The Transformative Power of Drawing & Coloring Images for Dream Journals: A Jungian Perspective for Yogis

Introduction

In our quest for self-awareness and personal growth, drawing & coloring in your dream journaling process emerges as a profound practice that bridges the conscious and unconscious mind. Jungian psychology, with its rich examination of archetypes and symbols, provides a compelling framework to explore and interpret our dreams. For those on a yogic path, the idea may be akin to working with Yantras or Mandalas, and integrating these insights can lead to deeper self-realization and healing. This blog post delves into the transformative power of drawing & coloring your dreams as part of your dream journaling process, emphasizing its benefits and the synergy between Jungian principles and yogic practices.

The Role of Images in Psyche

The drawing contains the obvious element of images, which may consist of shapes, colors, figures, objects, and so on. Images, or imago in Latin, are fundamental to the psyche’s digestion of experiences. In Ayurveda, you might call this the process of digesting “mental ama,” or mental toxins.  Jung emphasized that everything begins and ends with an image, as they give shape to our psychic energy. Archetypal images such as the Great Mother, the Hero, or the Divine are deeply embedded in our collective unconscious. In yogic practice, chanting a bij mantra or meditating on a yantra or mandala constellates these images, ordering our psyche in a particular or definite way at times. 

The Artistic & Symbolic Language of Dreams

Dreams serve as a conduit to the unconscious, a realm where the psyche communicates through symbols and images. Carl Jung posited that these symbols are universal, rooted in the collective unconscious. Dreams are considered the language of the soul, carrying spiritual messages that guide us toward consciousness. The Iroquois, historically located in the Syracuse NY area, regarded dreams with great reverence, recognizing their spiritual significance. By documenting, drawing, and reflecting on our dreams, we engage in a dialogue with our inner self, uncovering hidden truths and unresolved conflicts. The act of drawing dream images, as opposed to merely writing them, taps into this symbolic language more effectively. Visual representations often capture the essence of our dreams, providing clarity and insight that words alone may fail to convey.

In my personal experience, the sketches in my dream journal often reveal more than my written descriptions. It certainly helped to have a background in the arts and a degree in Graphic Design (Emphasis on Illustration). The drawings don’t need to be perfect, but my background gave me the Portfolio mindset and I would like you to start your Dream Portfolio, which consists of a simple spiral-bound notebook. 

Now, despite my illegible handwriting, these drawings in my Dream Portfolio vividly encapsulate, bring to life, and help digest the emotions and themes of my dreams. This practice not only reaffirms my written reflections but also energizes me, serving as a therapeutic outlet. Art therapy literature, such as works on children with narcissistic parents, underscores the healing potential of artistic expression. Similarly, my drawings transform emotional pain into meaningful imagery, offering a sense of relief and understanding. After years of not really using my degree, I turned to my dream work as a way to get back into creative work and engage with the Art that helped me in my younger years. I had a purpose again to do art, and you can too. 

Drawing and Coloring: A Healing Ritual

Coloring and drawing dream images is not merely an artistic endeavor but also a healing ritual. Colors, intimately linked to emotions, can bring to life the subtle nuances of our dreams. For example, each Function-Attitude in the Typology of Dreams is often associated with a color (Yellow for Intuition, Blue for thinking, Red for Feeling, and Green for Sensation). Emotions are also intimately tied to the core energy of the archetypes. Each archetype contains a special emotional energy, like the emotion of anxiety for the Anima/Animus, or Fear with the Witch/Senex. This practice allows for a deeper emotional connection and facilitates the integration of dream content into our waking life. For many, including myself, this process of engaging with dream imagery can be profoundly cathartic. It bridges the gap between the conscious and unconscious, fostering a holistic approach to self-healing.

The therapeutic benefits of this practice are well-documented. Art therapy, as highlighted in studies on trauma and emotional distress, provides a non-verbal medium to process complex emotions. By translating our dreams into art, we externalize these emotions in a safer way, leading to greater self-awareness and psychological resilience.

Connections Between Dreams and Yogic Concepts

Working on your dreams can be seen as a form of Dharana (Concentration), focusing or concentrating intensely on the symbolic content. It also serves as a type of Dhyana (Meditation), a meditative practice that deepens our connection with the unconscious. The images and artwork created from dreams act as your precursor to the Yantra, in the sense that all images ultimately stem from a simple geometric design, but also can serve as something “Yantric,” in the sense that it is an image if you turn to aid for meditation and active imagination. You can also find images that are precursors of Mandalas (Magic Circles), representing the Quaterned images of the Self and psychic center or wholeness.

Engaging with dream content is essentially working within the Citta (Mind Waves), or The Psyche, in Jungian terms. The process of discriminating and interpreting dream mind waves or symbols aligns with the concept of Viveka, the discernment of symbols. These symbols become easier to discriminate when you draw them on paper and add color to them. 

This work on dreams is akin to engaging with Prakriti (Nature), or subtle matter, reflecting the pure nature of our inner world. Jung himself noted that “the dream is pure nature,” emphasizing the natural, unadulterated wisdom of the Unconscious..

This journey moves us closer to the Atman or Purusha, the witnessing subject and ultimate essence of the Self. As we draw and interpret our dreams, we engage in a process of incarnation and transformation of the god-images which on way back give us more meaning and energy for life and detached and neutral consciousness of it, as we realize that we are not the doer, or the dreamer even, but the one who is being dreamed.

 Comparison Table: Jungian Ideas vs. Eastern Esoteric Concepts

Jungian Ideas	Eastern Esoteric Concepts
Collective Unconscious	Akashic Records
Archetypes (e.g., Shadow, Anima/Animus)	Deities, Yantras, and Mandalas
Individuation Process	Self-Realization (Samadhi)
Dream Analysis	Meditation and Visualization Practices
Active Imagination	Meditation on a Yantra, Mandala, or Deity (Bhakti) Worship

Conclusion

Incorporating drawing & coloring into dream journaling into your yogic practice can lead to profound personal insights and emotional healing. By engaging with the symbolic language of dreams through drawing and coloring, we unlock deeper layers of our psyche and foster a holistic approach to self-awareness. This synergy between Jungian psychology and yogic practices offers a transformative path to self-realization.

As we conclude, let’s revisit the three reasons to study dream journaling within this framework:

1. Self-Awareness: Understanding our dreams enhances our self-knowledge and emotional intelligence.
2. Healing: Artistic expression of dream imagery facilitates emotional processing and healing.
3. Integration: Bridging Jungian insights with yogic practices creates a comprehensive approach to personal growth.

By exploring these dimensions, we not only enrich our spiritual journey but also cultivate a deeper connection with our inner selves. Embrace the practice of dream journaling and discover the transformative power it holds.