What is visualization like for you?

[SIMDML]

Visualization is a pretty special subject since you can't be in someone else's mind and the only ting you will ever experience is your own experience. But could anyone give me a description of their experience, the vividness and such details compared to, let's say, real life? Since I'm a child I can visualize anything as vivid as it was real instantly but I had no idea about what it's like for other people. I have also developed the ability to disconnect from real life and, with some concentration, actually be there like it's a lucid, although it's been a while I haven't played with that. So yeah, I'd just like to know more about what's visualization for you guys!

[purpleminded]

Consider yourself lucky. I can't visualize like this, at least not since I was like 5 years old. When I try to visualize, I can never really see the object, and its hard to maintain attention to detail when visualizing. The best i get is fleeting images in my foggy mind's eye. The most interesting and intense visualization experiences for me come as I fall asleep, when scenes will play out in my mind. Also, it is easy for me to visualize color patterns and fractals, just not actual objects.

[Tradl3s]

My lucids usually give me an adrenaline feeling, but instead of fear, it's happiness. Know that everybody is different, and each have their own level of vividness. Everybody can increase their level of vividness, by simply rubbing their hands in a dream, or focusing on an object in a dream. This signals the concious mind while lucid, making the dream feel more real. I have also developed the ability to disconnect from real life and, with some concentration, actually be there like it's a lucid How do you do that? That sounds like WILD, but im not sure if thats what your talking about.

[Scionox]

Hmmm, i can visualize about anything with any level of vividness i like, i can also visualize not only visuals, sensation of touch and sound also works well, with open eyes too, though unless i am in deep meditation or playing around with HH or visual deformations i don"t see visualization the same way i see waking life, it's kind of appears at different level.

[SIMDML]

How do you do that? That sounds like WILD, but im not sure if thats what your talking about. The concept is actually pretty simple. You just take your attention off the real world and you end up with all your attention focused on what you are visualizing. You have to visualize the best you can and at a certain point your subconcious starts to fill in elements just like in normal and lucid dreams.

[Finnegan]

*cheshire grin* I'm back :3 Picking up on what Scionox said, I prefer to call it fantasy, to stray away from direct ties with words people relate to sight-like "Imagination", or "visualization". Because the potential of a fantasy reaches into all the senses, it is capable of a much more immersive experience. What you described in the OP is what I liken to virtual reality, where I can experience a world similar to dream. Although as some may know I have been experimenting with a form of fantasy similar to "mediated reality"; where with some intrepid concentration I can use my environment as a setting for fantasy.

[Karloky]

How is my visualization? .....hmmm ...let me see... ... I just visualize lol

[h1nchm4n]

It depends on how I'm feeling during the day. If I'm stressed after doing work or occupied by something it is a serious struggle. I visualize a TON in my astronomy class. The class is very interesting and I can get seriously distracted by what I'm imagining. I usually start with something very small. Maybe even just a part of what I'm trying to visualize, and grow it much like a tree would grow from the ground, roots and all. Heck trees are even fun to visualize and observe as they grow in your mind. I really enjoying developing my own universe and flying past all the galaxies and stars (if I get that deep into it.) I also visualize as if I'm drawing something on a piece of paper. After completion I try to make it come to life, or turn 3D. Sometimes its successful, sometimes not so much with certain objects.

[tywilliams]

Ah, this thread is for me haha. Visualization has become a passionate interest for me in the last year. I for one, have limited visualization ability... Or, I started there anyway and I seem to have developed somewhat since then. But I'm just starting. I think that the ability to visualize is a result of many factors... genetic, first of all, and several environmental factors.. Having said that, I adamantly believe that visualization can be developed through practice of many things, namely conscious visual awareness, observation, and forced destruction of previous linear thinking habits. Its not easy, as I'm learning, but the imagination is a skill that I believe can be developed just like any other. Some people have amazing genetics, and can achieve bodybuilder-like physiques with minimal effort. For others, poor genetics are a hurdle, but not a limiting factor to their progress. both can become professional bodybuilders, some just require more work to get to (relatively) the same plane.. Obviously, people who are gifted in imagination may be able to produce a sensory experience that may not be 'teachable', but this applies to every skill I can think of. For me, it seems to be WAY harder to create a visual image with my eyes closed, but it seems to be subjective as well.. what about you guys?

