Self-Help

The advent of the 21st century coupled with the rapid and sophisticated influx of information technology has brought about numerous advances in the different fields of science. 

Modern science, more specifically quantum physics, has begun to accept and prove the fact that thoughts are emitted energy that can affect the surroundings.  According to an increasing number of physicists, this energy, when used to observe a certain object, already changes that object somehow. 

This line of thought is similar to what Zen Buddhist masters have been claiming all this time: You create your own reality.

So if this type of thinking, that thoughts hold a potential amount of tremendous power, is true, does that mean that the mind, which produces the thoughts, can manifest whatever it wishes?  Without a doubt, the answer is YES!  And the key to this life-changing process is creative visualization.

Creative visualization is the process of forming a vibrant and detailed picture in one’s mind of whatever one wishes.  Whatever one conceives, one can achieve.  The mental images formed are essential in fueling the entire process of achieving your goals, dreams and aspirations. It is THE starting point.
 
Physical reality is the last to be produced in the order of creation.  Whatever exists in the physical world has already existed on the higher planes, which are the mental and spiritual levels. 

Take for example a painting 

It must first be conceptualized in the mind of a painter before it can exist as a magnificent work of art on a canvass.  The same is true with statues.  Long before they are formed on the physical level, they have already been imagined in the realm of the sculptor’s artistic psyche.  The lesson is simple:  before anyone can achieve anything in physical reality, they must first have a vivid mental image of what they want. 

You SHOULD have a detailed mental image or vision …

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Creative visualization is the process of generating images in your mind, and is often used as a tool for self-improvement and stress relief.

Athletes, celebrities and successful people from all walks of life have touted visualization as an effective way to improve performance, enhance skills and boost confidence.

As farfetched as it may seem, visualization can actually help you to overcome fears and strengthen your ability to do anything you desire because your subconscious mind accepts these visions as real experiences – just as it would if you were physically engaging in such a reality. 

Athletes in particular swear by the effectiveness of mentally going through their practice exercises numerous times in order to enhance their physical performance – but visualization can be a powerful aid in any endeavor; not just athletics.

Below you’ll find a few tips to help you make your visualization practice as powerful and effective as possible:

1) Make Your Visualizations Very Detailed

Rather than simply visualizing yourself in a better situation than you’re in now, try seeing more details of the new situation you wish to experience, such as the type of clothing you’re wearing, the size and state of your body, the other people around you, the details of your home or career, and so on. 

The more detail you can infuse into your visions, the more “real” they will seem, and the better your subconscious mind will be able to believe them.

2) Visualize Frequently And Consistently

Visualization is like any positive habit; the benefits build up the more you do it!  If you visualize sporadically, your results will be equally sporadic.  Instead, set a specific time for visualization every day – even if it’s only for 10 minutes at a time.  Make it your priority to stick to this time except in the case of an emergency, and you’ll see results much more quickly.

Even better, try to perform “mini-visualizations” several times a day while you’re going about your normal activities.  Simply pause for a few moments, close your eyes and recall a positive image that makes you feel happy and optimistic about some aspect of your life.  This will help keep your focus strong and minimize any negativity you pick up during the course of your normal routine.

3) Use Lots of Emotion

The feelings you experience while performing your visualization exercises are more important than the images you see in your mind.  For example, if you’re imagining yourself as a successful business person, try to make sure you’re feeling the feelings that correspond with such a vision, such as confidence, empowerment, satisfaction and success! 

The stronger you can make your emotions, the more effective your visualizations will be – and the more likely you’ll be to think and act in ways that bring them forth into your physical life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck and unsure what to do to improve your life, you’re familiar with the challenge of being short on possibilities! 

Most often when this happens you’re not really short on possibilities, but rather your mind isn’t open to seeing the possibilities that exist all around you.

Creative visualization is one helpful technique that can stimulate your mind and increase your awareness of a whole new realm of possibilities to enhance any aspect of your life.

