Exploring Your Inner World: How Active Imagination Can Transform Your Healing Journey
Exploring Your Inner Landscape: Finding Meaning Within
We as humans are natural storytellers. We are constantly interpreting the world around us, making meaning and integrating those stories into our psyche, and body. We are constantly sourcing the world around us for inspiration and connection. And while our outer world has so much to offer, there is a space that has the potential to take us further and deeper into ourselves— our truth. That is our inner world.
There are a plethora of reasons why we might ignore our inner world. Without tending, our unconscious can feel overwhelming, or difficult to face. Our external world becomes a distraction—a way to avoid discomfort. But by ignoring our inner world we not only create imbalance within our system, we miss out on the incredible well of potential contained within ourselves; vital life force, rich symbolism, and deep wisdom. By creating space to explore and integrate this inner landscape, we unlock the potential for growth, clarity, healing, and transformation.
As they say, “the more you know.” Right? The more you know about what’s happening in you the more empowered you are to choose. To choose who you are and how you want to show up in the world. To choose the stories you hold, the actions you take, and the meaning you make. When you engage with your inner world, you begin to reclaim parts of yourself that have long been ignored. Sometimes the simple act of turning toward yourself and creating space to listen can be enough for massive shifts to happen in your life.
An approachable and valuable way to start engaging with your inner world is through Active Imagination with your inner landscape. While the inner territory is more of a concept, the inner landscape is an actual place within your mind—a symbolic location you can explore, interact with, and navigate, much like a physical landscape. Instead of diving straight into the deep end of your unconscious, which can feel overwhelming, exploring your inner landscape allows you to gradually build a relationship with your mind and body, supporting you in creating a dialogue with your inner world. It invites you to explore thoughts and emotions in a symbolic way which can be a more gentle way to start.
What is our inner territory?
So, what is our inner territory (a term I was first introduced to by Stephanie Greene Our inner territory, or inner world, refers to the expansive, and multifaceted world within ourselves. This includes our emotions, memories, thoughts, inner wisdom and subconscious imagery and patterns. It’s the unseen realm where our personal histories, desires, fears, and beliefs reside. Those which often influence the way we show up in, and our perceptions of, the world. By exploring our internal world we are empowered to uncover, reclaim and integrate insights about ourselves that may have been buried, rejected, or ignored, ultimately empowering us to show up as a more embodied version of ourselves.
The Power of Active Imagination
Active imagination is rooted in the work of psychologist Carl Jung. Through visualizations (often guided) we are able to engage directly with our unconscious mind through symbolic imagery or sensations. This active engagement turns reflection into a creative process, helping us to engage with, explore, understand and transform what is unconscious in us. Through active imagination, you are empowered to bring your unconscious into balance with your conscious mind, which is crucial for integrating hidden emotions, desires, and patterns that shape your daily behavior and somatic experiences.
Active imagination is a gateway to the deeper parts of you, parts that are typically inaccessible through everyday thought. By giving form to your unconscious thoughts and feelings—whether through mental imagery, writing, drawing, or movement—you are able to explore and interact with the symbols that arise.
Unlike passive reflection, active imagination invites you to become a participant in your inner world. In this realm you may meet archetypal figures, encounter new aspects of your psyche, or receive wisdom that your conscious mind may not yet understand. The key is to allow the mind to wander and explore without judgment, and to remain open and curious as the imagery and sensations unfold. Remember: this is a symbolic space. The images and sensations you experience are metaphors for what is happening in your subconscious.
Active imagination is an incredible tool for helping you to strengthen the bridge between your conscious and unconscious mind. As you begin to build a precedent for listening to your body and exploring without judgment you may find that it leads to greater self-integration, emotional balance, and ease in your body as unresolved inner conflicts and repressed emotions often manifest somatically. Active imagination can be a powerful tool for not only understanding yourself on a deeper level but also for initiating healing in both mind and body.
Guided Visualization: Exploring Your Inner Landscape
So you’re interested in exploring active imagination. Great! Exploring your inner landscape can be a gentle and empowering way to start connecting with your subconscious. This practice invites you to approach your inner world with curiosity, building a relationship at your own pace.
Let’s start by finding a quiet and comfortable space where you feel safe and won’t be disturbed.
Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and allow your body to settle. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, please know that you can pause or stop. It’s important to honor what feels right for you. If this feels overwhelming, honor that feeling, and consider seeking support from a therapist or practitioner to gently guide you in exploring your inner world (I offer this work, and if you'd like to explore your inner world together, feel free to reach out!)
As you feel ready, bring into awareness your inner world as you feel in this moment. If you were a landscape, right now, what might you see? What do you notice? Are you in a forest, on a mountain, or in an open field? What is the weather like? Is it sunny or rainy? What does the atmosphere feel like on your skin? Engage your senses. Do you notice any smells? Listen. Do you hear birds, wind, or perhaps a stream nearby? How does the earth feel beneath your feet? What are you wearing?
Notice your body. Do you feel hot or cold? Do you want to run, or lay down? Allow time and space to explore this environment deeply, and allow your curiosity to guide you.
Now, notice if something draws your attention. Is there a path, a building, or an animal in the distance? Check in with your body, what do you want to do? Is there resistance? Curiosity? Honor whatever arises. There is no judgment here.
Remember, there’s no rush—move at the pace that feels safe. Notice any emotions that arise as you explore. Is there something this part of your landscape wants to show you or tell you?
Allow yourself to engage with whatever arises, and remember—there’s no right or wrong way to do this. If it feels overwhelming at any point, it’s okay to step back or gently return to the present.
When you feel complete, slowly bring your awareness back to the room, taking with you any insights or emotions that surfaced.
Afterward, take time to journal if it feels helpful. Write down what you saw, how you felt, and any symbols or messages that stood out. What is your interpretation of those symbols? Oftentimes I will do some research into symbolism after a session to explore deeper meaning. Remember, when you’re researching this is all about what feels true for you. There’s no pressure to explore everything at once—trust your intuition and take things one step at a time. Navigating your inner world takes time, and this is just a first step in building your internal map.
Breathwork and Active Imagination
Breathwork is a powerful companion to active imagination. By intentionally engaging with your breath, you allow your body to feel grounded while your mind explores deeper layers of the unconscious. Your breath can create a sense of safety, helping you move through the inner landscape with more ease and clarity. Remember to anchor yourself in your breath, checking in periodically, as this is also an indicator of what you are experiencing somatically. What are you noticing? Is your breath in your throat? Is it in your belly?
I suggest breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, or in through the nose and out through the nose, with your exhales long and extended. Aim for your exhales to be at least twice the length of your inhales.
A Path to Empowerment & Personal Transformation
The more you know about yourself, the more you are empowered to shape your life with intention. Exploring your inner landscape helps you uncover patterns, beliefs, and emotions that may be stuck in your system, or keeping you in cycles of behavior that no longer serve you. Coming into relationship with your inner world is the foundation of empowerment.