Hey,

Man it feels like this topic started years ago but only a couple of months!

Well I'm just reading through again also, so much to take it and learn and try myself. Something just came to me aswell which just seemed to make sense, and I liked what Lucy said about not using the word visulization and rather imagination, so my thing was....

Relaxation + Imagination = Visulization

Ryan

Very interesting link, Lucy, and I'll read it through.  I think I've seen that book before.  It is funny to me to hear of a 1963 edition being referred to as "mid-century" but I'm not completely here in 2005 yet!  

It seems there were a lot of books coming out during that period about the "power of positive thinking" and such.  Lots of people are cynical about this kind of thing but there is a lot of truth to the fact that what you focus your attention on shapes the outward expression of your "self" and often your circumstances.

I am working with a cd right now everyday which uses my own selected personal imagery to direct the subconscious mind.  It is also interesting what happens when I stop selecting the imagery myself and allow it to "select itself" from a trusted source which I allow myself to assume exists.  I think it has been very helpful to me to break self-imposed internal boundaries.

thanks, blink

Lucy,

Will pm you with a weblink. I didn't create this particular cd myself, but it places no restrictions on the imagery I select.  I'm sure there are other cds which would accomplish the same purpose.  I am realizing that there is no real need to use self hypnosis exactly the way it is described with some of these cds you can buy on the market.  You can adjust some of the imagery in your mind as you go along depending on how flexible you want to be.

The main idea is to get into a state in which you drift into a comfortable place in your mind and experiment with images...and then give the proper instructions to your subconscious mind to accept them and later bring them into your experience. 

The way my ideas can manifest for myself is sometimes surprising to me.  This sounds vague, but I am always experimenting.  It can be fun.

blink

Ok, Lucy, Mr. Satan, sent to you...  blink

Lucy,

Although the imagery is guided, the ultimate goal is my choice and the visual imagery I use to create "what I want" during that time is my choice. 

Also you really are free in guided meditation to bypass specific instruction to achieve a particular goal if you are aware enough.  No one can force your mind to accept a direction you are opposed to or when you prefer to take a different direction with it.  There has to be willingness. 

You can be physically focused, spiritually focused, emotionally focused.  There are many variations.  The first particular cd I told you about does allow for a "free" experience at the end, and it does allow you to bring it into your reality.  The reality will occur in a creative way, perhaps not exactly as you expect.

This reality we experience can be considered an illusion. We are always creating our reality and we can make adjustments to it.  If you don't mind, please pm me in the future if you will as I prefer that method to discuss this particular aspect of my "studies" and I hope I have been helpful in explaining my point of view here.

thanks,
blink