Dyane Sherwood
Analyst Member, IAAP and Teaching Member, ISST
Editor and Publisher
Who today foregrounds the facilitation of an individual's engagement with their own images, as opposed to utilising largely transference-based or inter-subjective models?
Sonu Shamdasani (2015) "Jung's practice of the image," J. of Sandplay Therapy 24
Jung and the other early analysts encouraged their patients to practice active imagination, and many painted their visions and dreams. Jung had an easel in his study!
Yet with the Jungian diaspora, Jungians were influenced by the dominant culture of psychoanalysis, which has privileged a focus on transference and verbal interpretation. This approach began to overshadow Jung's essential contribution to method, including creative expression.
The publication of Jung's Red Book has reminded us of the power of visions, dreams, and creative expression. Coupled with contemporary neuroscience, which strongly supports Jung's view of the unconscious and his method of active imagination, we are called upon to change what is taught in Analytical Training Programs.
The body unconscious, the repository of unprocessed affects, naturally expresses itself through image and movement, not through words. Jungian analysis includes the expression of dreams and images from the imagination using paints, sandplay, plastic materials, and authentic movement. Then come words.
Our books specialize in works that include images, many in color, as well as words. They are more expensive to prepare and produce, and commercial publishers are either reluctant to publish them or must charge very high prices. Analytical Psychology Press, and its sister, Dancing Raven Press, are making a small contribution to filling the gap.
Please take a moment to consider our books, which I hope you will want to keep and visit again and again.