Visualization?

[Memory's Flame]

I was reading in the COT and trying to do the Visualization exercises (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=51697).

I used to think I was fairly good at visualization, but now I'm not so sure..

I tried to visualize my childhood best friend and I just kept drawing a blank. All I was seeing was the back of my eyelids. However I felt a strong connection at that moment, I almost felt him here with me... but I couldn't really see him! I mean, I know what he looks like, so I could imagine that, but I couldn't see anything...

Am I making sense?

[Faeawyn]

It's not about seeing him with your eyes.....it's about putting your mind in a place where you remember him....you can see his face, hear his voice....you might even remember the smells and sounds around you.
Its like using your imagination. Visualize the apple.....visualize how the apple smells....imagine taking a bite of the apple....how does it taste....what is the texture like in your mouth....is it juicy,...is it cold or room temperature.....
Thats visualization :)

[Arinya]

Oooh what Faeawyn said!
What I do for practice is take a memory - like remembering going for a walk outside. Try to recall every detail of your walk and remember the five senses. When you get good at this, visualize your walk but instead of turning right like you did in your memory, turn left! It will be hard to do at first, at least if was for me and still very much is, but it can help greatly in strengthing your visualization skills and in the future can help with meditation a lot!

[Memory's Flame]

I've done much like this before nightly! (Since I was very young) Before bed I lay awake/dreaming...I control everything, I go to a place where I am truly happy and I can smell and feel everything! Hey, I guess maybe I'm not so bad at this!!

[Gede]

MM~
Visualize the apple.....visualize how the apple smells....imagine taking a bite of the apple....how does it taste....what is the texture like in your mouth....is it juicy,...is it cold or room temperature.....

You gotta love that apple exercise ;)

Namaste, Gede...

[Memory's Flame]

Here's my new question,

If I spend an hour, visualising myself walking through the woods where I spent my childhood summers, so into it that I can feel the breeze in my hair and smell the smells around me, is that the same as meditation?

[Faeawyn]

If your body is completely relaxed, and your mind is relaxed....then yes. While you're in the woods, imagine finding something that talks....it can be anything you wish...a person, an animal, a tree.....have a conversation with it...and listen to what it has to say :) You may not hear it as you would a real conversation, but you might hear it in your mind instead....like telepathy. Ask questions and listen :)

[Arinya]

If your body is completely relaxed, and your mind is relaxed....then yes. While you're in the woods, imagine finding something that talks....it can be anything you wish...a person, an animal, a tree.....have a conversation with it...and listen to what it has to say :) You may not hear it as you would a real conversation, but you might hear it in your mind instead....like telepathy. Ask questions and listen :)

Ah and that's where my expeirence ends. I feel like I'm making it all up and am fooling myself, which I think is a probably many have. Good luck with it :)

[Ivy Artemisia]

I agree with everyone else here... visualization is more than just seeing... you can visualize with all of your senses... even your intuitive one. :) Thats something that was difficult for me in the beginning... I couldn't SEE things and got frustrated beyond belief. It took a lot of practice for me. :)