I do not find visualization to be compatible with the idea of being open to reality just as it is, nor to be compatible with the idea to stop all striving and just let myself decompress from my normal attempts to make myself be other than what I actually am.
However, in my twenties I had about ten years of therapy for some childhood traumas, and found visualization and hypnosis to be very helpful ways to reassure my self sufficiently that I am safe now, safe enough to allow a conscious experience of long denied emotions, to make therapy more effective. That said, I have heard many people say that a result of sitting and an open accepting attitude to all sides of reality is an increase in creativity, or at least noticing it more. I can't say I have noticed that myself, but then I have had the fortune to live a life with many creative outlets. (People also make the same claim for therapy.). Thanks, Chris Austin-Lane +1-301-270-6524 On Feb 10, 2011, at 15:41, Brett Corbin <[email protected]> wrote: I have been using visualization lately and have been finding it to be very helpful. What I do is, I go in to my normal meditation, focusing in on my breathing, when I start calming down and become aware, I visualize myself in a place I remember from my childhood. It is in southeast Alaska, in the mountains over looking the ocean, a very beautiful place indeed. In my mind I picture myself there, and try to really experience it like I am really there, observing the view, feeling the sun, and things like that. Then I find a place to sit on the ground in this place, and I go right into my meditation. It is kind of weird, but for some reason I do not get attacked by my thoughts as much this way, and also I seem to have deeper experience this way. Brett http://www.pbase.com/brett1963 --- On Thu, 2/10/11, Kristy McClain <[email protected]> wrote: From: Kristy McClain <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] visualization To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 3:11 PM Anthony, So zen is anything not dualistic. I'm not a zen scholar, and the way I practice zen includes compassionate service, and ethical conduct. So, technically, my zen practice is not authentic zen. Oh well. I first learned about visualization froma book called "Creative Visualization" , from the 70's era. In recent years, there have been many healing therapies that use it. "The violet flame", for example. I am learning as I go along how incredible powerful the mind really is. Sometimes visualization is called the placebo-effect. Here's an example. In a meta-analysis on studies on depression, it has been demonstrated that use of anti-depressants for mild -to moderate depression , is no more effective, than if given a placebo. If you believe it works-- it can. (Meta-analaysis is a study of studies). Here's another.. In my pain management class with "seniors" ;), I will arrive the first day with a surfboard and related equipment. When I introduce myself, I will welcome everyone, and tell them how excited I am they are interested in learning how to surf! I'll go on for a few minutes about the number of years I've been doing it, and boy-- are they gonna love it! As they look at me as if I've lost my mind, we will laugh a bit, and in effect--it creates a paradigm shift. If I believe they can do it, ( and I do), they will too--in time. First, I will take them into a relaxation visualization with their breath. Its the first step in a process. In Santa Barbara, it will probably be roller-blades, or hiking gear. In Utah, with cardiac patients, it will be a pair of skis, wax, and files, as if I were leading a "Tune Your Own Skis" class. Isn't it possible to begin with two halves and unify them into one? So, maybe beginning with dualism isn't so bad? To me-- all of this is zen. I don't have to define its boundaries in that way. My two cents.. *s* k On Thu, 2/10/11, Anthony Wu <[email protected]> wrote: From: Anthony Wu <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] visualization To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 2:44 PM Brett, I did for about a year and gave up. That, no doubt, can be a good practice. But it is not zen. Anthony --- On Fri, 11/2/11, artist <[email protected]> wrote: From: artist <[email protected]> Subject: [Zen] visualization To: [email protected] Date: Friday, 11 February, 2011, 5:01 AM I was just wondering if anyone here uses any visualization practises in their meditation. Brett. ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
