Introduction to
Being in touch with the embodied imaginal realm is one of the vital elements of awakening to a wholehearted way of being that aligns with true nature. The more people that can access the embodied imaginal realm, the greater the possibility for a necessary paradigm shift in humanity towards wholeheartedness, aliveness, and integrity.
You can read more about how this looks on a societal level on the Imaginal Realm Project website.
Imaginal Practice
Imaginal practice opens doors to new ways of being and relating that can radically shift how you relate to yourself, experience, other people, and the world. It can fundamentally change how you work, play, relate, understand, and feel, creating richness, flow, aliveness, honesty, and depth.
Imaginal practice is about becoming present to the imaginal realm, which includes the more energetic, emotional and intuitive aspects of experience. It’s quite a mysterious practice. If you are just starting out, you may be looking for the thing that will help it ‘click’ into place and for the imaginal realm to open up to you.
Importantly, the imaginal isn’t something that you add to experience; you’re getting in touch with an underlying realm of experience. The imaginal realm has a psychedelic quality to it, and practicing with it can open up new senses in your experience.
The content here is designed to nudge you towards getting directly, or more deeply, in touch with the imaginal realm in your experience as well as to understand what the imaginal realm is and how it works.
Other meditation practices, such as jhana meditation, heart practices, mindfulness practices, and prayer, can make it easier to access meaningful imaginal practices, but they aren’t a prerequisite. The imaginal realm is accessible to all, and it can also work the other way – imaginal practice will help you deepen into other contemplative and spiritual practices.
Some imaginal practices that I have been inspired by include Jung’s Active Imagination, Rob Burbea’s Soulmaking Dharma, Tantric Buddhism, Shamanic Journeying, and Cliff Barry’s Shadow Work Therapy.
Writing
Some key information to orient you and some suggested practices to try.
Teaching
1. Becoming an Imaginal Practitioner Retreat, taught at Dharmagarage
A retreat designed to give people all the skills, knowledge and experience they need to become imaginal practitioners.
2. Universal Soul Teaching Series, taught at Berkeley Alembic
A four part teaching series on awakening to the imaginal realm and the psychedelic nature of experience
3. Breathing as the Biosphere, a collaborative project
A series of guided imaginal meditations and practices developed in collaboration with ecosystem scientists that invite you into an embodied experience of interconnection and Buddha Nature.
Find more guidance and resources from recommended teachers on the Imaginal Realm Project website.
Podcasts, Videos & Images
What is the Imaginal Realm? with Sam Hinds
A podcast where we describe some different definitions and ways of experiencing the imaginal realm
Videos about the Imaginal Realm
Videos and conversations about different elements of the imaginal realm and some practices for accessing it
Meditation, Meaning, Myth and Magic, with Daniel M. Ingram – Part VI
We discuss creativity, journeying, imagination, and the richness of practice
Interview on Deconstructing Yourself
I talk with Michael Taft about imaginal practice, incorporating the darkness, and more.
Nouveau Shamanic Cinema Podcast, with Joost Vervoort
An entire podcast series where we watch films as if they are dreams or imaginal practice and use this to discuss dharma and the nature of reality
Imaginal practice moodboard
Sharing the vibe of imaginal practice through images, quotes and illustrations on Pinterest