Active imagination is more than just a therapeutic technique pioneered by the late Carl Jung, but a powerful way to directly engage with the most mysterious part of the human psyche, the unconscious mind. This method involves consciously interacting with the images, symbols, and figures that arise from your unconscious, with the aim to integrate them into your conscious mind (Jung, 2009). While people have used similar practices since ancient times to connect with the divine and seek meaning (Hannah, 1981), it was Jung who brought this approach into the realm of psychiatry in the early 1900s, offering it as a direct means of communication with the unconscious for psychological wholeness and wellbeing (Jung, 1957). Active imagination can occur when you sit with a tension or a feeling long enough to allow the psyche to inherently produce an image in your minds eye, it is a part of your unconscious and when your conscious mind engages with it, this, is active imagination.

The importance of Active Imagination in Jungian Psychology

Jung discovered that dream analysis alone often fell short in helping individuals integrate their unconscious material into conscious awareness as there is no direct communication between the ego and the dream. This realisation led him to develop active imagination as a complementary method, allowing for a more direct dialogue between the conscious ego and the unconscious (Hannah, 1981). Unlike traditional psychoanalytic techniques like dream analysis or fantasy exploration, which acknowledge the unconscious but do not involve active engagement from the conscious ego, active imagination therapy requires the individual to consciously interact with the symbolic content of their psyche (Jung & Chodorow, 1997).

Through guided sessions, often facilitated by a psychotherapist, clients use active imagination to enter into a dialogue with their inner figures, symbols, and archetypes and actively communicate with the deeper, symbolic realms of their psyche (Jung & Chodorow, 1997). This conscious engagement is key to achieving what Jung termed the transcendent function. The transcendent function is a process where the ego integrates unconscious contents, leading to a new third insight (Jung, 1957). By bringing aspects of the unconscious into consciousness, you can prevent these hidden parts, like say complexes (eg. negative father complex), from influencing your actions in ways that you might not truly desire.

Make it stand out

*"Wholeness is not achieved by cutting off a portion of one's being, but by integration of the contraries" -* (Jung, 1933

Why Active Imagination is important for modern psychotherapy

In contemporary psychotherapy, there is often a strong emphasis on positivist and reductionist research, which has contributed to a growing disconnect between Jungian psychology and modern psychological practices (Hunt, 2012). This trend reflects a broader tendency within the field to prioritise rationality and conscious processes over exploring the symbolic and imaginative realms of the unconscious (Jeffrey, 2019). As a result, engaging in a dialogue with inner figures or expressions like "having an active imagination" is often stigmatised or dismissed as unscientific or “woo woo” (Jordan, 2015).

Active imagination offers a path to reintegrate these neglected aspects of ourselves. By looking at the symbolic imagery, fantasies, and creative expressions, individuals can access deeper layers of the psyche and bridge the gap between rationality and the symbolic realms of the unconscious. This method holds promise as a therapeutic modality that not only addresses psychological issues but also culticates holistic well-being, blending the scientific with the symbolic (Jeffrey, 2019).

The Active Imagination Process

Active imagination is typically done with a psychotherapist incase content from your unconscious is overwhelming and difficult for you to process on your own.However if it something you feel comfortable trying, or are curious as to how it can be done in a session then these are some suggested guidelines.

Step 1: Setting the Stage for Active Imagination

Begins with creating a quiet, comfortable environment where you can focus without interruptions. It’s important to approach the process with an open mind, setting a clear intention. Whether it’s to explore a specific inner conflict or simply to see what emerges. Robert Johnson, in his book Inner Work, emphasises the importance of a receptive mindset, which allows the unconscious to communicate freely (Johnson, 1986).