[essergio2]

It depends on which part of the day I try. I know it may sound weird, but for me it's way easier to visualize during the day than right before going to sleep. It's like I get myself distracted with random thoughts. Other than that, I have a good visualization, and I've been trying to improve it this year. I can visualize an object, see it, feel it, and even taste/smell it; but I find it hard to get myself into a scene, I guess is too much for now

[Sensei]

It really depends. I can imagine anything with clarity, but it is just in my imagination, it won't trump reality. But. If you can visualize anything with perfect clarity than I challenge you on this thing I have been practicing when waking and sleeping are mixing (you know the time at night). If you can visualize anything, then visualize a long chemistry or math problem that has a fee parts. See if you can do it right by leaving parts of the problem somewhere and taking your mind off them. Or try and play a game of checkers or chess. I always get lost in chess because one or two pieces will get mixed up. Or see through your eyes on purpose. If you are famuliar with the concept it should be fun! I can only do these at night, but I find myself being able to multiply looooong numbers like 6 digit times 6 digit, not genius level or anything, but for me to be able to do that in 30 seconds (same amount of time as if i had paper) a big deal. this trumps reality. Haha. Simon, you aren't a kid, if you were Jewish (a long time ago) or mandalorian (a long long time ago) you would be considered an adult at 13.

[SIMDML]

This tread is starting to turn into something pretty nice! I'm happy to see both Brandon and finnegan are around! And thanks Brandon! For the last year and a half or so I've bee learning the use of 3D software (I'm using blender) because I wanted to be able to put ideas into images. Now as a school project I'm building a CNC machine to actually transpose ideas into real life. Imagine the possibilities! Spoiler for What is a CNC machine?: kind of like a 3D printer, but instead of adding plastic layers it removes layers of whatever material you are using Now back on topic, I'm going to try to mess with that a bit tonight (@Brandon). I remember when I was younger I was trying to find the limits of visualization and I just tried to visualize a grid and subdivide it as much as possible while being aware of every distinct square. I found that it was pretty hard to get past 15x15 without the grid losing a row or two. However it's easy for me to visualize complex, cinematic looking scenes. I got a bit of a theory on that but I'm kind of tired and can't seem to put it into words. So I'll mess around with what you mentioned and I should post again tomorrow. Good night everyone, have a nice time dreaming.

[Sensei]

Good luck simon. @purpleminded Visualization of all types (tactile, smell, sight, noise) is a muscle like thing. You need to keep practicing, if you don't use it you lose it. The more you practice the better. If you overuse it it will get stressed and stop working.

[SIMDML]

Couldn't give it a try last night, I was so tired I just fell asleep. Attempting it now.

[Ragnar]

Old thread, I know. Was hoping I could get some answers though. How much does waking life visualization/imagination ability affect dreams and their vividness? I want to know if its hopeless for me to try to start lucid dreaming or even worth it, lol. I literally can't visualize anything no matter how hard I try. For example, I have a lot of trouble trying to simply visualize/imagine or play out a scene in a book I'm reading. I couldn't even visualize my parents faces if you asked me to! I used to love to draw but was never able to draw anything from memory or without a reference point for the life of me due to being unable to visualize things in my head... I think. Anyway I could maybe improve this ability or is it too late?

[Gaea]

Old thread, I know. Was hoping I could get some answers though. How much does waking life visualization/imagination ability affect dreams and their vividness? I want to know if its hopeless for me to try to start lucid dreaming or even worth it, lol. I literally can't visualize anything no matter how hard I try. For example, I have a lot of trouble trying to simply visualize/imagine or play out a scene in a book I'm reading. I couldn't even visualize my parents faces if you asked me to! I used to love to draw but was never able to draw anything from memory or without a reference point for the life of me due to being unable to visualize things in my head... I think. Anyway I could maybe improve this ability or is it too late? I feel like I shouldn't reply, but before they close this thread, something happened to me that was extraordinary. When I had my first lucid dream, I asked a DC/DG to give me lucidity forever. The next day I was able to visualize so well, like better than ever before. But to answer your question... I think waking life visualizations can help you greatly in dream control. Dream control includes vividness, and other stuff, but I am able to get 100% control of a dream every time. I don't think the inability to visualize can affect lucid dreaming. Btw, welcome to DreamViews! If you need to ask more questions, create a new thread rather than bumping a old topic. Anyways, good luck. This thread is probably going to be closed really soon. Hopefully you will make a new one.