Visualization and Guided Imagery

Visualization and guided imagery have been used as healing tools in most of the world's cultures and are an integral part of many religions. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks believed that images release spirits in the brain that arouse the heart and other parts of the body. They also thought that a strong image of a disease was enough to cause its symptoms.

Visualization and guided imagery are potent healers that have long been disregarded by Western medicine. The power of the mind to influence the body is strong. Everything we do is processed through the mind with images. Smells, sounds, tastes and visual images evoke pleasant or unpleasant memories. Imagery is the way that the mind speaks to the body.

Unfortunately, many of the mental images we encounter in the mind do more harm than good. The most common type of imagery is worry. On average, at least 10,000 thoughts or images flash through the mind in one day, and at least half of those thoughts are negative. Imagine, then, how our physiology and psychology are affected. However, when we learn to direct and control the images in the mind, we can help our bodies and minds heal themselves.

Visualization and guided imagery can be very powerful tools to help combat stress, tension and anxiety. Anyone can be successful with the use of imagery. Visualization works best when used in combination with a relaxation technique. When the physical body is relaxed, we don't need to be in conscious control of the mind and can give it the freedom to let go and heal itself.

In the WELL program, we will be using visualization and guided imagery to heal our body and to calm our mind. Most importantly, we will use imagery to visualize our soul as the point of light that is the life force for our body and the conscience for our mind.