There are several ways to engage in active imagination, each offering a unique approach to accessing the unconscious:

Calling an Image Forward: Focus on a current emotion or conflict. Allow for an image to emerge that represents this issue. Engage with the image, ask it questions, explore its characteristics, and allow it to respond. Sometimes the image doesn’t speak, as it might be pre-verbal. It might communicate visually, as a sensation, a feeling, an emotions, colour, shape, smell, sound, etc.
Reentering a Dream: If you’ve had a vivid or troubling dream, active imagination allows you to revisit it consciously. Visualise yourself back in the dream and allow the narrative to continue. Explore the symbols and figures that appear. Barbara Hannah notes that reentering dreams this way can deepen your understanding of dream imagery and uncover additional layers of meaning (Hannah, 1981).
Creative Expression in Active Imagination: Using creative mediums like drawing, painting, or writing can also serve as active imagination. Let your unconscious express itself through art without overthinking or planning. Jung often used painting in his own active imagination sessions, creating detailed mandalas and symbolic images that reflected his inner journey as seen in the Red Book (Jung, 2009).
Movement and Dance as Active Imagination: Joan Chodorow emphasises using movement in active imagination by allowing you to embody and explore inner parts through dance or other forms of movement. This physical manifestation can deepen the connection to the unconscious (Chodorow, 1997).
Dialogue with Archetypal Figures: Engage in a conversation with any figures or voices that emerge. Whether it's a wise old figure, a childlike part of yourself, or a darker, shadowy aspect representing repressed emotions, these dialogues can offer profound insights and help resolve internal conflicts (Jung & Chodorow, 1997).

Step 3: Engaging with the Imagery in Active Imagination

This isn’t a passive observation, it’s an active engagement with the unconscious. Explore what you see, ask questions, and interact with any figures that appear. This engagement helps bring unconscious content into consciousness, facilitating the transcendent function where new insights and solutions can emerge (Johnson, 1986).

Step 4: Integration of Insights from Active Imagination

Integration is a critical part of the process. After engaging with the unconscious, take time to reflect on your discoveries and think about how they apply to your everyday life. Jung stressed that without integration, the benefits of active imagination could be lost, or worse, lead to confusion or overwhelm (Jung, 1957). Journaling, discussing with a psychotherapist, or finding practical ways to apply these insights can help make the process meaningful and impactful.

An Example: Resolving Inner Conflict through Active Imagination

Here’s an example of how active imagination can be utilised in psychotherapy. Mary, a 35-year-old marketing executive, came to therapy feeling anxious and stuck in her life. Despite professional success she struggled with self-doubt and indecision, always caught between a desire for security and a yearning for creative expression.

Mary’s anxiety stemmed from a conflict between her responsible, pragmatic self who was focused on maintaining stability and her creative, adventurous side that felt suppressed. This inner struggle left her feeling unfulfilled and unable to move forward in her personal and professional life. To help Mary explore this conflict, I guided her into a meditative state and asked her to visualise a stage, placing herself as the director. From this position, Mary was able to call onto the stage the part of her that felt overwhelmed by responsibility. What, or who, appeared for her was, "The Executive". A stern and suited figure surrounded by schedules and deadlines. Next, she invited the part that felt suppressed, and who appeared, was "The Artist". A whimsical, barefoot woman in a sunlit garden, surrounded by art supplies. The Executive emphasised duty and control, while The Artist spoke of freedom and the desire for creative expression.

From the director's seat, Mary facilitated a dialogue between The Executive and The Artist. The Executive voiced fears of losing control and failing expectations, while The Artist expressed a need for authenticity and the fear of a life without self-expression and creativity. Through this process, Mary realised that both parts had valuable contributions and didn’t need to be in conflict.

Mary’s role as the director allowed her to visualise a harmonious relationship between The Executive and The Artist, recognising that she could draw upon both aspects as needed. This integration represented the transcendent function, transforming her inner conflict into a balanced, adaptable approach where she could honour both her responsibilities and creative desires. After these sessions, Mary felt more decisive and less anxious. She began to integrate creativity into her work and set aside time for artistic pursuits, leading to a greater sense of fulfilment and control in her life.

(More in-depth examples coming in future blogs)

Who benefits from Active Imagination Therapy?

Clients who are naturally more creative, intuitive and symbolic are more drawn to this work, however active imagination is beneficial to all personality types whether they are more logical or factual, they just need to keep an open mind and try to suspend judgement of the process.

Everyone benefits from active imagination as it is not only good for personal psychological development but also for the development of consciousness collectively and its evolution.

