Creative visualization is the practice of attempting to alter your thoughts in order to positively affect the world around you. There are many ways that this can be done but the basic principle is usually the same. The purpose is to improve one's surroundings via positive thinking.
While this may sound a lot like daydreaming there are a few key differences. When people daydream they are usually visualizing something from a third person perspective. During creative visualization it is important to picture everything from the first person point of view. The good things that you image must literally be unfolding around you just as they would in real life. You aren't looking at things as if they were on a TV screen. You're looking at them as if they're really happening to you.
Another key difference in creative visualization is that you are performing these tasks with a purpose. You must believe that the things you desire are actually on the way to you. When you daydream, it is usually just an idle wish that you don't really expect to happen. When practicing creative visualization you actually expect the best to happen.
Elements of creative visualization can be found in nearly every religion in the world in one form or another. Buddhists must visualize in order to practice their religion. Many Eastern religions believe in the power of creative visualizations. In the 19th century the concept came to the forefront of the New Thought movement. This movement was spearheaded by such thinkers as Wallace Wattles. Wattles wrote the classic The Science of Getting Rich and it is still studied today by many people. The movie "The Secret" was spawned from the concepts in this very book. In it, Wattles writes that one must have a "clear mental image" of the things that they want. When coupled with faith, gratitude, and the expectant attitude, the vision is literally created around them.
What are some of the benefits that one can expect from practicing creative visualization? The sky is the limit! Everything is affected by what we image. You can improve health, relationships, financial resources, and any situation that you desire.
Many people have improved from poor health conditions simply by the concept of creative visualization. They have also used the same practice to go from broke to comfortable financially. So how do you specifically practice creative visualization?
The first step in creative visualization is to relax. The best way to do this is to get in a comfortable position. Lying flat on your back is a great position to be in if you can keep yourself from falling asleep. Then start to take deep breaths and relax each part of your body. Start at your toes and work your way up to the top of your head. Each time you breathe out, a different part of your body should be relaxing. When you're done with this step you should feel completely relaxed in every part of your body. Again, try not to fall asleep. This is easier said than done sometimes, but with a little practice, it can be done.
The next step is to decide what you want and to actually picture it on the screen of your mind. The first time that you try this it will most likely be difficult. Your mind will probably jump around from one thought to the other. This is ok, as it is the natural way your mind works. However, when this happens just simply allow yourself to focus back on what you want.
Deciding what you want can also be difficult at times. We want so many things in life that it's sometimes hard to narrow it down. However, if you really put some thought into it, one thing usually will feel right. It's the one thing that would make your life better.
Once you decide what it is that you want, try to imagine it as if it was unfolding all around you in the present tense. Believe that it is actually happening. Faith is a very powerful force in your life and can be the difference in getting want you want. The longer you can devote to visualization, the better. However, 10 or 15 minutes is usually a good amount of time. Any amount of time is better than none.
Then try to think of your picture as often as you can throughout the day...the more often the better. Once you have formed the habit of doing this daily, your life will start to improve by leaps and bounds.
Creative visualization allows you to consciously attract what you want. What you do is you visualize or see images in your conscious mind. This is a powerful way of using mind power in programming thoughts into your subconscious mind.