Before you begin, first take a few minutes to quiet your mind and relax your body so you can focus better.  You might take a few slow, deep breaths and concentrate on relaxing each muscle in your body until you feel completely relaxed, and then:

Close your eyes and imagine that you’re standing inside of a big map.  Unlike most maps, this one does not portray geographical locations but rather your life experiences.  Behind you, you can see all of the experiences and events you’ve had in the past; and before you the map is blank, representing your ability to choose the types of experiences you want to have in the future.

Once you’ve got a clear picture of this map in your mind, imagine shifting your perspective so that you rise above it and look down at yourself standing within it.

Notice that from this new perspective the front part of the map isn’t blank at all, but filled with limitless possibilities that you can choose for your life.  See each possibility as a pathway leading off from where you are currently standing, and affirm that they are all open to you.

Look closer at these pathways and open your awareness to what they are.  Do any of them pertain to your current situation?  See if you can zoom in even closer and open your mind to your current situation and the possibilities available to you.

If any insights or ideas occur to you, be sure to jot them down right away and explore them in more detail later.  If you don’t realize any new possibilities the first time you do this visualization, be sure to do it again as soon as you can (daily is best). 

Several sessions may be needed before you’ll be able to fully relax and open your mind.  However, with practice comes deeper insight and eventually you’ll be able to see truly unlimited possibilities for improving any and all areas of your life!

This same visualization process can be used in situations when you feel confused about your next move or decisions you need to make.  Simply see yourself standing in a map with pathways leading off from where you are and imagine what those pathways may represent as far as opportunities and possibilities. 

Most often you’ll notice that one pathway seems to stand out more sharply than the others, or you’ll get a stronger feeling about one and know intuitively that it’s the best choice.

The most important thing is to have patience and take your time with the process.  The more relaxed and focused you can be, the better you’ll be able to tune into your inner guidance and make the most beneficial choices.

Do you ever feel uncertain about your purpose in life, or wonder if there’s something more you should be doing? 

Feelings like this are common, and many people aren’t sure how to handle them.  They can search for years for a sense of purpose and meaning – or worse, live their lives forever feeling dissatisfied and empty!

Whether you believe there is a specific higher purpose for your life or you’d simply like to feel more purposeful in your daily activities, visualization is one tool that can provide insight and guidance for a more meaningful existence.

Before you begin visualizing, first take a few minutes to relax and let go of tension, stress, fear or frustration you may be holding in your mind or body.

Then, bring to mind an image of your higher self (also known as your authentic self, your spirit, etc.) in your mind’s eye.  See this part of yourself glowing with light and radiating confidence and joy, knowing without a doubt what he or she is meant to be doing here. 

Take your time viewing this inner you, and allow your vision to gradually expand until you can see yourself doing something that brings much joy and passion to your life.

If nothing comes to you at first, just take your time and enjoy the visualization process.  Don’t try to force it because straining will cloud your focus.  Eventually (even if it’s on a later day), you should be able to see an image of yourself doing something that’s meaningful to you. 

When that happens, usually one of two things will happen with it: Either you won’t be surprised because you’ll simply remember that you’ve always felt a connection to this particular activity; or you’ll realize something surprising that you never would have thought of doing, but which makes you feel very excited now! 

Either way, you’ve got a strong clue from your subconscious mind about something that would give you the sense of purpose and meaning you seek!

Once you have this clue, take some time to think about it more completely.  Can you see yourself doing this thing?  It doesn’t have to be your career unless you decide to make it so; you can choose to keep it as a hobby or recreational pursuit. 

However, this is a sign from your inner wisdom that such an activity would bring you great joy and satisfaction so you should take it seriously and come up with ways to bring it into your life in some form.

You can also use this same process to visualize a higher purpose in anything you do.  For example, let’s say you’re not thrilled with your job but circumstances prevent you from obtaining another one right now. 

Simply enter into a daily visualization exercise where you can see how your current work benefits you and others.  Imagine yourself gaining greater enjoyment and satisfaction from your current job, and feeling good while you’re there.

This process can also be used to realize greater enjoyment and meaning from any and all activities, such as your exercise routine, your relationships, or any other aspect of your life.

The more you practice “seeing” yourself with a sense of purpose in whatever you do, the greater contentment and satisfaction you’ll gain from them – and that sense of emptiness and aimlessness will vanish forever.