However, depending where a client is at on their journey, it might not be suitable for everyone, or at least at a certain stage of their development. Psychotherapists should caution against using active imagination with clients who are prone to panic attacks, severe dissociation, or those with certain personality disorders or schizophrenia as the unconscious is already overwhelming. Therefore, it's generally advised that active imagination is best used with clients who have a solid therapeutic foundation, a strong healthy ego and are capable of handling the deep introspective work it entails. Active imagination should not be done with children either, as mentioned before, a strong ego is needed for this type of work so it’s typically done later in life or after one has already worked on themselves.

It is strongly advised that active imagination is done with a trained psychotherapist or psychoanalyst.

Challenges and misconceptions about Active Imagination

While active imagination is transformative, it’s not without challenges. Critics argue that it lacks empirical support compared to more structured methods like CBT, often labelling it as unscientific or subjective. However, research increasingly supports the therapeutic value of engaging the unconscious through imagination, showing links between symbolic processes and psychological resilience (Hunt, 2012).

There’s also a common misconception that working with inner figures might be “unrealistic” or akin to escapism. In truth, active imagination is about confronting inner truths and reconciling conflicting aspects of the self. It’s not about avoidance; it’s about integration and finding wholeness by embracing all parts of one’s being.

Why Isn’t Active Imagination more widely used in Psychotherapy?

Despite its potential, active imagination remains underutilised in mainstream psychotherapy. There’s a societal preference for rational, conscious modes of functioning, which often leaves little room for approaches that involve the unconscious and symbolic work. Institutional barriers also play a significant role. Therapists working within structured health services, such as the NHS or HSE, reported that tools for working with the unconscious are rarely encouraged or even permitted due to a focus on quick, cost-effective, and scientifically validated methods. This can make it challenging for therapists who wish to use more exploratory techniques like active imagination, as they may feel pressured to conform to the dominant therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. (This information was gathered from various therapists in the UK and Ireland when I wrote my college thesis on active imagination.)

The Significance of Active Imagination in Cultural and Societal Contexts

Despite these barriers, the therapists I interviewed emphasised the profound importance of active imagination in both individual and societal contexts. They all argued for a paradigm shift that would allow for a broader acceptance of symbolic and imaginative work in therapy. One participant highlighted the imbalance in our current mental health system, advocating for a return to approaches that honour the non-rational and intuitive aspects of the psyche.

Active imagination not only has the potential to transform individual lives but also to address broader cultural imbalances by reconnecting us with the inner, symbolic aspects of our existence. It encourages a deeper engagement with the self and the world, moving beyond the limitations of purely rational, materialistic perspectives.

Conclusion

Active imagination is more than a technique, it’s a journey into the depths of the psyche and soul. Whether you’re facing personal conflicts, seeking deeper self-awareness, or simply curious about your inner world, active imagination offers a powerful tool for transformation. In a world that often values the rational over the symbolic, the conscious over the unconscious, the left brain over the right, it serves as a vital reminder of the importance of integrating all aspects of our being. By engaging in active imagination, you can begin to make the unconscious conscious and live a more balanced, authentic and meaningful life.

If you’re interested in exploring this technique further, feel free to reach out to schedule a session or send me a question via email.

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.

References

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Berrol, C. (2018). The Role of Active Imagination in Dance/Movement Therapy.
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Hunt, H. (2012). Implications of Metaphoric Imagination in Jungian Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience.
Jeffrey, R. (2019). Bridging Rationality and the Symbolic in Jungian Psychology.
Johnson, R. (1986). Inner Work: Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth. HarperOne.
Jordan, M. (2015). The Cultural Stigma of Imagination in Modern Psychotherapy.
Jung, C.G. (1921). Psychological Types. Princeton University Press.
Jung, C.G. (1933). Modern Man in Search of a Soul. Harvest Books.
Jung, C.G. (1957). The Transcendent Function. In Collected Works Vol. 8.
Jung, C.G. (2009). The Red Book (Liber Novus). W.W. Norton & Company.
Jung, C.G., & Chodorow, J. (1997). Jung on Active Imagination. Princeton University Press.
Swan, J. (2008). Jung’s Historical Use of Active Imagination for Depression.
Zdravković, et al. (2019). Language, Imagery, and Unconscious Processes in Active Imagination.

What is Active Imagination?