Guided imagery meditation is a powerful tool that engages the subconscious mind. When the imagination is engaged, the inner workings of the mind awaken, absorbing the information. Since the subconscious mind makes no distinction between imagination and reality, the effects can be tremendous, and they can be experienced in the physical, mental and emotional realms.
A Script for Guided Imagery is a helpful option to consider because it serves as a guide for the meditative person to follow. The heightened state of relaxation yields to creativity and inspiration while offering healing in the process.
Guided imagery engages the mind on a number of different levels, offering a natural way to relax while stimulating the imagination. There are two phases in the process, whether the meditative person visits a therapist or conducts the imagery exercises independently.
Phase One
The first phase involves settling into a deep state of relaxation. The state is commonly referred to as the alpha state, similar to the condition a person is in when watching television or browsing the Internet. Some can relate to the alpha state by thinking of a time when they were on the computer for what they thought were a few minutes only to find that an hour had passed. Losing a sense of time is a factor in the process.
Reaching the alpha state is relatively simple but it is also necessary to relax deeply. Many people use breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation to achieve this. Other ways to relax include:
• Counting breaths
• Pattern tensing and relaxing muscles
• Music
• Natural sounds
It is important to reach the deeply relaxed state before beginning the imagery exercises.
Phase Two
Phase 2 involves the actual visualizations that the meditative person produces. There are different types of imagery to consider when entering phase 2, and selecting the right one for your specific needs is purely subjective and dependant on the desired outcome. Choices include:
• Relaxation imagery involves focusing on experiences that are very pleasant. Some people focus on their personal experiences while others create fictional situations to explore.
• Pain control involves taking thoughts away from the discomfort with focus on comfort. For example, a person may envision pain as a flame that is slowly extinguished with cool water until it eventually is carried away by smoke.
• Healing imagery is similar to pain control because the focus is on alleviating the problem, replacing it with images of pleasure and success. Some focus on energy centers in the body to achieve this. Chakra meditation is an excellent example of a meditative process that uses guided healing imagery.
• Preparatory imagery involves creating a healthy state of mind before engaging in a potentially anxious activity. For example, someone who is deathly afraid of public speaking may envision himself delivering a stellar speech before making a presentation.
Guided Imagery and Health
The health benefits of guided imagery are similar to the benefits of other forms of meditation. The system is helpful in engaging the subconscious mind much like hypnosis does. Some healthcare professionals use the approach with great results and with little side effects.
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