Visualization

By: Psyche

Often visualization and imagination are seen as being one and the same, this is not so. Dictionary.com defines visualization as "to form a mental image of; to make visible", comparitively, imagination is defined as "the mental image so formed; the ability or tendency to form such images". The difference may seem slight but it is still quite distinct.

When first starting to work with visualization, it is often imagination that comes into play. Skill in visualization takes time and practice to aquire. It is important to practice regularly. Like any dicipline, the more one works with it the greater the results and benifits.

In the beginning it may seem very difficult, and the mind will create reasons for doing anything else. This is where the first lesson is learned in dicipline - that you have to be the master of your mind and actions and not allow them to control you when undesireable.

It may help to try to practice at the same time each day. It will become a regular part of your schedual and a habit. One may start out with good intentions of practicing, when the house is empty and all is quiet. Then the realization that the shopping hasn't been done hits. But after that of course it will be done. Then someone calls and life catches up and by the end of the day one's too tired to bother.

It is important to remember to be patient with yourself. It's unlikely you'll be an expert on your first go at it. It takes practice and patience and percistence to stick with it.