Natural Healing Treatment: Visualization Therapy

The Positive Effects of a Content State of Mind

It is now widely accepted that the mind exerts a great deal of influence on the health of the body. People with a cheerful, optimistic outlook on life often experience better health than those who are gloomy and pessimistic. In the case of some serious illnesses such as cancer, it is recognized that people who maintain a positive and determined attitude often do better than those who are passive or fatalistic.

In these instances, life in both its extent and quality appear to be affected by the person's state of mind. In visualization therapy it is recognized that the pictures created by the mind (as well as thoughts), can have powerful positive or negative effects on the health of the body. Those using this technique believe that it not only helps people suffering from stress and psychological and emotional problems, but also patients with physical illnesses and symptoms. These include cancer, rheumatic and arthritic disorders and other painful conditions.

In visualization therapy, the patient is first taught the technique of creating a mental image. A person suffering from an emotional or psychological problem is asked to create a picture that is connected with his or her difficulty. The feelings created by the image are explored and discussed with the therapist and changes are made to the picture that, with time, help to resolve the problem. This is how visualization differs from visual meditation. In visual meditation the visual image way well be a symbolic one, but it's only purpose is to empty the mind of all other distraction.

For people with physical illnesses, the image created is often aimed at helping to relieve and ease pain by creating an image of the diseased or painful area and make adjustments to it with the aim of reducing the impact of the symptoms, though its benefits in the treatment of physical disorders remain controversial.

This form of treatment is normally used with other techniques. It is beneficial for people suffering from stress and emotional problems. Children often respond well to visualization therapy as they are naturally imaginative and find it easy to create mental pictures.

Whatever we create in our lives, whether it is an omelette or a multinational corporation or a love affair, begins as an image in our minds. Inner images that we may have formed long ago, and are now outside our conscious awareness, shape and often limit our ability to make creative life choices and changes. Through image work-or visualization-it is possible to tap into, explore, and change these inner programmes that guide our lives, and to identify and bring about the future that is really right for us.

Visualization promotes relaxation and relaxation promotes visualization. Each session should start with a simple programme as follows.