Thread: Visualization

Originally Posted by ZotC

I was always under the impression, however, that when people said they visualize things, it's more of a visual-thang than an imaginary-thang.

The term does confuse people and set unrealistic expectations, as basically what most people are referring to when they say "visualize" is "imagine".

Some people do have the ability to see actual images; when I was a child I was able to actually see images pretty clearly and easily, but as I went through school that ability atrophied. I still think that if anyone practices consistently enough, they can get themselves to a skill level that is a lot closer to actual "visualization" rather than vague imagination.

Then practice I must!

I've no desire to fry my brain with any more acid and DMT for visuals that last 12 hours or 12 seconds. I'd like to be able to go at it au natural. Any recommendations for specific techniques?

Can you practice with real objects? For example, get two identical glasses, of milk and water or anything that has two liquids with different appearances. Put one in a spot in front of you. Just stare at it, try to take in all the details, then close your eyes and remember where everything was? If you have trouble, open your eyes for a split second and try to do it again. Then, swap out the glasses, do it again with the other liquid. Then, imagine it again with the original liquid, and just keep messing around? I do this when I'm bored... Imagine things moving around

Shift has the right idea; I do the same thing, just looking around the room when I am bored, taking in the details then closing my eyes to try to "see" as much as I can remember.

I will also try to imagine the object floating in front of me with eyes open, or in some other part of the room. I'm not sure how helpful that is in developing closed eye visuals, but I read it as a visualization exercise in some obscure occult manual.

I also just go through a series of faces of people I know or have seen, including friends, family members, celebrities, etc. I just kind of verbally name them and when I "see" their face pop up in my imagination, I focus on details, try to make the image bigger, etc., then move on to a new face after a minute or so.

Originally Posted by Shift

Can you practice with real objects? For example, get two identical glasses, of milk and water or anything that has two liquids with different appearances. Put one in a spot in front of you. Just stare at it, try to take in all the details, then close your eyes and remember where everything was? If you have trouble, open your eyes for a split second and try to do it again. Then, swap out the glasses, do it again with the other liquid. Then, imagine it again with the original liquid, and just keep messing around? I do this when I'm bored... Imagine things moving around

Yes, but when you are visualizing the objects on the back of your eyelids it's not really a full blown vision per say it's more of the outline of shapes on your eyelids sort of thing. They are not going to be vivid.

I am correct in saying this right?

Originally Posted by Oneironaut_Benny

Yes, but when you are visualizing the objects on the back of your eyelids it's not really a full blown vision per say it's more of the outline of shapes on your eyelids sort of thing. They are not going to be vivid.

I am correct in saying this right?

Clearly, that's why I am saying that the OP should practice by first looking at very simple, very basic ordinary objects and learning to visualize them by retaining the image even without visual input, but by working with memory, and then to build that ability up until he is able to visualize anything he wants. Obviously these baby steps aren't a full blown vision, because he's stated that he has no visualization ability. You don't tell someone to learn physics by building a nuclear bomb. I wouldn't tell someone who can't visualize at all to just sit down and have hallucinations. I've suggested some very very basic steps that may help him out if he practices them.

Originally Posted by Shift

Clearly, that's why I am saying that the OP should practice by first looking at very simple, very basic ordinary objects and learning to visualize them by retaining the image even without visual input, but by working with memory, and then to build that ability up until he is able to visualize anything he wants. Obviously these baby steps aren't a full blown vision, because he's stated that he has no visualization ability. You don't tell someone to learn physics by building a nuclear bomb. I wouldn't tell someone who can't visualize at all to just sit down and have hallucinations. I've suggested some very very basic steps that may help him out if he practices them.

Yes I know this I was just making sure I was understanding what you were saying correctly that is all. However Kudos shift you have made some helpful posts around the forums.

Very helpful indeed! I have noticed immediate improvement in my visualization... maybe I was just going about it all wrong! I'll be practicing again today using this method, and I'll keep this thread update if I have any significant breakthroughs. Thanks!