How to engage with the unconscious: Techniques, communication, and reflection.

Creation of Adam, Michelangelo.

In the previous blogs I discussed what the unconscious is (Freudian & Jungian perspectives), followed by why working with your unconscious is not only important on a personal level but also relationally and societally. In this blog i’m going to unpack how the unconscious mind communicates with us in various ways, often through subtle cues, images, metaphors or symbols that may not be immediately apparent to the conscious mind. I hope it can give you some insights and help you understand the hidden parts of yourself a little more.

How our unconscious communicates with us

1. Dreams: Dreams are a primary avenue through which the unconscious communicates. They often contain symbols, scenarios, and emotions that reflect underlying thoughts and feelings.

2. Symbols and Imagery: Symbolic language is a key method of communication from the unconscious. It can appear in dreams, fantasies, and even in everyday life through recurring images or metaphors. For example, the day is often ruled by the conscious mind (the sun) and the night is ruled by the unconscious mind (the moon).

3. Intuition and Gut Feelings: The unconscious processes can lead to intuitive insights or gut feelings about situations, people, or decisions. These feelings often arise without conscious reasoning but can be valuable indicators of something.

4. Slips of the Tongue (Freudian Slips): Unconscious thoughts can manifest in slips of the tongue, where unintended words or meanings slip out during conversation. (Ross saying Rachel’s name instead of Emilys at the wedding altar)

5. Jokes: “It was just a joke!” Was it really though… ;)

6. Emotional Reactions: Strong emotional reactions, especially those that seem disproportionate to the current situation, can often signal underlying unconscious conflicts or memories.

7. Repetitive Patterns: Patterns of behaviour or recurring themes in life such as repeatedly choosing similar partners or encountering similar challenges. This may reflect unconscious influences. (Can’t stop dating the same losers in different bodies?)

8. Physical Symptoms: Certain physical symptoms or ailments may be manifestations of underlying psychological or emotional issues stored in the unconscious.

9. Creativity and Inspiration: The unconscious mind is a well of creativity and inspiration. Artists, writers, dancers, and musicians often tap into their unconscious to create original works.

10. Synchronicity: A concept introduced by Jung, refers to the occurrence of  a meaningful coincidence that lacks a causal relationship yet seems significantly related. It is a phenomenon where the external world reflects the internal states of the unconscious mind, communicating through events that align with personal thoughts, feelings, or situations. These coincidences serve as messages from the unconscious, offering insights and guidance.

11. Projection: Any unconscious feelings, desires, or traits  may be projected onto others. They often reveal aspects of oneself that are not consciously recognised.

12. Fantasies and Daydreams: Imaginative scenarios and daydreams can provide insight into unconscious desires, fears, or unresolved conflicts.

13. Memory and Forgetting: Selective memory and forgetfulness can be influenced by unconscious motives, protecting us from painful memories or reinforcing certain beliefs.
    

Egyptian scarab beetle holding the sun.

Ways you can understand and work with your unconscious

Working with and integrating aspects of your unconscious can be done in many ways and most people know it as ‘shadow work’. However shadow work is just an aspect of it and something I will go into great detail on in future blogs. Here I just wanted so start with the foundations of the general understanding of the unconscious at large.

1. Dream Analysis

• Keep a dream journal to record and reflect on your dreams.

• Look for recurring themes, symbols, and emotions in your dreams.

• Use dream dictionaries or work with a psychotherapist to interpret the meanings of your dreams.
  
  2. Active Imagination

• This should be done with caution with a psychotherapist and not done solo.

• Engaging or dialoguing with images or characters that appear from your unconscious.

• By interacting with these figures you explore their messages.

• Or by allowing spontaneous images to emerge and expressing them creatively like through art work.
  
  3.  Art and Creative Expression:

• Engage in drawing, painting, sculpting, or other forms of art to express your unconscious material.

• Use creative writing, such as writing with your non-dominant hand, morning pages, or poetry, to tap into your unconscious thoughts.

• Dance or move intuitively to express and release your unconscious energy.
  

• Meditation & Mindfulness:

• Practice regular meditation to quiet your conscious mind and access your unconscious.

