Beth Bogdon
LPC
Embodied Imagination
Embodied Imagination is a gentle yet profound way of working with the images, sensations, and symbols that arise from your unconscious. Rather than analyzing or interpreting these experiences, we create space for them to unfold naturally, allowing their wisdom to emerge in its own time and way.
The Process
In this work, we shift away from trying to control or direct our experience. Instead, we cultivate a state of receptive attention, listening to what wants to be known within us. This might come as:
An image that catches your attention
A bodily sensation that carries meaning
A symbol that emerges from a dream or daytime experience
A felt sense that points toward something significant
There is no "right" way for this process to unfold. Each person's journey with Embodied Imagination is unique, guided by their own inner wisdom and timing.
What You Might Experience
Through this practice, many people discover:
A deeper trust in their inner knowing
New perspectives on long-held patterns
A more embodied sense of their experience
Connection with previously unknown aspects of themselves
An appreciation for the wisdom that emerges through symbols and images
The process often brings surprising insights and connections that wouldn't have been accessible through logical analysis alone. By staying present with what arises, you may find that your relationship with yourself and your experiences naturally deepens and transforms.
Origins and Background
Embodied Imagination draws from Carl Jung's Active Imagination and his understanding that the psyche speaks through symbols rather than words. Active Imagination was further refined by Robert Bosnak to create Embodied Imagination. It honors the body's wisdom and the natural movement toward wholeness that exists within each of us. This approach recognizes that becoming whole is a lifelong journey, one that unfolds through paying attention to the subtle messages of our unconscious.
Is This Approach Right for You?
Embodied Imagination can be particularly helpful if you:
Are drawn to working with dreams, images, or bodily sensations
Feel called to explore beyond logical understanding
Want to develop a deeper relationship with your inner experience
Are comfortable with not knowing and allowing things to unfold
Seek to connect with your own inner wisdom and guidance
In our work together, I'll guide you in this process while holding space for whatever emerges. The pace and depth of our exploration will always be guided by what feels right for you.
Embodied Listening
What Do We Mean by “Embodied”?
The word embodied shows up a lot these days. But what does it really mean?
We’ve been trained to ask why — to find the story, to make sense of things. We often believe that if we can explain an experience, it will become easier to bear, maybe even easier to heal.
Embodiment moves differently. Instead of why, we ask:
What’s here?
What is wanting to be known in me?
It is a deep listening without a goal — not even the goal of figuring things out or getting rid of anything. I often think of it as an unfolding. Or as a river.
Following the Current
The river water is the same no matter where we find it — flowing gently, tumbling over a cliff, or rushing through class-five rapids. We are not standing outside the water. We are the water itself.
We don’t engage in these practices in order to become something. The water never stops being water. Instead, embodiment is learning how to follow the current.
Where am I being asked to move?
Our wholeness already exists — already present, just as we are.
Living Without Fixing
This way of being runs counter to much of what we’re taught. Our culture encourages us to fix, improve, or manage ourselves: to eat clean, follow the workbook, find the right communication style.
I’ve lived with chronic pain most of my life, and what I’ve learned has been less about fixing and more about this question:
How do I live my me-ness in this body, alongside how it shows up?
Some days that means slowing down. Other days it means doing even less. It’s rarely the answer I want — but it’s often the truth of listening.
Why This Can Feel Difficult
Of course, this kind of listening isn’t always easy. Most of us have learned to second-guess what comes up — dismissing it as silly, unimportant, or not “enough.”
We’re taught to push through, improve ourselves, or look for the right answer. But embodiment isn’t about getting it right. It’s about making room for the quiet, often ordinary truths that arise — like a need for rest, water, or connection.
A Simple Practice
You might try this now, taking just a few minutes:
Pause and arrive.
Close your eyes if that feels comfortable. Feel your feet on the floor. Take five gentle breaths.Ask: How am I today?
Imagine dropping a pebble into a pond and watching the ripples — sensations, emotions, images, or words.Ask: What do I need today?
There is no “right” answer you’re trying to reach. Wait for what arises — what wants to be known in you.Trust the first thing.
Don’t second-guess it. Let whatever shows up be right for now. No fixing — just noticing.
Even a few breaths of listening can shift how we meet ourselves.
This is the heart of embodiment: listening to what’s here and responding with care.