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Jungian analysis

The idea here is to consult your unconscious for all the answers—not such an easy thing, given that most of us tend to quash that kind of information before it really registers. Carl Jung’s philosophy regards the unconscious “as a resource that can offer alternative perspectives on our maladaptive ways,” explains analyst Michael Vannoy Adams (212-533-9395, adamsmv@aol.com). There are two methods for tapping into this under-the-surface info: the interpretation of dreams and active imagination. The latter involves having a dialogue with the figures that spontaneously emerge from your unconscious. “It’s a highly disciplined technique in which you deliberately induce fantasies and regard the figures in them—they can be anything, from a dog to a piece of furniture—as being just as real as real humans,” says Adams. The exchange with your subconscious can take many forms; the trick is to develop the ability to eliminate “mind chatter” (you know, all those distracting thoughts that pop into your head, like, Am I really talking to an imaginary armchair?) and just listen.

Where to find it: If you want to seek advice from your subconscious, start by learning more about the practice. The C.G. Jung Foundation for Analytical Psychology (28 E 39th St between Fifth and Madison Aves; 212-697-6430, cgjungny.org) offers courses and workshops, as well as a library of books on the discipline. Zero in on your dreams by attending a monthly Dream Group session (Cap 21 Studios, 18 W 18th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, sixth floor. Third Friday of every month; $10).