Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life

by Shakti Gawain

Overview

Creative Visualization... An introduction and workbook for the art of using mental energy to transform and greatly improve health, beauty, prosperity, loving relationships, and the fulfillment of all your desires.

Famous teacher Shakti Gawain provides easy-to-follow exercises, meditations, affirmations, and other techniques to tap into the natural goodness and beauty in all of life - to make positive ideas and concepts a total reality.

Thousands of readers are already using this book to explore and discover their concious connection with their higher selves, and are making dynamic changes in their lives.

With Creative Visualization you too will seem to work miracles ...and you truly will be.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781577316367
Publisher:	New World Library
Publication date:	10/01/2008
Edition description:	30th Anniversary Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.95(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Shakti Gawain’s other bestsellers include Living in the Light , Developing Intuition , Reflections in the Light , and The Relationship Handbook . Through her workshops and books, she has assisted thousands of individuals from all over the world in developing greater awareness, balance, and wholeness. She lives in Mill Valley, California.

Marci Shimoff is the bestselling author of Happy for No Reason and was one of the featured teachers in the movie The Secret . She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Read an Excerpt

Creative Visualization

Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life

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By Shakti Gawain

New World Library

Copyright © 2002 Shakti Gawain
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-60868-464-9

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CHAPTER 1

What Is Creative Visualization?

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Creative visualization is the technique of using your imagination to create what you want in your life. There is nothing at all new, strange, or unusual about creative visualization. You are already using it every day, every minute in fact. It is your natural power of imagination, the basic creative energy of the universe, which you use constantly, whether or not you are aware of it.

In the past, many of us have used our power of creative visualization in a relatively unconscious way. Because of our own deep-seated negative concepts about life, we have automatically and unconsciously expected and imagined lack, limitation, difficulties, and problems to be our lot in life. To one degree or another that is what we have created for ourselves.

This book is about learning to use your natural creative imagination in a more and more conscious way, as a technique to create what you truly want — love, fulfillment, enjoyment, satisfying relationships, rewarding work, self-expression, health, beauty, prosperity, inner peace, and harmony ... whatever your heart desires. The use of creative visualization gives us a key to tap into the natural goodness and bounty of life.

* * *

Imagination is the ability to create an idea, a mental picture, or a feeling sense of something. In creative visualization you use your imagination to create a clear image, idea, or feeling of something you wish to manifest. Then you continue to focus on the idea, feeling, or picture regularly, giving it positive energy until it becomes objective reality ... in other words, until you actually achieve what you have been imagining.

Your goal may be on any level — physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. You might imagine yourself with a new home, or with a new job, or having a satisfying relationship, or feeling calm and serene, or perhaps with an improved memory and learning ability. Or you might picture yourself handling a difficult situation effortlessly, or simply see yourself as a radiant being, filled with life energy. You can work on any level, and all will have results ... through experience you will find the particular images and techniques that work best for you.

Let us say, for example, that you are feeling unsatisfied in your current job situation. If you feel that the job is basically right for you but there are factors that need improvement, you could begin by imagining the improvements that you desire. If that doesn't work, or if you feel that you would prefer a new job, then focus on imagining yourself in the employment situation that you desire.

Either way, the technique is basically the same. After relaxing into a deep, quiet, meditative state of mind, imagine that you are working in your ideal job situation. Imagine yourself in the physical setting or environment that you would like, doing work that you enjoy and find satisfying, interacting with people in a harmonious way, receiving appreciation and appropriate financial compensation. Add any other details that are important for you, such as the hours you work, the amount of autonomy and/or responsibility you have, and so on. Try to get a feeling in yourself that this is possible; experience it as if it were already happening. In short, imagine it exactly the way you'd like it to be, as if it were already so!

Repeat this short, simple exercise often, perhaps twice a day, or whenever you think about it. If your desire and intention to make a change are clear, chances are good that you may find some type of shift taking place in your work, fairly soon.

