Jean Houston, a prominent figure in the human potential movement of the 1960s known for her guided imagery workshops and work with notable individuals including former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, died on May 16 at her home in Ashland, Oregon. She was 89. Her passing was confirmed by Constance Buffalo, her longtime friend and business partner.
Born on May 10, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, Houston was the daughter of Jack Houston, a comedy writer for entertainers such as Bob Hope and George Burns, and Mary Todaro Houston, an actress and interior designer. She attended Barnard College where she studied religion and theater and later pursued graduate studies in religion at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, though she did not complete a degree there. She later earned a doctorate in psychology from the Union Institute in Cincinnati.
Houston emerged as a pioneering leader within the human potential movement, founding multiple organizations including the Human Capacities Corporation, Mystery School, Social Artistry School, and the Possible Society. Her approach synthesized elements from mythology, Carl Jung’s and Joseph Campbell’s psychological theories, and the experiential practices popularized by the Esalen Institute in California.
Her workshops employed imaginative exercises such as role-playing conversations with historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Pablo Picasso, enactments of evolutionary stages, and interpreting dreams through movement and dance. Participants were encouraged to explore their inner capabilities and develop a deeper sense of personal potential.
In addition to her teaching and lecturing, Houston authored more than twenty books on human development, among them the 1982 bestseller “The Possible Human: A Course in Enhancing Your Physical, Mental and Creative Abilities,” which sold over 400,000 copies. She described her mission as helping people "cultivate a higher power within" to improve both the self and society.
Houston gained national attention in the mid-1990s for her work with then-first lady Hillary Clinton. In 1994, following the failure of the Clinton administration's health care initiative and a political setback, Houston joined a group of motivational speakers invited to Camp David to support the first family. Houston worked closely with Mrs. Clinton, helping her prepare for a 1995 diplomatic tour of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Notably, Houston guided Clinton through a series of "imaginary conversations" with Eleanor Roosevelt as a means of brainstorming ideas for Clinton's book "It Takes a Village."
The sessions, however, became a point of controversy after reports suggested Clinton was engaged in spiritual séances at the White House, allegations both Houston and Clinton denied. Houston characterized the exercises as intellectual tools to focus the mind rather than supernatural practices.
Critics, including skeptics like Martin Gardner, dismissed Houston’s work as vague and confusing, labeling it New Age jargon without scientific grounding. Nonetheless, supporters recognized her ability to inspire individuals to explore human imagination and potential.
Houston married writer Robert E.L. Masters Jr. in 1965; the couple co-authored “The Varieties of Psychedelic Experience” and founded the Foundation for Mind Research. Masters died in 2008. Houston is survived by no immediate family.
Throughout her life, Houston emphasized the connection between inner exploration and broader social change. Reflecting on moments of inspiration, she often cited early encounters such as meeting Helen Keller and engaging with philosophical ideas that shaped her career. Her legacy remains that of a transformative figure who sought to unlock the capacities of the human mind and spirit.