ABSTRACT
A careful reading of how Jung described individuation as a lifelong psychological development in his many writings will yield the clear conclusion that individuation is not possible without direct conscious engagement with the unconscious. This means, in short, that the practice of active imagination is necessary if individuation in Jung’s sense of the word is to be achieved. Active imagination is essential, as is working with dreams, because both bring unconscious material and dynamics into contact with consciousness. The interaction between them builds up what Jung called the transcendent function, a living and vital relationship between the two parts of the personality. This is a sine quo non for individuation as Jung conceived of this type of psychological development. It is with this understanding that I present the following reflections on active imagination as a necessary method for individuation.
