LECTURE 9 Nov 6, 2013
"My Art Told Me So" - Knowing Self: Active Imagination, Meditation and Contemplation
Main Points:
- Engaging in the arts promote knowing one’s self by increasing self-awareness (sensations), self-expression (emotions) and self-reflection (cognitions)
- Arts-making can parallel the meditative process or what psychiatrist Carl Jung referred to as “active imagination,” which emphasizes creating arts as a means to achieving wholeness
- Art therapist Pat Allen offers a three step process for creating arts for knowing that includes: 1) stating an intention, 2) art-making and 3) witness or reflective writing
Video Links:
-
In this CNN report, we learn about how Dr. Carl Jung used mandala painting (art made in reference to a circle) as part of his process of active imagination.A
Available at: http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/living/2012/02/19/pkg-sacred-circles.cnn.html
2. A dancer demonstrates how movement can further imagination and expression, even without an audience. There are parallels with the Butoh principle of dance, which emphasizes pure expression.
3. Actors and audience describe how Playback Theatre allows them to know themselves more deeply by seeing their story performed and re-interpreted.
Photos:
Further Information:
Chodorow, J. (1997). Jung on active imagination. Princeton, NY: Princeton University Press.
The Virtual Studio of Pat B. Allen: http://www.patballen.com/index.html