Problems with visualisation

Post here if you are just starting out with your mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is a really difficult concept to get your head around at first, and it might be that you would benefit from some help from others.
Elisa
Posts: 7

Sun Sep 10, 2017 7:52 am  

Hi all

I'm doing this series in which I should visualise my body being filled with sunlight. The guy guiding the meditation stresses on the fact that visualising can be difficult in the beginning, and that I should mainly focus on the feeling the visualisation intends to give (warmth, relaxation). Still, it's like I can't get even that right! :x

I do try to visualise what is being suggested but then I start to think. Can I imagine myself as an object that I - as a spectator - am looking at, like on a beach in the sun? Or should I see my body getting filled with warmth as I'm sitting with my eyes closed, not being a spectator?

The above will most probably sound very confusing but that is because I am confused too! :?

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Peter
Site Admin
Posts: 696
Practice Mindfulness Since: 19 Aug 2013
Location: The Netherlands

Sun Sep 10, 2017 8:32 am  

Hi Elisa,

Some people just cannot visualize at all. It's called Aphantasia. I'm not saying that you can't, but keep that in mind. Everybody is different.

In mindfulness we try to be with what is. I'd suggest you do that. Stop fighting yourself in trying to get this visualization exercise 'right'. Do some other exercise, or do this exercise, but try to notice what it does to you ('failing' at it), and make that the real exercise.

By the way, there is absolutely no need for visualization at all in mindfulness.

I hope that makes sense. Good luck.

Peter

JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Sun Sep 10, 2017 11:38 am  

Great advice from Peter, there.
JW
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
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Elisa
Posts: 7

Sun Sep 10, 2017 12:42 pm  

@Peter wrote:Some people just cannot visualize at all. It's called Aphantasia. I'm not saying that you can't, but keep that in mind. Everybody is different.


Hi Peter, thanks for your reply. But I'm pretty sure that that is not the case. I know I can visualise other things.

@Peter wrote:In mindfulness we try to be with what is. I'd suggest you do that. Stop fighting yourself in trying to get this visualization exercise 'right'. Do some other exercise, or do this exercise, but try to notice what it does to you ('failing' at it), and make that the real exercise.


I found something else to visualise in the exercise, I may be trying to heard indeed.
Something I don't get: you suggest to make failing at it the real exercise? I hope I misunderstood because wouldn't that just be a waste of time when there are so many other ways?

@Peter wrote:By the way, there is absolutely no need for visualization at all in mindfulness.


I know, but there is in that meditating exercise.

Thank you Peter!

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Peter
Site Admin
Posts: 696
Practice Mindfulness Since: 19 Aug 2013
Location: The Netherlands

Sun Sep 10, 2017 4:12 pm  

You're welcome Elisa,

To clarify, I didn't say, make failing at it the real exercise.

I said, try to notice what 'the failing' does to you, and make that the real exercise.

Do you understand the difference?

Also, don't get hung up on one particular meditation exercise. The exercise really isn't important at all.

Peter

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Gareth
Site Admin
Posts: 1465

Mon Sep 11, 2017 10:04 am  

Why is it that you are persisting with the visualisations, which you are clearly finding difficult? There are many different ways to meditate; why don't you do some experimentation?

JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Mon Sep 11, 2017 11:32 am  

I agree with Gareth.
There is a huge range of meditations available: sitting, walking, body scans, mindful movement...and you are free to improvise your own.
If visualisations are not working for you, just let them be. They are not a hurdle to overcome. They are part of a massive menu from which you can pick and choose.
All best,
Jon
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
Follow this link to join the WhatsApp group and receive notifications: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5j5deTvIHVD7z71H3RIIk

Elisa
Posts: 7

Wed Sep 13, 2017 5:29 am  

Gareth wrote:Why is it that you are persisting with the visualisations, which you are clearly finding difficult? There are many different ways to meditate; why don't you do some experimentation?


Hi Gareth, thanks for replying.

It's not so much that I'm persisting really. It's more that I know that I am able to visualise but wondering why I can't now.

But: a couple of days have passed, I'm getting over it ;) Seriously, I'm a laywoman still. Sometimes I forget all about accepting and seeing things for what they are. Like just noticing the fact that I suddenly realise I'm yawning like I lazy cat during a meditation session instead of reprimanding myself for it.

@Peter wrote:You're welcome Elisa,

To clarify, I didn't say, make failing at it the real exercise.

I said, try to notice what 'the failing' does to you, and make that the real exercise.

Do you understand the difference?


I do, thanks.

Thanks guys, nice talking to you.

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