The Unconscious as it relates to Creativity? Asking for reading recommendations/links.

[sunandshadow]

First, I'm not sure this belongs in the Science forum - it's psychology, but it's old psychology from back when it wasn't very sciency. Freud being the originator of the concept of the unconscious, and modern psychology having moved away from the idea of this dark attic in the brain filled with stuff that shapes you personality and decisions but that the conscious brain doesn't usually interact with. So if this should be in another forum section, mods, feel free to move it.

Ok, the actual topic - I want to read books or essays about figuring out what is in one's unconscious or subconscious, or about milking one's subconscious for artistic inspiration/creativity fuel. I do not want books about "magical power of the unconscious" bullcrap. I'm fine with books which want to use something like tarot or oracle cards as a tool for exploring the unconscious though. I'd also be fine with a book of case studies about hypnotized people asked to to creative things. If the piece of writing is by Freud or Jung, or is about "personal mythology" you can assume I've already read it.

So, does anyone have anything to recommend?

 

[UrsaTempest]

...I don't know if it fits your requirement, but I enjoy 'Trust the Process' by Shaun McNiff. It seems roughly in the direction of what you wanted?

 

[Griffy]

Carl Jung ideas on subconscious are more of interest than freud to me.
In regards to what to read apart from obvious Jungian stuff and Freud, a lot of what I come across in that topic is a bit off.
There is a lot of crap like dream analysis in relation to subconscious ideas which is interesting I suppose. I'd think though that most of the stuff in that genre is not worth reading so it is hard to find decent books.

I did read some interesting psychology pelican books like those relating to the subconscious creativity of childhood but not sure that is what you wanted.
There is also stuff relating to mindfulness and creativity I suppose.

 

[Baughn]

To be clear:

Are you looking for books that might help you improve your creativity? Or books about the old (and more or less proven false) ideas about the unconscious, for historical research purposes? Or something else?

 

[sunandshadow]

To be clear:

Are you looking for books that might help you improve your creativity? Or books about the old (and more or less proven false) ideas about the unconscious, for historical research purposes? Or something else?

Click to shrink...

I suppose I'm looking for books about self-analysis. By analysis I mean the thing therapists and psychologists do which is the modern descendent of Freud's analysis. "Improve my creativity" isn't the right idea, I'm already very creative and experienced in making use of my creativity. "Gain insight into myself and my creative urges" is more accurate. I would like to be able to use self-analysis as a source of writing or art-making prompts, but I don't need a book specific to that use.