Boss Jungian of Planet Earth, Stephen Aizenstat, talks about authentic creativity and purpose in the imaginal. He discusses the perils and promise of AI and the power of imagination in finding fulfillment. The podcast also explores the decline of curiosity and intimate relationships, the evolution of dream tending, and the role of imagination in business and education.
Engaging with the imaginal unlocks a deep and authentic imagination, leading to new experiences and connections.
Rediscovering curiosity is essential for personal growth and self-discovery.
Working with imaginal figures in the deep imagination can lead to profound inspiration and personal fulfillment.
Deep dives
Accessing the Imaginal: Engaging with the Autonomous Imagination
Engaging with the imaginal involves accessing the deep imagination that is indigenous to our soul. This imagination is different from the constructed imagination found in rational thinking or media. By following curiosity and exploring the imagination from the inside out, we can access a different kind of imagination that brings forth new experiences and opportunities. This different imagination allows us to engage with ourselves and others in a more authentic and connected way. It can lead us to discover our true passions and callings, bringing inspiration and a sense of belonging.
Cultivating Curiosity: A Path to Rediscovering Our Innate Curiosity
Curiosity is an innate quality we possess as children, but often lose as we become socialized and conform to societal expectations. Rediscovering curiosity is a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation. By taking the time to observe and explore the world around us with a childlike curiosity, we can uncover hidden interests and passions. Embracing curiosity can lead to unexpected discoveries and help us reconnect with our authentic selves. It is a simple yet effective approach to rekindling our enthusiasm and avoiding the stagnation that comes from losing our curiosity.
The Power of Imaginal Figures: Opening Up New Possibilities
Working with imaginal figures in the deep imagination can have a profound impact on our lives and the way we engage with the world. By engaging with these figures and allowing them to guide us in our journeys, we can tap into new sources of inspiration and creativity. Imaginal figure work is about developing a relationship with these figures, listening to their stories, and opening ourselves up to their wisdom. This practice helps us reconnect with our true passions and callings, leading to personal fulfillment and a sense of belonging. By engaging in the imaginal, we can access new narratives and possibilities for ourselves and for the world.
The Power of Dream Work and Imagination
Dream work involves exploring the images and stories in dreams for mythological or archetypal references, amplifying the collective human experience, and deepening the relationship with the animated figures in dreams. Each dream offers a portal to unknown realms and additional levels of psyche and consciousness. Opening these portals can lead to transformative journeys, allowing imaginal intelligence to emerge. Research suggests that engaging in imaginal journeys in a state of deep imagination, or theta consciousness, enhances creativity, innovation, and overall well-being.
The Significance of Innate Genius and the Role of Imagination
Everyone possesses their own innate genius, which can be defined as the authenticity of one's calling. Engaging in deep psyche exploration and authentic imagination reveals hints of innate genius, sparking opportunity and possibility. Accessing innate genius through imagination reconnects us to our humanity and allows us to bring our unique gifts into the world. Incorporating imagination and embodied interactions with technology can counterbalance the numbing effects of artificial intelligence and enhance genuine human connection.
Host Michael Taft talks with “Boss Jungian of Planet Earth” Stephen Aizenstat about diving into the depths of our authentic creativity, finding purpose in the imaginal, engaging "an imagination that opens from the inside out," the perils and promise of AI with regards to the human imagination, and asks the question: is working with the imagination simply a narcissistic bourgeois indulgence in this time of unprecedented worldwide existential peril, or might the imaginal actually be a source of our salvation?
Stephen Aizenstat, Ph.D., is the founder of Pacifica Graduate Institute, and the Academy of Imaginal Arts and Sciences. He is a world renowned Professor of Depth Psychology, an imagination specialist and has collaborated with many notable masters in the field of depth psychology including Joseph Campbell, James Hillman, Marion Woodman, and Robert Johnson.