That is an interesting point Kristy, the other day I was leading a female friend of mine in meditation, and she tried to imagine a place like I have been doing, and she said it was very difficult for her.
Brett http://www.pbase.com/brett1963 --- On Thu, 2/10/11, Kristy McClain <healthypl...@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Kristy McClain <healthypl...@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Zen] visualization To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 6:04 PM Brett, This makes a lot of sense to me. When you write about Alaska, I can "feel" it. You are actually creating a zendo in your mind. Your last statement here tells me that you are doing what Bill does. You are not attached to your vision or thoughts. To the contrary-- they simply flow on. One thing I have found is that people who have a good imagination, and are visually-oriented , do better at this. It is difficult for me, as I am not good at creating pictures in my head.. with one exception, but it is not relevant to this discussion. Its said that males are more visually-oriented, so I am wondering if men are better at this. Its a curious idea. Thanks for sharing.. ~ k --- On Thu, 2/10/11, Brett Corbin <brettalancor...@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Brett Corbin <brettalancor...@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Zen] visualization To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 4:41 PM I have been using visualization lately and have been finding it to be very helpful. What I do is, I go in to my normal meditation, focusing in on my breathing, when I start calming down and become aware, I visualize myself in a place I remember from my childhood. It is in southeast Alaska, in the mountains over looking the ocean, a very beautiful place indeed. In my mind I picture myself there, and try to really experience it like I am really there, observing the view, feeling the sun, and things like that. Then I find a place to sit on the ground in this place, and I go right into my meditation. It is kind of weird, but for some reason I do not get attacked by my thoughts as much this way, and also I seem to have deeper experience this way. Brett http://www.pbase.com/brett1963 --- On Thu, 2/10/11, Kristy McClain <healthypl...@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Kristy McClain <healthypl...@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Zen] visualization To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 3:11 PM Anthony, So zen is anything not dualistic. I'm not a zen scholar, and the way I practice zen includes compassionate service, and ethical conduct. So, technically, my zen practice is not authentic zen. Oh well. I first learned about visualization froma book called "Creative Visualization" , from the 70's era. In recent years, there have been many healing therapies that use it. "The violet flame", for example. I am learning as I go along how incredible powerful the mind really is. Sometimes visualization is called the placebo-effect. Here's an example. In a meta-analysis on studies on depression, it has been demonstrated that use of anti-depressants for mild -to moderate depression , is no more effective, than if given a placebo. If you believe it works-- it can. (Meta-analaysis is a study of studies). Here's another.. In my pain management class with "seniors" ;), I will arrive the first day with a surfboard and related equipment. When I introduce myself, I will welcome everyone, and tell them how excited I am they are interested in learning how to surf! I'll go on for a few minutes about the number of years I've been doing it, and boy-- are they gonna love it! As they look at me as if I've lost my mind, we will laugh a bit, and in effect--it creates a paradigm shift. If I believe they can do it, ( and I do), they will too--in time. First, I will take them into a relaxation visualization with their breath. Its the first step in a process. In Santa Barbara, it will probably be roller-blades, or hiking gear. In Utah, with cardiac patients, it will be a pair of skis, wax, and files, as if I were leading a "Tune Your Own Skis" class. Isn't it possible to begin with two halves and unify them into one? So, maybe beginning with dualism isn't so bad? To me-- all of this is zen. I don't have to define its boundaries in that way. My two cents.. *s* k On Thu, 2/10/11, Anthony Wu <wu...@yahoo.com.sg> wrote: From: Anthony Wu <wu...@yahoo.com.sg> Subject: Re: [Zen] visualization To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 2:44 PM Brett, I did for about a year and gave up. That, no doubt, can be a good practice. But it is not zen. Anthony --- On Fri, 11/2/11, artist <brettalancor...@yahoo.com> wrote: From: artist <brettalancor...@yahoo.com> Subject: [Zen] visualization To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, 11 February, 2011, 5:01 AM I was just wondering if anyone here uses any visualization practises in their meditation. Brett.
