Historically, the use of imagination has primarily been the domain of artists and creative individuals. More recently, however, psychotherapists have begun to recognise the value of imagery and imagination as a therapeutic tool, leading to the development of various approaches. This paper specifically addresses the dangers of active imagination, as conceptualised by C G Jung.
The primary danger in using this process is the potential for being overwhelmed by the unconscious. Let’s examine different categories of individuals who engage in active imagination:
- Spontaneous Users: Some individuals discover active imagination spontaneously and have used it for years without encountering any dangers.
- Drug-Induced Users: Other individuals may discover it spontaneously, often through the use of recreational drugs. These individuals are at a higher risk of being overwhelmed. They require assessment by a psychotherapist familiar with active imagination, and periodic evaluations are essential. They should also diligently follow any advice given.
- Therapeutic Users: Individuals seeking psychological help may engage with active imagination as a psychotherapeutic tool. The process might come naturally, or they may need to learn it, typically through the guidance of a psychotherapist.
- Self-Development Users: Others may use active imagination for self-development and personal exploration. The same cautions outlined above apply to these individuals.
Jung commented on individuals who had difficulties in making contact with inner images. Here is what he said:
Visual types should concentrate on the expectation that an inner image will be produced. As a rule, such a fantasy- picture will actually appear—perhaps hypnagogically— and should be carefully observed and noted down in writing. Audio-verbal types usually hear inner words, perhaps mere fragments of apparently meaningless sentences to begin with, which, however, should be carefully noted down too. Others at such times simply hear their “other” voice. There are indeed many people who are well aware that they possess a sort of inner critic or judge that immediately comments on everything they say or do. Insane people hear this voice directly as auditory hallucinations. But normal people, too, if their inner life is fairly well-developed, are able to reproduce this inaudible voice without difficulty. Though it is notoriously irritating and refractory, it is almost always repressed. Such persons have little difficulty in procuring the unconscious material and thus laying the foundation of the transcendent function.
There are others, again, who neither see nor hear anything inside themselves, but whose hands have the knack of giving expression to the contents of the unconscious. Such people can profitably work with plastic materials. Those who can express the unconscious by means of bodily movements are rather rare. The disadvantage that movements cannot easily be fixed in the mind must be met by making careful drawings of the movements afterwards, so that they shall not be lost to the memory. Still rarer, but equally valuable, is automatic writing, direct or with the planchette. This, too, yields useful results. CW 8, paras 270-271
Being Overwhelmed by the Unconscious
Contact with the unconscious can release powerful affects, images, and impulses onto the conscious ego. This experience can sometimes be intimidating or threatening, potentially leading to emotional overwhelm. Such situations are dangerous, as the individual may lose full or partial control over their actions. Therefore, a mature and developed ego is best suited for this process. Individuals with any form of psychological problems should always seek advice from a psychotherapist beforehand, as mentioned above.
Likewise, psychotherapists must remain vigilant when working with these individuals. They need to evaluate:
- Whether the individual understands and uses the process correctly
- Whether the individual possesses adequate psychological boundaries
A further checklist can be found here