Visualization Meditation

Using the process of creative visualization you are able to experience human flourishing (Dacher, 2006).  Human flourishing is the ability to feel and be your most happy mentally, your most whole and connected spiritually, and experience your best health bodily (Dacher, 2006).  This can be experienced and developed by using the meditative process (Dacher, 2006).  The meditative process begins by becoming comfortable in a sitting position in a place where you cannot be disturbed and then begin relaxing and becoming peaceful (Dacher, 2006). 

Then the experience begins by developing a taste of happiness by thinking of a time when you were radiantly happy and dwell on this (Dacher, 2006).  Next focus on that situation and visualize what it looks like, how your body feels and on any sounds or smells that you remember (Dacher, 2006).  Next you focus deeper and remember the quality of your mind, did you have a sense of self feeling spacious, harmonious, and a connectedness in your spirit (Dacher, 2006)?  Once you have explored all these feelings and sensations then turn these feelings on even higher and concentrate on them and let them fill your entire body (Dacher, 2006).  During my experience in this process I thought of the days when I birthed my children as these were the very happiest times of my life.

The next step is developing a taste of wholeness by thinking of a time where your felt connected spiritually with everything around you and dwell on this (Dacher, 2006).  Next focus on that situation and visualize what it looks like, how your body feels and on any sounds or smells that you remember (Dacher, 2006).  Next you focus deeper and remember the quality of your mind, did you have a sense of self feeling spacious, harmonious, and a connectedness in your spirit (Dacher, 2006).  Once you have explored all these feelings and sensations then turn these feelings on even higher and concentrate on them and let them fill your entire body (Dacher, 2006).  During my experience I focused on the times when I was younger and I would drive my VW through the back roads in the woods, along lakes and streams all by myself for hours.  I would feel so high with connectedness and so close to God.

Next move on and remember a time when you felt extremely healthy and begin to dwell on this (Dacher, 2006).  Next focus on that situation and visualize what it looks like, how your body feels and on any sounds or smells that you remember (Dacher, 2006).  Next you focus deeper and remember the quality of your mind, did you have a sense of self feeling spacious, harmonious, and a connectedness in your spirit (Dacher, 2006).  Once you have explored all these feelings and sensations then turn these feelings on even higher and concentrate on them and let them fill your entire body (Dacher, 2006).

Finally let all three of these experiences fill your whole being and relish in them; this is what human flourishing feels like (Dacher, 2006).  Wow, this was an amazing feeling and experience and it was all done in my mind yet it produced great feelings throughout my entire being; physically, mentally and spiritually.  I can definitely see this practice helping future patients and I will continue this practice myself. 

Reference:
Dacher, E., (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.