Welcome back! This post is where we tie up a couple of loose ends, and get you some studying material as you advance down the path of visualization!
One of the concerns I hear most often is some people have a very difficult time “seeing” that image when their eyes are closed. My answer is always the same…don’t worry about it. The skill will come. You simply have not practiced. Quick exercise. Close your eyes, and “picture” something very familiar to you, such as the face of a parent, spouse, child, or someone very close to you. Much easier, right? The only “bridge” you have to cross is creating an image of something you have not actually seen yet, as opposed to a familiar image. Start with baby steps. If you have a considerable amount of weight to lose, it is going to be challenging to picture yourself 50 pounds lighter. In fact, it may not even be in your best interest to do so, as your mind may not “believe” you can achieve that goal. Maybe start with something smaller, such as a 5 pound weight loss. There are also some creative ways to help, such as picturing a certain number when you step on the scale. Try taking a picture of the scale readout when a friend is lifting you a little bit. If you weigh 140 pounds, have them pull up slightly so the scale reads 135, and take a picture. Now, look at the physical photo. Remember to add some emotion. Visualization mixed with emotion is the key to success here. How excited are you that you lost 5 pounds? How happy will you feel? Imagine the pride you’ll have knowing you set a goal and reached it, and that is only the beginning!
Keep in mind, the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real image and an imagined one. Want me to prove it? Close your eyes, and imagine biting into a fresh slice of lemon. Imagine the lemon juice on your tongue. Taste the lemon.
Now, did you get a physical reaction? Did you salivate when you got that image in your mind? Why did that happen? You didn’t actually bite into a lemon, you only imagined it. But your subconscious mind reacted to that event just as if it actually happened.
Also remember you have to blend other things into your visualization ritual also. You want to be completely relaxed. Not cold, not hot. The room should be fairly silent, and somewhat dark. Keep in mind to really mix the emotion in with your ritual. Use all of your senses. How will you “feel” when you attain your goal? Kinesthetic. What will people be “saying”? Auditory. How will that “look”? Visual.
There are many books out there on the subject, but my absolute favorite is Psycho Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz. He was a plastic surgeon in the 1940’s and 50’s. He noticed some patients felt no difference in their appearance after plastic surgery, and began to research the role of the self image. His book, released in 1960, was groundbreaking. Many of the visualization/law of attraction experts of modern times credit Dr. Maltz’s work as second to none.
Personal tip on the book…find a used copy with a printing date somewhere in the 60’s, preferably hardback. Psycho Cybernetics has been rewritten many times over the years, and in my opinion the newer copies are truly inferior. Nobody has even come close to the original, and it is well worth the effort. I have bought a few different copies on Ebay…most have been under $20. Best investment you will ever make.
I want to thank you for reading this series, and would love to hear your progress on visualization!
Billy Ross