Thread: Visualizing

Hey, I've noticed that so many techniques require visualizing things and places and people. When I try to visualize things an image flashes in my head and is gone. The best I can do is make a choppy stream of images with some slight, feelings, smells, and sounds attached. I've heard of some people who can experience it like they're actually there. How can I develop these visualization skills to be like that?

I think it just takes practice. I'm like you, that's how visualization works for me. Over time it starts to get easier to do, just make sure to practice.

I have the same problem when i close my eyes and start visualizing it's a bit black and it's not clear.

Originally Posted by snoop

I think it just takes practice. I'm like you, that's how visualization works for me. Over time it starts to get easier to do, just make sure to practice.

What do you mean practice?

Originally Posted by RockNRoller123

What do you mean practice?

I mean visualize for like 20 minutes at a time a few times a day, or break it up into smaller groups. Just visualize a lot.

Oh okay. Cool man.

There is a really good guide on how to practice this. It's somewhere on the site. Ill see if I can find it.

Originally Posted by RockNRoller123

What do you mean practice?

Practicing means to find the right balance between forcing yourself seeing images and letting the images form themselves. I will explain further. When you visualize in minds eye the image you are trying to form are very unstable and the more you focus on them the more volatile they become. Maybe some exercises of letting go could help.

I developed one exercise on letting go, which uses one trick to get you into a state where you are forced to let go to progress further. You should find a line like object and you should stare at this object and as you stare at the object you will soon find out, that you loose focus and the object starts to vanish. But your mind starts to compensate and automatically regains focus. And that is what you dont wish. You wish it to completely dissapear. And believe. Its pretty hard to let go of focusing.

With visualization ... Its exactly the same. If you let the imagery form without your intervention, it will become vivid.

Hi RnR, I hope you don't mind me copying and pasting my reply from another thread, but I really think this method could help you.

Image streaming is a pretty good way to improve your visualization skills. I know some DV members practice it as a way to improve dream clarity. You can find information at http://www.winwenger.com/imstream.htm or more thoroughly in a book called the Einstein Factor. Basically, the method involves describing the spontaneous images that come into your mind out loud to a tape recorder or another person, which will cause more detailed images by means of a positive feedback loop.

One unique thing about this method is that you do not consciously have to try and create rich and detailed images. Your only job is to describe the images that are arising in your head spontaneously. The images will become more vivid by themselves.

Good Luck

does a persons ability to visulize in their mind have anything to do with wether or not they have a photographic memory. Because if someone has a photographic memory, shouldnt they be able to visualize things perfectly on demand?

Originally Posted by Hargrove1315

does a persons ability to visulize in their mind have anything to do with wether or not they have a photographic memory. Because if someone has a photographic memory, shouldnt they be able to visualize things perfectly on demand?

Not necessarily.

Visual memory is more visual where visualization is more conceptual.

Originally Posted by arby

Not necessarily.

Visual memory is more visual where visualization is more conceptual.

confusing shit haha


I find that i can not visualize when i just try to look through my closed eyes . They best way for me to visualize is to try and completly forget about my eyes and just us only my mind. Sorry if it doesn't make any sense, its kind of hard to explain.

Originally Posted by Hargrove1315

confusing shit haha


I find that i can not visualize when i just try to look through my closed eyes . They best way for me to visualize is to try and completly forget about my eyes and just us only my mind. Sorry if it doesn't make any sense, its kind of hard to explain.

That would be the conceptual part of it as opposed to trying to do it "visually" =P

Originally Posted by Hargrove1315

confusing shit haha


I find that i can not visualize when i just try to look through my closed eyes . They best way for me to visualize is to try and completly forget about my eyes and just us only my mind. Sorry if it doesn't make any sense, its kind of hard to explain.

It's called your "Minds Eye".