Creativity as Presence: Lessons from Imagination in Action

Book Review: Imagination in Action by Shaun McNiff

A responsive and reflective companion for unlocking creative expression

In Imagination in Action, Shaun McNiff invites readers into a life-long relationship with creativity that is both grounded and expansive. Known for his work in art therapy and the expressive arts, McNiff brings decades of teaching, art-making, and community practice to this thoughtful and gently challenging book. Rather than offering a quick-fix system or checklist for “becoming creative,” he explores the deeper nature of creative expression as something inherent, instinctive, and responsive.

This book does not attempt to tame the creative process. It respects its mystery. It also honours the challenges that arise when we try to access something authentic within ourselves and bring it forward into the world. McNiff writes with the assurance of someone who has not only studied creative expression, but lived it.

What the book promises

Imagination in Action positions itself as a creativity primer, but one that does not simplify or oversell. McNiff promises to help readers reframe how they think about creative expression, offering ideas and practices that focus on movement, witnessing, response, and presence. He encourages the reader to engage creativity as a force of nature, one that exists within us and all around us.

The book is written for artists and non-artists alike, and it makes a consistent case that everyone has the capacity to create. McNiff does not separate the professional artist from the beginner. Instead, he calls on a shared human impulse to express, respond, and make meaning.

What the book delivers

McNiff delivers a generous blend of reflection, practical suggestion, and lived insight. The book is divided into six parts, each focused on a distinct aspect of the creative process. These include working with resistance, developing quality through practice, embracing the “shadow” aspects of creativity, and learning to witness rather than judge.

One of the most accessible and powerful ideas throughout the book is the encouragement to begin with simple movement. McNiff invites readers to make a single gesture, then repeat it, allowing it to evolve. He likens this process to breathing or walking, an organic unfolding rather than a conceptual plan. This is especially useful for those who struggle with creative block or perfectionism.

Another strength is the way McNiff repositions resistance not as something to eliminate, but as a natural part of the creative process. He frames challenges, doubt, and discomfort as valuable material, not obstacles. This perspective offers a kind of relief for readers who may have internalized the belief that creativity should feel easy or inspired all the time.

Each chapter contains “practice suggestions,” yet they are never framed as instructions. These are invitations. They often include movement, writing, drawing, and reflective pauses. They are meant to be tried, adapted, and interpreted in a way that fits the reader’s life and medium.

Style and structure

McNiff writes in a tone that is both scholarly and accessible. His style is thoughtful, rhythmic, and at times poetic, though always anchored in clarity. He uses personal stories and studio experiences to illustrate ideas without becoming overly anecdotal. There is a careful balance between theory and practice, between explaining a concept and encouraging the reader to try it.

The book’s structure is nonlinear in spirit but organized enough to follow easily. Readers can move through the chapters sequentially or dip into sections based on their current needs. This flexible format aligns with McNiff’s central philosophy: that creativity unfolds best when we are responsive rather than rigid.

Where the book shines

McNiff’s ability to reframe common creative frustrations is one of the book’s greatest strengths. He does not dismiss fear, block, or anxiety. Instead, he welcomes them as partners in the process. His compassionate and realistic tone makes the book feel like a wise companion rather than a coach or expert dispensing advice.

The metaphor of creativity as a natural force runs through the book and offers a grounding framework. Rather than situating creativity as something elite or rare, McNiff encourages us to see it in the gestures of the body, the flow of a conversation, the small daily acts of noticing and responding. This accessible framing opens the door for readers who may have long felt disconnected from the identity of “artist.”

Another standout element is the emphasis on “witnessing.” McNiff encourages a shift from inner judgment to compassionate observation. This subtle but profound practice can change how we relate to our own work and to the work of others. It builds both self-trust and spaciousness.

Light limitations

For readers looking for a structured path or clearly defined exercises, this book may feel more philosophical than practical at times. The suggestions are intentionally open-ended, which allows for flexibility, but may leave some readers unsure of where to begin.

McNiff’s tone is reflective and layered, and while it invites depth, it may also feel abstract for readers unfamiliar with the language of expressive arts or psychological reflection. This is not a how-to manual. It is a guidebook for building your own relationship with creativity over time.

In addition, those looking for fast outcomes or productivity tools may find this book less applicable. It prioritizes process over product, presence over performance.

Final thoughts

Imagination in Action is a deeply humane and quietly powerful exploration of what it means to live and work creatively. Shaun McNiff reminds us that creativity is not something reserved for the gifted few, but a fundamental aspect of being human. The book is not flashy or fast-paced. It is steady, grounding, and generous.

For readers seeking a deeper, more integrated relationship with their creativity, one that allows for struggle, beauty, and complexity, this book is a worthy companion. It does not promise perfection or transformation in ten easy steps. What it offers instead is a long view of the creative life, one built on presence, practice, and the courage to show up.

McNiff’s work helps us remember that to create is not just to make something new, but to engage with what already exists, to respond with care and attention, and to allow ourselves to be changed in the process. That is a form of aliveness worth practising.

Highly recommended for artists, facilitators, and reflective creatives who want to deepen their relationship with the creative process through presence, practice, and compassionate observation.