In Active Imagination, when the client identifies an entity such as a shadow figure or anima, what is the primary goal of dialoguing with this figure?

In Active Imagination, when the client identifies an entity such as a shadow figure or anima, what is the primary goal of dialoguing with this figure?

• A. To confirm external sources of influence and avoid internal changes.
• B. To access rejected elements and bring them into conscious awareness, typically with qualities opposite the ego.
• C. To replace the ego entirely with the figure.
• D. To reinforce the client's avoidance of emotions.

Answer: (B)

In Active Imagination, the goal of dialoguing with an unconscious figure like a shadow or anima is to bring disowned or rejected elements of the psyche into conscious awareness. The figure acts as a bridge to parts of the self that the ego has pushed away or denied. By engaging in a dialogue, the client can hear the figure’s messages, feelings, and energy, which often carry qualities opposite to the ego. This opposition helps challenge rigid self-views and invites the integration of these neglected aspects, moving toward greater wholeness. The process supports individuation by balancing internal forces, rather than aiming to replace the ego, seek external control, or bolster avoidance of emotion.