JUNG ON ACTIVE IMAGINATION, April Barrett

Book Exploration Course
Part 2

Book: Jung on Active Imagination, Edited and Introduction by Joan Chodorow

From the backmatter: The roots of all of the creative-art psychotherapies (art, dance, music, drama, poetry) can be traced to C.G. Jung's early work on active imagination.  Herein, Joan Chodorow offers a collection of Jung's writings on active imagination.  Jung developed this concept between 1913 and 1916, following his break with Freud.  During this time, he experienced intense inner turmoil, suffering from lethargy and fear; his moods threatened to overwhelm him.   He searched for a method to heal himself and decided to engage with the impulses and images of his unconscious.   It was through the rediscovery of the symbolic play of his childhood that Jung was able to reconnect with his creative spirit. In a 1925 seminar and again in his memoirs, he tells the remarkable story of his experiments during this time that led to his self-healing.  Jung learned to develop an ongoing relationship with his lively creative spirit through the power of imagination and fantasies.  He termed this therapeutic method "Active Imagination." 
                                                                                           
This method, based on the natural healing function of the imagination and its many expressions, Joan Chodorow clearly presents in texts set in the proper context. Her discussion of Jung's writings and ideas is interwoven with contributions from other Jungian authors and artists.

April Barrett is in service to the dissemination of Jung's thought through her participation and training with the Creative Initiative Foundation, the Guild for Psychological Studies, and the Jung Society of Washington, for which she is program co-director and secretary/treasurer of the board