Guiding Principles for Active Imagination
Exploring Transformations of the Psyche
“Consciousness swims on the unconscious world like a round disc, or is like a small island in the ocean. Consciousness can never be identical with the soul, it is only a part, perhaps a very small part, of the soul. The soul is the whole.”
- C.G. Jung, “Consciousness and the Unconscious: Lectures Delivered at ETH Zurich (vol 2)”
We stand in the light of our ego's awareness each day of our lives. From this conscious standpoint, what is observable shapes the borders of our reality. The structures provide a reliable sense of continuity. A feeling of having a steady grip on our inner and outer world.
Despite its position as ruler in the kingdom of sunlight awareness, our ego is merely a fraction of the totality of psyche. By its nature it is limited, easily exhausted, and rigid. As a vehicle of will and identity, it is integral to the healthy workings of our psyche. Yet it struggles to grasp the fullness of our being. It spins narrative webs to compensate for the uncertainty that rises from the depths. It resists against any force that threatens its reign.
Walking a meaningful path of individuation requires that we relativize our ego. That is, understanding that our consciousness is a small piece of the puzzle. That it is in service to unconscious forces that move through the body; exciting emotions, informing our thoughts, and driving our behaviors. Realization of this fact should not crumble the psychic system or lead us to feelings of futility. It allows us to develop greater harmony and wholeness by including all parts of our being.
In practice, this means consciously acknowledging the limitations of ego’s awareness and capabilities. Rather than assuming we have all the answers or jumping to rational conclusions, we can pause and ask ourselves:
What is giving rise to these things in my life?
What is unseen that is influencing this situation?
How might my current view be limited? What am I missing?
The Language of the Unconscious
“Naming with images and metaphors has an advantage over naming with concepts, for personified namings never become mere dead tools. Images and metaphors present themselves always as living psychic subjects with which I am obliged to be in relation.”
- James Hillman, “Re-Visioning Psychology”
The simple act of asking these provocative questions can lead us to insight. And yet there is a curious pattern; a barrier we may find ourselves hitting up against each time we try to analyze, discern and think our way through a situation. We may have awareness (the chief tool of our ego) and yet we still cannot seem to shift a pattern in our life, stop the nervous system from becoming dysregulated, or prevent a repetitive behavior from manifesting time and time again.
Where ego falls short is where we find an invitation to venture into the depths. By crossing the threshold into the underworld, we forsake daylight consciousness for a new mode of being. Establishing this bridge allows us to mediate the limitations of our ego with the vast richness of the unconscious.
We can do so by:
Writing down and working with our dreams.
Noticing fantasy images and day dreams in waking life.
Paying attention to the subtle sensations of the body and searching for an accompanying image or impression.
Utilizing divinatory techniques.
Creating art in spontaneous, inspired and intuitive ways.
Practicing active imagination.
Central to all these practices is attuning to and learning the language of the unconscious. It does not speak in the ways of the dayworld; with concrete language and literal interpretations. It produces images, lush with symbolism and metaphor. It’s multiplicity means that we can take hold of a product of the unconscious (say a dream image) and turn it over and over again; each time discovering more nuance and variations.
Touching into our imagination (the realm of images) is a return to the source of our psyche. It is the vital life force that flows from the core of the unconscious. Imagination is not in service to us. But when we consciously choose to engage it, we are impacted. For image holds a depth of complexity that we can barely fathom. It activates our emotional, physical, and mental centers - aligning all at once. Image strikes through with intensity where words fail. Its essential aliveness means that we can return, time and time again, to the images of our psyche to orient us and contain our experiences in meaningful ways.
Active Imagination
“It is as if we did not know, or else continually forgot, that everything of which we are conscious is an image, and that image is psyche.”
- C.G. Jung, “The Secret of the Golden Flower”, Alchemical Studies (CW 13)
Active imagination1 is a technique by which an individual evokes images from the unconscious and then engages them in dialogue and interaction. The method requires active participation with the images rather than mere passive observation of them. Traditionally this is done through visualization and the use of fantasy. But other expressive modalities work as well.
