Social Imaginaries 5.1 (2019) 81-95 Imitation and Individuation. Te Creative Power of Phantasy Jagna Brudzińska Abstract: A crucial feature of our individual biography is grounded in our com- mon corporeal structure. Our life begins with a strong bodily intertwining that has an essential biographical and existential meaning. To elucidate this pre-egological form of connection between subjects, I refer to a peculiar form of sympathetical experience which precedes the intersubjective experience proper. From the genetic phenomenological point of view, sympathetical experience is characterized by a pre- refective form of intentionality, which I describe as trans-bodily intentionality, as well as by fusional dynamics realised through a special kind of immediate corporeal fantasy. Focusing on the individuation processes of personal life, I show to which degree trans-bodily intentional dynamics result in the dissolution of the subject’s centricity or at least in its fuidifcation. Such a fuidifcation, moreover, should be systematically understood as a condition of possibility for the very process of becoming a Self. In my contribution, I discuss to which degree the corporeal phan- tasy plays a decisive rule in the creative process of becoming a Self. Keywords: fusional; genetic; individuation; imitation; intentional; phantasy; phe- nomenology; psychoanalysis; unconscious; transbodily; transference Human beings are provided with the primary capacity to live with others, to connect and feel for others. Tis crucial feature of our individual biography is grounded in our common corporeal structure. Our life begins with a strong bodily intertwining that has an essential biographical and existential meaning. Based on an intentional-genetic phenomenological method, I suggest to interpret this condi- tion not yet as intersubjectivity proper, but as a deeper phenomenon of sympathetic participation 1 . To elucidate this pre-egological form of connection between sub- jects, I will refer to a peculiar form of intentionality that I understand as trans-bodily intentionality. Trans-bodily intentionality is a pre-refective form of intentionality, characterised by fusional structures and realised through a special kind of immedi- ate corporeal fantasy. Focusing on the individuation processes of personal life, I will