Comments on: Visualization-Meditation Exercise: Go To Your Room

By: Erin Pavlina

Erin Pavlina — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 01:53:18 +0000

That’s wonderful, Elaine.

One of the reasons I added a bedroom onto my “room” was so that I could go there to sleep if I didn’t feel like going all the way back up the stairs and elevator. It’s nice and cozy in there, I picked a gorgeous autumnal bed spread.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 14:00:36 +0000

Erin and Steve, thank you. I was having one of my ever more frequently occurring nervous breakdowns last night (work and relationship stress), and my ideal future self really comforted me. Not to mention my room was totally rad.

I nearly did fall asleep, but it’s amazing how going back up those stairs and through the elevator transitions you back to awareness. I could have fallen back asleep, but at that point I needed a hug, so I went and got one.

One of the things that surprised me the most was future-me’s occupation. I’ve been struggling with where my future is going, but she was confident, and happily in the career path I’d been doubting that I should even start. Guess it’s time to get a move-on!

By: Steve Pavlina

Steve Pavlina — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 02:02:11 +0000

@moony: For me it was largely a matter of practice, practice, practice. You can start by visualizing physical objects. Involve all of your senses. For example, imagine a lemon. In your mind see the color, feel the texture and temperature, smell the scent, taste the juice. Strive to reach the point where your visualization becomes so real that you actually begin to salivate. Take 3-4 minutes just to focus on visualizing the lemon as vividly as possible.

Then graduate to visualizing more complex objects like a lemon tree. Once you get the hang of seeing still objects clearly, then you can begin to animate them.

Many people find it difficult to visualize, and certainly some of us are more natural visualizers than others. It’s a skill that can be developed with practice though.

Eventually you can even develop the skill of visualizing scenes that are beyond the limits of your physical eyes. For example, I am becoming decent at visualizing scenes that I can see with a 360-degree field of view in my mind’s eye. I can also imagine what it feels like to pass through solid objects like a wall or window, feeling the sensation of drag as I imagine myself passing through it.

By: moony

moony — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 01:46:45 +0000

Erin and Steve,

I have a problem with visualizing in general. I find it hard to see anything at all clearly. For example, I can’t really see the elevator as a whole – it’s kind of hazy, but if I choose to focus on any one part of it, I can see that part a little clearly. I’m far better with sounds, but its hard to build a scene/message with only sounds. Is it common for people to find it difficult to see images in their head? Any books or methods you can suggest to improve visualization?

By: Erin Pavlina

Erin Pavlina — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 19:29:44 +0000

Annie, LOL, yes, I also recommend this for trying to fall asleep. If you want to get to your room, you may have to start at least 30 minutes before you’re tired enough to go to bed.

If I’m tired, but also really wanting to read the chalkboard in my room, I will take the “express” elevator down, and slide down the banister on my staircase (careful so you won’t fall ) and then get to my room faster that way. It’s cheating, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!

By: Steve Pavlina

Steve Pavlina — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:59:17 +0000

@Annie: If you fall asleep (and don’t want to), try doing it sitting up in a comfortable chair. I often fall asleep if I try to do visualizations while lying down — I find them easier to do in a sitting position where I’m comfortable but not too comfortable.

I believe the counting part is intended to help you concentrate and let go of distracting thoughts. There are many meditations which begin with counting or focusing on your breath.

By: Annie

Annie — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:11:22 +0000

I can’t get out of the elevator. LOL
I fall asleep watching the numbers change (It’s a slow elevator).
I tried this excercise upon retiring to bed, and also upon waking in
the middle of the night and becoming restless. I don’t know how that
works (making me fall asleep by counting backwards), but I’ve linked this
blog on a discussion board where sleep (and lack thereof) is being discussed.
When I finally get to “my room”, It better be worth the wait!

P.S. Is this the basis of the whole “counting sheep” thing?

By: Chris Owen

Chris Owen — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 00:54:42 +0000

Thanks Steve for this lovely gift, in facty for both of them as i also went to your other meditation.
Please also thank the lovely Mrs P as well.
Not only will this be used in my world, i’ll be blogging and linking on this in the future so i can share the gift with my readers as well.
I’m so glad i found this blog. You’ve moved up very quickly into my daily reading group!
Regards Chris

By: Erin Pavlina

Erin Pavlina — Sun, 25 Sep 2005 21:04:14 +0000

I’m not sure of the significance, though I suspect there is one. Three 7′s spring to mind. I learned this so long ago that most of what I know of its origin is lost.

By: Leo Nordwall

Leo Nordwall — Sun, 25 Sep 2005 19:35:33 +0000

Do you know if there is any special significance of using 21?