Creative Visualization

Control of the mind is said to be the highest Yoga.
It is like control of an unruly horse which must be made to obey its rider.
-Bhagavata Purana, XI.20
Turn your thoughts to the positive. Take control of your mind and you take control of your life. How many hours have you wasted in
worry? Why? Why dwell on the negative when it only builds and creates more negative energy? Through the use of creative
visualization, we can use the energy of the universe to remove barriers, accomplish goals and to create harmony and happiness for
ourselves and others. And it all starts with you and how you see yourself and your world. Positive thinking is not just an attitude.
It is a way of life. Incredible power is available to you when you apply positive thinking to your outlook.

Recently, I had to go on an interview and didn’t have a new outfit. I was feeling old and frumpy until my friend Anna told me the
best way to become more attractive is simply to decide to be. She said, “Know that you are attractive and ‘radiate’ love.”

I tried it. And you know what? She was right. Everyone loved me and I got the position. By changing my attitude toward myself, I
changed the way everyone I encountered responded to me. Of course I did the work on this plane too. I took a shower, did my hair,
dressed up and dabbed some essential oil of rose on some key places. But I believed I was desirable and people responded.

No one can resist you when you simple ARE.

So how do you BECOME? That’s easy you just decide TO BE.
Sounds odd? Not really, in fact modern psychology accepts and even treats the harm wrought by negative thinking. If you call a girl
fat over and over doesn’t it crush her self image and cause her to become fat? If you call a boy stupid over and over doesn’t he
accept the fact that he really is stupid? So why is society so cynical when it comes to the benefits of positive thinking? And it is so
easy. Just let go of fear and worry and put your energy toward a positive outlook. Imagine yourself in positive situations with
people acting positively towards you. It is a self fulfilling prophecy.

Through conscious awareness of our thoughts we are able to focus our experiences in the desired directions and create a positive,
vibrant, radiant self/ life/ existence. Through positive thought and creative imagery we can change reality. Visualization is one of
the most important tools someone on a spiritual path can use. Creative visualization is the art of changing negative thinking for
positive images and creating the life you want and deserve. When you meditate on a positive goal you begin to manifest positive
energy. This positive energy then takes on form as the actual reality you desired.

The first step on this positive path is to change the way you think. Instead of observing a problem that you want changed, imagine
the situation as you want it to be. This concept is simple. Anyone can do it with incredible results. Visualization is one of the most
powerful methods there is for effecting the changes you desire.

So just how do you do it? Well, "seeing with the mind's eye" takes practice and as with all things, gets easier with each success.
Don’t lose heart if your first attempts seem futile. At first the images might be fuzzy and indistinct. Define your goal. What would
you like to change about your life or yourself? Want to lose 10 pounds? Get in shape? Do you want a better job? Do you want
better health? Now picture it as clearly as possible on the screen of your mind. See yourself in the reality you want. Hold this
image as clearly in your mind as you can. To reinforce the image you can also draw the scene and tack it next to your desk so that
you can look at it often and put energy into manifesting it.

Several years ago when I first began trying to hold an image in my mind I had a very difficult time. I was having sushi with my
friend Stephani and she helped me right there at the table by running me through a few exercises. She said, “Look at your plate.
Okay, close your eyes and picture your plate in your mind’s eye. Try to recall as many details as you can. Now bring in other
senses. What did you taste? Smell? Hear?”

Through practice I have gotten much better at calling images to the blank screen in my mind. You can practice visualizing by
picturing things you see and do in everyday life. Try to imagine enjoyable things. You might picture being in your favorite place, or
dancing with someone special, or eating your favorite meal, the first time you kissed the one you love. These simple exercises will
help you "see" and make it easy for you to call up images in your mind when you want to practice meditation or manifest a thought
or desire into reality. You can even use guided imagery for relaxation and healing.

This is the process of sending positive energy into the universe and the more positive energy you send out, the more you will get
back. Of course, as with anything you must also do the work on the physical plane to manifest your desires. You won’t get your
dream job if you don’t apply for the position, you won’t get in shape unless you exercise, you won’t lose 10 pounds unless you lay
off the soda and chocolate cake…

Lastly, BELIEVE. Know that your desires are manifesting. Believe that the object you desire is yours. That's it. You are now
practicing the process of conscious creation through defining your desires, working to make them a reality, and allowing yourself to
accept the rewards. Visualization is a form of self-hypnosis. It is a tool anyone can use to help foster healing. By providing
suggestion combined with positive images, visualization can form a mind-body connection that fosters the healing process on a
physical level.

You can begin by practicing simple visualization techniques like this one: Choose an object (something real) and focus on it until
you have memorized its features. Now close your eyes and 'see' it on the screen of your mind in as much detail as you can. Hold
the image for as long as you can without losing focus. Concentrate on shapes and colors. As you get better, try to manipulate the
object by animating it. Now complicate the exercise and with the next object you choose, let all your senses explore the object.
What kind of texture does it have? Does it have a fragrance? Can you hear it? Now you can recreate the object completely in your
mind. This is the ability to visualize. Now try this exercise with a memory. Choose a happy experience and recall it in as much
detail as you can using not only “sight” but what you might have smelled, heard, felt?
It is possible for each of us to achieve inner peace by applying a positive outlook. Strive to focus on ways to open your heart and
mind to the awesome power of creative visualization.

Begin by choosing an area of your life you want to change. Apply creative visualization by meditating on how you would like it to be.

Improve your income: See yourself getting a raise. See yourself doing well at work. See yourself depositing money into your
account.

Improve your health: Do a tree meditation and draw healing energy up into your chakras. Use that same energy to mend and heal
your aura. See the energy filling the cells of your body and healing the area you focus on.

Your happiness: See yourself interacting laughing and smiling as you connect with friends and family.

You can address any area of your life that you would like to change. Begin by making a list of the changes you want to make. Don’t
make it too long, in fact it is best to keep it limited to four or five things to focus on. Don’t use the negative.

All of our feelings, beliefs and knowledge are based on our internal thoughts, both conscious and subconscious. You are in control,
whether you know it or not. It truly is your choice to be positive or negative, enthusiastic or dull, active or passive so choose to be
happy.

Change in steps. Be aware of your reaction to others and mindfully respond with positive words. Smile more. Praise yourself and
others. Dream of success. Be enthusiastic. Allow yourself to be happy, joyous, healthy and successful. Take time to relax.
Be aware of negativity. When a negative thought enters your mind, replace it with a positive thought. Try to apply a positive
outlook even when you are passing through a difficult period.

It is up to you to choose the path of your life and up to you to enjoy the journey.
Master the art of manifesting