Active Imagination – Understanding Is Not A Priority
As most of my readers already know, the process that I use here is primarily that of active imagination. In each post I select a photo and then sit quiet and wait for something to emerge. I don’t worry about factual or objective reality as what I perceive as factual or objective from the perspective of the ego is quite limited in terms of the totality of who I am, of the self. Why do I do this? In my opinion, it is to allow ideas, feelings, and energy to rise up from the depths within myself thus allowing me to expand my own understanding of myself. As things, ideas, feelings, and energy rise up I am faced with recognizing this material and considering it in relation to what I already know of my self and thus engage in the process of change or transformation as Jung would put it. Here are a few words from Jung about the process:
“… transformation is the aim of the analysis of the unconscious. If there is no transformation, it means that the determining influence of the unconscious is unabated, and that it will in some cases persist in maintaining neurotic symptoms in spite of all of our analysis and all of our understanding.” (Jung, C.W. Volume 7, paragraph 342)
In other words, the process of active imagination is not to produce works of art, poetry, music or theatre, but to allow the human psyche to grow or individuate. When I have worked with my clients on issues that have brought them to me for therapy, they have all come with the idea of having something change because the status quo wasn’t working out for them. The use of various therapeutic models by any therapist is intended to assist the client in making the change. It sounds simple but it doesn’t quite work the way we would like as either clients or therapists because often the client doesn’t know what really needs changing. This is where the use of active imagination can help both the therapist and the client as it often points to otherwise hidden issues, foundational issues. More from Jung:
“… it is a question of releasing unconscious processes and letting them come into the conscious mind in the form of fantasies. We can try our hand at interpreting these fantasies if we like. In many cases it may be quite important for the patient to have some idea of the meaning of the fantasies produced. But it is of vital importance that he should experience them to the full and, in so far as intellectual understanding belongs to the totality of experience, also understand them. Yet, I would not give priority to understanding.“ (Jung, C.W. Volume 7, paragraph 342)
These final words are vitally important, the experience is vital and understanding is secondary. Why? Transformational change is not always a product of the work of the ego. Sometimes it is simply a matter of adding elements to the stew which serve as a catalyst for movement from the unconscious to the conscious.
Now, you may have noticed that I didn’t reflect on the photo above. Atypically, I am going to refrain from doing so. Rather, I am inviting each of you to allow active imagination to work within you via this image. And, if you are brave enough you could share your resonance via active imagination here in the comment section. The reflection/resonance can be as long or as short as you want it to be in posting it here. Or perhaps a reflection on what you felt or learned about using the process of active imagination. I invite your words with true interest in what you and your unconscious have to say.
Patients are far more ‘keen’ on approaching dreams and day dream with Freudian ‘reduction’ viz. they want to know what the dream etc really means. This is often a one line ‘it’s about ……”
Few are willing to use active imagination as it ‘doesn’t give me a simple answer’. I have to do a lot of education dreams are to get you going toward active imagination which leads to consciousness, not just supressed wish fulfillment. It’s a hard sell.
Urspo
5 Sep 11 at 12:25 PM
Yes the quick answer, even for dream work. Strange how we will accept the words of charlatans rather than trust our own words and resonances. After all, time is money.
rgl
5 Sep 11 at 4:34 PM
Result of my try of Active Imagination :
My first impression of the picture is that somewhere in the clouds there seems to be some rosy color which gives me a pleasant, joyful feeling – but when I look more focused, there seems to be no rosy color at all.
Secondly it appears that I am looking at the scene from a hiding place in a bush.
The branches of the tree are dominant earth, dark, heavy and creates a heavy feeling – while the scenery of the clouds are more transparent and playful air – filled with expectation and….the possibility for fantasy.
Furthermore the branches of the trees are fixed forms, while I know that the clouds are moving and changing patterns.
One moment we are sure to see the image of a figure in the clouds and the next moment the image of a figure has changed into the shape of the state of Florida.
Yes there is a fence to be seen – a boundary as if it means the boundary between the fixed and the free, changeable air.
Yes, the branches of the bush can also move into the wind, but very limited, not to be compared to the movement in the sky.
I can feel the wind, but I can’t see the wind – it is only by the action of the wind, the moving of the branches and the moving patterns in the sky that I can become aware of the “existence” of the wind.
My conclusion :
The picture makes me aware of 2 of the four elements – Earth and Air (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) and then are causing associations with the Personality Types of Jung.
In this case (for me only), the introversion could be symbolized by the dark bush, while the extraversion could be experienced in the Sky.
As watcher of the picture I am able to experience both, introversion and extraversion – as an introvert that I am.
Remarkably enough I thought I would expect to experience affection of the dark, and earth, but the contrary is true.
I am aware for some reason, that I didn’t include – sensing, thinking, feeling and intuition.
So, dear Robert – I was planning to bake a cake, but as you see I am not even capable of boiling an egg – sorry, Smile !
Opa Bear
5 Sep 11 at 8:23 PM
Ah, but you have cooked up a wonderful cake, my good friend. You have captured the unseen forces that take one from unconscious to consciousness yet at the same time reminding that what is unconscious is vast and that we forever reach upwards as though chasing with hope fragile threads of awareness. Thank you so very much good Opa for risking active imagination here.
rgl
5 Sep 11 at 8:46 PM
This article was reassuring for me, as I had just been thinking today about how this process that you write about often brings up fear for me, even though it can at the same time be exhilarating. It is the fear of knowing that I cannot help but be changed by whatever is unearthed when I let go to the creative process. I simultaneously yearn for it and resist.
Seth Mullins
6 Sep 11 at 2:02 AM
Here’s my active imagination. Thank you for the invitation to allow the image to speak from each of us:
I’ve been walking this fence for so long. I know every post, every twist of barbed wire, each hidden hole where creatures of the soil dig in protest of passing ankles.
But today is the first day I have crossed over…
You know, this patch of shade at the edge of the wood has been inviting my presence for…years. The view is not as different as I thought it would be from over here. The horizon looks the same, out of focus despite my best squinting.
And still, something quivers. Is it the wind dancing in these blades of grass, my new acquaintances? Is it just my adrenal glands opening up and pouring excitement into my veins? Yes, and something else, something alive, something afoot in my being that tells me I will not be crossing back over today. I will not be returning to the safety of my well-bounded world. There is new earth urging my feet on ahead of my fear.
The wood is dark, yes…and unknown to me…but doesn’t your soul ask too, “What undiscovered spark of life dwells within?”
Ned Martin
6 Sep 11 at 6:49 AM
It is good to both resist and yearn for the journey. having either missing leads to psychic imbalance. Thanks, Seth for taking the time to write and share here.
rgl
8 Sep 11 at 5:54 AM
Thank you Ned for taking an active imagination part with the dream. Of course I can’t say what is right or what is wrong with your resonance, your active imagination because there is no right or wrong. I hope you will add your words more often in the future.
rgl
8 Sep 11 at 5:56 AM