Mental Imagery
There are two parts to the process of mental imagery.
The first part is to learn how to do mental imagery. I will teach you mental imagery as a tool you can implement in your daily life. I will guide you through the process of working with mental imaging techniques that are easy to use for any lifestyle. Typically, the first session will be 1 hour, and if needed, a follow-up session can be shorter approximately 30 – 45 minutes depending on your needs. Mental imagery is simple to learn and easy to accommodate to your schedule as it does not take much time. Depending on your situation and desired area of improvement, mental imaging can take as little as one minute and repeated two or three times per day for a total of three minutes a day. That is all the time that is required to apply mental imagery to your lifestyle.
The second part of learning mental imagery requires us to work on any deep-rooted beliefs that may create blocks, barriers, and resistance to the change you are seeking. There is a mirroring relationship between beliefs and the experiences we have. Allow me to explain the mirroring effect. Emotional, mental, behavioral, and social experiences are impacted by the perceptions we have of people, situations, and events within our area of comfort or discomfort. Our sensory experience of the world gives way to our ability to perceive the world in a manner that is congruent or incongruent with our beliefs. This process is important as it helps us to determine the choices we make. While our senses are magnificent tools that help us navigate the external world, these can also narrow the scope of our experiences as perceptions are developed. How we view ourselves, other people, and the world is framed by our perception.
You will learn how mental imagery works to create new beliefs that align with your purpose. This is done by creating small changes that have the potential of creating a large impact.
There are three components of most importance as you consider engaging in this process. The first is to maintain an open mind as you learn and apply the techniques to your lifestyle. The second is to experiment with this process for at least 21 days – two to three times per day. Why 21 days? Because it takes approximately 21 days to create a new habit. There are times when creating new habits takes longer, but this will be discussed on a case by case basis. The third requirement is to become an observer while undertaking this journey.
How is this done? By using mental imagery. Images are the natural language of the mind and in doing this work you will learn how to access this potential for change. For example, if I ask you to think of a time when you were angry, an image may come to mind. If I say think of a time when you felt stressed, an image comes to mind. We think in images, even when we do not want to think of images. For example, if I say do not think of the red stop sign. Most likely, you are seeing an image of the red stop sign. This illustrates how we naturally think in images as we respond to our internal narrative. The process of learning the techniques that I will be teaching you has more steps than just thinking of an image.
The process of mental imaging is simple and there can be a tendency to dismiss it because of its simplicity. But, in the simplicity lies its secret. After experimenting with mental imagery, I decided to integrate it as part of my daily routine and lifestyle. I learned this process from the work of Dr. Gerald Epstein’s books and his audio programs. I have also taken on an apprenticeship at the American Institute of Mental Imagery with Rachel Epstein L.Ac, JD., director of the institute. I currently work with the geriatric population and use mental imagery frequently. I welcome you to participate in this ancient method of healing as a collaborative process to leaving behind old beliefs, accessing a renewed version of yourself, and finding new potential in your ability to become your healing authority.
The following are references that can be of interest to you in learning more about mental imagery as a transformative process and if desired, you may also find it useful in your quest for self-healing.
REFERENCES
American Institute for Mental Imagery: https://www.drjerryepstein.org/
How to do Mental Imagery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBNUqLdLkSw
Book: Healing Visualizations: Creating Healing Through Imaging, by Dr. Gerald Epstein.
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