Integrating Evil
The Line Through Every Heart
Summary
The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. You are basically good, and evil runs through all of us.
"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it."
"I would rather be whole than good"
"If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?"
Integrating Evil
The Magician's ability to integrate evil is perhaps his most challenging and essential skill. This is not about becoming evil or condoning harmful actions. It's about recognizing and working with the shadow aspects of human nature—both in himself and in others. Evil cannot be eliminated. It must be acknowledged, understood, and transformed.
The Magician must embrace a basic paradox: he is good, and he can do evil. As Solzhenitsyn observed, the line between good and evil runs through every human heart. The Magician who tries to place himself on the side of good and others on the side of evil has fallen into a dangerous delusion.
The Manipulator uses his knowledge of shadow to control and exploit others. He weaponizes awareness of human darkness for personal gain. The Dummy denies his own capacity for harm and remains naive in the face of darkness. He pretends evil doesn't exist or that he is above it. The Mature Magician accepts both aspects of his nature and works with reality as it is.
Shadow work: The Magician recognizes his projections and reclaims his shadow. When he acknowledges his own capacity for the behaviors he condemns in others, he gains wisdom and compassion.
Evil as misdirected good: The Magician sees evil not as a separate force but as good that has become distorted. This helps him respond with wisdom rather than reactive hatred.
Humility about certainty: The Magician holds his moral positions with humility. History shows that some of the greatest atrocities were committed by people certain they were doing good.
Compassionate boundaries: The Magician sets clear limits on harmful behavior while maintaining compassion for the person behind the behavior.
The Magician who integrates evil lives with greater wisdom and effectiveness. He is less likely to create enemies through projection and more likely to find creative solutions. His work is not to eliminate evil—an impossible task—but to recognize it, understand it, and transform it wherever possible.