Jung on Active Imagination - Softcover

Jung, C.G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415138434 ISBN 13: 9780415138437

Publisher: Routledge, 1997

Synopsis

Jung's discovery of active imagination is one of the most important milestones in his personal and professional life. Prompted by the trauma of his break up with Freud, he developed a method of self healing which later formed the basis of his analytic practice and is now regarded as the origin of non-directive psychotherapy and creative arts therapies.
Jungian analyst, Joan Chodorow brings together a key selection of Jung's writings. In her introduction to this selection of his writings Joan Chodorow explains clearly Jung's method of focusing the conscious mind on unconscious processes as a means of achieving self-knowledge and individuation.

About this title

From the Publisher:

All the creative art psychotherapies (art, dance, music, drama, poetry) can trace their roots to C. G. Jung's early work on active imagination. Joan Chodorow here offers a collection of Jung's writings on the active imagination, gathered together for the first time. Jung developed this concept between the years 1913 and 1916, following his break with Freud. During this time, he was disoriented and experienced intense inner turmoil he suffered from lethargy and fears, and his moods threatened to overwhelm him. Jung searched for a method to heal himself from within, and finally 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 selfhealing. 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 is based on the natural healing function of the imagination, and its many expressions. Chodorow clearly presents the texts, and sets them in the proper context. She also interweaves her discussion of Jung's writings and ideas with contributions from Jungian authors and artists.

About the Author:

Joan Chodorow is an analyst member of the C. G. Jung Institute of San Francisco, an analyst in private practice and a registered dance therapist.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0415138434
• ISBN 13: 9780415138437
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208