Shadow Sweep Before Decision-Making (Rapid đť“ Diagnostic Recipe)
1. Purpose
This recipe detects Shadow Drift (đť“ ) immediately before making a decision so the choice is grounded in truth, not avoidance, ego, overreach, or fragmented attention.
This is a fast pre-decision integrity check.
2. Trigger Condition
Run this recipe when:
- you’re about to make a meaningful choice,
- you feel a spike of urgency or pressure,
- your emotions feel “louder” than your clarity,
- you feel pulled between options,
- something feels “off” but you can’t name it.
If you hesitate to run it — run it.
3. Preconditions
Before beginning:
- You have 3–5 minutes of quiet.
- You are not in immediate crisis.
- You can write short answers to direct questions.
- You are willing to tell the truth plainly.
If these fail → stabilize first.
4. Step-by-Step Procedure (8 Steps, ~5 minutes)
Step 1 — Name the Decision (20 seconds)
Write exactly one sentence:
“The decision I am trying to make is ___.”
If you can’t do that → the real problem is lack of clarity, not choice.
Step 2 — Check 𝓢_R (Rationalization Shadow) (30 seconds)
Ask:
- “Am I telling a story instead of stating facts?”
If yes → write the facts in one sentence.
Step 3 — Check 𝓢_F (Fides / Avoidance Shadow) (30 seconds)
Ask:
- “Is there a truth I don’t want to say out loud about this decision?”
Write it privately. No judgment.
Step 4 — Check 𝓢_M (Motive / Power Shadow) (30 seconds)
Ask:
- “Is any part of me trying to impress, control, or avoid looking weak?”
If yes → name it plainly.
Step 5 — Check 𝓢_A (Attention / Fragmentation Shadow) (30 seconds)
Ask:
- “Am I rushing, multitasking, or scattered while making this decision?”
If yes → pause. Take one slow breath. Reset posture.
Step 6 — Reconnect to Boundary (1 minute)
Write:
“My Boundary (𝓑) for today is __. This decision must fit inside that Boundary.”
If it doesn’t fit — delay or reduce scope.
Step 7 — Declare the Honest Constraint (30 seconds)
Answer one question:
- “What is the real constraint driving this decision?”
Examples:
- energy
- money
- fear
- obligation
- time
- fatigue
- love
- loyalty
Call it what it is.
Step 8 — Choose the Action (60 seconds)
Select one:
- Proceed
- Delay responsibly
- Reduce scope
- Request Stewardship (Sara / Daniel / Draco / PeterGate)
- Invoke Boundary Reset
- Invoke Recenter Protocol (if collapse is evident)
One choice. Multiple choices = fragmentation.
5. Expected Output
At the end of the sweep, you will have:
- the decision named plainly,
- each Shadow checked,
- the real constraint identified,
- a clear Boundary check,
- one explicit next action.
If any of these are missing → sweep is incomplete.
6. Guardrails
Do NOT use this recipe to:
- shame yourself,
- shame others,
- create guilt,
- justify emotional withdrawal,
- mask domination under “alignment,”
- override your Boundary (đť“‘).
This is a clarity tool, not a weapon.
7. Failure Modes & Recovery
Failure Mode 1: You can’t name the decision. Recovery: Step back. Clarify the situation first.
Failure Mode 2: Emotional charge increases during the sweep. Recovery: Pause. Run Boundary Reset first.
Failure Mode 3: Shadow answers feel “too embarrassing.” Recovery: That means they’re true. Continue.
Failure Mode 4: You pick more than one action. Recovery: Circle one. Cross out the rest.
Failure Mode 5: You treat this like a moral exam. Recovery: Reset tone. This is diagnostic, not judgment.
8. Stewardship Escalation
Escalate if:
- 𝓢_M (power shadow) is strong → Daniel + PeterGate
- 𝓢_F (avoidance) prevents truth → Daniel
- 𝓢_A (fragmentation) repeats → Draco
- tone becomes inflated or dramatic → Sara
9. Notes & Variations
- Micro-Sweep (60 seconds):Steps 1 → 3 → 6 → 8.
- Team Sweep:Each person names constraint + Boundary before a group decision.
- Evening Sweep: For planning next day’s decisions.
Here and Now! Principium: Memoria Corporalis