It should be noted here that this technique cannot be used to "control" the behavior of others or cause them to do something against their will. Its effect is to dissolve our internal barriers to natural harmony and self-realization, allowing everyone to manifest in his or her most positive aspect.

* * *

To use creative visualization it is not necessary to believe in any metaphysical or spiritual ideas, though you must be willing to entertain certain concepts as being possible. It is not necessary to "have faith" in any power outside yourself.

The only thing necessary is that you have the desire to enrich your knowledge and experience, and an open enough mind to try something new in a positive spirit.

Study the principles, try the techniques with an open mind and heart, and then judge for yourself whether they are useful to you.

If so, continue using and developing them, and soon the changes in yourself and your life will probably exceed anything you could have originally dreamed of....

Creative visualization is magic in the truest and highest meaning of the word. It involves understanding and aligning yourself with the natural principles that govern the workings of our universe, and learning to use these principles in the most conscious and creative way.

If you had never seen a gorgeous flower or a spectacular sunset before, and someone described one to you, you might consider it to be a miraculous thing (which it truly is!). Once you saw a few yourself, and began to learn something about the natural laws involved, you would begin to understand how they are formed and it would seem natural to you and not particularly mysterious.

The same is true of the process of creative visualization. What at first might seem amazing or impossible to the very limited type of education our rational minds have received, becomes perfectly understandable once we learn and practice with the underlying concepts involved.

Once you do so, it may seem that you are working miracles in your life ... and you truly will be!

CHAPTER 2

How Creative Visualization Works

* * *

In order to understand how creative visualization works, it's useful to look at several interrelated principles:

The Physical Universe Is Energy

The scientific world is beginning to discover what metaphysical and spiritual teachers have known for centuries. Our physical universe is not really composed of any "matter" at all; its basic component is a kind of force or essence that we call energy.

Things appear to be solid and separate from one another on the level at which our physical senses normally perceive them. On finer levels, however, atomic and subatomic levels, seemingly solid matter is seen as smaller and smaller particles within particles, which eventually turn out to be just pure energy.

Physically, we are all energy, and everything within and around us is made up of energy. We are all part of one great energy field. Things that we perceive to be solid and separate are in reality just various forms of our essential energy which is common to all. We are all one, even in a literal, physical sense.

The energy is vibrating at different rates of speed, and thus has different qualities, from finer to denser. Thought is a relatively fine, light form of energy and, therefore, very quick and easy to change. Matter is relatively dense, compact energy, and therefore slower to move and change. Within matter there is great variation as well. Living flesh is relatively fine, changes quickly, and is easily affected by many things. A rock is a much denser form, slower to change, and more difficult to affect. Yet even rock is eventually changed and affected by the fine, light energy of water, for example. All forms of energy are interrelated and can affect one another.

Energy Is Magnetic

One law of energy is this: Energy of a certain quality or vibration tends to attract energy of a similar quality and vibration.

Thoughts and feelings have their own magnetic energy that attracts energy of a similar nature. We can see this principle at work, for instance, when we "accidentally" run into someone we've just been thinking of, or "happen" to pick up a book that contains exactly the perfect information we need at that moment.

Form Follows Idea

Thought is a quick, light, mobile form of energy. It manifests instantaneously, unlike the denser forms such as matter.

When we create something, we always create it first in thought form. A thought or idea always precedes manifestation. "I think I'll make dinner" is the idea that precedes creation of a meal. "I want a new dress" precedes going and buying one; "I need a job" precedes finding one, and so on.

An artist first has an idea or inspiration, then creates a painting. A builder first has a design, then builds a house.

The idea is like a blueprint; it creates an image of the form, which then magnetizes and guides the physical energy to flow into that form, and eventually manifests it on the physical plane.

The same principle holds true even if we do not take direct physical action to manifest our ideas. Simply having an idea or thought, holding it in your mind, is an energy that will tend to attract and create that form on the material plane. If you constantly think of illness, you may eventually become ill; if you believe yourself to be beautiful, you become so. Unconscious ideas and feelings held inside of us operate in the same way.

