Sojourn To Healing

This track contains a full explanation of the theory of imagery and visualization and sample sessions to help you identify an imagery tool that is right for you. Also, a couple of complete 15-minute guided imagery sessions with relaxing flute music.

Testimonial:
“Abundant Wellbeing Series truly helps to ‘Open Your Heart.’ These techniques have been proven effective in reducing stress and contributing to the reversal of heart disease.”
Dean Ornish, M.D., President & Director, Preventive Medicine Research Institute

Transcript

Welcome to the Abundant Well-Being Series. This series guides us on a journey to health and peace. Part three of the series sojourn to healing, Imagery and visualization. Side A explains the different types of imagery. Side B offers two individual sessions for your continued practice. Imagery is the pathway to our inner guidance. It allows us to create experiences and accomplish goals that make our lives more meaningful and productive. It allows us to take a sojourn to healing. Imagery is the language of the mind. The mind hears and speaks in images and then translates those images into words. When we listen to words or concepts, They are interpreted in a way we are familiar with or understand, Which create more images. In our everyday lives, We are constantly doing imagery, Planning, Setting goals, Anticipation, Making shopping lists, And even in sleep, We dream. Positive imagery allows the mind and body to mobilize all the available resources that assist in our healing process. In healing imagery, We invoke a state that brings about positive responses in the body and mind. This results in lowering of blood pressure, Boosting immune function, And producing a feeling of well-being. Through positive mental imagery, Signals are sent to the body to help repair and sustain energy. Do you remember seeing something that you really enjoyed? You may have described it as a heartwarming experience, An experience in the mind, Warm the heart, And ultimately the whole body. Worry and anxiety are examples of imagery that may injure the body and deplete our energy. When we worry, We are imagining something that could happen. Do you remember an event that you may have described as giving you a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach and later found out there was nothing to worry about? Many of us do this type of imagery all too frequently and all too well. Even if an event doesn't occur, Our bodies still act as if it did with the same physiological responses. As developing children, We constantly image. We watch, Listen, Smell, Touch, Many things. As our skills and bodies mature, We begin to develop many of these actions. For instance, The act of walking. As babies, We aren't able to perform this action many of us now take for granted. We begin to study others as they walk. We watch very closely. We observe motion as we're carried. As our legs become stronger and our muscles develop, We observe that they are able to lift us, Yet we're still unable to walk. We continue to watch and practice until one day, With the help of hands from above, We stand. What elation at having conquered the greatest conscious challenge so far, And in our moment of triumph, We may fall, Only to rise again with renewed enthusiasm. We're soon able to stand alone and take the first of many steps. Walking is a process that occurs by first projecting an image of ourselves walking, And then we move our physical body into that image, And we walk. Sometimes we try to entice a small child to walk further by holding up a favorite toy. To everyone's amazement, The child is able to walk much further and even to reach the toy. It's a moment of triumph where the child's imagery expands even beyond his or her own expectations. From one or two steps to the whole room, And eventually the whole world. When we become vigilant with our practice, We receive great benefits. If after the first few steps, As babies, We got frustrated and gave up, Where would most of us be? Still crawling. Sometimes as we aspire to accomplish great things, We may stumble over an obstacle or object in the way. Let it be only a temporary delay. Regular daily practice is one of the best ways to accomplish stress management and healing. As we begin the practice of imagery, It's helpful to know that there are different ways to image depending on our own individual perceptions. Imagery and visualization can be perceived differently. If you are asked to visualize a scene described only in a visual sense, You might have difficulty doing it. However, By imaging sounds or feelings, The scene may become clear and more real for you. We increase the palette of our experiences as we acknowledge and include our other senses. All forms of imagery are effective and there is no wrong way to do it. The important thing is to find the form that will suit you best. Deep within, You know what your body and mind need. When you are relaxed and open, The natural intelligence of the body to heal itself is honored and revealed. You are the healer. Let's try a simple example of imagery that can help you to discover which senses are most accessible to you. Assume a comfortable position, Either lying down or in a seated position. Allow the body to completely relax. If this is difficult, You may want to do some relaxation training in order to accomplish this essential component. The relaxed body allows the mind to focus. Please allow the eyes to close. Begin to observe the breath, Allowing the body to remain relaxed and without physically leaving the room. Slowly imagine yourself standing up and walking out of the room, Hearing the footsteps as you walk. Slowly open the door. See a beautiful green field. Begin to walk across the field to a group of brightly colored trees. The crisp smell of autumn is in the air. Some of the leaves have dropped, So as you shuffle your feet, You can hear the rustling sounds among the red, Gold, And brown colored leaves. See the beautiful contrast against the green grass. Looking up, You see the leaves blowing in the trees and the golden light of the sun. Feel the warmth on your face. Can you hear the gentle breeze in the trees? Feel the cool breeze on your cheeks. As