BOLD prompting uses AI as a compassionate mirror for exploring the hidden aspects of ourselves. Rather than avoiding or suppressing our shadows, we gently illuminate, understand, and integrate these parts of ourselves for deeper self-acceptance and authentic connection.
| Use Case | Standard Shadow Work | BOLD Prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Fear Exploration | "What are you afraid of?" | "I notice hesitation when I think about [situation]. Help me explore what lies beneath this feeling, and what it might be trying to protect." |
| Self-Doubt Patterns | "List your insecurities." | "My inner voice often says [critical message]. Help me gently explore how this voice is protecting me and uncover where it came from." |
| Relationship Patterns | "Why do you push people away?" | "I've noticed that when people get close to me, I tend to [behavior]. Could you help me understand this pattern with curiosity rather than judgment?" |
| Career Blocks | "What's holding you back?" | "When I imagine my ideal career success, I feel [emotion or sensation]. Help me explore what’s going on here." |
| Identity Exploration | "Who are you really?" | "I've always played the role of [identity]. Help me gently explore what other aspects of myself might be waiting to be acknowledged." |
| Emotional Patterns | "Why do you feel this way?" | "Recently, I've noticed [emotion] arising frequently. Could you help me have a conversation with this feeling to understand its message?" |
| Decision Making | "Why can't you decide?" | "As I consider this decision, I notice [resistance/fear/doubt]. Let's explore what wisdom this hesitation might hold." |
| Goal Setting | "What do you want?" | "When I imagine achieving [goal], I start thinking [specific concerns/worries/negative self-talk]. How might these be protecting me?" |
| Conflict Resolution | "Why are you angry?" | "When someone [behavior], I react by [reaction]. Could you help me understand what older stories or wounds might be being touched?" |
| Personal Growth | "What needs to change?" | "I’m frustrated with [situation or pattern]. Help me dig into what parts of myself are resisting change and how they might be trying to help.“ |