Introduction

Posted by Maria Stella on August 19, 2014 at 10:40am

Hi there, 

My name is Maria Stella and I live in Victoria, BC. I am a therapist in private practice focusing on issues related to loss, trauma and change. I also teach graduate level university courses at City University (Master of Counselling program) in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. I am interested in exploring embodied imagination as a way to transforming individual, ancestral, societal, etc. trauma. “Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it will go nowhere” --Carl Segan.

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  • Cindy Schell August 26, 2014 at 9:59pm

    Hi Maria,

    I'm curious what you mean by embodied imagination?  I've not heard the expression before.

    Cheers,

    Cindy

    • Maria Stella > Cindy Schell August 28, 2014 at 11:19am

      In my experience imagination can remain in the realm of concepts, thoughts, and ideas, or disembodied. We can have great insights and discussions but it doesn’t create long term positive changes in our lives. On the other hand, embodying imagination, myths and archetypes create change and it requires slow, systematic work. For example Marion Woodman, in a documentary about her life, explains how she was able to embody an archetypal image from a dream and heal from cancer (see documentary here: http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/7972/Dancing-in-the-Flames) 

      Embodied imagination is a term coined by Robert Bosnak to describe his work with dreams and memories. I consider it a synonym of embodied active imagination, using images, dreams, movement, metaphors, art and myth as well as the latest understanding of autonomic nervous system/neuroscience to heal trauma (see Sharon Stanley’s work, Somatic Transformation here: http://www.somatic-transformation.org/SomaticTransformation.html) 

      Also here is a short example from Robert Bosnak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWO5cG7Xf1Q

    • Willene Jaqua > Cindy Schell August 27, 2014 at 8:06am

      Hi Maria,

      I'm also interested in your explorations of embodied imagination in transforming trauma and loss. Have you read the introduction done by Joanne Martin and her journey that led her to teaching therapeutic writing? I wonder if you two are working on similar territory. Also, Douglas Williamson posted a question early on about wanting to have some specific Active Imagination exercises. Have you any suggestions in that regard?

      I'm so glad you're in the group Maria. Thanks for your recent reply. Perhaps one day we'll both try out the Victoria Friends of Jung programs! 

      Happy Wednesday in beautiful Victoria!

      willene

  • Bonnie Bright August 20, 2014 at 2:22pm

    Hi Maria Stella. So glad you are part of this group. I am a profound believer in the power of mythology (and symbols) to transform trauma and the work you are doing is so important. I don't know if you are familiar with Holotropic Breathwork (created by Stanislav Grof) as a technique for healing and growth, but its one technique which directly introduced the mythological for me at a time when I didn't know much about it. I look forward to hearing more about your work as we move forward.

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