Creative Visualization

I first came across the term "Creative Visualization" when I picked up this book by Shakti Gawain of the same title. Then, I had not heard of this term before. However, if you’ve been studying Eastern philosophy or, perhaps, other self-help techniques such as the Silva Method, you’ll be familiar with many of the principles and theories behind this technique.

Even Shakti Gawain admits that most of the material in her book is derived from other sources. Shakti’s "Creative Visualization" is a summary and compilation of the most practical and useful techniques that she's learnt in her own personal self improvement journey.

But don’t get the wrong idea. Shakti’s pulled together all the concepts and philosophy of creative visualization into one single, well-written book.

It’s a great little book, especially if you’re just starting out on your self-improvement journey. More advanced students may find it a little basic, but it’s still a good uplifting, motivational read, and will definitely remind you of things that you’ve forgotten.

What I like best is that Shakti writes in a very friendly, informal and easily understood style. Somehow, you just get a warm and happy feeling reading the book.

But enough about Shakti’s book. This article is supposed to discuss about Creative Visualization. Without any further blabbering from me, let’s find out...

What is Creative Visualization?

Creative visualization is a self help technique that uses your imagination to manifest what you want in your life. You use your imagination to create a clear image or idea of something that you wish to manifest. Then you continue to focus on the image, feeling or idea regularly, giving it positive energy until it becomes reality. In other words, until you actually manifest or achieve your goals.

Only he who can SEE the invisible can do the IMPOSSIBLE

You can use creative visualization on any of your goals, spiritual, physical, material or emotional. For example, let’s say your job sucks and you really can’t stand going to work. So, what you do is to imagine what your ideal work environment would be like, and keep focusing on that thought or image until it becomes a reality.

Now, this may sound unbelievable or far-fetched to you but you’re actually already using it everyday and every minute of your life, whether you’re aware of it or not.

Yeah, I know. It can be a little tough to accept at first, but take it from me. Your life, the difficulties, challenges and problems that you face, are all a direct result of our thoughts.

In fact, creative visualization is a technique that many top sportsmen use to be the best at their game. They picture themselves winning the race, playing a perfect game, beating their opponent, how they feel, every single detail they can possibly imagine and experience. Even if they don’t win the match, they’re able to go beyond their normal game and performance.

What do you mean by "Visualize"?

In case you’re a little confused what I mean by "visualize", let me explain.

First of all, don’t get too hung up over the word "visualize". Not everybody is able to see very sharp, clear images when they close their eyes and imagine things. Others feel or sense things. Some others just kinda "think" about things.

That’s perfectly alright. You may have heard before that some people are visually-oriented, others are auditory-oriented (meaning that they perceive the world mainly through hearing) and other people are more kinesthetic (they feel things more).

When you visualize about something, it’s not necessary to "see" it. You may feel or even hear things. It doesn’t matter.

What’s important is that you’re able to imagine it clearly in your mind, whichever way is most comfortable and familiar to you, whether it’s seeing, hearing, feeling things or maybe even a combination of all three.

In fact, the closer you’re able to imagine things the way you would experience it in the physical world, the more effective your creative visualization will be for you.

Besides Shakti Gawain's Creative Visualization, another good resource is the Silva Ultramind System. Whilst it covers a lot more than creative visualization, it's still a pretty good course especially since you can get a FREE ebook & audio lessons from their website. I've also written about my experience with the Silva Ultramind System. It's actually quite funny (now that I think back on it) and you really should read about it.

What Happens After You Visualize?

The REAL effect of creative visualization is to clear or remove any internal blockages or negative thinking within yourself or subconscious mind that may be hindering the flow of abundance or natural harmony into your life.

It’s important to remember that you can’t use creative visualization to control other people or cause them to do something against their own will.

Keep an open mind. Sometimes, the most unexpected things happen. Maybe your boss will be promoted to another division or get headhunted by another company, and you suddenly find yourself promoted to his position.

Other times, you may get a hunch or insight that you should do something or other. Follow your intuition even when it may not seem apparent how it helps to achieve your goals.

When Creative Visualization Doesn't Seem to Work

Now, when you first start creative visualization, sometimes it seems as if it’s not working as planned.

Haven’t you ever felt as if there’s no hope and things just seem pointless?

I mean, you’ve been visualizing for months on end, but nothing seems to happen.

The reality is, life doesn’t always go as you’ve planned.

Sometimes, the journey to manifesting your true desires is not always immediately obvious to us.

Let me give you an example.

Some time back, I had this really horrible boss. I mean, this guy was so bad that most of his staff (my previous colleagues) resigned within a couple of months after he was hired. I was stuck with this horrible boss and couldn’t resign ‘cos of my house mortgage. This guy was really dumb and, at that time, I really didn’t think that I could ever learn anything from him.

I'm not exaggerating here. It was just pure mental torture working for this guy. My health suffered and blood pressure went through the roof.

Anyway, after visualizing for months on end, I eventually got another job and moved on. Since then, I’ve changed jobs a couple of times.

I didn’t realize this then, but looking back, I realized that I actually learnt a couple of things during the period I spent with that horrible boss. I would not have gotten my current job if it was not for the experience & work that I did for that horrible boss, as well as the experiences from all the other jobs that I had.

The thing is, I only realized this on hindsight. If you had told me then that the time I spent with that horrible boss would benefit me one day in the future, I would have laughed at you and told you to go fly a kite.

As Steve Jobs said, "You can only connect the dots looking backwards, not forwards."

And you know what, it’s true.

Sometimes, when it seems like things are not working out despite all efforts, the most important thing you must do is to continue to have faith. I know it sounds cliched but it's true.

You never know how things are going to turn out, and most times, things aren’t obvious to us at that very moment.

So, continue your creative visualization exercises, and believe that things will work out for the better, even when it seems hopeless. Most importantly, keep an open mind and be alert for any opportunities that life will offer you. You never know what’s going to happen or how your goals will manifest itself to you.

Things WILL work out for the better, if you believe and let it be so.

Trust me, I’ve been there.