The Law of Radiation and Attraction

This is the principle that whatever you put out into the universe will be reflected back to you. "As you sow, so shall you reap."

What this means from a practical standpoint is that we always attract into our lives whatever we think about the most, believe in most strongly, expect on the deepest levels, and/or imagine most vividly.

When we are negative and fearful, insecure or anxious, we often attract the very experiences, situations, or people that we are seeking to avoid. If we are basically positive in attitude, expecting and envisioning pleasure, satisfaction, and happiness, we tend to attract and create people, situations, and events that conform to our positive expectations. So, consciously imagining what we want can help us to manifest it in our lives.

Using Creative Visualization

The process of change does not occur on superficial levels, through mere "positive thinking." It involves exploring, discovering, and changing our deepest, most basic attitudes toward life. That is why learning to use creative visualization can become an experience of deep and meaningful growth. In the process we often discover ways in which we have been holding ourselves back, blocking ourselves from achieving satisfaction and fulfillment in our lives through our fears and unconscious beliefs. Once seen clearly, these limiting attitudes can often be dissolved through the creative visualization process, leaving space for us to find and live a natural state of greater happiness, fulfillment, and love....

At first you may practice creative visualization at specific times and for specific goals. As you get more in the habit of using it, and begin to trust the results it can bring you, you will find that it becomes an integral part of your thinking process. It becomes a continuous awareness, a state of consciousness in which you know that you are the constant creator of your life.

That is the ultimate point of creative visualization — to make every moment of our lives a moment of wondrous creation, in which we are just naturally choosing the best, the most beautiful, the most fulfilling lives we can imagine....

CHAPTER 3

A Simple Exercise in Creative Visualization

* * *

Here is an exercise in the basic technique of creative visualization:

First, think of something you would like. For this exercise choose something simple, something that you can easily imagine attaining. It might be an object you would like to have, an event you would like to have happen, a situation in which you'd like to find yourself, or some circumstance in your life you'd like to improve.

Get in a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down, in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Relax your body completely. Starting from your toes and moving up to your scalp, think of relaxing each muscle in your body in turn, letting all tension flow out of your body. Breathe deeply and slowly, from your belly. Count down slowly from ten to one, feeling yourself getting more deeply relaxed with each count.

When you feel deeply relaxed, start to imagine the thing you want exactly as you would like it. If it is an object, imagine yourself with the object, using it, admiring it, enjoying it, showing it to friends. If it is a situation or event, imagine yourself there and everything happening just as you want it to. You may imagine what people are saying, or any details that make it more real to you.

You may take a relatively short time or quite a few minutes to imagine this — whatever feels best to you. Have fun with it. It should be a thoroughly enjoyable experience, like a child daydreaming about what he wants for his birthday.

Now, keeping the idea or image still in your mind, mentally make some very positive, affirmative statements to yourself (aloud or silently, as you prefer) about it, such as:

Here I am spending a wonderful weekend in the mountains. What a beautiful vacation.

or

I love the view from my spacious, new apartment.

or

I'm learning to love and accept myself as I am.

These positive statements, called affirmations, are a very important part of creative visualization, which I discuss in more detail later.

If you like, you can end your visualization with the firm statement to yourself:

This, or something better, now manifests for me in totally satisfying and harmonious ways, for the highest good of all concerned.

This statement leaves room for something different and even better than you had originally envisioned happening, and serves as a reminder to you that this process only functions for the mutual benefit of all.

If doubts or contradictory thoughts arise, don't resist them or try to prevent them. This will tend to give them a power they don't otherwise have. Just let them flow through your consciousness, acknowledge them, and return to your positive statements and images.

Do this process only as long as you find it enjoyable and interesting. It could be five minutes or half an hour. Repeat every day, or as often as you can.

As you see, the basic process is relatively simple. Using it really effectively, however, usually requires some understanding and refinement.