It is particularly effective for strengthening the dialectic between ego and unconscious. Unlike dreaming, where ego presence is highly diminished, active imagination gives us the chance to interact with the materials of our own depths in a conscious manner. It trains us to lower the field of ego’s awareness and allow a stream of unconscious material to flow in naturally. In this environment, we can unearth incredible insights to our inner states and deepen our self-awareness.
Many sources that discuss active imagination warn us of its potential dangers. That without sufficient ego strength, we may become flooded from the unconscious material. This is where discernment is key. If you feel uncertain if this is right for you, consult with a therapist. Dream work can act as a more gentle approach in the meantime if you’re still curious to work with the unconscious.
Some years ago, I was listening to a lecture from Jungian analyst Murray Stein. He shared 2 principles of active imagination that have stuck with me ever since:
“Whatever comes, receive it. If it moves, follow it.”
With these axioms in mind, we can begin to work with and follow the transformations of the psyche. Here are some loose guidelines for the process.
Begin by choosing a starting point.
By what means will you begin your active imagination? Select a starting point or set an intention for what you are exploring. Some ideas include:
A dream image (an environment, person, particular symbol, etc)
An emotion or mood (try to visualize the mood, or hold it in your mind until an image appears)
A sensation of the body (a tension in the shoulders, a heaviness in the heart, a sense of detachment)
A memory image (one that feels particularly charged, or keeps coming to mind, or is tied to a particular time that is poignant)
Decide on a medium to use.
There are many ways to give form and shape to the active imagination. Imagining the unconscious content is just as powerful as letting it move through you with movement or working with your hands. Typical forms are:
Visualization in the mind (bring an image into your mind’s eye and notice the quality, presence and aliveness)
Drawing or painting
Dance and body movement
Writing
Working in clay, stone or wood
Sandplay (using a sandbox and figurines to depict scenes and expressions from the psyche)
Engage and allow the interaction to unfold.
This is the heart of the practice. Where the dance of conscious and unconscious takes place. Like dreaming in waking reality, you step into a world not quite of your own creation. See how the unconscious takes shape. Be open to what emerges spontaneously. Once you start judging, second guessing, editing or doubting the imagery, you undermine the whole process. Ease into unknowing. Don’t try to apply logic or expectations, let the unconscious manifest naturally.
Notice if a narrative is forming. Follow it as you would a story. Let the image breathe, speak and come to life. In return, engage with the material. Cultivate a dialogue, walking the line between inquiry and active listening.
Further the interaction and hold onto the thread. Paint what you sense, dance what you feel, visualize the words and their meaning. Keep going till you reach a natural conclusion.
Integrate and assimilate the experience.
It can be difficult to fully capture and integrate what comes up during active imagination. Be patient with this process. We don’t have to understand or grasp everything that arises. However, you can focus on the pieces that stand out the most.
Consider these prompts to facilitate reflection and integration:
What was most profound in the session? What surprised you?
How do the images and experiences seem to orient you now? What feels different from before?
What insights were gained? How does this apply to your current understanding or conscious states?
How does the unconscious content bring a new perspective or compensation?
What actions, if any, might you take based on the insights from the session?
You may also take insights and morph them into concrete form by drawing them, creating a sculpture, immortalizing it through music, sewing or a vocal recording. The options are vast - what creatively calls to you?
There is no exact way to do active imagination, so I recommend experimenting with different forms and styles. These experiences will help guide you to a version of the practice that suits your needs best. Above all, the goal is to cultivate a meaningful connection between the various layers of psyche.
As Jung said, the ego rests upon the deep waters of the unconscious. Easing oneself into this unknown realm can be intimidating, uncertain. But the more we practice, the greater ease we find in navigating the currents. It has a ripple effect. The work that we do in the imaginal space impacts all areas of life. We need only dip our self beneath the surface to see what meets us from the depths below.
Join the conversation in the comments:
All comments are welcome, but here are a few prompts to consider:
What’s your experience with active imagination?
Which medium do you use most often?
Have you run into any particular challenges when attempting active imagination?
For more posts on active imagination, click here.