In Part 1 I talked of the ultimate state of the individuation process, the state of the “unus mundus”, becoming one with the collective unconscious, but not in pathological ways as in certain psychoses where the individuation process has gone astray and everything has been given a wrong twist. When this occurs positively it brings about a union of consciousness with the collective unconscious instead of an explosion of consciousness. That means an enlargement of consciousness together with a decrease of the ego. When this happens, the ego retires in favor of the collective unconscious and its center, the SELF. To reach that point where outer and inner reality become one is the goal of individuation. Through it one also reaches what Jung calls the “absolute knowledge” in the unconscious. Remember the old adage: “Know thy SELF and you will know God and the universe”
In his later years Jung often did not let people talk to him about their problems, but by letting flow what came to his mind he frequently unintentionally told people exactly what they needed. Before one is integrated and individuated, one’s own complexes tend to come through.
But if one has really worked to solve one’s own problems and the complexes are integrated, owned, then one can connect with the collective unconscious and its wisdom flow through one.
At the endpoint of development, the end stage of the individuation process the Zen masters are in such a state of harmony with the collective unconscious that they communicate with one another subliminally; they are connected in the “unus mundus”
But this is the end state we might point at. And this might take many lifetimes to achieve.
Let’s start with the 4 rules of active imagination which we should keep in mind while practicing the technique.
The unconscious has 3 levels you might wish to know:
- the personal unconscious
- the familiar or national unconscious
- the collective unconscious with the structure elements of the archetypes and the center, the Self, the inner God image of man.
Preparatory steps:
Before you explore the inner realms, create a “Patronos magic” as explained in the Harry Potter books. It will protect, defend and make you aware of the danger of becoming overwhelmed by negative forces and powers residing in the shadow world.
Having found your own “Patronos magic” word or image, you set yourself an alarm clock for about 20 minutes. As this is active, concentrative meditation, you can’t keep it up longer. And we do not want to start enjoying phantasies or fall asleep, but stay alert and awake.
Next you use a relaxation method you are familiar with, breath deeply in and out and feel that you are ready to enter the meditative state.
See before your inner mind a steep staircase leading down. Now step down carefully and consciously on the staircase. Having arrived at the end, there might be a street to cross, until you arrive before an old heavy door. See the image vividly and feel the wood and touch the door knob or the handle; open the door slowly, then cross the threshold consciously. Now you are entering the inner world and accept the first image that appears before your inner eyes. Be aware of the calm, observe and feel, smell and listen with all your inner senses to whatever you experience.
The four rules to always keep in mind:
- the ego complex always stays intact
- the first image, picture that arrives is the one you will follow
- when familiar persons, family members, show up, dismiss them, they do not belong to the unconscious
- do not jump from one image to the other but see how the first image changes and develops
You want to achieve a dialogue between the coensciousness and the unconscious, an “approchement”, a coming closer between the two.
After the 20 minutes are over, you might slowly come back, give thanks for the experience and take notes of the interlude.
It is recommeded to do the practice of active imagination 3 times a week. Either each time you explore new landscapes, or different inner scenery will appear, but you might also wish to tie in an anterior encounter or continue a conversation with a counselor you met before. But this should happen to you, don’t force it. Stay open and alert and remember when a situation turns awkward to use your “patronos magic”. It might take a while until you reach the deepest level, the collective unconscious. Have patience.
After a while you might notice that the practice of active imagination also has an effect on your nightly dreams. They become more colorful, more imaginative and you remember them better.
Another benefit of the regular practice of active imagination is that you are more creative.
Good luck with your inner transformational work.