CHAPTER 4

It's Important to Relax

* * *

It's important to relax deeply when you are first learning to use creative visualization. When your body and mind are deeply relaxed, your brain wave pattern actually changes and becomes slower. This deeper, slower level is commonly called the alpha level (while your usual busy waking consciousness is called the beta level), and much research is being done on its effects.

The alpha level has been found to be a very healthful state of consciousness, because of its relaxing effect on mind and body. And, interestingly enough, it has been found to be far more effective than the more active beta level in creating real changes in the so-called objective world, through the use of visualization. What this means for our practical purposes is that if you learn to relax deeply and do creative visualization, you may be able to make far more effective changes in your life than you would by thinking, worrying, planning, and trying to manipulate things and people.

If you have any particular way that you are accustomed to relaxing deeply or entering a quiet, meditative state, by all means use that method. Otherwise you may wish to continue using the method I describe in the previous chapter — breathing slowly and deeply, relaxing each muscle in your body in turn, and counting down from ten to one slowly. If you have any trouble physically relaxing, you might want to seek instruction in yoga, meditation, or stress reduction, which will be helpful in this regard. Of course, a side benefit of all of this is that you will find deep relaxation healthful and beneficial mentally, emotionally, and physically.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain. Copyright © 2002 Shakti Gawain. Excerpted by permission of New World Library.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

	Publisher's Preface	ix
	Introduction to the Revised Edition	xii
	A Letter to My Readers	xv
Part 1	Basics of Creative Visualization	1
	What Is Creative Visualization?	3
	How Creative Visualization Works	8
	A Simple Exercise in Creative Visualization	13
	It's Important to Relax	16
	How to Visualize	18
	Four Basic Steps for Effective Creative Visualization	22
	Creative Visualization Works Only for Good	25
	Affirmations	27
	A Spiritual "Paradox"	35
Part 2	Using Creative Visualization	41
	Making Creative Visualization Part of Your Life	43
	Being, Doing, and Having	47
	Three Necessary Elements	49
	Contacting Your Higher Self	51
	Going with the Flow	55
	Prosperity	59
	Accepting Your Good	65
	Outflowing	71
	Healing	76
Part 3	Meditations and Affirmations	85
	Grounding Yourself and Running Energy	87
	Opening the Energy Centers	89
	Creating Your Sanctuary	92
	Meeting Your Guide	94
	Pink Bubble Technique	98
	Healing Meditations	100
	Invocations	107
	Ways to Use Affirmations	110
Part 4	Special Techniques	117
	A Creative Visualization Notebook	119
	Clearing	123
	Writing Affirmations	133
	Setting Goals	136
	Ideal Scene	145
	Treasure Maps	147
	Health and Beauty	152
	Creative Visualization in Groups	157
	Creative Visualization in Relationships	159
Part 5	Living Creatively	165
	Creative Consciousness	167
	Discovering Our Higher Purpose	168
	Your Life Is Your Work of Art	170
	Acknowledgments	171
	Recommended Resources	172
	About the Author	175

What People are Saying About This

Oprah Winfrey

I do believe, and I have seen in my own life, that Creative Visualization works.

Editorial Reviews

Gawain's book, originally published in 1978, generated an entire technique still used for therapeutic, creative, and developmental purposes, and she has gone on to write other popular titles, including last year's Living in the Light and this year's Developing Intuition.

Library Journal

I have seen in my own life that creative visualization works.”
— Oprah Winfrey

“On behalf of the millions of people around the world whose lives you’ve touched and transformed, I thank you, Shakti, for the gift of this seminal treasure. Your words have helped us shape lives of greater peace, joy, and fulfillment.”
— from the foreword by Marci Shimoff , bestselling author of Happy for No Reason

“Prepare yourself for some rather startling and truly marvelous results.”
— New Age Journal

“[ Creative Visualization ] was like nothing I’d ever read before. It’s what got me started using visualization in my personal life and in my teachings.”
— Jack Canfield , cocreator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series

From the Publisher