The Shadow King

The Invisible Force that Holds Women Back

By: Sidra Stone

Narrated by: Sidra Stone

The Shadow King is an inner self that carries the patriarchal traditions, values and rules of the last six millennia—an internalized version of the outer patriarchy. It is the name Sidra Stone has given to the Inner Patriarch.

As with the outer patriarchy, he functions both protectively and destructively. If a woman is aware of this, she can manage him constructively—just as self-aware women have dealt with the outer patriarchy in recent years. A woman can feel and see the actions of the outer patriarchy but remain unconscious of this piece within her. In fact, most women will indignantly deny that they have one! Yet it is this invisible force—this Inner Patriarch—that is defining her role in the world. It is gaslighting her: reinforcing her personal glass ceiling; supporting male dominance; influencing her relationships, her power, her sexuality, her sense of entitlement; and generally devaluing traditionally feminine gender roles, while overvaluing traditionally masculine ones. The Inner Patriarch acts like a magician in the fairy tales, transforming a grown woman into a daughter (either a good daughter or an angry one). This daughter, in turn, transforms every man that she meets into a father and so subverts her own power. Women can rewrite this fairy tale.

With newfound Feminine Power, they can break this enchantment that has held them—and the men in their lives—captive for so long. Together, they can claim their full human birthright. This book gives a picture of women’s empowerment that begins within their own psyches. They will be able to move beyond the dictates and concerns of their own inner patriarchs into a new consciousness as full partners in the creation of a more inclusive post-patriarchal civilization. In this revelatory and inspirational, yet practical, personal, and sometimes humorous, presentation, Dr. Stone gives a rich, inclusive, and encouraging look at what the future might hold.

©1997, 2000 Sidra Stone (P)2022 Sidra Stone

Important for All Women

This book is consequential for all women who truly want to embrace their feminine power. It is a must read. It is groundbreaking material.

An important Message.

I loved listening to this book. In recording the author acts out the voice of the Shadow King in such an alive and sometimes humor filled way that It was easy to recognize this shadowy voice inside of me. There is no judgement here only a loving witness pointing to a character that deeply influences our action or lack of action in our world. Don’t miss listening to this. It’s message is absolutely as important today as it was when the book was written.

It’s an inside job!! …which means you can do something about it!

Full disclosure: Dr. Sidra Stone is a mentor and Voice Dialogue, which she and her husband Dr. Hal Stone developed, changed my life. All this is to say, I have basked in her compassionate wisdom for years now. I am thrilled to recommend this powerfully insightful book in its audiobook form. She helps you recognize your internalized oppressor selves, so you can identify them, get to know them and ultimately release yourself from their claws.

The Shadow King by Sidra Stone is an original and classic piece of work for woman/mankind and all genders.

What an enormous effort for the well being of women. This work is for all genders. I believe a shift in awareness of just one person can have a huge impact on our world. Take in this well thought out, and lived, way of looking at what and “who” drives our every thought and behavior. Enjoy, for many of us, a first time look at how we have been both protected and held back in our lives. This awareness has given me a new found freedom of expression; healing.

Feminist perspective

From a therapist perspective, I would say that it’s important to have awareness around how we and our clients can unconsciously talk to ourselves based on our role models, experiences, and societal norms. I do feel that after a couple hours of hearing how terrible we treat ourselves and other women at times is important to acknowledge but it made me start to feel terrible about myself. Negative ruminating thoughts keep surfacing for me all day after listening to this book. Maybe that’s something I need to work on but it seemed redundant.

Sidra’s voice !

I’d read The Shadow King and found it fascinating and very helpful - but to listen to it in Sidra’s warm and wonderful voice is truly a delight ! It feels as if she is right here - cheering on my selves !