There’s so much being written about manifesting your destiny through visualization (by myself included :) that I thought it might be beneficial to take a look at what “visualization” really means.

I mean after all, we’re all walking around trying desperately to bring our thoughts into fruition - isn’t it only fair that we get a little guidance in that regard?

So, here’s what visualization is not: A fleeting thought or wish. Ten seconds of chanting “bring me money, bring me money” with your eyes closed. The intention to visualize at a later date, when its more convenient and no one is looking.

Visualization is also not the attempt at meditating on a particular thought or desire while mentally running through your grocery list or thinking about going out with the cutie-pie you met at the club last night.

And I have to admit - that last one tends to give me some trouble which (I’ll also admit) baffles me to no end. After all, I am the Queen of Blue Sky, a term my mother liked to use when I would start telling her how fantabulous my life was going to be when I grew up. I’ll have a big ranch house in the country, I’d tell her, with lots of rooms and a big wrap around porch. I’ll drive a Mercedes and have an enormous garden where everything grows beautifully. I’ll have a beach house in the Bahamas and an apartment in Italy or Paris for weekends. You can come stay with me if you like. “That’s nice dear,” she’d say. “And how will you pay for all this?” Oh, no sweat… I’m going to start my own law practice and then put myself through med school with the money I make from big cases. Oh, and I’m going to be a best-selling author too.

See? I told you…Queen of Blue Sky.

So then you can imagine my delight when the idea became popular that one could create their own destiny simply by visualizing. Yea for me! I’m already certified in this particular concept so I should be cashing in anytime now, right?

Wrong. Because while I have no problem at imagining all the wonderful things I’d like to get out of life, getting my brain to be quiet so that I can concentrate on those things is something else altogether.

See, (and tell me if you’re with me on this) my brain goes ninety to nothing every waking moment of the day. I imagine it does the same thing while I sleep as well but to be honest, I’m usually exhausted and don’t remember much from that portion of my life. For example, if you were to ask me what I was thinking about right now, here’s what I’d tell you:

  • What I’m going to write next
  • I need to wash a load of towels
  • What can I cook for dinner tomorrow night?
  • Are we out of toilet paper?
  • I need to check my emails
  • I need to find some stakes for my tomato plants
  • I’m almost out of tea so I should stop writing and go make more
  • I need to mail my house payment tomorrow

And that’s just a rambling few…

As you can see, my brain has taken multi-tasking to a new level so is it any wonder that I can’t concentrate on manifesting great wealth because my brain keeps interrupting me with reminders, to-do’s and ridiculously random stuff. And in case you’re wondering, I didn’t stop writing to go make the tea… I was afraid I’d lose my train of thought if I did :)

So, back to the topic of visualization… in our “gotta’ go, gotta’ move” kind of society where even mail is now instantaneous, how do we find a way to quiet things down?

Lucky for you, I did the research and yes, I’m going to share it… that was after all, the whole point of this post.

There are basically four states of consciousness - beta, alpha, theta, delta.

The beta stage is our normal waking stage and interestingly, I read a couple of sources that say an estimated 75% of our brain power is focused on maintaining and monitoring our body’s various physical functions. The other 25% is devoted to thinking and planning which makes me all the more impressed with the amount of “thinking” I seem to be getting done. I mean, that’s just with 25% of my brain - imagine how much multi-thinking I could do with 40 or 50%?!

Anyway, the next stage is the alpha stage and this is where visualization comes in. Alpha stages are reached during meditation, light hypnosis or listening to music. In essence, you’re aware of your surroundings but you’re still able to tune them out enough to allow your mind to relax and focus. It is said that alpha states are optimal for moments of clarity, psychic impressions and yes, manifestation.

The theta stage is akin to light sleeping or even a “trance” and can be reached during deep meditation, hypnosis and of course, dozing off. In the theta stage, people have experience divine visions, astral projections and encounters with spirits, angels and the like. Incidentally, theta is the stage that many shamanic healers seek when performing a ritual or inviting a vision.

The last stage is delta and this is where we achieve deep sleep.

Now for visualization purposes, we want to get to the alpha stage and while you may think (as I did) that shutting off the random thoughts without falling asleep is impossible, there are actually some easy tricks to teach your mind to basically shut up so that you can concentrate.

For starters, try counting backwards from twenty. Not out loud, just in your head and as you do so, picture each number big, red and smack dab in the center of your mental screen. By this I mean close your eyes and picture the numbers as you count them off. If a random thought comes flying through, you have to start over.

Piece of cake, you say? Ha! You’d be amazed at how many times I got to 17 and had to start all over again.

As to why bother with the numbers, what you’re essentially doing is training your brain to focus intently on one thing. The countdown gives you an easy focal point and as you regress from 20 to 1, you are literally slowing things down.

When you achieve the alpha stage you’ll know because you’re body will be tremendously relaxed. Things will seem much more peaceful and you won’t be inclined to notice external stimuli. Of course, if the phone’s ringing or your kids are fighting, the external stimuli might win out but not to worry… you can try again.

Once you’ve reached the alpha state, you’re ready to start visualizing your intentions and manifesting that brilliant life you’ve been thinking about. Images should always accompany your thoughts so try picturing the money flowing to you as you’re thinking money flow to me and you’ll find you have much more success.

Happy visualizing… I’m off to make that tea :)

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