GUIDED IMAGERY

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words!  That’s where imagery, (the term I actually prefer), also known as guided imagery and mental imagery comes in.  It’s not just visualization although that is probably the most frequently experienced form of imagery.  Imagery is the universal language of the mind that uses the imagination to think in pictures, sounds, smells, tastes, or touch sensations.  It has been used all over the world as a healing modality for the past 5,000 years, although not as frequently in many western cultures since the rise of natural science following the Cartesian mind-body split.  Imagery is a universal language used by all people regardless of the language they speak, their culture, or the country where they live.  Think about that!  Isn’t that amazing?

We think in two ways – with words or with images. Guided imagery, as a therapeutic healing modality, opens the doorway to the realm of existence beyond ordinary space and time, the realm we also enter during night dreams.  For some people, experiencing guided images happens immediately.  For others, it takes some practice.  However, we do know that the mind often doesn’t know the difference between a real stimulus, such as sucking on a piece of lemon or imagining that you are sucking on a piece of lemon.  The response is often the same.

We have many Power Prescriptions, also known as power tools, available in Health Patterning therapy and guided imagery is one of the most important.  By producing physiological changes, emotional awareness, and intellectual insight, it is an effective way to deal with the stress that is continuously coming into our lives.  During illness, guided imagery can be used with or without conventional healthcare treatments. By allowing us to understand the meaning of our symptoms and illnesses, we find ourselves able to optimize the healing abilities present in everyone.  Finally, guided imagery helps people to grow their power-as-freedom.  Remember, power is the ability to make aware choices with the intention of freely participating in creating the changes we want in our lives.

I use the Epstein Mental Imagery Model and have studied with Dr. Gerald Epstein for many years.  His book, Healing Visualizations, is a classic in the field.  It is in the 19th printing and has been published in 12 languages in 14 countries (Epstein, G. (1989).  Healing visualizations: Creating health through imagery.  New York: Bantum).

So let’s get started.  The guided imagery exercise I am offering you is called “Out of the Shadows” and the intention is for you to experience your power-as-freedom.  We prepare for doing imagery by taking three long out-breaths through the mouth, followed by briefer in-breaths through the nose.  Why?  Longer out-breaths quiet the flight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve that stimulates the relaxation response of the parasympathetic nervous system.  We also have a particular posture.  So here’s how it works.

Sit up straight.  Put your feel flat on the floor.  Uncross your hands and your feet.  With palms down, rest your arms in your lap, (or preferably on the armrests of the chair).  Close your eyes.  Give yourself the intention of becoming quiet and relaxed.  Breathe out through your mouth with a long, slow out-breath.  Breathe in through your nose at a normal, easy pace.  Slowly, breathe out again through your mouth.  Follow with a briefer in-breath.  Breathe out one more time with a long, slow breath.  Now, breathe any way you like.

“Out of the Shadows”

See yourself standing in the shadows, barely visible.  Notice what you feel being enveloped by the shadows.  Now come out of the shadows into the light.  See, sense, feel, and know that you have the power to emerge from the shadows and create changes in your life.  Breathe out one time and open your eyes.