Institute of Imaginal Studies:
Education that Transforms

The Institute's curriculum in Imaginal Psychology offers a distinct orientation to the discipline of psychology. Imaginal Psychology reclaims soul as psychology's primary concern. The soul expresses itself in images. Care of the soul asks that we pay close attention to the images we inhabit. This orientation to psychology has its roots in the transformative practices that are at the core of many spiritual traditions and the creative arts. The Imaginal Psychology curriculum in all of the Institute's programs draws on spiritual traditions, somatic practices, creative arts, mythology, indigenous wisdom, mystical philosophy, deep ecology, poetic and literary imagination, cultural history, and social critique. Imaginal Psychology also draws from Humanistic, Transpersonal, and Depth Psychology Orientations.

The Institute's degree programs emphasize the role of transformative learning in catalyzing the emergence of core human capacities. The capacities for embodied self-awareness, courage, compassion, collaboration, and conscience are given special emphasis. The Institute seeks to educate psychologically aware leaders with the knowledge, skills, and capacities essential to empower individuals, organizations, and communities. We inhabit a culture, both locally and globally, that is in dire need of transformation. Psychological practitioners who are deeply sourced in spiritual traditions can make a significant contribution towards catalyzing the transformation of culture. It is essential that our social institutions become more convivial, sustainable, and just. The practitioner educated to respond to the soul's desires and suffering is in a unique position to address many of our social and cultural issues.

At the Institute, care and attention have been given to the how of teaching and learning, as well as on what information should be transmitted. Towards this intent, the Institute has chosen particular formats and practices in constructing its learning environment. A transformative learning community catalyzes experiences that transform identity, consciousness, and behavior. Transformative learning supports the inherently active and social nature of knowledge. Learning how to learn is at the heart of this approach. This approach builds relationships of reciprocity and mutuality; it is especially suited to the transformative dimension of adult learning.

In addition to its graduate degree programs, the Institute seeks to support the adult learner through offering public programs. These programs are taught by Institute faculty and guest presenters. Like the graduate program's curriculum, the public programs draw on spiritual traditions, somatic practices, creative arts, mythology, mystical philosophy, indigenous wisdom, deep ecology, cultural history, and social critique.

This upcoming Winter and Spring, the Institute of Imaginal Studies is offering programs with Shaun McNiff, Bill Plotkin, Jean Houston, Aftab Omer, Melissa Schwartz, and Karen Jaenke.

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