Visualization and Meditation, Part Two

In the last article, we discussed the use of guided imagery in meditation for the purposes of relaxation and opening our spiritual side. There is another use of guided imagery which you can employ during meditation: to focus on your goals and the means to accomplish them.

Numerous studies have shown that visualization can increase performance on many tasks, both mental and physical. It is often said that imagining the future you wish to have is the first step on the road to realizing it. Many books emphasize the importance of positive thought when it comes to achieving success.

Guided imagery during meditation helps take the power of positive thought to a whole new level. In yoga, you have already put your body in prime condition for concentration through the practice of the various asanas. You have increased the flow of chi, or vital energy, in your body and released any stress or negative thoughts that could interfere with focusing on what you want. You are in the perfect physiological state to reach a high level of concentration.

As in using guided imagery for relaxation, it helps to have someone talk you through it the first time. Some yoga instructors will do this in their meditation portion of their class. They will ask you to focus on a goal you wish to achieve and visualize yourself taking the necessary steps to get there. I find, however, that using guided imagery to facilitate success can be best done alone, where you can focus on your personal goals undisturbed.

The best way to do this is to begin by making a tape of yourself. Speaking gently and calmly, state the goal it is that you wish to achieve. Allow several minutes of silence for you to have the time to picture this mentally when you begin to meditate. After that, state the steps along the way to accomplishing your goal. For example, if your goal is to move into a different field of work, picture yourself enrolling in a class to learn about your new career. Picture yourself succeeding in the tests. Take yourself through the attainment of your goal step-by-step, allowing enough time to concentrate fully between each stated step.

Using guided imagery to help you accomplish your goals can be a powerful tool in your success. By uniting your mental, physical, and spiritual energies, you will be able to create the energy you need to overcome any obstacles and achieve your goal.

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