Do you really SEE things in your mind's eye?

[basil12]

When you talk about "visualizing" what you want in the future or "visualizing" an intention, do you mean that you literally see it? Like really see it, like the way you see things in a dream? Because there have been just a handful of times where I get a vivid flash of sight and it's like I'm actually seeing what I'm thinking about. This just started less than a year ago and it still startles me so much that it only lasts a second (mostly it happens when I'm very tired).

Is this what I should be trying to cultivate? Or do I just need to summon the feelings that go along with my goal? If nothing else, seeing images with your eyes closed is really cool.

[Remiel]

I'm an almost always kind of person. HOWEVER I also have the talent of futuristic so to me my normal is not your normal. Have you takent the strengths finder test? If not I'd recommend taking it. Cultivate your talents not your weaknesses. As far as actually visualizing things there are plenty of times I don't actually visuallize anything. I think about what I want though and explore it fully.

If you really need to find a friend with the futuristic talent and get his help on visualizing. For yourself focus on your strengths.

[basil12]

What is the "futuristic talent"? I've never heard of this.

[lasti]

Visualize means literally "to make it visibile".

[basil12]

I never thought it meant literally making a thought visual. I thought it meant to imagine (yes I notice the root word "image" there...) the things you might see and just think about them, but not really see them. I've never experienced that until recently.

[basil12]

I just got this email from the PhotoReading people... Weird...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to Genius Sparks by Paul R. Scheele
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Visualization is a powerful tool for self-improvement.
Sharp visualization abilities can greatly improve the
results you get from many of our programs including
PhotoReading, Spring Forest Qigong, Abundance for Life,
and Effortless Success.

For years it was cited as a scientific fact that one American
in three was unable to visualize. Even Genius Code author
Win Wenger was one of those who absolutely could not until
he used the following methods to get pictures in his mind for
himself. Since then, out of thousands he has taught, every
person has succeeded and thus enjoyed the benefits of visual
thinking or visualization.

Try the following exercises. If you do not have a partner to be
the listener, use a recording device.

1. Afterimage Technique

"Afterimages" are leftover prints of light on the retina at the
back of the eye. For 30 seconds, stare at a light, window, or
part of the room that has a strong contrast. Do not use the sun
or anything else very bright-20 to 40 watts of light is more
than bright enough. When you look away from the light or
close your eyes, you will see momentary afterimages. You may
see a floating blob of light or color or perhaps a line. Describe
what you see in detail and continue describing as it changes
color and shape.

Unreinforced afterimages last only a few seconds. Reinforced
by attention and description, your afterimage can last minutes.
If yours fades after a few moments, recharge on the light and
resume describing.

At some point while examining and describing your
afterimages, you may notice other kinds of images, such as
trace impressions or a momentary eye, face, landscape, vase,
etc. Notice when you get one and switch to describing it.
Describe in the present tense, as if you still see it, even if you
caught only a momentary glimpse. With your attentive detailed
sustained flow of description, more images will come.

If 10 to 20 minutes sustained effort with afterimages does not
lead you to more interesting perceptions, smile, breath, and
try this next technique.

2. Phosphenes

"Phosphenes" are luminous impressions that result from
changing pressure on the retina. Gently rub your own closed
eyes like a sleepy child and describe the light and color
variations you see. Continue describing what develops.

3. Music

Close your eyes and listen to richly textured music, preferably
classical, French impressionist, or progressive jazz. Choose
complex music that attracts and involves your more sensitive
faculties. When the music inspires an image or sensation, delve
deep into description. If you have seen Walt Disney's film
Fantasia, you may remember the intense connection between
the classical music score and the animated action and dance
that sprang from it.

4. Home Blindfolded

Make your way around your apartment or house blindfolded,
feeling various objects and describing them at length. For an
alternative experience, have your partner create a grab bag of
many highly diverse objects for you to feel. Regardless of
whether you successfully identify the item, describe it fully.