you continue to walk, See a light green meadow with yellow flowers. Beyond the meadow, An orchard of bright green trees against the blue sky. The trees are heavy with ripe red apples. Feel yourself skipping up to the trees and standing on your tiptoes, Reaching up to touch the apple. The apple so ripe falls into your hand. Feel its coolness and firmness. Wash it on your shirt sleeve. Observe the sun reflecting in the shiny skin. Bring it up to your nose and smell the freshness. Feel it against your lips. Open your mouth and feel the hardness of the skin as the teeth sink into the apple. Take a bite. Hear the crunch. Feel the juice in the mouth as it bursts into taste. The aroma fills the nostrils. Feel the juice dripping down your chin as you chew. Standing for a moment, Chewing the apple, The sun reflects on your face. You hear a bird in the distance calling and you feel very contented. Slowly begin to walk back through the trees. Once again, Hear the rustle of the leaves. Take another bite of the apple as you listen to the whisper of the wind in the trees. Slowly come back to the open door to your room. Walk in and come back to your resting body. Please bring the awareness back to the breath. Take in a few deep inhalations and become conscious of the body. As you become still, Notice how many of the senses were used. Were you able to see the trees, The apple, The sun? Could you hear the birds, The rustle of the leaves in the trees? The crunch of the apple. Could you smell the autumn leaves or the apple? Were you able to feel the breeze on your face, The warmth of the sun? How sweet was that apple? Did you actually salivate? Even though you were not physically eating the apple, Your mouth and salivary glands might have reacted as if you were. Observe which one of the senses was most dominant for you. This one would be the best for you to focus on during your creative imagery. Can you doubt how powerful imagery can be in healing? If you turn your powerful senses inward, You can mobilize your own immune system and influence your entire life. Pain has a definite way of getting our attention. It's difficult to deny deep pain. All of our attention goes to that place. Yet in deep sleep, It seems to go away or at least lessen. If we can focus our attention positively, It is possible to help any part of the body, Mind or life to heal. With the pain or sickness calling our attention, We just need to meet that attention in a positive instead of negative way. There may be a part of your body that is injured or diseased. Imagine what that part looks like healthy. Then slowly in your mind, Create the healing. At first this may seem unfamiliar to you, Yet your body is doing it all the time with its own form of imagery. It heals and makes us whole again. You are encouraging the body's own natural intelligence by allowing it to have all the positive energy it needs. Every part of you is influenced by positive energy. If you are in a sports event, You perform so much better if someone cheers you rather than boos you. So it is with healing. Imagery can be done in an active or passive way. Actively we formulate an image to be directly used on the area in need of healing. With concentration, We project that image to do the task at hand. Positive imagery acknowledges your innate ability and wisdom to heal. It allows the healing to happen with gentle guidance. Both can be used according to your temperament or one following the other. In choosing an imagery tool for yourself, It is helpful to base it on the stronger of your senses or to combine senses. For example, You may see a color and also feel its quality. A blue cooling light. A yellow warming light. A vibrant waterfall can be enhanced by the sound of the rushing water. There are many tools we use daily that can be used in imagery. A sponge to soak up debris. A broom to sweep away pain. A vacuum cleaner can remove unwanted buildup and open vessels. Soap that can dissolve tumors. A paintbrush to change a hot spot to a cool spot. Or even a delete button to purge unwanted emotions. You could even use the laser beam from your favorite science fiction movie to dissolve away blockage. For now, Choose any imagery tool that appeals to you. Be relaxed and allow the eyes to close. Bring the awareness to the breath. Observe its gentle flow in and out. Use the inhalation to draw you inward to that place of stillness and peace deep within. You may like to imagine this place as somewhere you have been to or a place you have seen or heard about. It can be at the sea, In a forest, The mountains, In full light or darkness. It may not be a tangible place at all, But just a feeling of stillness among activity. A place that allows you to go and say, Ah. It is from this sacred place that we will be guided on our sojourn to healing. Choose an area on the physical body or in the mind that is either in pain or in some way in need of healing attention. Slowly bring the mind to that area and observe what is needed for healing. Keep the mind focused as you slowly introduce the active imagery tool you have chosen. Observe the reaction to the image. There is no need to force the image. You may see organs realistically or you may see them in a more abstract manner. Remember there is no right or wrong way in imagery. Engage as many of the senses as you are able to make it realistic. If you are using the ocean, Hear the sound, Feel the power, The coolness of it. Allow the water to wash away that which you no longer need and replace it with health. Allow the image to change and evolve. Observe the changes and listen to any subtle messages it may give. Keep the mind focused and directed on the area in need of healing. Let the mind move from owl to tiger or elephant to the COMPASSION're. Slowly bring the awareness back to the place of stillness within. Slowly bring the awareness back to the breath and allow the inhalation to deepen as you return to full consciousness. Observe how that particular area feels after the act of imagery. Please stretch out the body. Now that you have experienced active imagery, We will practice a more passive type imagery. Please have a comfortable relaxed position. Allow the eyes to close. Bring the awareness