meditation and visualization?

[Autumn Wolf]

Hi, I'm new to serious attempts at meditation, and I just can't seem to get the visualization thing down! I've read several books, and STILL can't see any "red circles "or "blue squares" when I close my eyes. I tried what seemed to be the very easiest solution, which was to light a candle, study it for 15 minutes... you know, notice the wax dripping, study the shape of the flame, etc... and then close your eyes and SEE it. Well, it still didn't work! Even when I kept opening my eyes back up to get one more look, the minute I closed my eyes, there was nothing. I could remember every detail, I tried to trace the candle and the flame on the insides of my eyelids, but I still can't SEE it! Is something wrong with me, is my imagination impaired somehow? I try meditating to nature sounds (the ocean with music),because I have to have something to drown out my noisy neighborhood. There's a dog that barks at his own shadow, and slamming doors downstairs, and very noisy traffic on the street below, all this at all times of day and night. I bought special headphones that would drown out all the noises (with limited success). But I still can't see anything when I close my eyes! Help!!
(Sorry, I tend to ramble. I'll try to control it.)

[Sequoia]

Hello! Welcome! *smiles*

first of all, you might find these threads of help to you:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14065

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10986&highlight=visualization

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16741&highlight=visualization

Also, something you might want to think about. . . for most people, at least in my experience, visualization is hardly literal. You aren't literally seeing everything the way you would normally. It is much like using your imagination (at least, for me it is), and seeing it in your mind's eye. I rarely see things as though they are physically in front of me, and that is usually when I am having a vision. Even then, it's almost like bleed-through from my mind's eye. Seeing things overlapped with what is physically there.

Before you try visualization (or at the same time, perhaps?) you may wish to try to tune everything out. . . try meditating and just letting go, instead of becoming tense. Accept that the sounds are there, and then let them fade from your consiousness. Let them slip away, and just fall into the calm darkness in your mind. Acknowlage the thoughts that come to your mind, but again let them fade away. Just let yourself relax and let your mind drift. Sound or no sound, light or no light, things about or none. . . just let go. Accept it all as being there, and then let the acceptance of it cause it to leave your counsious thought. Acknowlage whatever thoughts may come to mind, then let them go. You can ponder them later. Just sort of let your mind "zone out". . . and once you feel like you are calm, once you are in that sort of blank state, let the first object you think of come into your mind. Look at it. See it, touch it, hear it, taste it, smell it. It is there for you. When you are done with this object, let it go back to where it came from. Let others come forward, or draw yourself slowly out from this peaceful void. Going slowly is often helpful for beginners, because rushing can be an extreme shock! :)

Is this of any help to you?

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Very good advise Puma. Like she said, just slow down and don't try to force yourself. Just relax and don't concentrate on anything in particular. Read though Puma's advise again and take it to heart. Visulation will eventually come. Don't worry about it. You'll enjoy it later!

[Tammy Sullivan]

Originally posted by Autumn Wolf
I could remember every detail

It sounds to me as though you are visualizing fine. It will get stronger the more you do it. Maybe you are looking for a
3-d image?

[wunjo]

I have been having touble learning to meditate too. My life is so full of stuff that I have a hard time slowing down even when I sit down!!! I had one person tell me that I really need to set aside 3 hrs. to meditate!!! THREE HOURS! I don't have 3 hrs a WEEK to spend just on myself, much less a three hour chunk at one time. Have tried grounding myself, but it sure is hard to visualize roots growing into the ground when I'm running... The only thing that seems to help me block out everything is Hado breathing (sp?) but even then, I am lucky if I can make myself sit still for 5 whole mins. I just don't know what to do to make my life less complicated. Any wise words???

[Witchy Cowgirl]

5 minutes is great!
I'd say start with 5 minutes and increase it little by little. Myself, I probably mediate a total of 10 minutes a day as I'm pretty busy myself. Sometimes I may go a little longer.
Another thing - make sure you got more time than what your gonna actually use. That way you won't be tempted to watch the clock and can take as much time as you need.
Don't try to force yourself to do what someone elese says you need to do. (3 Hours? - not for me either) Do what's good for and feels right for you.:)

[wunjo]

Thankyou Witchy Cowgirl! I guess I should've known that, but I suppose I still need a little reassurance now and then. I need to find a way to slow down, and I'm hopeing that meditating will help me do that, as well as focus on what I want my REAL priorities to be. Thankyou again!