How to Visualize Creatively
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| Visualize Creatively |
Many people wonder exactly what
is meant by the term “Visualize.” Some worry because they don’t actually “See”
a mental picture or image when they close their eyes and try to visualize. When
some people first try to visualize, they feel that “nothing is happening.” Usually,
they are simply blocking themselves by trying too hard. They may be feeling
that there’s a “right way” to do this, and that their own experience is
incorrect or inadequate. If this is how you feel, you need to stop worrying,
relax, and accept what happens naturally for you.
Don’t
get stuck on the term “visualize.” It is not at all necessary to mentally see
an image. Some people say they see very clear, sharp image when they close
their eyes and imagine something. Others don’t really “see” anything; they
sense or feel it, or they just sort of “think about” it. That’s perfectly fine.
Some people are more visually oriented, some are auditory, others are more
kinesthetic. We all use our imaginations constantly, it’s impossible not to, so
whatever process you find yourself doing when you imagine is fine.
If
you still don’t feel sure what it means to visualize, read through each of
these exercises, then Memorize and close your eyes and see what comes naturally
to you:
Close
your eyes and relax deeply. Think of some familiar room such as your bedroom or
living room. Remember some familiar details of it, such as the color of the
carpet, the way the furniture is arranged, how bright or dark it is. Imagine
yourself walking into the room and sitting or lying down on a comfortable
chair, couch, or bed.
Now recall some pleasant experience you have had
in the last few days, especially one involving good physical sensations such as
eating a delicious meal, receiving a massage, swimming in cool water, or making
love. Remember the experience as vividly as possible, and enjoy the pleasurable
sensations once again.
Now imagine that you are in some idyllic country
setting, perhaps relaxing on soft green grass beside a cool river, or wandering
through a beautiful, lush forest. It can be a place that you have been, or an
ideal place where you would like to go. Think of the details, and create it any
way you would like it to be.
Whatever
process you used to bring these scenes to your mind is your way of
“visualizing.”
There
are actually two different modes involved in creative visualization. One is
receptive, the other is active. In the receptive mode we simply relax and allow
images or impressions to come to us without choosing the details of them; we
take what comes. In the active mode we consciously choose and create what we
wish to see or imagine. Both these processes are an important part of creative
visualization, and both your receptive and active abilities will be strengthened
through practice.
Special Problems with
Visualization
Occasionally a person has
completely blocked his ability to visualize or imagine at will, and feels that
he simply “can’t do it.” This type of block usually arises from a fear, and it
can be worked through if the person who experiences the difficulty desires to
solve the problem.
Usually
a person blocks his ability to use creative visualization out of a fear of what
he may encounter by looking inside himself –fear of his own unacknowledged
feelings and emotions.
To avoid the awkwardness of
saying “him or her” constantly, I have sometimes used the masculine pronoun and
sometimes the feminine.
This Article is Taken from Creative
Visualization
Written by Arshad. A
