The Science of Visualization...

A ‘thought-form’ is an astral image built and strengthened by repeated acts of imagination. Imagination imprints what it pictures onto the unformed astral matter (like burning images onto a DVD). Most people are not well-trained in visualization; our culture does not understand its profound value. This is a great pity because it is imagination, probably more than by anything else, that distinguishes humanity from all other life-forms.

Fantasy and visualization and are very similar; they both use imagination; ‘imagination’ = ‘image-niation’. But, there are important differences between fantasy and visualization which need to be understood, if you are to use imagination’s full potential. At the core of the faculty of imagination lies the power to co-create!

Fantasy (or ‘day-dreaming’ as it is cynically called) tends to be free-flow. It begins with a certain theme but then runs its own course – often quite different to what its creator intended.

Fantasy is entertaining; it is used to relieve boredom, and – in stressful situations – it is used as a temporary escape from the physical plane. Viewed clairvoyantly, images built by idle fantasy are like sparks thrown off from a fire: they light up for a moment or two… then are gone.

The science of visualization, on the other hand, uses intention and discipline. The practitioner meditates on what one needs/wishes to manifest, then by willed imagination the thought-form is constructed. Once made, the thought-form has to be ‘ensouled’ - filled with energy. Mages and esoteric practitioners use interior vision and ritual to build up thought-forms, and to empower them. A thought-form built by meditation alone is like a camera snap-shot, but a thought-form built by esoteric ceremony is like an interactive hologram.

The thought-form doesn’t have to be a still (just visualizing yourself lying on a beach) – it can also be like a small video-clip, a scene (lying on a beach, going for a swim, then having a lobster dinner). When building thought-forms, they should be ‘seen’ and engaged with three dimensionally. Not just seen but also related to by inner touch, hearing, taste and smell. For example: you image yourself as sitting in a car; feel the steering-wheel and leather seats; hear the purr of the engine; smell the scents of the countryside through which you are joyously driving.

Very importantly the thought-form should be visualized as occurring in the present moment. Ignore the rational mind that says: “Well, it will take X amount of time to come about.” See it as a current reality in the Now. The subconscious mind (as in dreams) – has no real belief in time … nor, as Jung observed, in its own mortality. Most important: the thought-form must be charged with emotion to energize it. Emotion is astral energy, so pour your passion into your thought-creation. Enjoy the beach, the swim, the meal; feel exhilarated while driving the new car. If you cannot get emotionally involved with the thought-form, you are wasting your time. Why? Because it means that the subject isn’t really important to you. Instead, use your inherent power of creation to make a thought-form for what does speak to your Soul.

Once the thought-form has been fully constructed and energized, it acquires a quasi-independence of its own. Then it is directed to do its work. Traditionally the left-hand (sacred to Mercury) is used to send a thought-form speeding on its way. Then, dismiss it from your consciousness. Flowers do not grow, if you keep digging up their bulbs to see if they have sprouted yet!

It is not by actions that Life is made – they are results of hidden causes. It is not by feelings that Life is made – in most cases they are simply reactions. It is not by words – they are often insincere and deceptive. It is not by thoughts – in the verbal, inner chatter sense. It is by what the Soul dreams and emanates that Life is manifested. All of creation is a vast thought-form in the Mind of God. As His offspring, you have inherited His power, and can co-create. Use this power wisely and tenderly, do not use it to influence others. Understand clearly that, it is the same with your consciously created thought-forms as it is with your actions - you will reap what you sow! Make sure you do not sow what will be a bitter harvest.

There is a Native-American saying: “Dream the right dreams, then dance the dreams awake!”