Creativity, The Collective Unconscious and Carl Jung with Andy J. Pizza | Mind Meld 362
Sep 21, 2023
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Guest Andy J. Pizza, author of Invisible Things and student of Carl Jung, discusses the link between the collective unconscious and creativity, the role of active imagination in illustration, the search for meaning in the modern world, and Ancient Greek musings on spirituality.
Illustrations can bring depth and meaning to a story by selecting the right symbols to convey ideas and evoke emotions.
Storytelling allows us to connect with truths that we already know, tapping into something deep within us.
Finding a balance between personal expression and commercial viability is crucial in navigating the tension between personal and professional creativity.
Deep dives
The Power of Symbol and Archetype in Illustration and Storytelling
The speaker discusses the importance of symbol and archetype in illustration and storytelling. They highlight how illustrations can bring depth and meaning to a story by selecting the right symbols to convey ideas and evoke emotions. They give examples of how specific illustrations can illustrate profound truths and make the audience feel a certain way. The speaker also explores the tension between personal creativity and professional work, emphasizing the need to separate the two and find a balance between them.
The Connection Between Storytelling and Innate Knowledge
The podcast delves into the idea that storytelling is like anamnesis, a rediscovery of innate knowledge. They discuss how stories tap into something deep within us, allowing us to connect with truths that we already know. They explore the power of myths and how they have been repeated throughout history as a way to share and remember important principles and ideas. The podcast also ponders why humans are compelled to create stories and express their creativity, even without a clear explanation for the drive behind it.
The Integration of Personal and Professional Creativity
The speaker reflects on the distinction between personal and professional creativity. They discuss how personal creativity often comes from a deep, unconscious place and is driven by a desire to express oneself authentically. In contrast, professional creativity requires finding practical applications and making choices to appeal to a specific audience or market. The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between the two and navigating the tension between personal expression and commercial viability.
The Practice of Active Imagination in Creative Work
The podcast touches on the concept of active imagination as a creative practice. It refers to the process of creating characters and exploring different aspects of oneself through art. The speaker shares their personal experience of engaging in active imagination by creating a new character every weekday for a year. They discuss how this process allowed them to tap into hidden aspects of their own psyche and explore the archetypal realm. The speaker also reflects on the connection between their creative practice and the work of Carl Jung.
Tapping into the imagination as a way to uncover hidden truths
The podcast episode discusses the idea that tapping into the imagination is a method for revealing hidden aspects of reality. The speaker suggests that by using the imagination, individuals can access hidden truths that are not easily perceivable. They explore how the imagination allows for freestyling and riffing with the subconscious, ultimately leading to the discovery of hidden elements. This process of tapping into the imagination can be particularly significant for artists, as it enables them to faithfully capture elements of these hidden truths in their creative works, resonating with others who also recognize and understand these hidden aspects.
The sacredness of creative practice and the importance of finishing projects
The podcast episode highlights the sacredness of creative practice and the importance of completing projects. The speaker shares their own creative routines, such as creating a podcast episode and an accompanying illustration each week. They view this process as a ritual that allows them to explore surprising truths and create symbolic representations. The act of bringing ideas into physical form and completing creative projects not only helps to deepen their understanding but also serves as a way to connect with the unseen, the hidden, and the imaginative realms. They emphasize the significance of committing to creative habits and finishing projects to fully unlock the potential of creative expression.
Andy is the best-selling author of Invisible Things, an illustrator, and student of Carl Jung. In this one, we riff on the relationship between the collective unconscious and creativity, active imagination and illustration, the labyrinth that is modern spiritual meaning-making, Ancient Greek platonic and hermetic musings, and oodles more.
