

4. Engage in Self-Inquiry

Action Step: Self-inquiry is a powerful tool to uncover the shadow. Use simple questions like, Why did I react that way? What am I afraid of? Get curious about your emotional responses and ask what deeper belief or unhealed wound might be behind it.

Example: If you find yourself avoiding conflict, ask, What is it about conflict that feels unsafe? Dive into the answer and explore any past experiences that might be influencing your present-day reaction.

5. Shift Your Perspective with Mindfulness

Action Step: Cultivate mindfulness through daily meditation or breathing exercises. This helps you become more aware of your thoughts and reactions in real-time, creating space between stimulus and response. When you’re more present, you can better observe when the shadow arises and choose not to react from it.

Example: Practice mindfulness for 5-10 minutes every morning. Focus on your breath and allow any thoughts or emotions that arise to be seen without judgment. This practice helps you create awareness of your shadow as it comes up.

6. Integrate the Shadow with Compassion

Action Step: Begin integrating what you learn from your shadow into your everyday life by acting with compassion. Once you identify a part of yourself you’ve denied or repressed, choose to approach it with curiosity instead of judgment. Actively work on bringing that part into the light.

Example: If you uncover a tendency to be overly critical of yourself, commit to practicing more self-kindness. Each time you catch yourself being self-critical, replace the thought with a more compassionate one, such as, I am doing the best I can, and that is enough.

7. Release Old Patterns Through Forgiveness

Action Step: Embrace the shadow by releasing the grip of past hurts and traumas. Start by forgiving yourself for the things you've done or thought in the past. This helps loosen the shadow's hold and allows you to move forward without the weight of old baggage.

Example: Sit quietly and reflect on past regrets or things you feel guilty about. Write them down on paper, then symbolically release them—perhaps by tearing the paper or burying it in the ground.

8. Shadow Integration Through Creative Expression

Action Step: Engage in creative activities such as art, writing, or music. These outlets can help you process and release emotions connected to the shadow, as creative work often comes from the deeper parts of the unconscious.

Example: Try creating a piece of art that represents your shadow. This can be a physical manifestation of how you feel about a certain aspect of yourself. Allow yourself to express what you may not have words for.

9. Seek Support

Action Step: Don’t hesitate to reach out to others for support. Sometimes, we need a mirror—someone to help us see the parts of ourselves we can’t fully face. This could be a therapist, coach, or trusted friend who is willing to help you on your journey.

Example: Consider joining a support group or working with a therapist who specializes in shadow work, trauma, or inner healing.

10. Celebrate Your Progress

Action Step: Finally, celebrate your progress. Every step you take toward embracing your shadow is an important step in your growth. Don’t rush the process—embrace it for what it is, and acknowledge how far you’ve come.

Example: Keep a journal of your experiences with shadow work, noting both the challenges and the breakthroughs. Revisit these entries over time to see how much progress you’ve made.

🗣 Join the Conversation

If this reflection resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What part of you is planting seeds in your world—without your permission? And what might happen if you dared to look at it with love, not fear?

You’re warmly invited to share your reflections on my Facebook page, where we’re building a thoughtful space for open, healing conversation.

Feel free to share this post with your network and tag someone who might resonate with the message. Let’s continue the conversation on Instagram (@transcendencepress) and Twitter (@corey_wolff)—whether it’s by sharing your insights, tagging a friend, or joining the discussion. Your voice matters. Together, we can create a movement of healing and self-love that empowers us to create the life we desire."

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