Shadow integration is not an easy thing. Most people will integrate their light side. Very few will integrate their dark. Life is a mess if the integration is not proper. That is why many find it tough to handle their life in their mid-ages.
During my childhood, I was fond of a friendly God. We have temples for him everywhere. Once I started to integrate shadow, I felt an attraction towards the commander-in-chief of the celestial armies. But I don't want to travel to famous temples to meet him. lol.
I was thinking I should find a temple near me where I can walk. During my walk I saw a temple, but thought it would be the friendly God. I walked past it for two days without giving a second thought. And 3rd day when I crossed the temple, the sun's rays struck his weapon and bounced back in a dazzling shimmer. I noticed it. I entered the temple and saw him. Viola, he is the same one as per my expectation. And I said to him, "I found you" with a smile.(Of course, it is a mind voice). And he said, I wanted you to find me. 😇
People ask so many things from God. But I use this ritual to remind me daily about individuation. Finding this small temple pulled some old memories.
Monks. I have met the monks. Jay Shetty(author of think like a monk) and The monk who sold his Ferrari have met monks. But their experience is entirely different.
To me, monks are ordinary human beings like us. They choose to be a monk as a major life decision. They belong to private missions or organisations. They work in missions. They also have competition, designation, ego etc. I remember the sadhu(monk) who built the temple. He visited our house once. Later came to know he resigned from that organization as he did not get a promotion. He joined another organisation later. I have heard his lectures about "karma yoga" from Bhagavad Gita. Lord Krishna said "do your duty, don't expect any reward".
If you blindly follow it, everybody will give their duty to you, and finally, you will become a narcissistic slayer like me. What is your duty? Where you can expect reward? Where you can not expect reward? That understanding comes from experience and your life's situation and environment.
I am grateful for the monk who built that temple. It helps me to think about the integration of male energy perfectly.