Self-Assessment for Shadow Guilt
On a fresh piece of paper in your journal, enter the heading "Shadow Guilt" and answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Since shadow guilt is related to religious guilt, some of your answers to the following questions may be similar to those for the questions on religious guilt.
1. Have you ever lusted for or had sexual fantasies about someone whom you were told you should not desire sexually?
2. Have you wanted more than your share of money, food, recognition, power, or some other commodity?
3. Have you ever wanted to act selfishly and think only of yourself?
4. Have you ever stolen anything or wanted to steal something?
5. Have you ever been petty or manipulative or thought about being petty or conniving?
6. Have you ever injured or killed or thought about injuring or killing another living being?
7. Have you ever injured or killed another living being and enjoyed the sense of power involved or fantasized about how enjoyable killing and maiming might be
8. Have you felt like lying or told a lie?
9. Have you ever thought about cutting or mutilating yourself or about killing yourself?
10. Have you ever injured yourself physically or attempted suicide?
Look over your responses to these questions, then answer the following question: Have you or do you feel guilty for answering "yes" to any of the questions above. Write two or three sentences about your experience of guilt for each of the questions you answered "yes" to above.