“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” – Muhammad Ali
Imagine your holding a bright yellow lemon. Set it down on a table and cut through the center of it. See the lemon juice squirting out and smell the tangy and tart aroma. Now, cut off a little piece and sink your teeth in! How does it taste? Do you happen to be salivating just thinking about it? By visualizing biting into a lemon it often produces the actual physiological response we would have from eating something sour or bitter. This is just a simple example of the power our mind has to visualize an experience. Let’s examine how to use this in a more profound manner.
Creativity as a source of power
We don’t have to be an eccentric musician or abstract artist to uncover our personal creativity. It is a natural part of our human nature, and offers us an advantage in problem solving, developing innovative ideas, and building general skills and confidence. We just have to train our brain to be open to new possibilities and develop the ability to visualize and conceptualize common things in a new way. Creativity is often related to an ability to look past the obvious and come up with a novel and unconventional way of doing something. Becoming more inclined to tap into an open-minded and flexible way of thinking is the key to finding more creative outlets in your life. Starting today, expect to be creative. Tell yourself:
- “I am a creative and resourceful person.”
- “I have many imaginative and unique ideas.”
- “Creative ideas flow from me many times a day.”
- “I am open to receiving and looking for creativity.”
- “I act on my creative ideas in a responsible and effective manner.”
Creativity can offer many solutions, so be willing to unlock your minds potential for its natural creative abilities.
Meditation as a source of enhancing creativity
Meditation provides an opportunity to tap into this creative potential and expand your personal ideals by practicing mental imagery and visualization. Here are some specifics on this process. Use both sides of the brain – As you progress in meditative practice you can learn to use imagery, colors, and symbols to integrate your brain hemispheres and tap into the more imaginative and multidimensional side of your mind. Using your imagination along with logical thinking can help you align your feelings, will, and behavior with your personal potential for success. Change the rules – Creative meditation will require you to open yourself up to unusual ways to viewing things and connect with imagination that is outside of your normal experience. View your meditation experience as a boundless and completely free opportunity to do anything that you desire. In this sense, similar to a dream, anything is possible during creative meditation. Keep a journal – Whenever meditating, have a journal that you can jot down ideas and inspirations that come to you. It can be very helpful to process the experience afterward by writing out the value you gained or any moments of clarity you received. This can help you get the most from your meditation session.
Meditation to Align with a Higher Self
Take your usual meditative position by sitting quietly and comfortably with your eyes closed. This meditation below is about connecting with transcendent energies. There is energy all around us, and by developing a state of mind that we are one with this uplifting energy, it offers a way to elevate our mind and body. Envision a luminous sphere of light extending from the crown of your head. Imagine this light expanding outward to reach and connect with vast places and people. This light is a conduit that draws energy, wisdom, power, and love back to you from the majestic places it touches and the great people it encounters. You can visualize any place or person with which this energy sphere has contact with. You may want to receive energy from a tropical paradise or a grand mountain range. Maybe you want to connect with the energy of a powerful leader or a loving and peaceful spiritual figure. Whoever or wherever it may be visualize this radiant light as a source of interconnectedness between you and scene you are imagining. Now focus all your energy on the light beam as a connector with your creator. Envision a light beam extending from the crown of your head and reaching into space to connect with the creator of the universe. Feel the energy this omits and visualize your entire body being surrounding with bright radiant light. This light is a protective barrier that offers you strength, power, and blessings. At this point you may have a specific need you want to address.
- Asking for guidance on a particular issue.
- Ask for greater protection and strength.
- Feel tension and stress being relieved from your body.
- Ask for improved physical or mental health.
- Seek to find deeper clarity about your life purpose.
If at any point you have trouble visualizing through this exercise, you can use your breath as an anchor. Come back to simply following your breath, and as you do so, imagine that each breath you take is energy coming from the vast universe, and as you exhale you are breathing directly back into the universe you are connected to. This meditation should focus on raising your energy level and having a sense of safety, security, and confidence. If you have an important occasion coming up use this meditation to manage any worries or uncertainty you may have. Photo credit: Canon in 2D