This exercise is also a creative problem-solving technique. If
you have been working to solve a problem and have not yet
gotten you're a-ha!, you can turn to perception by asking
yourself, "How would I experience this if I could not see? How
would I "see" it differently from how I am seeing it now?" Or if
I could not hear? Or if I were very short or very tall? Do
anything to change the way you are approaching the problem
to shift you from your stuck "knowledge".

5. Eat Blindfolded

Describe in detail what you are eating. Include taste, smell,
sound, texture, and appearance.

6. Afterimage Room

Stand in a dark room looking toward where the light will be,
turn on the lights, and immediately close your eyes. You should
find elaborate afterimages or even an entire scene. Vary the
exercise by quickly flicking the lights on and off several times
with eyes open and leaving them on or off after you close your
eyes. Compare afterimages with lights left on or off. Describe
everything in your awareness.

These techniques and more can be found in the
Genius Code course.

Increase IQ with Genius Code, Win Wenger and Paul Scheele

[Remiel]

Originally Posted by basil12

What is the "futuristic talent"? I've never heard of this.

My apologies for the late reply. I'm refering to the talent themes from www.strengthsfinder.com

Its a very insightful test (dead on accurate for me). So I'd highly recommend going out and purchasing a copy of strengths finder 2.0 and then taking the test.

Originally Posted by Strengths Finder 2.0

This is the description that I got from my test. It may be customized to my answers and more specific than what is in the book. I know this to be a fact with my Input talent as what I got is far more specific than the book. Much much more accurate to boot.

FUTURISTIC
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.

Your Personalized Strengths Insights
What makes you stand out?
By nature, you look to the future rather than review what has already occurred in your life. You see little reason to cling to the past. The future is full of potential. You set your sights on being accomplished and successful. Driven by your talents, you are innovative, inventive, original, and resourceful. Your mind allows you to venture beyond the commonplace, the familiar, or the obvious. You entertain ideas about the best ways to reach a goal, increase productivity, or solve a problem. First, you think of alternatives. Then you choose the best option. Instinctively, you regularly set aside the majority of your time to contemplate what the world could be like years or decades from today. Ideas come to you when you are in the company of visionary thinkers. These individuals often stimulate your inventiveness. It’s very likely that you routinely imagine what you can do better in the coming weeks, months, years, or even decades. You envision in vivid detail the things you need to enhance and perfect. These could include your environment, yourself, another person, a system, a project, a product, or a job. Because of your strengths, you intentionally spend a lot of time pondering the behaviors, activities, skills, knowledge, processes, and ideas you want to perfect in the coming months, years, or decades.

Futuristic sounds like this:
Dan F., school administrator: "In any situation, I am the guy who says, ‘Did you ever think about . . . ? I wonder if we could . . . I don't believe it can't be done. It's just that nobody has done it yet. Let's figure out how we can.' I am always looking for options, for ways not to be mired by the status quo. In fact, there is no such thing as the status quo. You are either moving forward, or you are moving backward. That's the reality of life, at least from my perspective. And right now, I believe that my profession is moving backward. State schools are being out-serviced by private schools, charter
schools, home schools, Internet schools. We need to free ourselves from our traditions and create a new future."

Jan K., internist: "Here at the Mayo Clinic, we are launching a group called the Hospitalists. Rather than having patients handed off from one doctor to another during their stay in the hospital, I envision a family of providers. I envision fifteen to twenty MDs, of various genders and races, with twenty to
twenty-five nurse practitioners. There will be four to five new hospital services, most of which will work with surgeons and will provide para-operative care as well as care for the hospitalized elderly. We are
redefining the model of care here. We don't just take care of the patients when they are in the hospital. If a patient comes in for a knee replacement, a member of the Hospitalist team would see him before the surgery, follow him from the day of surgery through the days of hospitalization, and
then see him when he comes in six weeks later for his postoperative check. We will provide patients with a complete episode of care so that they don't get lost in the handoffs. And to get the funding, I just saw the detailed picture in my head and kept describing this picture to the department chair. I
guess I made it seem so real that they had no choice but to grant me the funds."