to the breath. Observe it as it gently flows in and out. Use the inhalation to draw you inward to a place of stillness and peace. From that place of stillness, Begin to gently guide healing energy to a special place on the body or in the mind. Send the energy in the form of healing light, Color or a feeling that this energy will allow the balance to be restored, Bringing health and wholeness. Observe how this energy surrounds and embraces the area. Slowly allow the energy to enter and be accepted. Listen and observe any messages that may be given and how that healing energy makes that part of the body feel. Openness expresses Category 1 from Jyotisha and produces Area 2 into the mind. Slowly allow the healing energy to expand. See how it moves through the entire body, Embracing each organ and cell. Slowly allow the healing energy to embrace each thought in the mind. Observe the feeling of peace, Wholeness. Slowly and gently return to the stillness within, The wellspring of healing energy. Observe the gentle breath and gradually deepen the inhalation. Feel the body and mind recharging with vital energy. Observe how you feel. Through positive healing imagery, Disease dissipates and health re-emerges. You feel whole and complete. You're sojourned to healing has begun. You will now take a sojourn to healing with active imagery. Please adjust the body so that it is comfortable. Allow the mind to image the different parts of the body relaxing. The legs, The arms, The abdomen and chest, The spine and back, The neck, The face, The head. Observe the body that it's not leaning to one side or another. Direct the breath to any place on the body that feels discomfort. On the inhalation, Observe that part of the body expand and on the exhalation, Observe that part of the body relax. Observe the slow and steady breath as it draws you inward to the place of peace and stillness. From that center, Begin to look outward, Seeing all parts of your life like the rays of a six-pointed star. The rays represent your physical body, Your mind and emotions, Your spiritual life, Your professional life, Your personal and social life, And one ray represents the world. As you observe the star, Notice which aspects may have been given more energy and which aspects may have been neglected. Begin to slowly move into the ray that may need special attention and healing. Within that aspect, Is there something particular that needs to be healed, Developed or changed? If it is the physical aspect, Exactly what part of the body is most in need of healing? An organ, An area? Look above the ray and see if you can find the perfect image for healing. Take this healing image and from the place of stillness, Begin to use it for your healing. It could be a color or a person or a healing balm or whatever you imagine could help that part be whole again. Use as many tools as you need to do the job. The whole universe is at your service in its abundance. Keep the mind focused on that aspect of your life as it heals. You you you you you you you you you you you allow yourself to step back into the center of the star look around As the rays are more balanced, Appreciate the feeling of fullness, Expansion, And wholeness. Often we sacrifice the development of one of our aspects for another. Notice how when one ray is affected, All the others being interconnected are affected also. As the one, So is the whole. Disease or unhappiness can be merely thought of as one of the rays in our star that has become unbalanced. Rest once again in that center or stillness. Slowly begin to bring the awareness back to the breath. Deepen the inhalation and feel the vital energy coming back to the body and mind. Feel it coming in through the head, Moving down the spine into the vital organs, Down the arms to the fingers, The legs to the toes. Observe a healing of the body, Mind, Spirit, And your entire life. Slowly allow the eyes to open just slightly. Behold the first rays of light as they come in. Continue to slowly open the eyes and allow the light from within to shine out into the world, Wishing peace and love. We'll now take a sojourn to healing. With passive imagery, Please adjust the body and allow the mind to image the different parts of the body as they relax. Relax the legs, The arms, The abdomen, Chest, Throat, The spine, The back, The neck, The face. The whole body is completely relaxed. Observe that you're not leaning to one side or another. Direct the breath to any place on the body that feels discomfort. On the inhalation, Observe that part of the body expand and on the exhalation, Observe that part of the body relax. Observe the slow and steady breath. Gently begin to draw inward to that place of peace and stillness. From that place of stillness, Begin to gently guide healing energy to a special place on the body or in the mind. Send the energy in the form of healing light, Color, Or a feeling that this energy will allow the balance to be restored, Bringing health and wholeness. Observe how this energy surrounds and embraces the area. Observe any color or change in shape. Slowly allow the energy to be absorbed and accepted. Listen and observe any messages that may be given and how that healing energy makes that part of the body feel. Keep the mind focused on the imagery and on the healing. Allow the healing energy to slowly expand and move through the entire body, Embracing each organ and cell in the body. Allow the healing energy to slowly embrace each thought in the mind. Slowly allow the healing energy to move past the periphery of your own body, To surround you on all sides with healing energy. Observe the feeling of peace, Wholeness. Slowly and gently return to the stillness within, The wellspring of healing energy. Observe the gentle breath. Gradually deepen the inhalation. Feel the body and mind recharging with fresh vital energy. Observe how you feel. Through positive healing imagery, Disease dissipates and health reemerges. You feel whole and complete. Your sojourn to healing has begun. Slowly allow the eyes to open just slightly. Behold the first rays of light as they come in. Continue to slowly open the eyes and allow the light from within to shine out into the world, Wishing peace and love.