• Use mindfulness techniques to become aware of any unconscious thoughts and feelings you may have.

• Explore guided meditations designed to connect with deeper aspects of the Self.
  

• Journalling:

• Keep a personal journal to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

• Use prompts to delve into unconscious beliefs and desires.

• Write letters to parts of yourself or to your unconscious mind.
  

• Psychotherapy:

• Work with a trained psychotherapist to explore your unconscious mind and allow it be witnessed.

• Engage in active imagination safely.

• Engage in techniques such as free association to allow any hidden thoughts/emotions/feelings to emerge without judgement.

• Explore your family dynamics and personal history to understand unconscious influences.
  

• Symbols & Archetypes:

• Study symbols and archetypes to understand their meanings and influence.

• Reflect on which archetypes resonate with your personal experiences.

• Use tarot cards, mythology, or other symbolic systems to access your unconscious feelings about certain things.
  

• Hypnosis:

• Consider hypnosis or self-hypnosis to reach deeper levels of your unconscious mind.

• Work with a trained hypnotherapist for guided exploration.

• Use recorded hypnosis sessions designed for unconscious exploration.
  

• Body Work & Somatic Practices:

• Engage in practices like yoga, tai chi, qigong, authentic movement, embodiment, to connect with your unconscious through the body.

• Explore body-focused therapies such as somatic experiencing or bioenergetics.

• Pay attention to any physical sensations and emotions during bodywork.
  

• Rituals & Ceremonies:

• Create personal rituals to honor and connect with your unconscious, such as creating an altar, playing singing bowls,.

• Use ceremonies, such as those involving nature or sacred objects, to access your unconscious, such as making a sigil.

• Engage in cultural or spiritual rituals that resonate with you.
  

• Nature & Solitude:

• Spend time in nature to quiet the mind and listen to your inner wisdom.

• Spend times under the moonlight, a symbol of the unconscious.

• Synchronicity:

• Pay attention to meaningful coincidences and their potential messages for you.

• Reflect on how synchronicities relate to your current life situation, what is the personal association, what is the archetypal symbolic meaning, how does it make you feel emotionally?

• Keep a journal of any synchronicities to identify the patterns and insights.
  

• Breathwork:

• Practice techniques like holotropic breathwork to access altered states of consciousness (under guidance)

• Use deep breathing exercises to calm your conscious mind.

• Explore breath-focused meditations.

A part of you rising up from the depts of the unconscious ;)  
(Venus rising from the sea, artist unknown in Ancient Rome).

To conclude

Understanding and working with the unconscious mind is a life changing journey that can lead you to greater emotional healing, self- awareness and integration. The unconscious communicates with us in many subtle and symbolic ways, from dreams to physical symptoms, and by paying attention to these signals, we can discover the hidden aspects of ourselves. Integrating this knowledge through practices like dream analysis, creative expression, and mindfulness allows us to connect more deeply with our inner selves and live more authentically. As you continue exploring these methods, remember that the unconscious is not just a mysterious force within us but a rich source of wisdom and creativity waiting to be discovered.

artist unknown.

Questions to reflect on.

1. Have you noticed any recurring symbols or themes in your dreams or daily life? What might they be trying to tell you?

2. When was the last time you experienced a strong emotional reaction? Could it be connected to an unconscious thought or memory?

3. Do you find yourself repeating certain patterns in relationships or life choices? What unconscious beliefs might be driving these behaviors?

4. How do you typically respond to "gut feelings"? Can you recall a time when following your intuition led you to a significant insight or decision?

5. What aspects of yourself do you find difficult to accept or acknowledge? How might exploring these "shadow" parts lead to greater self-understanding?

6. Have you experienced any meaningful coincidences or synchronicities lately? What insights might they be offering about your current life situation?

7. How do you express your creativity? Have you ever felt that your creative work was influenced by something beyond your conscious mind?

Thanks for reading :)

And If you’d like to work with me please shoot me a message by clicking here

Sarah Jane is a psychodynamic psychotherapist based in Ireland but currently working primarily online. She is passionate about the power of the unconscious and working with clients to help integrate it, in hopes that they can then lead a more fulfilling and authentic life.